Pharmacy Assistant

Sheffield Children’s Hospital is a specialist paediatric centre. The Pharmacy department provides a progressive pharmacy service to a variety of patients throughout the region, making it a highly rewarding working environment.

We have excellent opportunities within our friendly department for enthusiastic and highly motivated assistants to join our team. We currently have one, permanent, vacancy.

In the Stores department you will be required to support the receipt, processing and provision of pharmaceutical supplies and help to complete ward drug top-ups. Reception will involve working on the Dispensary Reception receiving prescriptions from patients, their families and members of staff. You will also be required to provide an excellent customer service when answering a busy enquiry line.

Sheffield Children’s is an independent, specialist paediatric hospital, providing dedicated healthcare for children and young people across community, mental health and acute specialist settings.

We have three overarching aims that set the direction for the Trust in our vision “to create a healthier future for children and young people.”
- Outstanding patient care
- Brilliant place to work
- Leader in children’s health

Our commitment to rewarding colleagues is demonstrated through our brilliant reward and benefits offer including; generous annual leave entitlement and pension scheme and access to salary sacrifice schemes such as cycle to work and lease cars.

We are committed to supporting colleagues from different heritages and lifestyles while at work. This is supported through the offer we have in place for flexible working and the three equality network groups we have in place. Colleagues are encouraged to join these groups and request flexible working

Stores
- Maintain efficient and cost effective systems for the receipt, storage and distribution of medicines, which reflect the needs of individual patients/patient groups as determined by the Trust.
- To comply with current law relating to medicines.
- To operate the Stores process including the receipt, checking, invoicing, storing and issuing of pharmaceutical supplies in line with departmental policies and Standard Operating Procedures.
- To participate in a comprehensive and efficient pharmaceutical ‘topping-up’ service to the wards.
- To liaise with members of the pharmacy team and ward staff when solving supply issues.
- To manage ward/department pharmaceutical stock levels and appropriate pharmacy computer records in liaison with Dispensary Manager and the Medicine Management Technicians, to reduce wastage by regularly analysing stock levels.
- To dispose of returned medication in appropriately labelled containers which are then dated and sealed prior to collection by Waste Management Services.
- To undertake the daily rolling stock take and check expiry dates of all medicines held.
- To assist in maintaining reasonable stock levels, in accordance with policies that are in force in the pharmacy stores and to assist in ensuring correct storage and turnover of stock to maintain quality and potency.
- To contribute to the smooth, safe and efficient running of the Pharmacy Stores service.
- To organise the over-labelling of pharmaceutical products and maintain adequate stock levels for supply to the wards, Accident and Emergency and TTO (To Take Out medicine) cupboards.
- To participate in the maintenance and regular update of stock levels held within the out of hours Emergency Drug Cupboard (EDC) within the Trust and the daily replenishment of EDC stock.
- To partake in the delivery of drugs including Controlled Drugs to wards and departments.
- To use appropriate IT systems in the operation of these functions.
- To observe the regulations in respect of the Health and Safety at Work Act, COSHH, Data Protection Act, abiding by the Fire precautions and departmental and trust safety policies.
- To participate in Weekend, Bank Holiday and late night duties as is considered appropriate by the Dispensary/ Stores Manager.
- To undertake any other related duties, that may be required.
- To work within the rota and all Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s).
- To participate in the Trust appraisal scheme.
- To participate in continuing development and competency skills training.
- To promote the professional image of pharmacy within the Trust by ensuring that the standards of dress and behaviour reflects the professional service offered by the pharmacy department.

Reception
- Act as first point of contact for all enquiries at the reception desk and undertake reception duties in a pleasant, tactful and understanding manner. Communicating effectively with patients, parents and clinical staff where there may be barriers to understanding and/or communication difficulties.
- Receive prescriptions from patients and carers and verify patient details. Updating patients on the progress of their medication.
- Ability to use initiative when dealing with public fr