Job summary
- Main area
- Pharmacy
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 179-7856258-C
- Employer
- West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- West Suffolk Hospital
- Town
- Bury St Edmunds
- Salary
- £25,760 - £31,157 Per Annum, Pro Rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 30/04/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Senior Dispensary Checking Assistant (Progression Role)
NHS AfC: Band 4
Job overview
At West Suffolk Hospital, our patients are at the heart of everything we do. We’re dedicated to delivering the best quality and safest care to our local communities and need dedicated and skilled people to help us achieve this.
To maintain this standard, we are offering candidates the opportunity to apply for the post of Senior Dispensary Checking Assistant (Progression Role) based within the Pharmacy Department at West Suffolk Hospital. This is a new role within the Pharmacy team and we are excited at the prospect of its implementation.
The postholder will form part of the dispensary team, responsible for supplying pharmaceutical items to wards and departments across various sites in West Suffolk. Accuracy checking of dispensed items will form part of the role once necessary training and accreditation is attained.
Involvement with dispensary tasks will be the primary area of work, however it may be necessary to undertake other reasonable duties to meet the needs of the service.
This is an exciting opportunity for individuals to provide high-quality patient care to those that need it whilst working with an excellent and experienced team committed to its very delivery.
As a department we are forward thinking and utilise technology to increase efficiencies and reduce errors. This includes a fully electronic prescribing system for maintenance of patient records alongside use of our dispensary robot to process inpatient requests and discharge medication.
Main duties of the job
As part of the dispensary team, the postholder will dispense and label medicines, including controlled drugs, for supply to wards and departments located both internal and external to the Trust.
This includes prescriptions for patients attending outpatient clinics within the hospital, supplying essential medication and medical devices to those that need them.
Accuracy checking of dispensed medication will form part of the role as and when deemed appropriate by senior staff. Successful candidates will be employed at band 3 level prior to this. If successful candidates already hold relevant checking accreditation, the possibility of employment at band 4 level will be discussed and communicated accordingly before the agreed start date.
Inpatient and outpatient reception duties are an essential part of the role, with the postholder utilising effective communication, customer service and organisational skills, ensuring effective information cascade to staff and members of the public.
The postholder will act as a point of contact for dispensary queries and provision of advice, liaising accordingly with the Dispensary Manager, to complete necessary tasks.
All duties must be performed to a high standard, conforming to approved departmental standard operating procedures, to ensure quality is maintained and to support operation of the medicines management service.
Working for our organisation
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.
Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
See attached job description and person specification for detailed aspects of the role.
This position is not covered by the Health and Social Care Visa; and does not meet the requirements for sponsorship for a Skilled Worker (Tier 2) visa.
This is a great opportunity to develop your pharmacy career and make a real difference to the lives of those who need our services.
With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Person specification
Education and qualifications
Essential criteria
- GCSE grade A – C or equivalent in English and Maths.
- NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent.
Desirable criteria
- Level 2 Buttercups Accuracy Checking for Pharmacy Assistants or equivalent.
Experience and knowledge
Essential criteria
- Experience of working in a Pharmacy services environment.
- Knowledge of pharmacy-based computer systems.
Desirable criteria
- Previous hospital pharmacy experience.
- Experience of supervising other staff.
Skills and abilities
Essential criteria
- Able to communicate professionally and effectively with healthcare professionals, patients, and pharmacy staff.
- Able to manage time effectively
- Able to prioritise and manage workload.
- Able to demonstrate attention to detail.
- Proficient computer skills.
- Able to work in an organised and calm manner in a busy environment.
- Able to work to deadlines and to meet agreed objectives.
- Able to undertake manual handling activities, using appropriate lifting aids if necessary.
- Able to take direction.
Desirable criteria
- Able to manage difficult situations.
- Able to train and supervise staff.
Personal qualities
Essential criteria
- Takes responsibility for own actions and promotes positive team working.
- Shares information and good practice appropriately.
- Maintains high levels of concentration for prolonged periods of time.
- Excellent verbal and written skills.
- Flexibility to work in different areas of the department.
- Positive attitude towards personal development.
- Demonstrate a commitment and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity, courtesy, and respect appropriate to their individual needs.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Jayne Nice
- Job title
- Dispensary Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
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