Rotational Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officer (ATO)
NHS AfC: Band 2
Main area Pharmacy Grade NHS AfC: Band 2 Contract Permanent Hours Full time – 37.5 hours per week (includes 7 day working) Job ref 213-Division-A-8260937
Employer King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Princess Royal University Hospital Town Orpington Salary £30,142 per annum, including HCA Salary period Yearly Closing 05/10/2026 23:59
King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£2.1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 14,000 staff based across 5 main sites in South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local hospital services across its different sites, and specialist services from King’s College Hospital (KCH) sites at Denmark Hill in Camberwell and at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) site in the London Borough of Bromley.
We encourage all our staff to have a healthy work/life balance. In doing so, you can apply for flexible working from the beginning of your employment. We offer a range of options which are designed to suit different circumstances and priorities in line with service requirements.
The post holder will assist the dispensary team in the delivery of the day to day activities in the dispensary. They will carry out duties in accordance with departmental policies and procedures. The post holder is primarily responsible for dispensing discharge and inpatient medication, as well as outpatient medication if based at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH); and other “housekeeping” duties.
Aseptics
The post holder will assist in the preparation and dispensing of aseptically produced products in isolators. The post holder will assist with the daily monitoring and cleaning of isolators and the monitoring of the clean room. The post holder will assist with the ordering of drugs and components.
The post includes general duties within the Pharmacy distribution service including receiving goods, carrying out ward top ups, and issuing stock to wards, carried out under the supervision of the Pharmacy Distribution Services Manager.
Main duties of the job
Dispensary
- To ensure the safe, effective and economical use of drugs for all patients in the Trust.
- To be able to follow departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- To be able to dispense inpatient, outpatient and discharge medication accurately.
- To contribute to wider policies that has an impact within the pharmacy department and across the Trust
Aseptics
- To tidy, clean and disinfect the Aseptic Services environment and equipment according to local SOPs. This may involve an early start.
- To assist with the environmental monitoring in Aseptic services.
- To produce and keep such records as defined by local SOP, and as required by the Associate Director and Chief Technician.
- To comply with departmental Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements of dress and hygiene relating to working in aseptic services.
- Follows laid down procedures for the issuing of medicines to wards and departments.
- Follow procedures for the Investigation/Retrieval of products from the Pharmacy Automated System(s) if errors occur (on applicable sites only).
- To accept and sign receipt for deliveries of pharmaceutical products from suppliers, checking that delivery is for the pharmacy department.
- To accurately use the computer system to receive goods into the pharmacy store.
Working for our organisation
The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. Transforming Healthcare is the vision at the heart of the King’s Strategy – 2026 to 2031. Together, we are pursuing six strategic ambitions: delivering high-quality patient care; being a great place to work; leading pioneering research, innovation and education; building strong and successful partnerships; providing timely and efficient care; and ensuring long-term financial sustainability. Achieving these ambitions will require all of us to work as one Team King’s, united by a shared commitment to our values of being caring, collaborative, inclusive and innovative. By living these values every day, we will transform healthcare for our patients, our communities and each other
We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.
King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone’s contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The post holder is responsible for supporting the safe, efficient, and effective delivery of pharmacy services across Dispensary, Aseptic Services, Stores and Distribution functions. The role requires adherence to Trust policies, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), health and safety regulations, and pharmacy professional standards to ensure high-quality patient care and medicines management.
Dispensary
The post holder will contribute to the safe, accurate, and cost-effective supply of medicines for patients throughout the Trust. Responsibilities include dispensing inpatient, outpatient, discharge, and controlled drug prescriptions accurately and efficiently in accordance with departmental SOPs and legal requirements. They will use pharmacy information systems competently, ensuring accurate entry, recording, storage, and archiving of prescription and patient data in line with local and regional governance requirements.
The role requires participation in a seven-day service model, including weekends, late shifts, and bank holidays. The post holder must be able to prioritise workloads effectively, use initiative when managing competing demands, and refer complex or non-routine enquiries to senior staff when appropriate.
Patient-facing responsibilities include delivering a professional and customer-focused service, counselling patients on the safe and effective use of their medications where appropriate, and maintaining high standards of communication with patients, carers, healthcare professionals, and members of the public both in person and over the telephone.
The post holder will support the ongoing development and improvement of dispensary services by contributing to departmental initiatives, service developments, and policies that impact the pharmacy department and wider Trust operations. Additional responsibilities include undertaking housekeeping duties, maintaining a safe and organised working environment, and operating systems such as Omnicell for controlled drug dispensing.
Aseptics
Within Aseptic Services, the post holder will assist in the preparation and supply of aseptically prepared products, including Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN), while strictly adhering to GMP standards, aseptic techniques, and departmental procedures.
Responsibilities include cleaning, disinfecting, and maintaining aseptic environments, equipment, and isolators according to SOPs, as well as participating in environmental monitoring programmes. The post holder will prepare labels and documentation using pharmacy computer systems, maintain accurate records, and ensure all documentation meets regulatory and quality assurance requirements.
The role involves carrying out transfer disinfection procedures for items entering aseptic units, working for extended periods at isolators, and supporting the maintenance, monitoring, and cleaning of aseptic equipment. Following appropriate training and competency assessment, the post holder may undertake validation activities, monitor aseptic practices, and check the work of colleagues to ensure compliance with required standards.
The post holder is expected to follow hygiene, dress, health and
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