About this role
Job summary
We are looking for a motivated and reliable Pharmacy Stores Assistant to join our busy Inpatient Pharmacy team. This is a varied and physically active role where you will help ensure medicines and pharmaceutical products are received, stored, picked, and distributed safely and efficiently to support patient care across the Trust.
Working as part of the Pharmacy Stores team, you will be responsible for receiving deliveries, picking stock for wards and departments, replenishing pharmacy stock, and maintaining accurate inventory levels. The role involves regular manual handling, including lifting and moving bulk fluids, feeds, totes, and boxes, using appropriate equipment and safe working practices.
You will also support the operation of automated pharmacy storage systems, carry out stock rotation and expiry date checks, maintain a clean and organised stores environment, and contribute to the safe and secure handling of medicines in accordance with local procedures and Good Distribution Practice.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys practical, hands-on work, has good attention to detail, works well as part of a team, and is committed to delivering a high-quality service in a fast-paced healthcare environment.
Main duties of the job
The Pharmacy Stores Assistant will support the efficient receipt, storage and distribution of medicines and pharmaceutical products across the Trust. The post holder will receive, check and unpack deliveries, replenish stock, rotate stock, undertake expiry date checks and maintain accurate stock records to ensure the continuous supply of medicines to pharmacy departments and clinical areas.
The role involves safely handling and transporting stock, including bulk fluids, feeds and pharmaceutical products, using manual handling equipment such as pallet trucks and electric tugs in accordance with Trust policies and training. The post holder will assist with goods-in processes, support automated pharmacy storage systems where applicable, and maintain a clean, organised and safe working environment.
Working as part of the Pharmacy Stores team, the post holder will follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Good Distribution Practice, Health and Safety requirements and Trust policies to ensure medicines are stored and distributed safely and securely. The successful candidate will contribute to a high-quality, efficient pharmacy service that supports excellent patient care while maintaining professionalism, flexibility and a commitment to continuous learning and development.
About us
Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward-thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement.
Whether you're beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.You'll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives.
At MFT, you'll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions.
Your journey at MFT is more than a job - it's an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We'll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.
Job description Job responsibilities
IMPORTANT CANDIDATE INFORMATION
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Documents to download heading.
Explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place
To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place. This welcoming onestop hub gives you a real sense of who we are, what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. Youll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.
To access Inside MFT Your Candidate Place, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the Documents to download heading and once opened, you can either scan QR code or click on the link provided.
Closing vacancy listings early
We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.
Diversity MattersMFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other.As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.
Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.
What is a DBS Check?
A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:
Standard DBS: Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.
Enhanced DBS: Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police thats considered relevant to the role.
Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the childrens and/or adults barred lists.
Who Needs a DBS Check
Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.
The Costs for a DBS
At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.
For more information about the cost of the various types of DBS, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-fees-are-changing-in-december
DBS Update Service
Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
NVQ Level 2 qualification relevant to the role (or equivalent experience).
Desirable
NVQ Level 2 qualification (or equivalent) already achieved.
Knowledge Essential
Knowledge of routine pharmacy stores procedures.
Desirable
Experience of working within the NHS or another healthcare setting
Knowledge Essential
Demonstrates good housekeeping practices and the ability to maintain a clean, organised and safe working environment.
Desirable
Knowledge of Cold Chain and COSHH.
Knowledge Essential
Basic English literacy and numeracy skills.
Desirable
Knowledge of a hospital distribution service
Experience Essential
Experience of working in a stores, warehouse, logistics, distribution or similar environment
Desirable
Experience in a hospital pharmacy stores environment
Experience Essential
Experience of using computers or stock control systems
Desirable
Familiarity with automated pharmacy systems, including HIVE, ARX robotic dispensing systems and Kelsius temperature monitoring systems.
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Address Wythenshawe Hospital
Southmoor Rd,
Wythenshawe, Manchester
M23 9LT
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://mft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)