Senior Pharmacy Assistant Dispensary/Wards
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Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT) are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics.
We are committed to recruiting to our values. Leading One Culture of Care underpins our values by creating an environment, tone and behaviours across all parts of the Trust that are fundamentally rooted in compassionate care.
We are open to considering a wide range of flexible working arrangements. There are opportunities to flex the days of the week, hours and times of work and place of work including: part-time, job-share, flexible working hours and the possibility to work from home when appropriate. Please talk to us during the interview process to discuss any flexibility that you may require.
We received our Silver Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme which is helping actively promote SaBRE - Supporting Britain's Reservists and Employers. This means that we provided its statement of intent to support all Defence personnel and we welcome application to work for us. Find out more - Why Choose CHFT?
Our Future Plans
The Department of Health and Social Care has awarded capital funding to invest in local health services at both Calderdale Royal Hospital and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary. This is a significant investment and an opportunity to enhance services for our populations in Calderdale and Huddersfield and West Yorkshire for generations to come. To find out more, please visit https://future.cht.nhs.uk/
Job overview
The post holder undertakes assistant duties in the following areas of pharmaceutical care:
- Dispensary
- Wards
The post holder will be an integral part of the Pharmacy team and will rotate into all areas to support the demands of the service which will include working at both the main hospital sites
The post holder must hold the minimum education requirements outlined by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) for Pharmacy Assistants/support staff.
If the post holder does not hold the specific Dispensing units required, training and assessments will be provided to meet the GPhC requirements. Qualifications will be checked at interview
This post will require a Disclosure & Barring Services (DBS) check
Main duties of the job
Main Tasks
To assist in the provision of a high-quality patient focused medicines optimisation and dispensary service to patients at the Trust
Dispensing - Working in a busy dispensary, following electronic prescription orders, managing controlled drugs & dispensing clinical trials. You will also be part of a team in ensuring accurate maintenance of the emergency room and emergency boxes for the Trust.
At ward level you will work as part of the Medicine Optimisation Pharmacy Team and collaborate with the multidisciplinary team in ensuring efficient Medicine reconciliation, patient counselling and discharge of patients. You will assist the team by checking patients own medicines, ensuring the efficient supply and transfer of medicines, and basic patient counselling.
Working for our organisation
Would you like a new challenge? Would you like to make a real difference to patients' treatment?
We are looking for an enthusiastic Pharmacy Assistants who are committed to providing quality patient care and pharmacy service. You will work across the Trust at both main hospital sites in the Pharmacy Dispensaries, wards and clinical areas.
At ward level you will work as part of the Medicine Optimisation Pharmacy Team and collaborate with the multidisciplinary team in ensuring efficient Medicine reconciliation, patient counselling and discharge of patients. You will assist the team by checking patients own medicines, ensuring the efficient supply and transfer of medicines, and basic patient counselling.
Training will be given to support this role including relevant work based Medicine Optimisation modules.
In the dispensaries you will process a range of prescriptions including controlled drugs and clinical trials. You will also be part of a team in ensuring accurate maintenance of the emergency room and emergency boxes for the Trust.
Within both your roles at ward level and in the dispensaries you will be key in supporting and training Pharmacy Assistants, work experience and Pharmacy Assistant Apprentices.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Dispensary Duties:
To carry out the validation, dispensing and issue of prescriptions in the Pharmacy of the base hospital
- To assist with the dispensing, recording, maintenance, issue and receipt of Clinical Trials
- To assist with the dispensing, recording, maintenance, issue and receipt of Controlled Drugs
- To supply medicines and pharmaceutical supplies to areas of the Trust and external to the Trust serviced by the Pharmacy dispensary
- To undertake an in-process accuracy check of assembled prescribed Items prior to the final accuracy check
- To work under the supervision of line manager and Band 5 Pharmacy Technician within the dispensary in ensuring quality and efficient workflow and pharmacy provision
- To carry out general duties, including stock and preparation of bottles, sundry items, additional information and labels, packaging, and counting and cleaning equipment,
- To assist with medicine stock control duties including maintenance of stock, issue and receipt of stock.
- To assist with the maintenance of the emergency stock room and emergency box supply and monitoring for the Trust
- To assist with the monitoring of the til to enable the team to process transactions efficiently
- To process Pharmoutcomes to ensure efficient and timely communication with community pharmacies on discharge medication
- To monitor and record safe storage of stock by carrying out environmental temperature checks, expiry date checking, stock checks and assisting in the rotation of stock.
- To assist with the maintenance of records, relating to work and workload stats
- To clean shelving where pharmaceuticals are stored, keeping them in a tidy, organised and fit for purpose condition
Ward Duties:
- To assist the Medicine Optimisation Pharmacy teams on the wards under the direction of the Band 5 Medicine Optimisation Pharmacy Technician
- To assist in waste reduction, transfer of medicines, and audit.
- To assist in reduction of missed doses and assist smoother discharge of patients reducing potential delays
- To carry out duties at ward level including patient locker checks, assessment of patients own medicines and assisting in the supply of medicines to patients on the wards.
- To provide person centred Inhaler and basic counselling to patients under the direction of the Medicine Optimisation Pharmacy Technician
- To liaise with the dispensary team, Medicine optimisation teams and multidisciplinary team on the timely processing of medications
- To transfer and deliver medications from dispensary to destination including between wards/clinical environments to ensure timely administration of medicines
- To refer to Medicine Optimisation Pharmacy Technician or Ward Pharmacist of any discrepancies, counselling needs or issues beyond limits of role
- To supply medicines and pharmaceutical supplies to areas of the Trust serviced by the base dispensary
- To carry out general duties, including preparation of bottles and packaging, cleaning equipment, receipt of orders, expiry date checking, stock checks and stock control of medicines
- To monitor, record and report refrigerator temperatures and stock environments to ensure the safe and secure storage of medicines
- To assist in Audits
Person specification
QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING
Essential criteria
- GCSE English, Mathematics and Science Grade C or above (or equivalent)
- NVQ level 2 in Pharmacy Service Skills and BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Pharmaceutical Science (QCF) or equivalent Pharmacy Assistant course approved by the GPhC
KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE
Essential criteria
- Customer service techniques
- Prior work experience as a pharmacy assistant
- Computer literate
- Calm and professional manner under pressure
- Calm and professional manner under pressure
- Able to pay meticulous attention to detail
- Able to understand and follow written procedures
Desirable criteria
- Prior work experience in a dispensary
- Prior work experience on a ward or clinical environment
- To have the desire to work in a service that contributes to patient care
- Enthusiastic and self-motivated
- Organised, tidy and methodical
- Have an awareness of all Trust policies and procedures
COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS (INCLUDING MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES)
Essential criteria
- Oral and written communication skills
- Team worker
Our vision is to provide One Culture of Care for one another in order that we can provide compassionate care for the people who use our services. We are passionate about creating a workplace where we work together to get results, encouraging colleagues to have their say, in order to co create the change we want to see. We take pride in the diversity of our workforce that's why we encourage applications from all. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants.
Please ensure your application is submitted with referees who can verify your employment/education history over the last three years and include valid email addresses for them. We will request electronic Factual Employment References from your previous employers. These references will be requested before you are issued with an unconditional offer of employment letter.
If you are appointed to a post, information will also be transferred into the NHS Electronic Staff Records system. The Inter-Authority Transfer (IAT) process is a critical and beneficial component of ESR and following interview your previous NHS employment data, if applicable will be transferred from your current / most recent employer.
You may be required to undertake a DBS. The Trust will administer the DBS check on your behalf and will recover the cost (Enhanced £54.40, Standard £26.40 or Basic £26.40) from your salary when you commence in post (including Internal staff). You will also be required to participate in the DBS Update Service and pay the £16 cost per year. This is a condition of your employment.
CHFT is part of the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT), a collaborative of the NHS hospital trusts from across West Yorkshire and Harrogate working together to provide the best possible care for our patients.
If you have any questions please contact ask.recruitment@cht.nhs.uk for assistance.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
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
- JDPS (PDF, 240.4KB)