Job overview

The Pharmacy Department at Barts Health is one of the largest in the country and covers a population of 2.5 million. We provide clinical pharmacy and medicines optimisation services from our five hospital sites across the City of London, East and Northeast London.

An opportunity has arisen to join our team in the Medicines Procurement and Distribution Department as a Senior Pharmacy Assistant (SATO) 

The post holder will assist in the supply of medicinal items in the Medicines Distribution Unit (MDU) to all wards and departments across Barts Health. The role will also include supporting procurement activities, receipt of stock from suppliers, and maintaining stock control systems including the Pharmacy Robot. In addition, the post holder will supervise the ATOs and rotational staff working in MDU. 

Candidates must possess a minimum functional skills qualification in English and maths and a Level 2 in Pharmacy services. Experience of supervising a team and of working in a healthcare environment would be desirable but not essential as training would be provided. The successful candidate will be a good communicator, flexible, adaptable, and organised.

Main duties of the job

This position involves working within the Medicines Distribution Unit (MDU) at Barts Health, adhering to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to assist in the supply and management of stock items.

Key responsibilities include:
•    Supporting the procurement and receipt of stock from suppliers and manufacturers.
•    Processing invoices for payment to ensure timely financial management.
•    Loading inventory into the robotics system and organizing stock on shelves for easy access.
•    Collaborating with ward and departmental staff to ensure proper distribution of medications and stock items.

As a rotational role, the post holder will be expected to work across various functions or teams within the MDU, gaining a well-rounded understanding of the operations and processes involved in medicines distribution. This role is essential to maintaining the efficiency and effectiveness of pharmacy supply chains, ultimately supporting patient care at Barts Health.

Working for our organisation

Barts Health is one of the largest NHS trusts in the country, and one of Britain’s leading healthcare providers.  

The Barts Health group of NHS hospitals is entering an exciting new era on our improvement journey to becoming an outstanding organisation with a world-class clinical reputation. Having lifted ourselves out of special measures, we now have the impetus and breathing space to chart a fresh course in which we are continually striving to improve all our services for patients.  

Our vision is to be a high-performing group of NHS hospitals, renowned for excellence and innovation, and providing safe and compassionate care to our patients in east London and beyond. That means being a provider of excellent patient safety, known for delivering consistently high standards of harm-free care and always caring for patients in the right place at the right time. It also means being an outstanding place to work, in which our WeCare values and behaviours are visible to all and guide us in how we work together.  

We strive to live by our WeCare values and are committed to promoting inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment.