Job summary
- Main area
- Clinical Support
- Grade
- Band 2
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 188-CL260225
- Employer
- University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Southampton General Hospital
- Town
- Southampton
- Salary
- £23,615 per annum (PA) pro rata
- Closing
- 07/03/2025 23:59
- Interview date
- 18/03/2025
Employer heading
Pharmacy Support Worker
Band 2
Job overview
Main duties of the job
The Pharmacy Logistics Department at University Hospital Southampton have opportunities for enthusiastic, reliable and friendly individuals who can work accurately as part of a supportive team.
The main function of the role is to manage stock medicines for wards and units by visiting different areas of the hospital. This includes tasks such as ordering, stock rotation and expiry monitoring using IT systems. This role involves liaising regularly with pharmacy and ward staff but doesn’t routinely involve direct patient contact. As part of a larger pharmacy team we are constantly evolving to meet service demand.
Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting.
For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached.
Working for our organisation
As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to.
All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.
Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.
Specific to this role we are open to discussing flexibility in the hours that you work. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you need, and we will explore what’s possible for the role and service.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone wanting to pursue a career in pharmacy. You will be trained in-house gaining competencies in aspects of pharmacy top up, distribution and receipts work. There will be the opportunity to gain a recognised accredited qualification in pharmacy supply if desired but this is not essential for the role.
We are a friendly, diverse, team of approx. 25 people working together aiming to provide the best possible service.
Main responsibilities are:
1.To be responsible for the management and ordering of stock drugs of designated units at Southampton General and Princess Anne Hospitals in accordance with procedures. This sometimes involves working in confined spaces and checking high and low level cupboards.
2. To assist in the sorting of medicines in accordance with procedures.
3. To liaise with ward and pharmacy staff to achieve a smooth, efficient drug supply service and to resolve issues where possible.
4. To achieve and maintain in-house competencies in all relevant areas of practice.
5. To issue and supply drugs in the pharmacy store on a weekend rota and cover basis. This sometimes involves bending, stretching and lifting bulky packages weighing up to 15kg.
Ideally we are looking for shift patterns to cover every day between the hours of 08.00 - 17.00. Specific hours within this time frame are negotiable.
There will be a requirement for weekend work (currently 1:6) and bank holiday cover (currently 1 per year) on a rota basis. Full and part time posts will be considered.
If you have the relevant skills and would enjoy:
Working in an organised, detailed and accurate manner.
Being part of a team but working alone at various tasks.
Having responsibility for the stock drug maintenance to particular units.
Having input in progressing a service.
we would like to hear from you!
Person specification
Trust Values
Essential criteria
- Patients first
- Always Improving
- Working Together
Qualifications / training required
Essential criteria
- 2 GCSE’s or equivalent grades A* - C or 4-9 in English and Maths (If qualifications gained outside the UK evidence of equivalent standards must be demonstrated at interview)
- Commitment to complete NVQ 2 in Pharmacy or other Level 2 approved GPhC qualification for pharmacy support, within 18 months of working
- Numerate and literate demonstrating ability to pass test at interview
Desirable criteria
- Other healthcare qualifications
- GCSE’s in science-based or other role specific relevant subjects
Previous or relevant experience necessary
Essential criteria
- Use of information technology in the workplace or within education or voluntary sector
- Standard keyboard skills
Desirable criteria
- Previous pharmacy/laboratory experience (hospital or community)
- Previous experience in health or social care (if not pharmacy)
- Experience in stock control i.e., receiving, maintaining and / or issuing stock
- Clinical trials or research experience (Clinical trials only)
- Use of till and / or handling money in a work environment (RSH posts only)
Aptitudes and skills required
Essential criteria
- Customer service skills in the workplace or voluntary sector
- Communicate effectively with others in English both in speaking and writing
- Ability to follow procedures
- Able to work independently and prioritise work with limited supervision
- Attention to detail and accurate working
- Motivated and self-reliant and organised
- Adaptable particularly able to work in busy, noisy and changing environments
Desirable criteria
- Demonstrate times when able to work effectively under pressure
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
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.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Sandy Mckenzie
- Job title
- Hiring Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 0238120 6599
List jobs with University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust in Health Science Services or all sectors