About this role
Job summary
We are looking for a enthusiastic and motivated Pharmacy Assistant who is committed to delivering high-quality patient care and have excellent attention to detail. Successful candidates will work as part of a friendly & supportive pharmacy team, contributing to the safe and effective supply of medicines across Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals.
We have one exciting opportunity available based in our Emergency Department (A&E) including SDEC which is based at Southport Hospital, supporting the timely supply of medicines and pharmacy services within the Emergency Department.
The successful candidate will play a key role in the delivery of pharmacy services within A&E, helping to ensure the timely and safe supply of medicines to patients. The role will include dispensing medicines to support quick turnaround and discharge, ensuring medicines move with patients as they transfer through the hospital, maintaining appropriate stock levels, and working closely with the pharmacy and A&E teams to support smooth patient flow and the efficient day-to-day running of the department.
Applicants must have experience working within a pharmacy environment, such as hospital, community, prison, or primary care pharmacy. A recognised dispensing qualification and NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services (or equivalent) are essential
The post holders will be expected to participate in weekend, bank holiday, and late duty rotas as part of the department's commitment to providing a 7 day pharmacy service.
Main duties of the job
- Be based within (A&E), including (SDEC), providing pharmacy support throughout the week.
- Undertake dispensing duties, including the dispensing & supply of medicines for patients attending A&E.
- Ensure medicines supplied to patients accompany them when transferred from A&E to inpatient wards, reducing delays in treatment and preventing unnecessary re-dispensing.
- Manage the day-to-day operation of the Omnicell cabinets, ensuring stock levels are maintained, medicines are replenished promptly and date checks are completed in line with departmental procedures.
- Promote the reuse of patients' own medicines where appropriate, supporting medicines optimisation and cost-effective use of resources.
- Respond to urgent medicine requests & supply queries from clinical staff.
- Maintain ward stock levels & support the effective management of medicines within the department.
- Monitor & maintain pre-pack medicine stock levels to support efficient patient care.
- Work closely with the A&E Pharmacist and Technician to support the day-to-day running and development of the service.
- Assist in identifying opportunities to improve processes, enhance the patient experience and increase efficiency within the department.
- Contribute to initiatives aimed at reducing medicine waste and delivering cost savings to the Trust.
- Provide excellent customer service to patients and healthcare professionals, maintaining high standards of accuracy, professionalism & patient safety.
About us
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9000 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.
We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.
Our Services
Acute Care
Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.
Primary Care
Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.
Community Services
Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation, freeing up space for more unwell patients. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.
Specialist Regional Services
We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.
Achievements:
o Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
o Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
o National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification.
Interviews will take place on 17th November, 2026
This post will be subject to a enhanced DBS (with barred list for Adults and Childrens disclosure).
Please note this vacancy may close early if a sufficient number of applications is reached.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Has completed a recognised dispensing qualification
- NVQ level 2 Pharmacy services qualification
Experience
Essential
- Experience working in a Pharmacy environment with demonstrable understanding of procedures gained through additional role-based training up to NVQ level 3
- Experience of Working with computer systems
Desirable
- Experience in using CMM/EMIS Pharmacy Computer System(s)
Skills
Essential
- Good verbal and communication skills both face to face and using telephones
- Ability to talk to patients, staff and other senior health professionals
- Ability to work accurately and efficiently with good attention to detail
- Good administration skills including record-keeping
- Ability to concentrate for long periods of time and able work under pressure
- Hardworking with a determination to overcome obstacles and understand the importance and context of the role
- Self-motivated team player with the ability to motivate the team performance to achieve objectives
Other
Essential
- Supportive of colleagues of all grades
- Ability to participate in the departmental rota for late and weekend working
Our Values
Essential
- We are Kind
- We are Open
- We are Inclusive
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
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Address
Southport Hospital
Town Lane, Kew
Southport
PR8 6PN
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.merseywestlancs.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)