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Job overview

Following our recent CQC inspection, a business case aimed at improving Medicines Management on our wards with a focus on reducing waste has been approved, resulting in an opportunity for us to expand the services we currently deliver. This crucial work will form part of a bigger project with the long-term aim of securing further investment to grow the technical pharmacy workforce.

This is a great role to start your career as a Ward based Pharmacy Assistant, as you'll receive all the training and support you need to be your best. In our new recruits, we are looking for individuals who is committed to delivering a high quality service to our patients and the trust, whose personal attributes include:- the ability to work accurately in a very busy environment, good communication skills, a professional manner, good time management, a flexible team approach and the ability to adapt to and engage in change.

Previous experience in pharmacy is not required, as you will be provided with competency-based training and support to help you expand your knowledge and experience. Candidates without training or experience in hospital or community pharmacy equivalent to a NVQ level 2 will be considered for an apprenticeship at a Band 2 salary, increasing to Band 3 on completion of the course, within 18 months, or, if you already have experience in pharmacy and hold a NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy services or equivalent this post, you will be appointed on a Band 3 salary.

Main duties of the job

Alongside this role, there are a number of other posts associated with this business case that have been created and the successful candidates will play a crucial role within this team to demonstrate the benefits of having pharmacy involved in the management of medicines at ward level.

We are looking for motivated individuals who have the drive to implement & deliver quality improvement. The successful candidates must be able to work well within a large team and help develop and deliver the Ward Pharmacy service. These roles will be Trust wide - covering areas at both the Royal Victoria Infirmary and Freeman Hospital. Working alongside a Senior Pharmacy Leadership team, Specialist Pharmacy Technician, and Senior Ward medicines Assistant. You will support the Pharmacy team and senior nursing colleagues with oversight of medication at ward level. This will include the following:

• Dispensing of prescriptions
• Ordering of medication for ward use
• Temperature monitoring
• Participation in audits
• Sustained improved stock management (supporting / rationalising medicine supply processes resulting in significantly less stock being kept on wards)
• Elimination of expired stock on wards
• Reduce waste from medicines by utilising patients own drugs
• Appropriate use of pre-packs
• Ensure the quality and safety of medicines used at ward level is maintained through education and training
• Ensure any data collection is collated and presented in line with departmental/clinical board requirements

Working for our organisation

Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest, largest and most successful teaching NHS foundation trusts in the country, with around 16,000 staff and an annual income of £1 billion.

We have a long history of providing high quality care, clinical excellence, and innovation in medical research regionally, nationally and internationally.

We’re also proud to be the second largest provider of specialised services in the country. This means we support people with a range of rare and complex medical, surgical and neurological conditions, cancers and genetic orders.

Our staff oversee around 2 million patients ‘contacts’ each year, delivering high standards of healthcare.

Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust.

We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognise the benefit in providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.