Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officer

An exciting opportunity exists for a Pharmacy Dispensing Assistant Technical Officer to assist in the delivery of a comprehensive Pharmacy service to the hospital by providing support in all aspects of the dispensary and pharmacy stores.

Pharmaceutical Sciences at NVQ level 2 (or equivalent as required by the General Pharmaceutical Council) plus GCSE Mathematics and English at Grade C or above (or their equivalent). NHS Hospital experience desirable, but not essential.

This role is rostered to work 5 days per week (with some weekend and bank holidays as rostered)

Provision of a variety of pharmacy support duties to the stores and dispensary involving labelling, assembling, preparing and dispensing medicines, stock control, receipt and distribution, dispensing of controlled drugs and receipt of prescriptions.

Timely and efficient delivery of requests for pharmaceutical products across the Trust by the dispensing and issuing of prescriptions, signed orders and controlled drugs orders.

The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic NHS Trust (RJAH) is one of the leading orthopaedic hospitals in the country, with some of the highest levels of staff and patient satisfaction, as well as a strong reputation for research and innovation.

Joining RJAH is more than just a job - we want our people to have the best opportunities to thrive in their role.

We have a range of fantastic staff benefits on offer to everyone who joins RJAH and you'll have access to outstanding professional development opportunities and state-of-the-art facilities - including our recently-opened £6 million Headley Court Veterans’ Orthopaedic Centre (the first unit of its kind in the UK).

RJAH has strong links with a range of universities including Staffordshire, Keele, Glyndwr, Chester and Birmingham.

The hospital is located on a site outside Oswestry in Oswestry, just off the A5. The nearest train station is in Gobowen, approximately two miles from the hospital. The station is part of the Chester to Birmingham line.

We are based in North Shropshire, close to the border with North and Mid Wales. It is one of the most attractive parts of the country, with a rich historic culture and excellent transport links. It offers outstanding opportunities for anyone who enjoys an outdoor lifestyle or is looking to raise a family.

GENERAL

Complying with all Trust and departmental policies and standard operating procedures on a daily basis.
Participating in departmental rotas for weekend working.
Undertaking such duties as may be required to maintain a safe and effective pharmacy service.
Participating in audits as required by medical, nursing and pharmacy staff.
Be committed to maintaining a high quality service to patients.
Standing for long periods of time on a daily basis whilst working in the Pharmacy department and on wards with prolonged periods of time at a computer.
Being able to deal with distressed patients and carers and being sensitive to their needs.
Accurately input data into the pharmacy computer system recording details of issuing medicines to patients and areas of the Trust.
Ensuring own computer transactions are performed accurately, maintaining stock levels and quality of data.

OPERATIONAL

Accurately dispensing a variety of pharmaceutical products including controlled drugs, cytotoxic medicines, unlicensed products, intravenous injections and inflammable liquids by packaging and labelling items, issuing on the pharmacy computer system and completing relevant computer and written records following current department Standard Operating Procedures.
Answer urgent queries in person and on the telephone often causing interruption when concentrating on accurately dispensing.
Participating in all aspects of dispensary cover according to the needs of the service.
Advising and counselling patients on the use of their medicines, side effects, dosage and further supplies including dealing with confused, partially sighted, hard of hearing, agitated and aggressive patients.
Calculating the cost of private prescription charges using the pharmacy computer system for payment of private prescriptions. Providing information for the Finance department to generate invoices for outstanding charges.
Updating patient information and dispensing records on the pharmacy computer system. Completing written and computer records of dispensing.
Issuing high cost drugs in accordance with local policies under the supervision of a Pharmacist and with financial approval.
Continuing to show competency in dispensing accurately and safely.
To answer telephones promptly and politely where appropriate throughout the working day:
Dealing with query/information and responding promptly
Relaying complete and accurate information
Recognising self-limitations and referring to appropriate person.
Identifying stock shortages and communicating with the Procurement Officer or a Senior Technician, regarding urgency and availability.
Taking action to ensure outstanding medicat