Band 3 Senior support worker - Stores & Distribution/ Patient Services

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Our trust has around 10,000 staff serving 1.6 million patients. It comprises Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital, the Royal Free Hospital and more than 30 services in the community. This larger scale organisation provides an unprecedented opportunity for us to continue our pioneering work, particularly in finding ways to deliver even better care to our patients.

Our mission is to deliver world class care and expertise in our clinical services, underpinned by world class teaching and research and we will continue to measure our progress against our five governing objectives: excellent outcomes, excellent patient and staff experience, excellent value for taxpayers' money, being safe and meeting our external duties, and building a strong organisation.

Everyone is welcome at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. We're proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME, gender equality, staff carers and people with disabilities and lived experiences to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.

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Job overview

Salary Band: Band 3

Hours per week: 37.5 hours

Permanent

We are looking for an enthusiastic, helpful and hardworking individual to join our team within the the Pharmacy department at Chase Farm Hospital.

In accordance with objectives set by the Chief Technician:

The post holder will be responsible for supporting the Pharmacy Stores and Patients Service Team in the provision of an efficient service to all users and in the day to day running of the Pharmacy Department following standard operating procedures (SOP).

Main duties of the job

The post holder will provide pharmacy service to patients, wards and departments. You will supervise a team of pharmacy support workers and apprentices.

The post holder will have a Level 2 in Pharmacy Service Assistant apprenticeship (or equivalent) or willing to undertake a pharmacy apprenticeship if not qualified.

Successful applicants will be appointed into a Band 3 position if expected qualifications met and those requiring training will be enrolled on a pharmacy apprenticeship programme and appointed in a Band 3 annex 21 role for the duration of training.

This training opportunity will lead to a substantive Band 3 position on completion of their apprenticeship.

Apprentices are expected to work towards the attached job description and should not be expected to perform the full duties of the role until competencies are signed off. The pharmacy apprentice will learn about Pharmacy services, under the guidance, direction, control or supervision of Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, and other staff to practice the skills of a Pharmacy Support Worker. Throughout the apprenticeship, the post holder will work through Pharmacy Inpatients, Stores/ Distribution and undertake a course of study and assessment with a chosen educational provider. Alongside on-the-job training, apprentices spend a minimum of 6 hours per week of their working hours completing classroom-based learning.

Please see attached job description for more information about this role.

Working for our organisation

Everyone is welcome at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. We're proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME, gender equality, staff carers and people with disabilities and lived experiences to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.

The Pharmacy department at The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is an ambitious and quality improvement focused team who are committed to optimising the use of medicines and providing the best pharmaceutical care to our patients. We are proud to lead the way in integrated training partnerships, digital transformation, and cost improvement programmes (CIP).

The Pharmacy Service comprises of Inpatient and Outpatient dispensary services, ward based clinical pharmacy services, Medicines Information, aseptic and non-sterile production services, pharmacy stores & distribution, procurement, and homecare services. We cover a range of clinical specialties including HIV, general medicine, emergency services, surgery, rheumatology, hepatology, anti-coagulation, oncology & haematology, women's health, paediatrics and infection control.

For further information or to arrange an informal visit please contact the Deputy Dispensary Manager, Asia Khatun on : 0208 375 1485.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1.1

To unpack, check, record and put away stock pharmaceutical products according to SOPs. Completing documentation including dating and signing.

1.2

To receive stock i.e., book goods on to the Pharmacy JAC computer system and to endorse all Delivery Notes in accordance with SOPs.

1.3

To report on and follow-up any identified discrepancies including invoice/delivery queries.

1.4

To load checked items into the automated dispensing machine.

1.5

To sort and file all prescriptions, requisitions, and invoices/delivery records daily and to find and retrieve such documents when necessary.

1.6

To process medications returned by patients and departments in accordance with COSHH and departmental regulations.

1.7

To prepare, monitor and record the issue of Cardiac Arrest Boxes to the correct wards and departments.

1.8

To handle enquiries from medical staff regarding the status of stock within the Pharmacy Department and/or their ward/department. To escalate to the dispensary manager when necessary.

1.9

To notify wards and departments with necessary information of stock availability and collections

1.10

To ensure that any collected items are signed for by a Healthcare professional or portering staff.

1.11

To dispense medication accurately following current Sop's and HSWA (Health and safety at work act).

1.12
To maintain the records of FP10HP prescription receipts and issues.

1.13

To manage the packing up and labelling of Pharmacy documents for storage on a monthly basis.

1.14

To carryout ward/department stock top up service against an agreed stock list

1.15

To assemble ward distribution boxes/containers/dispensary(satellite) orders and all other stock requests accurately and in an appropriate delivery container. This will involve heavy lifting.

1.16

To participate in dispensing of in-patient's medications when required and to ensure that procedures relating to good dispensing practices are followed.

Person specification

Royal Free World Class Values

Essential criteria

• Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust Values

Education & professional Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Educated to GCSE or equivalent including Maths, English, Science - Grade C / 4 and above
• Must have successfully completed the Level 2 Pharmacy Service Assistant apprenticeship or equivalent or willing to undertake

Experience

Essential criteria

• Good working knowledge of IT Microsoft Packages such as Outlook, Word, Excel and other relevant programmes.
• Able to prioritise workload effectively

Desirable criteria

• Previous experience of working in a Pharmacy
• Previous experience of working in a warehouse / distribution environment
• Previous employment in the NHS

Skills and aptitudes

Essential criteria

• Team member with an adaptable and flexible approach to work, willing to adapt to changing situations.
• Able to respond to unpredictable work patterns.
• Ability to work well as a team member
• Demonstrated abilities to work to set procedures
• Demonstrated ability to show attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to work accurately under pressure
• Demonstrated ability to prioritise routine daily tasks using own initiative
• Demonstrate ability to organise own workload
• Demonstrates initiative particularly in relation to problem solving
• Demonstrate ability to communicate effectively using clear written and spoken English
• Demonstrates basic numeracy skills, the ability to be able to add, multiply, subtract and divide
• Able to move heavy loads when required
• Familiar with computer systems and basic keyboard skills

Personal Qualities & attributes

Essential criteria

• Ability to develop effective working relationships across the organization.
• Effective organisational skills
• Ability to work in a busy environment
• Well-motivated

Others

Essential criteria

• Able to do late duty, weekend duties and bank holidays as roistered
• Appreciation of need to maintain confidentiality and security
• Awareness of Equal Opportunities
• Enthusiastic and shows initiative
• Flexibility with regard to changes in work schedule
• Good attendance record and good time keeping/ time management

• Covid-19 Vaccination

  Getting vaccinated, and getting a booster, remains the best defence against COVID-19.
  We encourage and support staff to get COVID-19 vaccine and a booster dose as and when they are eligible.

• AT* - Apprenticeship Training. Where AT* is entered next to the job title indicates that this vacancy is for an apprenticeship role.
• By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers. Therefore we require you to complete your stat and Man e-learning modules prior to joining our organisation.
• If you are an EU/EEA citizen who does not have EU Settlement or Pre-Settled status, you will require a visa to work in the UK.
• Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Before submitting your application and to avoid disappointment please check that you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
• If you are offered a role with one of the NLPSS partner trusts, as part of pre-employment checks your identity and right to work documentation will be verified remotely (in most circumstances), using a certified identity verification service provider TrustID. You will be asked to capture an image of the relevant documents as well as a "selfie" using your smartphone/tablet (if available) for facial matching. TrustID will also perform a digital address check using Trunarrative and Equifax, which is a soft check and does not leave a footprint on your credit rating. For more information, visit www.trustid.co.uk
• The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
• The Trust will request a DBS (CRB) if post involves regulated activities. The Trust is compliant with the Disclosure and Barring Service Codes of practice and the Rehabilitation of offenders act.
• By applying for this post you are agreeing to Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.
• Please be aware of scams - unless specified above, we will only communicate with you via @recruit.trac.jobs or nhs.net e-mails and we will never ask you for any payments.

Applications are welcome from people wishing to job share or work flexible patterns. We are committed to equal opportunities.

Please note:

• Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. Therefore please apply for this post as soon as you can, if you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification
• Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.
• Interview arrangements will be communicated via email so please check your email regularly following the closing date.

Please be advised that due to exceptionally high demand, all Royal Free accommodation is at full capacity and waiting lists are being held. Average waiting times are 12 months. Please do not rely on Trust accommodation when you commence your role and ensure you investigate alternative accommodation for your arrival.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

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.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.
Documents to download

• JD (PDF, 400.4KB)
• PS (PDF, 528.3KB)
• FR (PDF, 111.5KB)
• Job description patient services (PDF, 400.4KB)
• Allied Health Professional - benefits, about RFL, values and governing objectives (PDF, 939.6KB)