Job overview
Do you want to be an integral part of a thriving acute Trust that embraces transformation and is passionate about delivering safe, personal and effective care? If the answer is yes, we have the perfect opportunity for you to join our award-winning pharmacy team.
We are looking for a Senior Pharmacy Assistant who is keen to join our friendly team. The right candidate will benefit from a training programme that gives the variety of duties required within the Technical Services Department.
The right candidate will be a strong communicator, organised and a team player.
Main duties of the job
General duties of this post include:
* Maintaining accurate stock levels of medicines and consumables
* Receipt and Return of cleanroom clothing, with some heavy lifting and bending involved.
* Stock replenishment for both units within Technical Services
* Inputting orders into the computer systems
* Answering telephones and dealing with simple queries
* Processing and disposing of medicinal waste
* Cleaning of the Aseptic and Chemotherapy Units and the Isolators
* Assembling ingredients for the production of chemotherapy and intravenous medicines
* Production of Aseptically Manipulated Products including CIVAS/PN and Chemotherapy medicines
* Training of Domestic's, Assistants, Technician's and Pharmacists in the cleaning of the Technical Services Units
* Training of Assistants, Technician's and Pharmacists in 3 stage transfer decontamination in both Aseptic's and the Chemotherapy Units
* Performing In Process Checks for Aseptically prepared products
* Dispensing of Outsourced Special's medication
Working for our organisation
Established in 2003 East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) is a large integrated health care organisation providing high quality acute secondary healthcare for the people of East Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen.
Our vision is to be widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care. We currently provide high quality services and treat over 700,000 patients a year from the most serious of emergencies to planned operations and procedures. We employ over 8,000 staff, many of whom are internationally renowned and have won awards for their work and achievements.
A rota is in place to cover Bank Holidays and we are a flexible and friendly team. Core hours of the service run from 08:00 - 16:30 with a weekend day 09:00 - 16:00 included in the working week. Staff work a 7.5 hour shift within these hours, there may be an option to work longer shifts. All working patterns can be discussed at interview.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
General duties of this post include:
Deputise for other Senior Pharmacy Assistant colleagues as delegated and as designated in their absence.
Undertake cytotoxic reconstitution and dispensing in accordance with COSHH regulations and Regional and National standards, under direction of the Technical Services Manager.
Undertake special dispensing and preparation involving the use of aseptic techniques within a controlled environment in accordance with aseptic procedures under the direction of the Technical Services Manager, including Central Intravenous drugs and Parenteral Nutrition solutions.
Support the Lead Pharmacy Technician and Senior Pharmacy Technician in Aseptic Services and Oncology and assistant teams.
Act within the constraints of this role and consult and seek guidance from the Lead Pharmacy Technician and Senior Pharmacy Technician where issues and problems exceed this remit.
Ensure that the Lead Pharmacy Technician and Senior Pharmacy Technician are aware and informed in a timely way of any issues which may affect the running of the aseptic units, or the quality of products produced in it.
Ensure that all pharmacy assistants and technicians are aware of the principles of Quality Assurance, Quality Control and Good Manufacturing Practice, effective stock control and management and that this is carried out at all times.
Assist with the training of pharmacy assistants, domestic staff and pharmacy technicians including maintenance of training records and signing off competencies.
Act as a role model for the assistants and technicians and demonstrate the ability to provide safe, cost-efficient use of medicines.
Undertake waste management and disposal of returned pharmaceutical products which may include hazardous material, following standard operating procedures.
Ensure Pharmacy Portering and transport staff (including relief staff) are following current procedures when handling and delivering medicines.
Maintain the shelves and storage areas in a neat and tidy manner ensuring good stock rotation.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
* NVQ level 2 certificate in Pharmacy Services or equivalent qualification
Training
Essential criteria
* Supervisory experience
Special Knowledge
Essential criteria
* Understanding of local and national NHS and Pharmaceutical Policy
* Knowledge of medicines legislation and guidance i.e. Medicines Act, Misuse of Drugs Act, Safe and Secure Handling of Medicines, Medicine Guidance Notes, MHRA Alerts
* General knowledge of NHS developments including primary and secondary care Understanding of clinical governance principles
Experience
Essential criteria
* Practice in one or more relevant areas
* Experience of supervising pharmacy services in primary or secondary care
* Working within GMP/GDP guidelines
* Working within GMP/GDP guidelines
* HR policies awareness
* Ability to maintain and report on records and statistics
Judgement
Essential criteria
* Demonstrates clear thinking and able to analyse problems
* Makes sound decisions
* Intuition – anticipates difficulties and takes appropriate action
* Knows when to consult (own limitations)
* Reflects on own practice and learns from experience
* Reflects on own practice and learns from experience
Communication Skills
Essential criteria
* Excellent verbal and written communication
* Excellent negotiator, influencer
* Courteous with all customers both internal and external including members of the public and other healthcare professionals
* Able to communicate information
* Ability to influence Pharmacy and hospital staff and other people
* Ability to prioritise demands on service and plan workload of self and others
* Skills in training and development of a range of staff
Personal Qualities
Essential criteria
* Has vision and imagination, initiative, creativity, able to see beyond barriers
* Can balance leadership and working within a team
* Prioritises and meets deadlines
* Flexible
* Systematic approach
* Calm under pressure
* Thrives on change
Other Requirements
Essential criteria
* Flexibility in working hours
* Advanced keyboard skills