To assist in the smooth running of the assigned area of Pharmacy under direction and supervision of Senior Technicians.
To dispense medicines against prescriptions or requests and prepare over‑labelled packs for discharge. To monitor workflow in the distribution area, issuing stock medicines and providing a ward top‑up service to clinical areas.
Dispensation & Distribution
* Interpret and dispense in‑patient, outpatient, Controlled Drug and discharge prescriptions/dispensing requests, according to department procedures.
* Participate in stock supply to wards and departments and re‑order as necessary.
* Assist pharmacists and technicians in ward‑based dispensing activities.
* Assemble orders to fill ward requisition sheets and prescriptions.
* Participate in the assessment for suitability for recycling of drugs returned from inside the hospital.
* Credit cost centres with the value of returned goods as appropriate, using the pharmacy computer system.
* Participate in the ’top‑up’ service to wards & departments.
* Participate in the ‘top up’ of pharmacy sundries to the dispensaries.
* Participate in expiry date checking.
* Participate in daily rolling stock checks.
* Participate in reception duties to include receipt and the administrative processing of work received into the dispensary.
* Answer the dispensary telephones and deal with enquiries where appropriate, take messages or refer to a more appropriate member of staff.
* Attend to the dispensary hatch as required, taking in prescriptions and dealing with patients, carers, visitors and members of staff.
* Participate in Pharmacy and ward/dept. stocktaking and the maintenance of accurate stock levels.
* Participate in the training and supervision of pharmacy assistants as required, and the training of student technicians, pre‑registration pharmacists and vacation students.
* Contribute to the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in specific areas of work.
* Carry out photocopying and the maintenance of stocks of pharmacy patient information leaflets for the dispensary.
* Provide cover for other Assistant duties if required.
* Participate in appropriate storage of drugs on receipt.
* Contribute to the safe disposal of waste within the department.
* Maintain a safe standard of work in connection with the requirements of the Medicines Act, the Health and Safety at Work Act and the COSHH regulations.
* Participate in Late Duty, Weekend & Bank Holiday rotas as required.
* Adhere to and perpetuate Trust Policies and Procedures.
* Undertake any other appropriate duties as required by the Pharmacy Operations Manager, within the nature and grade of the post.
Aseptic Suite
* Ensure aseptic Standard Operating Procedures and other Pharmacy procedures and policies relevant to the area are adhered to.
* Undergo training and continued development in the role.
* Participate in the ‘top‑up’ service to wards & departments.
* Carry out the daily cleans on isolators, rooms and equipment.
* Participate in stock rotation, stock checks and identification of ordering needs.
* Participate in appropriate storage of drugs on receipt.
* Ensure drugs and sundries are stored neatly under the correct storage conditions and segregated accordingly.
* Ensure environmental parameters are monitored, maintained, recorded and checked.
* Report any deviations to procedure or environmental parameters.
* Aseptic preparation of cytotoxics, monoclonal antibodies, and CIVAS products.
* Contribute to the training of Pre‑Registration Pharmacy Technicians, Pharmacy Assistants in the aseptic unit and other new members of staff.
* Ensure accurate data is entered onto the JAC pharmacy computer system.
* Prepare worksheets for products accurately and efficiently.
* Collect ingredients and sundries for each product to be prepared.
* Provide pre‑process and in‑process checks to worksheets transcription and doses drawn up.
* Plan and prioritise own time and contribute to the planning of work of other junior staff.
* Ensure Health & Safety, Good Manufacturing Practice and COSHH regulations are followed.
* Contribute to the safe disposal of waste within the department.
* Participate in Late Night, Saturday & Bank Holiday rotas as required.
* Participate in maintenance of an efficient aseptic service as a member of the pharmacy aseptic team.
Wards
* Conduct duties when required during the day, in a polite, pleasant and professional manner under departmental procedures.
* Identify newly admitted patients requiring Medicines Reconciliation immediately on arrival to the ward.
* Liaise with the nurse in charge to identify missed doses and highlight these to the ward‑based Medicines Management Technician or pharmacist.
* Assess patients’ own drugs (PODs) for suitability of use and ensure the Green Bag Scheme is used for storage of PODs.
* With patient consent, remove any medicines that are unsuitable (expired or no longer prescribed) and clarify if they have further supplies of PODs at home.
* Assist in the collection of urgent items from the Main Dispensary to prevent missed or delayed doses.
* Assist in determining the suitability of the medicines in a POD locker in preparation for discharge.
* Assist in the collection and delivery of TTOs from SWFT Clinical Services as required.
* Unpack, check and put away any pharmacy stock orders in the treatment room as they arrive and report discrepancies immediately to the senior nurse.
* Unpack and lock away into patient’s lockers any patient‑specific medicines arriving from pharmacy.
* Keep all cupboards and drug trolleys clean and tidy; ensure no in‑patient medicines are stored inappropriately.
* Return unused, unwanted medicines suitable for return to pharmacy and dispose of medicines unsuitable for return in the ward medicines waste stream in accordance with Trust Waste Management Guidelines.
* Reconcile medicines wastage and participate in data collection for stock rotation and waste avoidance.
* Carry out weekly top‑up of ward stocks, rotating stock and date checking.
* Ensure the fridge does not contain any medicine for patients no longer on the ward or any expired medicine.
* Assist in moving pharmaceutical products when wards move / open / close, ensuring security precautions are taken and storage complies with legal requirements.
* Collect and record data for audit purposes to demonstrate compliance with safe medicines management.
Procurement
* Expedite orders and liaise with suppliers on any order/account queries.
* Identify, analyse and resolve problems with contract/non‑contract prices and drug shortages.
* Provide a friendly, efficient and confidential service to all visitors, staff and patients at the main Pharmacy.
* Maintain daily contact with Trust staff, patients and carers in the issue of drug supplies from the Pharmacy Department.
* Work as a key member of the Pharmacy Stores team, closely collaborating for an efficient ordering/receipt/invoicing service.
* Undertake ward‑based stock checks.
Key Working Relationships
* Work closely with Pharmacists, Lead Technicians, and other technicians and support staff.
* Liaise with nursing, medical and other healthcare staff.
* Deal with patients and their relatives/carers, including those with language difficulties or other disabilities.
We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic Senior Pharmacy Assistant to support us in the delivery of excellent hospital pharmacy services. This is an opportunity to join our friendly, committed team working in a support role in a variety of pharmacy services.
To be considered you will need previous experience of working in either a hospital or community pharmacy and have a minimum of NVQ level 2 in Pharmacy services or equivalent. Exceptional candidates without this prior qualification may be invited to join us as a trainee apprentice as part of our STEP programme.
Other requirements: be able to lift boxes of moderate weight (up to 13 kg), use visual display units and have recent documentary evidence of a satisfactory eye test. Adhere to and perpetuate Trust and Pharmacy policies and procedures.
All employees must comply with the Data Protection Act and related legislation. Unauthorized disclosure of confidential information may result in prosecution or civil damages and disciplinary action.
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