Overview
This role involves working at ward level and in the dispensary where you will provide an admissions and discharge service. You will gain experience in ward based clinical services (including surgery, cardiology, respiratory, gastroenterology, paediatrics, renal and care of the elderly) and patient services providing dispensing and ACT cover with supervision to junior staff. The post is designed for career-minded individuals who want to work in hospital pharmacy and make a mark.
Responsibilities
* Undertake general pharmaceutical duties under the supervision of a Section Manager or deputy, assisting in the provision of a safe and effective Pharmacy service in line with current policies, procedures and legal requirements.
* Work within patient services undertaking medicines optimisation and discharge duties on the wards, improving the quality of care to patients through an efficient medicines optimisation system. This includes medicines reconciliation, assessing patients’ own medicines for in-hospital use, one-stop dispensing to wards in preparation for discharge, maintaining and ordering non-stock medicines, counselling patients on their medicines, and providing information as required.
* Work in the dispensary performing final accuracy checking of prescriptions and provide support to the dispensary manager and lead technician in coordinating day-to-day dispensary operations.
* Ensure compliance with Good Distribution Practice (GDP) and all relevant department procedures across the Pharmacy supply chain.
Key Result Areas
* Medicines Optimisation & Discharge: under supervision, provide admission, supply and discharge services to nominated wards, liaising with pharmacists, doctors and nursing staff as appropriate.
* On admission, check medicines prescribed for each patient against information from the patient, SCR, GP letter or Nursing Home; carry out medicines reconciliation; operate the patient’s own drug scheme; assess medicines brought in by the patient and remove unused medicines with patient permission.
* Participate in and develop a one-stop dispensing service on the ward, including education of nurses and ward staff in the systems operated.
* Initiate and accurately supply medication labelled for discharge; counsel patients and provide written information; prioritise and organise daily workload to meet timescales.
* Aid discharge planning with ward pharmacist and ward staff; liaise with GP surgeries, community pharmacies, patients and carers to ensure continuing supply of medicines at discharge.
* Check transcriptions of discharge prescriptions and verify medications before bagging for discharge, including cross-checking with drug chart and locker contents.
* Maintain general medicinal housekeeping on wards (e.g., quarterly CD balance checks, return of unwanted medicines, stock control, and cost-effective use of medicines).
* Participate in audits of medicines management and maintain required documentation; share best practices and implement new developments where appropriate.
* Supervise, train and/or mentor student technicians, new or existing technicians, pre-registration pharmacists and junior pharmacists in medicines management on the wards.
Dispensary
* Under supervision, perform final accuracy checks of prescriptions, orders and Controlled Drugs; maintain checking technician status.
* Ensure ward-based one-stop service and dispensary development; contribute to policies.
* Accurately dispense prescriptions for inpatients, outpatients or discharge, liaising with medical and nursing staff as needed, and manage drug supply problems.
* Dispense controlled drug orders for wards/departments and patients; make register entries; check stock balances and report discrepancies to the Senior Pharmacy Technician.
* Handle front hatch payments from the public and provide assistance to staff at the hatch; answer calls and deal with queries as required.
* Use prescription tracking system to book in and track prescriptions at each stage.
* Supervise and mentor technicians and junior staff in dispensary roles and duties.
General
* Ensure standard operating procedures and Health and Safety procedures are followed; manage stock control and medicines security within daily duties.
* Foster good relationships with pharmacy, medical and nursing staff; promote positive communication with service users.
* Be proactive in risk assessment and ensure safe systems of work; contribute to policies and procedures.
* Be willing to re-arrange duties and prioritise to cover for absences and ensure wards have adequate cover.
* Participate in instruction, mentoring, training and appraisal of technicians and students within the regional medicines management course.
* Participate in internal audits and surveys of service delivery; gather data and prepare reports as required.
* Provide weekend and Bank Holiday cover as per rota.
* Comply with the trust’s code of expectations and values.
* We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications are received.
* You will be contacted by the Recruitment Team via email if shortlisted; please check your email account regularly.
* If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points-based system.
Additional Information
We are looking for experienced and enthusiastic registered Pharmacy Technicians who embrace the challenge of working in a busy environment as part of a multidisciplinary team, with a focus on delivering high-quality pharmaceutical care that impacts patients. The successful applicants will work within patient services undertaking medicines optimisation/discharge facilitation on the wards and in the dispensary final accuracy checking prescriptions, with support to the dispensary manager in coordinating day-to-day operations. The role offers opportunities for personal and professional development within a supportive, friendly team.
About Gloucestershire Hospitals
At Gloucestershire Hospitals, we are committed to delivering excellent care. The trust employs over 9,000 staff from diverse nationalities and provides care across Gloucestershire Royal, Cheltenham General and Stroud Maternity Hospital. We offer flexible working, generous annual leave, NHS pension, staff discounts, on-site nurseries, and health and wellbeing initiatives. The pharmacy department operates across two main sites with cross-site working as required.
Equal Opportunity
We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone belongs.
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