Job overview
Are you a highly motivated and reliable individual looking to make a real difference in patient care? We are seeking a dedicated Higher Level Pharmacy Support Worker to join our busy and dynamic dispensaries, providing vital support to our pharmacy team and ensuring smooth and efficient running of the operational services. You will play a key role in supporting the pharmacy team by assisting with various dispensary tasks, including preparing medication for dispensing and providing information to patients and staff. Excellent communication skills are a must in this busy department, whilst ensuring high quality care is provided, maintaining accuracy and attention to detail at all times.
You must be pro-active, flexible, and able to work under pressure to prioritise work both in a team and working alone. This post will support the Lead Pharmacy Support Worker for Dispensary with the day-to-day delivery of the Pharmacy Inpatient dispensary service.
All training is provided and fully funded by the department, with further development and career progression within the department.
Main duties of the job
1. Will assist the Lead Pharmacy Support Worker in coordinating the safe and accurate dispensing and distribution of medicines, including Controlled Drugs (CDs) to patients, wards, departments, and other users within Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust (BHT.) Work will be carried out under the control and direction of senior pharmacy technicians and pharmacists.
2. Will work in the dispensary and dispense a wide range of medicines to wards, clinics and outpatients, use the pharmacy computer systems in order to carry out all tasks in an accurate and timely manner, ensuring safe and efficient pharmacy service can be provided whilst delivering the highest quality patient care through personal actions and continuous improvement.
3. Will supervise other staff in the dispensary and participate in the distribution of medicines throughout the Trust.
4. Will follow all legal and departmental practices including Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs), Good Distribution Practice (GDP), Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) guidelines, Lifting and Handling Regulations and all Trust Policies and Procedures.
5. Will be expected to contribute and assist in the development of pharmaceutical services, and to promote the highest standards of professional practice, whilst always observing the “Statement on Professional Conduct” issued by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Working for our organisation
Listen to why colleagues think we are a great place to work! -
What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?
6. As part of our BHT family, you’ll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.
7. We offer flexible and agile working opportunities, alongside your NHS benefits of generous annual leave entitlement, pension and access to NHS discount schemes.
8. We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.
Why work for us?
9. We’re committed to promoting inclusion and making sure all colleagues feel they belong. We encourage new colleagues from a diverse range of backgrounds to apply.
10. As an employer, we aim to create a workplace where differences are valued and colleagues treat one another with dignity and respect.
11. Greater diversity within our BHT family improves positive outcomes for the people and communities we serve.
12. A keen supporter of the Armed Forces Community who know the value of employing a service leaver/veteran and their families.
What do we stand for?
13. Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work.
14. Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time.
15. Our care values are collaborate, aspire, respect and enable.
Person specification
EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING
Essential criteria
16. Sound Educational Background GCSEs or equivalent.
17. GPhC recognised qualification, GPhC recognised apprenticeship pathway, or a GPhC accredited training course following National Occupational Standards OR Willingness to work towards
EXPERIENCE
Essential criteria
18. Previous experience of working in a hospital pharmacy or Community / licensed dispensing pharmacy within UK
SKILLS, ABILITIES & KNOWLEDGE
Essential criteria
19. Ability to work to Standard Operating Procedures accurately and in a timely manner.
20. To understand and be able to work within UK law governing the handling of medicines and supply
21. Ability to work in busy dispensary with multiple interruptions
22. Accuracy/attention to detail
23. To have a clean and tidy appearance
24. To have a positive attitude and the ability to recognise and embrace new ideas
25. Ability to work and communicate well within a team and on your own
26. Ability to recognise limits of own competencies and to refer and seek advice from colleagues
27. Ability to work in an organised and calm fashion in a busy environment
28. To be courteous with all customers, both internal and external, including members of the public and other healthcare professionals
29. To assist in the training of other staff within the dispensary environment and provide feedback for peer reviews.
30. Ability to communicate in a clear and concise manner both verbal and written
31. Speaking to patients and other staff face-to-face and on the telephone.
32. Keeping accurate and legible records
33. To have basic keyboard/computer skills
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
Essential criteria
34. Ability and willing to travel to other sites.
PPE requirements: Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust requires all colleagues to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with our infection prevention and control procedures.
COVID-19 and Flu vaccinations remain the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course our patients from the viruses when working in our healthcare settings. We encourage our staff to be vaccinated when recommended.
Application deadline: This post will close on the closing date stated at midnight, however if we receive a large number of applications or there is a change in circumstance, we may be required to close a job before the advertised date.
Application information: If you are offered a job, information will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records (ESR) system.
Shortlisting: The monitoring and safeguarding sections are not made visible to the shortlisting panel. The safeguarding section may be made visible to the interview panel, dependent on the role being recruited into.
Travel expenses: It is Trust policy that travel expenses for interviews will not be reimbursed.
Smoking: All Trust sites are NO SMOKING. Smoking in all areas of the buildings and premises is prohibited.
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