Senior Pharmacy Assistant

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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Key Result Areas

Work is accurate and reliable.

Policies and procedures are adhered to.

Good working relationships are built with colleagues outside of Pharmacy.

There is a flexible and willing approach to work requests.

Dispensary & Distribution

To interpret and dispense in-patient, outpatient, Controlled Drug and discharge prescriptions/dispensing requests, according to department procedures.

To participate in stock supply to wards and departments and re-order as necessary.

To assist pharmacists and technicians in ward-based dispensing activities.

To assemble orders to fill ward requisition sheets and prescriptions.

To participate in the assessment for suitability for recycling, of drugs returned from inside the hospital.

To credit cost centres with the value of returned goods as appropriate, using the pharmacy computer system.

To participate in the 'top-up' service to wards & departments.

To participate in the 'top up' of pharmacy sundries to the dispensaries.

To participate in expiry date checking.

To participate in daily rolling stock checks.

To participate in reception duties to include receipt and the administrative processing of work received into the dispensary.

To answer the dispensary telephones and deal with enquiries where appropriate, take messages or refer to a more appropriate member of staff.

To attend to the dispensary hatch as required, taking in prescriptions and dealing with patients, carers, visitors and members of staff.

To participate in Pharmacy and ward/dept. stocktaking and the maintenance of accurate stock levels.

To participate in the training and supervision of pharmacy assistants as required, and the training of student technicians, pre-registration pharmacists and vacation students.

To contribute to the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in specific areas of work.

To carry out photocopying and the maintenance of stocks of pharmacy patient information leaflets for the dispensary.

To provide cover for other Assistant duties if required.

To participate in appropriate storage of drugs on receipt.

To contribute to the safe disposal of waste within the department.

To maintain a safe standard of work in connection with the requirements of the Medicines Act, the Health and Safety at Work Act and the COSHH (Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations.

To participate in Late Duty, Weekend & Bank Holiday rotas as required.

To adhere to and perpetuate Trust Policies and Procedures.

To undertake any other appropriate duties as required by the Pharmacy Operations Manager, within the nature and grade of the post.

Your attention is drawn to the confidential nature of information and unauthorised disclosure of such may result in prosecution under the Data Protection Act and/or an action for civil damages thereunder. It also renders you liable to disciplinary action in accordance with the Disciplinary Procedure.

Aseptic Suite

Ensures Aseptic Standard Operating Procedures and other Pharmacy procedures and policies relevant to the area within which they are working are adhered to ensure maintenance of pharmacy services.

Undergoes training and continued development in the role.

To participate in the 'top-up' service to wards & departments.

Carries out the daily cleans on isolators, rooms and equipment.

To participates in stock rotation, stock checks and identification of ordering needs.

To participate in appropriate storage of drugs on receipt.

To ensure drugs and sundries are stored neatly under the correct storage conditions and segregated accordingly.

Ensure environmental parameters are monitored, maintained, recorded and checked.

To report any deviations to procedure or environmental parameters.

Aseptic preparation of cytotoxics, monoclonal antibodies, and CIVAS products.

Contributes to the training of Pre-Registration Pharmacy Technicians, Pharmacy Assistants in the aseptic unit and other new members of staff.

Ensures accurate data is entered onto the JAC pharmacy computer system.

Prepares worksheets for products accurately and efficiently.

Collection of ingredients and sundries for each product to be prepared.

Provides pre-process and in-process checks to worksheets transcriptions and doses drawn up. (after designated training package is successfully completed).

Able to plan and prioritise own time and contribute to the planning of work of other junior staff.

Ensures Health & Safety, Good Manufacturing Practice and COSHH regulations are followed.

To contribute to the safe disposal of waste within the department.

To participate in Late Night, Saturday & Bank Holiday rotas as required.

To participate in the maintenance of an efficient aseptic service as a member of the pharmacy aseptic team.

Your attention is drawn to the confidential nature of information and unauthorised disclosure of such may result in prosecution under the Data Protection Act and/or an action for civil damages thereunder. It also renders you liable to disciplinary action in accordance with the Disciplinary Procedure.

Wards

Conduct duties when required during the day, in a polite, pleasant and professional manner in accordance with departmental procedures, the Medicines Policy and the Medicines Management Handbook and under the supervision of a pharmacist/technician.

Immediately on arrival to the ward, identify those patients who are newly admitted and require Medicines Reconciliation. Highlight these patients to the ward based Medicines Management Technician or ward based Pharmacist.

Liaise with the nurse in charge to identify any missed doses and highlight these to the ward based Medicines Management Technician or ward based Pharmacist.

Assess patients own drugs (PODs) for suitability of use. Ensure the "Green Bag Scheme" is used for storage of PODs. With patient's consent, remove any medicines that are unsuitable i.e. expired or those that are no longer prescribed. Clarify with the patient if they have further supplies of PODs at home. Document this information accordingly.

Assist in the collection of urgent items from the Main Dispensary to help prevent missed or delayed doses.

Assist in determining the suitability of the medicines in a POD locker in preparation for discharge. Ensure that any inpatient supplies or stopped medicines are removed.

Assist in the collection and delivery of TTOs from SWFT Clinical Services as required.

Unpack, check and put away any pharmacy stock orders in the treatment room as they arrive and report discrepancies immediately to the senior nurse. Resolve any discrepancies as required and file away delivery notes.

Unpack and lock away into patient's lockers any patient specific medicines arriving from pharmacy as appropriate.

Ensure all cupboards and drug trolleys are kept clean and tidy and that no in-patient medicines are being stored inappropriately.

Ensure unused, unwanted medicines that are suitable for return are returned to pharmacy as appropriate and dispose of medicines unsuitable for return in the ward medicines waste stream in accordance with Trust Waste Management Guidelines and 'Disposal of Drugs Procedure' SOP SWH 01438 Reconcile medicines wastage.

Participate in data collection for stock rotation and noting waste avoidance.

Carry out weekly top-up of ward stocks, rotating stock and date checking including removal of short-dated or expired stock as appropriate.

Ensure that the fridge does not contain any medicine for patients no longer on the ward or any expired medicine as appropriate.

Assist in moving pharmaceutical products when wards move / open / close ensuring adequate security precautions are taken and storage complies with legal requirements.

Participate in the collection and recording of data for audit purposes to demonstrate compliance with safe medicines management.

Procurement

To expedite orders and to liaise with suppliers on any order/account queries.

To identify, analyse and resolve problems with contract/non-contract prices and drug shortages.

To undertake reception duties and provide a friendly, efficient and confidential service, for all visitors, staff and patients to the main Pharmacy.

Has daily contact with Trust staff, patients and carers in the issue of drug supplies from the Pharmacy Department.

To work as a key member of the Pharmacy Stores team, working closely with the team for an efficient ordering/receipt/invoicing service.

Undertakes ward-based stock checks.

Key Working Relationships

Works closely with Pharmacists, Lead Technicians, and other technicians and support staff.

Liaises with nursing, medical and other healthcare staff. Deals with patients and their relatives/carers, including those with language difficulties or other disabilities.

Special Requirements

To be able to lift boxes of moderate weight (up to 13kg).

To be able to use visual display units and have recent documentary evidence of a satisfactory eye test for this purpose.

To adhere to and perpetuate Trust and Pharmacy policies and procedures.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• GCSE or equivalent in Math's and English at grade C or above
• Level 2 in Pharmacy Services including the relevant modules to undertake the Band 3 role plus previous Pharmacy experience

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of working with the public
• Knowledge and experience of pharmacy processes in the specialist service area (equivalent to that of a level 3 standard)

Desirable criteria

• Previous hospital experience

Skills

Essential criteria

• Basic keyboard skills
• Good numerical skills
• Has knowledge of record keeping
• Participation in the training of others
• Used to working in a team

Desirable criteria

• Reception duties
• Able to cope with pharmaceutical names
• Knowledge of hospital environment
• Knowledge of pharmacy environment
• Stores/stock keeping knowledge

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria

• Works to protocols, procedures and SOP's
• Adaptable to change
• Good verbal communication - face to face
• Good verbal communication - telephone
• Good written communication
• Able to keep accurate records

Other

Essential criteria

• Able to undertake weekend, Bank Holiday and Statutory Days working on a rota
• Able to lift moderate weights (up to 13Kg)
• Some flexibility in working hours

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.

Documents to download

• Job Description (PDF, 264.6KB)
• Person Specification (PDF, 152.6KB)
• Career Pathway (PDF, 474.4KB)