Medicines Optimisation Pharmacy Assistant

You will assist the pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians to provide medicines optimisation services to patients at a ward level within the Cardiothoracic, Critical Care and Transplant areas.

**Main tasks will include**:

- To assist in the provision of a high-quality patient focused medicines management service to patients at the Trust.
- To ensure the safe and timely transfer of named patient medications between wards
- To assist in the provision of a high quality 'topping up' service of pharmaceutical supplies to wards, clinics and associated areas, including Omnicell automated drug cabinets (ADC).
- To label and dispense discharge prescriptions (TTA) on wards and within main dispensary
- In association with the Medicines Management Pharmacy Technicians, clinical pharmacists and ward teams, ensure that stock lists for clinical wards and departments are reviewed regularly and are updated and adequately reflect the needs of the area

Previous experience in a hospital or customer orientated environment is essential and you must have already obtained your NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services or be willing to work towards. Training will be offered to develop skills within this role.

To support the ward teams in maintaining safe storage and temperature control of medications in all areas of the ward(s).

To ensure the safe and timely transfer of named patient medications between wards.

To assist in the provision of a high-quality patient focused medicines management service to patients at the Trust.

To assist in the provision of a high quality 'topping up' service of pharmaceutical supplies to wards, clinics and associated areas, including Omnicell automated drug cabinets (ADC)

To place stock within automated drug cabinets and carry out maintenance including rotation and expiry date checks.

To act as a point of contact between pharmacy and ward staff for maintenance and troubleshooting regarding the automated drug cabinet systems.

To process medication waste and returns, assessing medicines for destruction and assessment of medicines which are safe to return to pharmacy or ward stock for re-issue to patients according to established pharmacy, health and safety and risk assessment procedures.

To assist the transplant and cardiology pharmacy teams in the coordination and production of homecare prescriptions, ensuring relevant databases are maintained, and liaising with patients, healthcare professionals and homecare providers as necessary to facilitate homecare for adult transplant and cardiology patients.

To undertake day-to-day housekeeping tasks and other basic duties as necessary.

On 1st February 2021 the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals became part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust - a truly once-in a generation development. Together, we are taking our first steps towards our vision of creating a brand-new centre of excellence, which will be the global leader in the research into and treatment of heart and lung disease in patients from pre-birth to old age. We are developing some exciting plans and we want you to join us - so come and help to change the shape of healthcare for our heart and lung patients world-wide.

Main tasks and responsibilities

Communication

To liaise with nursing staff, multidisciplinary team members and the clinical pharmacy team regarding patient and medication details and stock.

To liaise with patients, healthcare professionals and homecare providers as required to facilitate homecare for adult transplant and cardiology patients.

To work effectively as a team member.

To communicate with colleagues in a polite and courteous manner at all times.

Patient/customer care (both direct and indirect)

**Ward role**:
Identify new medicines prescribed and medicines not given and bring to attention of the medicines management pharmacy technicians (MMPT) or clinical pharmacists.

Under direction of the MMPT/pharmacist, check patients own drugs for use within the hospital and re-label as required in readiness for checking.

Under direction of the MMPT/pharmacist endorse patient drug charts using the EPMA system.

To label and dispense discharge prescriptions (TTA) on wards and within main dispensary to expedite discharges.

To support stock control and medicines management on clinical areas in liaison with the clinical pharmacy and ward teams.

To support the nursing teams in the organisation of the ward drug storage areas.

To assist in the review of clinical area stock lists and pharmacy cupboards where applicable.

To check that medicine storage areas are clean and tidy.

To support ward staff in the appropriate temperature monitoring of medicines and ensure appropriate actions are taken at temperature excursions.

To undertake safe and secure storage of medicine audits.

To adhere to all ward-based policies including infection control and hand hygiene.

To order named patient CIVAS items on ITH web based portal in readiness for confirmation by the MMPT/ pharmac