Job summary PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY Are you interested in a varied role which has ensuring patients experience the best pharmaceutical care at its heart? We are looking for enthusiastic pharmacy assistants to work as a key part of the pharmacy team within our modern automated, dispensary areas. This role involves activities related to dispensing prescriptions for patients in the main dispensary and stock control, within the Pharmacy Department. If you are interested in this post, you will need previous experience of working in either a hospital or community pharmacy and have a minimum of NVQ level 2 in Pharmacy services or equivalent. You must be able to demonstrate an enthusiasm for trying new roles and delivering an excellent patient experience. Bedford Pharmacy operates a 7-day service, and some weekend shifts will be required. Main duties of the job To provide medicine dispensing services within the Pharmacy Dispensary. To supervise the activity of Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technicians in the dispensary. To take part in the late dispensary, weekend and bank holiday shift system. About us Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high-quality training and development to help you grow your career. We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting-edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available. Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job. Date posted 10 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 3 Salary £24,071 to £25,674 a year per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 418-AHP3612-SJ-A Job locations Bedford Hospital South Wing Kempston Road Bedford MK42 9DJ Job description Job responsibilities The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities. To receive prescriptions and other requests into the Main Dispensary or Dispensary Satellites according to the agreed procedures and deal with straightforward problems To interpret prescriptions and where necessary, contact a pharmacy technician or pharmacist to clarify prescriptions To undertake dispensing tasks under supervision including use of the pharmacy computer system for labelling To check and restock the emergency drugs cupboard To answer the telephone and resolve problems Job description Job responsibilities The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities. To receive prescriptions and other requests into the Main Dispensary or Dispensary Satellites according to the agreed procedures and deal with straightforward problems To interpret prescriptions and where necessary, contact a pharmacy technician or pharmacist to clarify prescriptions To undertake dispensing tasks under supervision including use of the pharmacy computer system for labelling To check and restock the emergency drugs cupboard To answer the telephone and resolve problems Person Specification Qualifications Essential Basic numeracy and literacy NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services Desirable Vocational qualification in IT skills Experience Essential Experience in a pharmacy, warehouse or customer orientated environment Experience of supervising staff in training Desirable Experience of training other staff Use of computer systems Knowledge Essential Understanding of customer care Understanding of the need of confidentiality awareness at all times Desirable Familiarity with drug names Skills Essential Good verbal and written communication skills Good listening skills Ability to organise own day to day work tasks Accurate and organised Shows initiative Ability to deal sensitively with distressed / aggrieved customers / clients Ability to work as part of a team Standard keyboard skills Desirable Empathetic communication skills Person Specification Qualifications Essential Basic numeracy and literacy NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services Desirable Vocational qualification in IT skills Experience Essential Experience in a pharmacy, warehouse or customer orientated environment Experience of supervising staff in training Desirable Experience of training other staff Use of computer systems Knowledge Essential Understanding of customer care Understanding of the need of confidentiality awareness at all times Desirable Familiarity with drug names Skills Essential Good verbal and written communication skills Good listening skills Ability to organise own day to day work tasks Accurate and organised Shows initiative Ability to deal sensitively with distressed / aggrieved customers / clients Ability to work as part of a team Standard keyboard skills Desirable Empathetic communication skills Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Employer details Employer name Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Address Bedford Hospital South Wing Kempston Road Bedford MK42 9DJ Employer's website https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)