**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 jobTo 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 usBedfordshire 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.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.DetailsDate posted02 September 2025Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 3Salary£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annumContractPermanentWorking patternFull-timeReference number418-AHP7639-CW-AJob locationsBedford Hospital South WingKempston RoadBedfordMK42 9DJJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesThe 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 descriptionJob responsibilitiesThe 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 SpecificationQualificationsEssential
Basic numeracy and literacy
NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services
Desirable
Vocational qualification in IT skills
ExperienceEssential
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
KnowledgeEssential
Understanding of customer care
Understanding of the need of confidentiality awareness at all times
Desirable
Familiarity with drug names
SkillsEssential
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 SpecificationQualificationsEssential
Basic numeracy and literacy
NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services
Desirable
Vocational qualification in IT skills
ExperienceEssential
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
KnowledgeEssential
Understanding of customer care
Understanding of the need of confidentiality awareness at all times
Desirable
Familiarity with drug names
SkillsEssential
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
