About this role
Job summary
We are seeking to recruit an enthusiastic and motivated Pharmacy Assistant to join our Pharmacy department at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn NHS Foundation trust.
This is an exciting opportunity to build a career in hospital pharmacy, working as part of a dedicated and supportive team of Pharmacy Assistants, Technicians and Pharmacists to deliver a high quality, patient focused medicines service. The role gives you broad exposure across our Dispensary, Stores and Distribution services - providing an excellent foundation for long term development within the pharmacy profession.
The successful candidate will undertake in-house competency training alongside the NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services, equipping you with the skills and knowledge required to perform your duties safely and effectively.
We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic, reliable and committed to delivering excellent patient care. Strong communication skills, good attention to detail and a willingness to learn are essential. Competent IT skills and a flexible approach to working are also important in this busy and varied role.
Main duties of the job
This post functions are our Dispensary and Pharmacy Stores and Distribution service, offering variety and the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills within a busy hospital pharmacy setting.
Working within the dispensary, you will assist in the labelling and dispensing of medicines for both inpatients and outpatients, including using our automated dispensing robot to support the accurate and efficient supply of medicines to patients and clinical areas. You will also play an important role in greeting and communicating with patients at the dispensary, providing a professional and friendly point of contact.
A key element of this role is supporting our pharmacy distribution and ward top-up service, which ensures that medicines are appropriately stocked, managed and maintained within clinical areas across the Trust. You will be responsible for the assembly and supply of pharmacy stock to wards in accordance with agreed stock lists, including the delivery, transportation and receipt of medication, ensuring that clinical teams have access to the medicines they need at the point of care.
Full training and ongoing support will be provided, and the successful candidate must be committed to completing the Pharmacy Services Assistant Level 2 Apprenticeship programme as part of their development in the role.
Previous experience in a customer facing or care environment is desirable, and any prior exposure to a healthcare or pharmacy setting would be a distinct advantage.
About us
There's never been a more exciting time to join Team QEH. We're working on a once in a generation opportunity to build a new state-of-the-art hospital to open in 2030 and we are also carrying out on one of the biggest pieces of digital transformation work we've ever undertaken.
Our new electronic patient record (EPR) will replace paper-based patient records from 2026 and will lead to better, safer, joined-up care at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and beyond.
At The QEH we provide a comprehensive range of specialist, acute, obstetrics and community-based services to around 331,000 people across west and north Norfolk, North Cambs and South Lincs.
We are an ambitious organisation that upholds our values of kindness, wellness and fairness. We strive for continuous quality improvement, recently demonstrated in our 2024 CQC maternity inspection rating our services as 'Good', and we are proud to be a place to learn and grow through recognised learning and apprenticeships.
We recognise and reward our 4,000 staff and volunteers, priding ourselves on a community atmosphere and positive team spirit. We have approx. 530 beds across 33 wards and have newly built education and training facilities, a range of modern award-winning centres alongside a talented team of people ready to give you a warm welcome. We love working here and think you will too.
Job description Job responsibilities
For further information about this role, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification.
Person Specification
Experience Essential
Experience of working in within in a busy environment
Desirable
Experience of working within hospital Pharmacy Department Experience of working within an Aseptic Unit
Qualifications/training and professional development Essential
2 GCSE'S grade C or above to include English and Mathematics
Desirable
NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Service Skills or equivalent GCSE grade C or above in Science
Skills, abilities, and knowledge Essential
Good interpersonal skills Good mathematical skills Ability to work in an accurate manner, following accepted methods of good practice and laid down SOPs Flexible approach to working on a daily basis Able to self-motivate
Desirable
Good computer skills
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details Employer name The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn NHSFT
Address The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Kings Lynn NHS Foundation Trust
Gayton Road
Kings Lynn
PE30 4ET
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.qehkl.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)