13 Oct
Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
Sheffield
Job description
Job summary
Sheffield Children's Hospital is a specialist paediatric centre. The Pharmacy department provides a progressive pharmacy service to a variety of patients throughout the region, making it a highly rewarding working environment.
We have excellent opportunities within our friendly department for enthusiastic and highly motivated assistants to join our team.
To be successful in your application you will have or be willing to work towards a GPHC Approved L2 Pharmacy Qualification
You should also have GCSE English Language and Mathematics to a minimum of Grade C (or equivalent).
Previous experience within a hospital environment is desirable but not essential as full training will be provided.
You need to have good communication skills, customer service experience, the ability to be accurate and be able to work well independently as well as within a team.
Main duties of the job
In the Stores department you will be required to support the receipt, processing and provision of pharmaceutical supplies and help to complete ward drug top-ups.
Reception will involve working on the Dispensary Reception receiving prescriptions from patients, their families and members of staff.
You will also be required to provide an excellent customer service when answering a busy enquiry line.
About us
At Sheffield Children's, our purpose is clear : to provide healthier futures for children and young people. Our three strategic aims are :
Outstanding Patient Care
Brilliant Place to work
Leaders in Children's Health
We work successfully with local, regional, and national partners to provide physical and mental healthcare across acute and community settings.
Many of our clinicians are amongst the best in their field,
recognised nationally and internationally for their expertise.
As well as having enormous pride in what we do, we are a friendly, welcoming, and motivated NHS Trust who are guided by our CARE values : Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence.
Our nearly 4000 colleagues live these values, ensuring kind and compassionate care that makes patients and their families feel safe and at home.
As we approach our 150th anniversary in 2026, we remain committed to enhancing our reputation in children's health leadership, improving the experiences of both patient and colleagues, and focusing on our communities and population health.
Detailed Job description and main responsibilities : -
Please see the job description and personal specification for full details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Maintain efficient and cost effective systems for the receipt, storage and distribution of medicines, which reflect the needs of individual patients / patient groups as determined by the Trust.
- To comply with current law relating to medicines.
- To operate the Stores process including the receipt, checking, invoicing, storing and issuing of pharmaceutical supplies in line with departmental policies and Standard Operating Procedures.
- To participate in a comprehensive and efficient pharmaceutical topping-up service to the wards.
- To liaise with members of the pharmacy team and ward staff when solving supply issues.
- To manage ward / department pharmaceutical stock levels and appropriate pharmacy computer records in liaison with Dispensary Manager and the Medicine Management Technicians, to reduce wastage by regularly analysing stock levels.
- To dispose of returned medication in appropriately labelled containers which are then dated and sealed prior to collection by Waste Management Services.
- To undertake the daily rolling stock take and check expiry dates of all medicines held.
- To assist in maintaining reasonable stock levels, in accordance with policies that are in force in the pharmacy stores and to assist in ensuring correct storage and turnover of stock to maintain quality and potency.
- To contribute to the smooth, safe and efficient running of the Pharmacy Stores service.
- To organise the over-labelling of pharmaceutical products and maintain adequate stock levels for supply to the wards, Accident and Emergency and TTO (To Take Out medicine) cupboards.
- To participate in the maintenance and regular update of stock levels held within the out of hours Emergency Drug Cupboard (EDC) within the Trust and the daily replenishment of EDC stock.
- To partake in the delivery of drugs including Controlled Drugs to wards and departments.
- To use appropriate IT systems in the operation of these functions.
- To observe the regulations in respect of the Health and Safety at Work Act, COSHH, Data Protection Act, abiding by the Fire precautions and departmental and trust safety policies.
- To participate in Weekend,
Bank Holiday and late night duties as is considered appropriate by the Dispensary / Stores Manager.
- To undertake any other related duties, that may be required.
- To work within the rota and all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- To participate in the Trust appraisal scheme.
- To participate in continuing development and competency skills training.
- To promote the professional image of pharmacy within the Trust by ensuring that the standards of dress and behaviour reflects the professional service offered by the pharmacy department.
Reception
Act as first point of contact for all enquiries at the reception desk and undertake reception duties in a pleasant, tactful and understanding manner.
Communicating effectively with patients,
parents and clinical staff where there may be barriers to understanding and / or communication difficulties.
- Receive prescriptions from patients and carers and verify patient details. Updating patients on the progress of their medication.
- Ability to use initiative when dealing with public from a diverse range of backgrounds who may at times be distressed, in a caring and sensitive manner.
- To understand and maintain confidentiality at all times.
- To answer the departments telephone in a clear and polite manner, accurately taking messages and where appropriate answering queries or referring the call to the appropriate person where necessary.
- Carry out a variety of clerical duties relevant to the post. Filing, faxing, photocopying, shredding and receipt and delivery of departmental post etc.
- Act as a point of contact for the pharmacy repeat service and ensure prescriptions are ordered, filed and tracked appropriately.
- Replenish stock in the counselling area and materials in the dispensary / stores whilst keeping areas tidy and free of rubbish.
Inclusive Recruitment & Selection
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and accurate data capture is an important part of that to ensure we are supportive and representative.
Our aim is to ensure that all applicants can see themselves in the available categories on our application form, but we recognise that some of our data capture fields are not inclusive.
We have flagged this with our system provider to ask for change.
We offer encouragement and active support to applicants with additional needs, including those from ethnic minorities, with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
If you wish to adjust any aspect of the recruitment process or wish to find out more about our recruitment & selection processes, please get in touch with our Recruitment Manager :
We are continually reviewing our recruitment & selection process to support the long-term aim of Sheffield Childrens being a champion of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion.
If you have any ideas for improvement, please get in touch with Catherine Gilbert at
Trust Values
The Trust is committed to providing great quality patient care and keep children, young people and families at the heart of what we do by following our CARE values :
- Compassion leading by kindness and showing empathy, understanding and respect
- Accountability striving to do the right thing and owning responsibility
- Respect value differences, tackling inequality and fostering a culture of inclusion
- Excellence delivering a high-quality standard of care
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GPHC Approved L2 Pharmacy Qualification.
- GCSE C or above in maths and English language or equivalent
Desirable
IT qualification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a hospital environment
- Computer literate
Desirable
Stores work
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of stock control and need for confidentiality
- Careful and accurate worker
- Ability to work alone and as a member of team
- Understanding of the need for confidentiality
Desirable
- Knowledge of Data Protection Act
- Knowledge of Health and Safety at Work Act
- Knowledge of COSHH
- Lifting and Handling Training
▶️ Pharmacy Assistant - Stores / Reception
🖊️ Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
📍 Sheffield