Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Pharmacy Dispenser
Job summary
Fairfield General Hospital and Rochdale Infirmary
Band 4
37.5 hours per week, worked over 7 days with rest days allocated for weekend working.

If you are working within the Pharmacy environment as a Pharmacy Assistant and are looking for the next step on your career path this role will be of interest to you.

We are looking for a team member who has experience of supervising staff and working in a hospital or community pharmacy environment that we can develop.

The post holder will be involved in the supervision of a team of Dispensers in the dispensary at both Fairfield General Hospital and Rochdale Infirmary.

Main duties of the job
This role will be responsible for supervising, training and supporting all dispensary staff and trainees. whilst maximising efficiency and accuracy in the dispensary.

To undertake this role you must be able to supervise staff on a day to day basis, work accurately under pressure, have a good eye for detail, be able to prioritise your workload, meet deadlines and be committed to the delivery of high standards in a patient focused service.

You will need knowledge and experience of dispensary systems and hold a level 2 NVQ in Pharmacy Services.

You will also participate in full dispensary duties.

About us
The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) provides hospital and integrated health and social care services to over one million people living across Greater Manchester. Our 20,000 colleagues care for people in hospital and in the community, working across Bury, Rochdale, Oldham, and Salford, to save and improve lives.

As a large NHS trust we are committed to enhancing the health of our local population by delivering consistently high standards of care and collaborating closely with local authorities and key partners. We believe in our power and potential to make a difference and we are always looking for people who demonstrate our three core values - care, appreciate and inspire - to join our team.

In return, we can offer you a job role with purpose and flexibility. The size and scale of the NCA means we can provide more challenge and opportunities so your career can always be moving in the right direction. By joining us you can also access a competitive benefits package, including, a fantastic annual leave allowance, flexible working opportunities and protected hours for health and wellbeing activities, helping you to achieve more personal downtime and a better work-life balance.

Details
Date posted: 13 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 4
Salary: £28,392 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 236-CSS-PS168-26

Job locations
Fairfield General Hospital, Rochdale Old Road, Bury, Greater Manchester, BL9 7TD, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
To read more information about the advertised role, and the main job duties/responsibilities please open the Job Description and Person Specification located under the supporting documents heading. You can also read more information about working at the Northern Care Alliance within the attached Candidate Information Pack or by visiting our careers website: www.careers.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk
We reserve the right to close the online vacancy when we are in receipt of sufficient applications. Should you wish to apply for this post you are advised to complete and return your application form as soon as possible.

Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential

• NVQ Level 2 or equivalent in Pharmacy Services.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Essential

• Relevant experience in hospital pharmacy including experience of working as a Dispenser in the hospital environment or an equivalent environment.
• Basic knowledge of COSHH and Health & Safety legislation.
• Awareness of the range of duties involved in the post.
• Excellent knowledge of Pharmacy services including key Dispensary processes
• Good verbal and written communication, including by telephone.
• Numerical accuracy.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Skilled in computer keyboard and applications.
• Able to work quickly and accurately under pressure.
• Ability to work under their own initiative.
• Ability to negotiate.
• Ability to problem solve.
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy.
• Able to receive complex and/or sensitive information and act accordingly.
• Able to lift and handle pharmaceutical items.
• Co-operates and gets on well with others.
• Steady and dependable but willing to accept change readily.
• Trustworthy with a strong sense of responsibility.
• Willingness to follow instructions.
• Good timekeeper.

Desirable

• Supervision of staff. Organising daily tasks for the team.
• Training and mentoring staff.
• A knowledge of stock control systems.
• Knowledge of HR Processes and systems.
• Skilled in computer keyboard and applications.
• Self-reliant.

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: Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Fairfield General Hospital, Rochdale Old Road, Bury, Greater Manchester, BL9 7TD, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Dispensary Manager, Bethan Davies and Vanessa Williams, bethan.davies@nca.nhs.uk, 01617782206

Supporting documents
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Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust is an equal opportunities employer.