Dispensary Manager

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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities
• To manage the dispensary service to ensure the safe, effective and economical use of drugs for all patients in the Trust.
• To be responsible for planning and allocating work for all dispensary and rotational staff to ensure that pharmacy dispensary services are delivered at PRUH.
• To propose changes to working practices and dispensing techniques that will maximize the potential for efficiency and safety in order to reduce waiting times while working in the dispensary
• To provide Patient Services staff with details of output, performance and activity at specified time intervals in a format agreed with Principle Technician Patient Services.
• To ensure that FP10 prescriptions are stored in a secure manner and are issued in accordance with agreed procedures to appropriate staff and to ensure that prescription pad issues are monitored and that they are re-ordered in a timely fashion.
• To ensure that all dispensary staff are trained in the use of any transactional equipment used in the collection of prescription charges (if appropriate).
• To ensure effective two-way communication amongst the dispensary staff, to the rest of the pharmacy department and across the Trust as necessary.
• To ensure all dispensary staff use pharmacy computer systems correctly, that data is entered accurately from transcription sheets, prescription forms and any other prescriptions written by others and that data is stored and archived appropriately in accordance with local and regionally agreed guidelines.
• To be a member of the PRUH Pharmacy Senior Staff meeting
• To ensure that drugs (including controlled drugs) are distributed efficiently and safely by the dispensary porters and to liaise regularly with the portering services manager.
• To assist the Education & Development Chief Pharmacy Technician to manage the development programme for all pharmacy technical staff during their dispensary rotation
• To ensure that all dispensary staff are trained in the use of Omnicell Controlled Drugs Cabinet and Controlled drugs are stored, maintained and dispensed as per the legal requirements and local policies
• To ensure timely issue of all relevant rotas
• To provide operational oversight to Beckenham Beacon & Orpington dispensary in the absence of the Principle Technician Patient Services.
• To ensure that the prescription tracking system is active at all times and that ward and pharmacy staff are adequately trained in its use.
• To deputise for the Principle Technician Patient services in his/her absence.

Policy / Service Development
• To be responsible for proposing and implementing policies in relation to the dispensary service that has an impact both within Patient Services and across the Trust.
• To be responsible for the regular review of operational policies and procedures specific to the provision of the dispensary services.
• To support Patient Services, in the strategic development and planning of the dispensary service provision to the Trust
• To undertake continuing professional development to ensure that knowledge is continually updated in the fields of Pharmacy Patient Services.
• To participate in relevant departmental meetings that will enable staff to be brought up to date on current issues with regard to Pharmacy dispensary services.
• To approve leave for all dispensary based and rotational staff (while in the dispensary).
• To be an NVQ Assessor for pharmacy staff.
• To undertake CPD to ensure that knowledge is continually updated in the fields of Pharmacy Patient Services

Patient /Client Care
• To deliver a customer-focused service to all patients who attend the Dispensary.
• To adhere to the highest principles of customer services when dealing with patients, staff and the public.
• Promote pharmaceutical care for all patients.
• Be able to check clinically screened dispensed prescriptions.
• To provide specialised advice to patients/clients directly using the dispensary service, which contributes to the education of patients/clients and provides adequate information in order for them to be able to use their medication safely and as prescribed using verbal and/or written information as necessary.
• To participate in ward based activities as necessary, which may include discussing medication with patients and checking patients' drugs for suitability for use.
• To investigate Pharmacy errors relating to the Dispensary and to suggest strategies to minimise or eliminate risk.
• To be a member of the Pharmacy Risk and Safety Group

Staff Management & Training
• To manage the dispensary service and all the staff who work in the dispensary.
• To be line manager for the dispensary services staff and take responsibility for all the following, according to Trust procedures:
• Appraisals and objective setting
• Sickness absence
• Disciplinary and grievance matters
• Recruitment and selection
• Personal development
• Manage staff deployment and workload allocation within the dispensary to ensure an effective and safe delivery of dispensary services.
• Be responsible for the induction and management of all new staff (including locum/agency) working in the dispensary and to ensure adequate records are maintained and made available when required.
• To act as a role model for pharmacy staff providing dispensary services

Financial /Resource Management
• To complete the routine financial reporting.
• To collect prescription charges appropriately in accordance with the Trust Financial Procedures and report discrepancies.
• To comply with the Date Checking SOP and rotate stock appropriately.
• Be responsible for Environmental, Facilities and Estates management in relation to the Dispensary, reporting any deficiencies and taking necessary action as appropriate.
• Be responsible for dispensary stock control and in the return and recycling or safe disposal (as appropriate) of drugs from wards and departments in liaison with the Distribution Manager and according to agreed departmental policies and procedures.

Research & Development
• To participate in research and audit undertaken in Pharmacy with regard to Pharmacy Patient Services.
• To participate in Clinical Trials through the checking of prescriptions in accordance with company protocols and SOPs.
• To develop, implement, monitor and evaluate protocols and guidelines.
• To attend and contribute to any regional and national meetings in relation to the provision of dispensary services and to feedback and recommend any changes and/or improvements to the service as appropriate to the Principle Technician Patient Services.

Person specification

Shortlisting Criteria - Essentials

Essential criteria

• Professional registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council
• Accredited Checking Pharmacy Technician qualification
• NVQ Level 3 plus accredited underpinning knowledge (BTEC in Pharmaceutical Science or equivalent) or equivalent.
• Mandatory CPD to maintain fitness to practice

Desirable criteria

• Post-graduate Certificate in Management Studies (CMS), or equivalent experience and relevant short courses
• NVQ A1 Workplace Assessor

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

• JD & PS (PDF, 264.4KB)
• Princess Royal (PRUH) Site map (PDF, 1.4MB)
• Candidate Brochure PRUH & SOUTH SITES (PDF, 182.0KB)