Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Dispensary

To assist in the provision of a safe and effective dispensary service, under the supervision of the Education and Training lead or Dispensary Manager in line with current policies and procedures

Dispense prescriptions according to the prescribers instructions and referring to a pharmacist any unusual dosages or features for confirmation or revision before dispensing

Ensuring that local and national procedures and guidelines are followed

Use the pharmacy IT system to produce labels accurately conveying the prescribers’ instructions

Dispense and label controlled drugs, keeping accurate records in line with local procedures and relevant laws

Dispensing special items e.g. cytotoxics, after appropriate training and following current procedures and health and safety guidelines

Dispensing compliance aids to meet the needs of the patient in line with departmental procedures. This includes manual fills and compliance aids dispensed using the VBM robot

Contacting nursing staff regarding problems encountered on prescriptions, referring to the appropriate Pharmacy Technician or Pharmacist where needed

Receive enquires regarding information about medication, ensuring that adequate detail is obtained and the urgency is established.

To interpret these enquiries and answer them when appropriate, or pass them onto the appropriate Pharmacy Technician or Pharmacist

Undertaking manual top-up of medication, obtaining stock from stores and storing on appropriate shelving in the dispensary

Book taxis or arrange ad-hoc transport if required, after confirmation with section manager and in line with procedures.

Performing stock checks and expiry date checks as required

Assisting in quality assurance procedures, such as the monitoring of all near miss and critical errors, ensuring that they are logged and reflective practice is carried if errors have left the department

Maintaining safe systems of work at all times, being responsible for the quality and accuracy of all dispensing undertaken

Keeping the department clean and tidy, undertaking tasks as required in the relevant procedures

Assist with the training of new and existing members of staff as required as part of your development

Complete accuracy checking duties as set out by your training provider

Pharmacy Stores

To assist in the provision of a safe and effective pharmacy stores and distribution service,  under the supervision of the Pharmacy Procurement Technician and in line with current policies and procedures

Raise orders with suppliers and receipt them on the pharmacy computer system when they are received

Visit nominated wards if required, checking the levels of stock drugs against standard stock levels and arranging to issue the required amount to top them up to that level

Receiving orders from hospital suppliers, checking the quantities against the delivery notes and putting away the items in their normal storage positions. This will include signing for deliveries from drivers

Highlighting any errors with items delivered and liaising with the procurement technician to rectify the problem. Liaising with the suppliers and delivery companies where required

Issuing all stock items direct to the ward from printed picking tickets and picking medication

Putting together orders from various hospital clinics, departments and outside units

Answering the telephone dealing with enquiries as appropriate

Delivering urgent items and to-follow items to the dispensary during the day as required

Using the allocated programs on the pharmacy's computerised stock control system as required

Performing stock checks and expiry date checks as required

Maintaining safe systems of work at all times, being responsible for the quality and accuracy of all work undertaken

Keeping the department clean and tidy, undertaking tasks as required in the relevant procedures

Sorting and disposing of returned drugs from the wards and departments according to the pharmacy and trust policies. Assessing drugs that are suitable for re-use after a completion of a competency.

Training Duties

To undertake and successfully complete all aspects of the approved training course for pre-registration pharmacy technicians, including work based projects and course assignments.  A learning agreement will be put in place

The successful candidate will be given protected study time, however it is the apprentices responsibility to ensure all work is completed in a timely manner. You will be expected to successfully complete the apprenticeship programme within the given fixed term contract 
duration

To fully engage in every new area of working according to the Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician rota

You will be expected to take annual leave outside of set study, examination and virtual learning days

Medicines Optimisation

Complete medicines reconciliation in line with departmental SOPs under the supervision of a pharmacy technician/pharmacist

Assess suitability, quality and identity of patient’s own medicines (PODs) for extended use on wards and as discharge medicines in line with departmental SOPs

Provide information and counselling on the use of medicines to selected patients and or carers taking into account their level of understanding, competence and behaviour

General Duties

To take responsibility for own personal and professional development and agree objectives in discussion with Line Manager

Foster and maintain good relationships with pharmacy and other AWP staff

Ensuring that all lifting follows the Trust's manual handling guidelines

Ensuring that stock is stored in such a way to allow good stock rotation and showing that those items with the shortest expiry date are used first

Maintain such documentation and records of the work as may be required

Refer requests for information on medicines to the appropriate Pharmacist

Maintain safe systems of work at all times, ensuring all work is undertaken in line with department policies and follows local health and safety guidelines

Participating in the weekend and bank holiday services in line with departmental rotas to meet the needs of the service

To manage own workload effectively and efficiently ensuring that work is completed to agreed timescales

Demonstrate the capability to multi task when required

Ability to adapt and respond to a variable workload with unexpected interruptions

Complete in house training program and competencies

Demonstrate knowledge in the use of pharmacy and hospital information systems

Please see attached job description and person specification for details about the main responsibilities of the post.

Your normal hours of work will be Mon-Fri, 8.30am-5.00pm. We operate a weekend and bank holiday pharmacy service at either the Calne or Callington Road dispensary. This is approximately 1 in 10 working from 10-1pm, enabling a good work life balance.