Dispensing Assistant or Apprentice

Job overview

We are looking to recruit Dispensing Assistants into our Trustwide Pharmacy Team.

This is a great role to start your career as a Pharmacy Assistant, as you'll receive all the training and support you need to be your best. In our new recruit we are looking for an individual who is committed to delivering a high quality service to our patients and the trust, whose personal attributes include:- the ability to work accurately in a very busy environment, good communication skills, a professional manner, good time management, a flexible team approach and the ability to adapt to and engage in change.

Previous experience in pharmacy is not required, as you will be provided with competency based training and support to help you expand on your knowledge and experience. Candidates without training or experience in hospital or community pharmacy equivalent to a NVQ level 2 will be considered for an apprenticeship at a Band 2 salary, increasing to Band 3 on completion of the course or if you already have experience in pharmacy and hold a NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy services or equivalent this post.

This position would suit a Dispensing Assistant seeking new challenges in an innovative environment and those who are keen to develop their knowledge and skills in the dispensary and  ward based setting of a large Acute Trust.

So, if you are ambitious, enthusiastic, reliable, and conscientious. Then this is the opportunity for you.

Main duties of the job

As a Dispensing Assistant you will be based at the Freeman Hospital, but be willing to work across site if required, both of which have the advantage of automated robotic dispensing to facilitate the dispensing of a wide range of prescriptions to various specialties across the Trust.

As a key member of the Pharmacy Team you will work alongside Pharmacists, Technicians, Assistants and Students supporting the rapid discharge of our patients 7 days a week.

There may also be the requirement for you to prepare and dispense medicines for discharge at ward level.

The successful candidate will also be expected to support our seven day service and participate in weekend working, weekday late duties and bank holidays on a rotational basis.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Dispensing Assistant

• To carry out the full range of Dispensing Assistant duties including the dispensing of prescriptions and orders.
• Provide technical support to dispensary services including carrying out routine procedures in the ordering, distribution and storage of pharmaceutical stock.
• To dispense discharge prescriptions and electronically generate patient specific orders at ward level.
• To provide support within the clinical trials unit (Freeman only).

Apprentice Dispensing Assistant - Band 2 18 month fixed-term

• Provide technical support to dispensary services including carrying out routine procedures in the ordering, distribution and storage of pharmaceutical stock.
• Undertake reception duties at the staff hatch, answer the dispensary telephone and ensure orders/prescriptions are entered on the prescription tracking system.
• Provide appropriate support as required to dispensary staff.
• Checks off orders received into the dispensary in accordance with procedure.
• Replenish the Emergency Drug Cupboard.
• Replenish a variety of cardiac arrest boxes.
• Issues Controlled Drugs in response to a written order.
• Undertake in-house training programme for the dispensing of discharge prescriptions.

Apprenticeship Posts “You will need to be able to meet all the eligibility requirements as prescribed by the apprenticeship criteria to undertake the role”.

To be eligible for an apprenticeship you must:

• Have the right to work and remain in the UK.
• Have lived in the UK for at least 3 years.
• Provide evidence of required English and maths qualifications.

Further information:

• You will not be considered if you have an equivalent or higher qualification in the same or a very similar subject.
• You must not be engaged in any other funded training or education programme.
• We cannot sponsor applicants during or on successful completion of the apprenticeship so please ensure you meet visa status eligibility.
• We cannot accept applications from student visa applicants.

Please be advised if you are a 'Non-UK National' applicant you must meet the eligibility criteria and fulfil the settlement requirements of the apprenticeship course funding. Your settlement status will need to be verified as eligible for funding, by the relevant apprenticeship provider, for you to formally enrol on the course.

Further details can be found on the UK Government website.

• Interview Date Monday 01 June 2026
• 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week
• You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy.  Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE