Job overview
This is your chance to take the very first step into the world of Pharmacy - a role that not only offers progression but also opens the door to exciting opportunities for the future. If you are looking for a varied position where patient care is at the heart of everything you do, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.
We are seeking an enthusiastic Pharmacy Assistant to join our team and play a vital role in ensuring patients receive the very best pharmaceutical care. You will be working both in our modern, automated dispensary and at ward level, supporting patients and nursing staff in the safe use and management of medicines.
This is a hands-on role that places you at the centre of medicines distribution. From receiving stock and using barcode technology, to replenishing our automated dispensing robot, preparing ward boxes, and restocking supplies across wards and departments, every task you complete will directly contribute to patient wellbeing and the smooth running of our services.
At L&D Pharmacy, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic, forward-thinking team delivering a 7-day service. Flexible working will be considered, giving you the opportunity to balance your career with your lifestyle.
If you’re ready to make a difference, grow your skills, and be part of a team that is passionate about patient care, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today and take your first step into Pharmacy.
Main duties of the job
1. To receive medicines into stock from wholesalers, suppliers and manufacturers, separating CDs, unlicensed IV fluids and cold storage products
2. To participate in the ward and department top up service, ordering and maintaining stock for wards/departments/theatre and clinic areas against agreed stock lists
3. To remove waste medicines to the Pharmacy ‘disposal area’ and dispose of safely in line with departmental procedures
4. To operate the Automated Dispensing Robot to supply Pharmaceutical stock via ward box picking and to load newly received stock into it
5. To stock shelves in the Pharmacy department ensuring that stock is kept in the correct place, used in rotation and kept tidy
Working for our organisation
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
STORES
6. To work within Standard Operating procedures for the Store and Distribution area
7. To receive medicines into stock from wholesalers and manufacturers, separating CDs, unlicensed, IV fluids and cold storage products
8. To issue stock on the pharmacy computer system against a written or electronic orders
9. To stock shelves in the Pharmacy department ensuring that stock is kept in the correct place, used in rotation and kept tidy
10. To carry out regular stock checks of medicines stored within the Pharmacy under the supervision of senior staff
11. Monitor temperatures of areas that hold Pharmaceutical stock and raise any deviations with the Principal Stores and Distribution Technician
12. Maintain the general tidiness and cleanliness of the department
DISTRUBUTION
13. To assist in the delivery of an efficient distribution service to Bedfordshire NHS Foundation Trust and other commissioned services
14. To operate the Automated Dispensing Robot to supply Pharmaceutical stock via ward box picking and to load newly received stock into it
15. To participate in the ward and department top up service, ordering and maintaining stock for wards/departments/theatre and clinic areas against agreed stock lists
16. Monitoring temperatures in the ward and departmental areas, raising concerns to the Principal Stores and Distribution Technician
17. To deal with any queries or problems concerning ward stocks and pharmacy stocks as and when they arise.
18. To liaise with ward Pharmacists and ward Technicians so that they are aware of stock problems which may lead to temporary alternatives being issued.
OTHER
19. To participate fully in the individual performance review and objective setting process of the Trust
20. To adhere to the policies and procedures of the Bedfordshire NHS Foundation Trust as they relate
21. To take part in the weekend working rota
22. To support the Principal Stores and Distribution Technician with service development
Progression to Band 3:
It is expected that the Band 2 post holder will achieve the relevant competencies within the training programme to proceed to Band 3 within 18 – 24 months.
23. To assist the Principal Technician in the investigation and resolution of stock level discrepancies
24. Support the procurement team with drug shortages when stock is held at ward level
25. To update and maintain ward and department stock list with support from the Principal Technician and ward Pharmacist
26. To dispense liquid nitrogen to wards and departments on completion of training and competency logs
27. To be responsible for the destruction of drug waste in accordance with COSHH guidelines and department procedures
28. To complete the Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Pharmacy Service Skills (QCF) and/or Level 2 Certificate in Pharmaceutical Science.
29. Assist with the induction training of new staff
To support the Principal Stores and Distribution Technician with the implementation of new processes for service development.
Person specification
Skills
Essential criteria
30. Good verbal and written communication skills
31. Able to work with minimum supervision; self-reliant
32. Motivated and enthusiastic
33. Able to cope with an occasional requirement for physical effort and lifting of objects (5kg or under)
34. Accurate at inputting data
Desirable criteria
35. Pharmacy experience
36. Empathetic communication skills
Knowledge
Essential criteria
37. Ability to organise own day to day work tasks
38. Understanding of the need of confidentiality awareness at all times
Desirable criteria
39. Knowledge of the NHS and or experience of working in a hospital environment
40. Awareness of medicine names
Experience
Essential criteria
41. Customer orientated services
42. Experience of working with computer programmes including basic Microsoft Office packages
43. Experience of working within a team
Desirable criteria
44. Experience of working in a warehouse/ stock managed environment
45. Experience of working in a pharmacy environment
Qualifications
Essential criteria
46. Evidence of good level of education to include GCSE grade C in Mathematics and English or equivalent
47. NVQ Level 2 in Dispensary Stock Management or willing to undertake
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
If you have problems applying, contact
Address Luton & Dunstable Hospital NHS Trust
Lewsey Road
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU4 0DZ
Telephone 01582 497325