Job overview

Role of the Department

To provide a co-ordinated pharmaceutical service which is broad-based, cost-effective and efficient.

To promote safe, legal, rational and economic use of medicines and all allied products to all its clients.

Job purpose

To work with the Principal/Senior Pharmacy Technician and with other team members to deliver a service to meet the pharmaceutical needs of patients within the Trust. The post will involve rotations across the in-patient and out-patient dispensaries and ward based medicine management roles on the two hospital sites.

Main duties of the job

1.     To participate in the efficient day to day running of the department and assisting the Principal/Senior Technician when required in overseeing the management of the dispensing service.

2.     To undertake daily stock level checks including expiry dates as per audit requirement, reporting any exception to the Principal / Senior Technician.

3.     To order / requisition stock from the Pharmacy Store as required.

4.     To undertake in-patient, discharge and out-patient dispensing using the Pharmacy Computer System and in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.

5.     To participate in the dispensing for clinical trials, completing relevant documentation in accordance with departmental procedures.

6.     To counsel patients / carers regarding their medication.

7.     To obtain if appropriate following suitable experience Accredited Checking Technician status and perform a final accuracy checks of prescriptions in accordance with departmental protocols.

8.     To obtain if appropriate drug history and POD checking accreditation in order to work on wards in a medicine management role.

9.     To participate, on a rota basis, in a medicine management role on the wards working with pharmacists to ensure the accuracy of medicines for in-patients.

10.  To routinely check expiry dates of all stock, ensuring good stock rotation and correct storage conditions, maintaining a log as required and reporting any exceptions to the Principal/Senior Technician.

11.  To prepare, update and print computerised lists for stock issues for all relevant clients.

12.  To deputise for the Senior Technician in their absence.

13.  To encourage support and compliance with the Trust formulary and local prescribing guidelines.

14.  To assist in the training and supervision of pre-registration trainee pharmacy technicians, pre-registration pharmacists and other pharmacy staff as required.

15.  To obtain if appropriate following suitable experience NVQ assessor or equivalent status, undertaking appraisal and assessment of pre-registration trainee pharmacy technicians and pharmacy assistants.

16.  To maintain a clean, tidy and organised work area.

17.  To assist in the collection of performance/workload/audit data ensuring data input into Prescription Tracking, Pharmacy Computer, Out-patient number call systems and similar  is accurate and up to date.

18.  To identify risk and report incidents.

19.  To participate in and contribute to departmental meetings to maintain and develop the pharmaceutical service, contributing to the development of new procedures as required.

20.  To actively participate in continuing professional development.

Working for our organisation

• Work within agreed Trust and departmental policies and procedures and to accepted standards of practice.
• Work on other sites in the Trust by agreement.
• Undertake such other duties as may be required from time to time, as are consistent with the responsibilities of the grade.
• Ensure confidentiality at all times, only releasing confidential information obtained during the course of employment to those acting in an official capacity.
• Treat patients and customers with dignity and courtesy.
• Ensure that medicines do not fall into unauthorised hands.
• Have responsibility for the health, safety and welfare for self and others and to comply with the requirements of the Health and Safety regulations, including COSHH.
• Promote Equal Opportunities and to comply with the requirements of the legislation and the Trust’s policies.
• Attend such training courses and meetings as are necessary for the efficient performance of the post holder’s duties.
• Participate in Continuing Professional Development (CPD), maintaining own CPD portfolio.
• Participate in the Trust’s appraisal system.
• Comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act.
• Comply with the Trust’s No Smoking Policy.
• Comply with Duty of Candour principles.

This job description is a reflection of the current position and may change in emphasis or detail in the light of subsequent service development.