
Job overview
Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle, CA2 7HY
12 months fixed term - 37.5 hours per week (Mon - Fri 08:30-16:30) including additional lates, weekend and bank holiday rota.
The Pharmacy Department at Cumberland Infirmary Carlisle has as opportunity for two enthusiastic and highly motivated people to join our team as a Trainee Assistant Technical officer – Dispensary
The post holder will work as part of a pharmacy team of Assistant Technical officers, Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacists to deliver the pharmacy service to North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Trust.
Main duties of the job
The role is varied and will include:
- Supplying stock medicines to wards and departments across the trust
- Dispensing in-patient, out-patient and discharge medication.
- Liaising with multi-disciplinary teams.
- Providing a delivery service of medicines to wards on site.
- Participating in stock control maintenance.
- Assisting in the maintenance of stock levels of medicines on wards and
- departments by participating in the pharmacy topping up service
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Please see attached job description and person specification for further information regarding the role and the essential and desirable criteria required to be met by applicants.
CERTIFICATE OF SPONSORSHIP:
Please note, due to changes implemented by the Government to the UK immigration policy, individuals who require a Health and Care Visa or a Skilled Worker Visa may no longer be eligible for sponsorship where the UKVI salary threshold is not met or if the occupation is not included in the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL). Applicants must check their eligibility to be employed in any role they are interested in applying for, prior to completing an application for employment. Any applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme or Armed Forces Covenant and you meet all the essential criteria for a post, you will be guaranteed an interview.
Relocation assistance may be available for successful applicants moving to the region for certain posts. Please see our Policy for eligible vacancies.
AHP - Return to Practice Job Advert information. This role may be suitable for individuals Returning to Practice. Please speak to the recruiting manager for more information.
Disclosure and Barring Service:
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.
The cost of the DBS must be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction. DBS charges are as follows if applicable to the post:
Standard Check: £21.50 + Administration cost of £6.50 = £28.00 Deducted from salary over a 4 month period or a one-off payment.
Enhanced Check: £49.50 + administration cost of £6.50 = £56.00 Deducted from salary over a 4 month period or a one-off payment.
NCIC can offer successful future employees the following benefits:
27-day holiday scheme rising to 33 after 10 years
Flexible working Scheme
NHS Discounts*
Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work*
Excellent opportunities for development*
Competitive NHS Pension scheme
Vivup is a free, confidential counselling and information service to assist with personal or work-related problems
*Subject to eligibility
Important Information:
Please ensure that you document evidence of meeting all the essential criteria in the supporting information.
If sufficient response is received this post could be closed earlier than the specified closing date, please apply as soon as possible to ensure that your application is considered.
Candidates who have been successfully shortlisted for interview will be asked via an email notification to log on to their Trac account to select an interview time. This will usually be within 2 weeks of the closing date.
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 2 Certificate in Pharmacy Service Skills or equivalent or willing to work towards.
- NVQ Optional Units - must include optional NVQ Level 2 Unit 206 – Assemble Prescribed Items or willing to work towards
- GCSE English language and mathematics or equivalent.
Desirable
- NVQ 3 units in receipt and assembly of prescriptions
- Essential IT skills (EITS) or equivalent.
Other requirements
Essential
- Able to work out of hours at weekends on a Rota system in the dispensary and for stocktaking when required.
- Flexible to cover the needs of the service, working across Trusts as required
- Able to undertake CPD for all aspects relevant to the role, changes in pharmacy practice and self development according to trust policy.
Skills and Aptitudes
Essential
- Good communication and interpersonal skills.
- Good customer service skills.
- Keyboard skills.
- Adaptable to different workplace situations.
- Ability to work methodically and with attention to detail. Ability to
- Ability to work accurately to SOPs.
- Ability to work as part of a team or as an individual.
- Effective time management.
- Ability to multitask and prioritise work to achieve deadlines.
- Enthusiastic
- Motivated
Desirable
- Problem solving skills.
- Training skills.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Awareness of Stock control process.
Desirable
- Recent work in a hospital or community pharmacy.
- Microsoft Word.
- E-mail software
- Internet use.
- Role of a dispensing ATO in an NHS setting.
WhatsApp job alerts
Get instant WhatsApp alerts for Band 2 Pharmacy roles in Carlisle
Create your Job Clerk account first. We'll collect your alert preferences during onboarding and help you turn on WhatsApp notifications for matching healthcare roles.
Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Trainee Assistant Technical Officer- Dispensary with North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust in Cumberland Infirmary. It is listed as a Band 2 Pharmacy assistant role. The advertised salary is £25,272 Per Annum. The contract type is Fixed term: 12 months (Mon - Fri (08:30-16:30) with additional lates, weekend and bank holiday rota). The application deadline is 03 Sep 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (20 Aug 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
For more context, review related Job Clerk pages for the same profession, band or location where they exist, then use the application-support guides to tailor your statement and prepare for interview.
