Pharmacy Assistant - Band 2 to Band 3 Progression

Transformationunitgm; Bedford; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent NHS Trust is seeking a dedicated Pharmacy Assistant to join their team in Bedford. This full-time role focuses on patient care, requiring the handling of medicines and support for staff in a dynamic pharmacy setting. The ideal candidate should possess strong communication skills, pharmacy experience, and a willingness to learn. The position also offers progression from Band 2 to Band 3 within 18-24 months. Join a supportive environment committed to delivering excellent healthcare and professional development.

Benefits

Access to high quality training and development

Dynamic, forward-thinking team

Potential flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Ability to organize own day-to-day work tasks.
• Understanding of confidentiality awareness.

Responsibilities

• Receive medicines into stock from wholesalers and suppliers.
• Participate in the ward top-up service and maintain stock.
• Operate the Automated Dispensing Robot for pharmaceutical stock.

Skills

Good verbal and written communication skills

Pharmacy experience

Empathetic communication skills

Motivated and enthusiastic

Education

Evidence of good level of education, including GCSE grade C in Mathematics and English or equivalent

NVQ Level 2 in Dispensary Stock Management or willing to undertake

Job description

Main area Pharmacy Grade Band 2 to Band 3 Progression Contract Fixed term: 12 months (Band 2 to Band 3 Progression) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 418-DTO9101-KA

Employer Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Luton and Dunstable Hospital Town Luton Salary £24,465 - £26,598 £22,383 to 24,336 Salary period Yearly Closing 04/01/2026 23:59 Interview date 23/01/2026

Pharmacy Assistant - Band 2 to Band 3 Progression

Band 2 to Band 3 Progression

Job overview

This is your chance to take the very first step into the world of Pharmacy - a role that not only offers progression but also opens the door to exciting opportunities for the future. If you are looking for a varied position where patient care is at the heart of everything you do, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

We are seeking an enthusiastic Pharmacy Assistant to join our team and play a vital role in ensuring patients receive the very best pharmaceutical care. You will be working both in our modern, automated dispensary and at ward level, supporting patients and nursing staff in the safe use and management of medicines.

This is a hands‑on role that places you at the centre of medicines distribution. From receiving stock and using barcode technology, to replenishing our automated dispensing robot, preparing ward boxes, and restocking supplies across wards and departments, every task you complete will directly contribute to patient wellbeing and the smooth running of our services.

At L&D Pharmacy, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic, forward‑thinking team delivering a 7‑day service. Flexible working will be considered, giving you the opportunity to balance your career with your lifestyle.

If you’re ready to make a difference, grow your skills, and be part of a team that is passionate about patient care, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today and take your first step into Pharmacy.

Main duties of the job

• To receive medicines into stock from wholesalers, suppliers and manufacturers, separating CDs, unlicensed IV fluids and cold storage products
• To participate in the ward and department top up service, ordering and maintaining stock for wards/departments/theatre and clinic areas against agreed stock lists
• To remove waste medicines to the Pharmacy ‘disposal area’ and dispose of safely in line with departmental procedures
• To operate the Automated Dispensing Robot to supply Pharmaceutical stock via ward box picking and to load newly received stock into it
• To stock shelves in the Pharmacy department ensuring that stock is kept in the correct place, used in rotation and kept tidy

Working for our organisation

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. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

STORES

• To work within Standard Operating procedures for the Store and Distribution area
• To receive medicines into stock from wholesalers and manufacturers, separating CDs, unlicensed, IV fluids and cold storage products
• To issue stock on the pharmacy computer system against a written or electronic orders
• To stock shelves in the Pharmacy department ensuring that stock is kept in the correct place, used in rotation and kept tidy
• To carry out regular stock checks of medicines stored within the Pharmacy under the supervision of senior staff
• Monitor temperatures of areas that hold Pharmaceutical stock and raise any deviations with the Principal Stores and Distribution Technician
• Maintain the general tidiness and cleanliness of the department

DISTRUBUTION

• To assist in the delivery of an efficient distribution service to Bedfordshire NHS Foundation Trust and other commissioned services
• To operate the Automated Dispensing Robot to supply Pharmaceutical stock via ward box picking and to load newly received stock into it
• To participate in the ward and department top up service, ordering and maintaining stock for wards/departments/theatre and clinic areas against agreed stock lists
• Monitoring temperatures in the ward and departmental areas, raising concerns to the Principal Stores and Distribution Technician
• To deal with any queries or problems concerning ward stocks and pharmacy stocks as and when they arise.
• To liaise with ward Pharmacists and ward Technicians so that they are aware of stock problems which may lead to temporary alternatives being issued.

OTHER

• To participate fully in the individual performance review and objective setting process of the Trust
• To adhere to the policies and procedures of the Bedfordshire NHS Foundation Trust as they relate
• To take part in the weekend working rota
• To support the Principal Stores and Distribution Technician with service development

Progression to Band 3:

It is expected that the Band 2 post holder will achieve the relevant competencies within the training programme to proceed to Band 3 within 18 – 24 months.

• To assist the Principal Technician in the investigation and resolution of stock level discrepancies
• Support the procurement team with drug shortages when stock is held at ward level
• To update and maintain ward and department stock list with support from the Principal Technician and ward Pharmacist
• To dispense liquid nitrogen to wards and departments on completion of training and competency logs
• To be responsible for the destruction of drug waste in accordance with COSHH guidelines and department procedures
• To complete the Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Pharmacy Service Skills (QCF) and/or Level 2 Certificate in Pharmaceutical Science.
• Assist with the induction training of new staff

To support the Principal Stores and Distribution Technician with the implementation of new processes for service development.

Person specification

Skills

• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Able to work with minimum supervision; self-reliant
• Motivated and enthusiastic
• Able to cope with an occasional requirement for physical effort and lifting of objects (5kg or under)
• Pharmacy experience
• Empathetic communication skills

Knowledge

• Ability to organise own day to day work tasks
• Understanding of the of confidentiality awareness at all times
• Knowledge of the NHS and or experience of working in a hospital environment
• Awareness of medicine names

Experience

• Customer orientated services
• Experience of working with computer programmes including basic Microsoft Office packages
• Experience of working within a team
• Experience of working in a warehouse/ stock managed environment
• Experience of working in a pharmacy environment

Qualifications

• Evidence of good level of education to include GCSE grade C in Mathematics and English or equivalent
• NVQ Level 2 in Dispensary Stock Management or willing to undertake

It is an exciting time to join the newly formed Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We run two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Our 7,500 staff provide high quality care for a growing population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

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. Travel between hospital sites may be required. We have state‑of‑the‑art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting‑edge healthcare. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Name Kelly Smith-Rose Job title Procurement Homecare Stores & Distribution Manager Email address [emailprotected] Telephone number 01582 718921 Additional information For any further information or to arrange an informal visit please contact Kelly Smith-Rose

If you have problems applying, contact

Address Luton & Dunstable Hospital NHS Trust
Lewsey Road
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU4 0DZ
Telephone [phone]