Pharmacy Assistant

**Job Overview**
We are seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Pharmacy Assistant to join our Family Practice team in supporting the efficient operation of our GP practice. The Pharmacy Assistant will play a crucial role in supporting the GP surgery's pharmaceutical services by assisting the Clinical Pharmacist and the multidisciplinary healthcare team.

This role involves facilitating safe and efficient medication management, processing repeat prescriptions, managing stock, and supporting patients with their medication queries. The assistant will contribute to the delivery of effective and efficient systems for repeat prescribing, medicines optimisation, and improving patient outcomes.

Our practice is dedicated to your personal and professional growth. We offer tailored training, mentorship, and clear pathways for career advancement, ensuring you thrive in a supportive and dynamic environment. Join us and unlock your full potential while making a real difference in patient care

**Responsibilities**:
**Prescription and Medication Management**:

- Assist in processing and preparing repeat prescriptions following practice protocol.
- Manage medication requests from patients, pharmacies, and care homes, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
- Handle prescription queries from GPs, nurses, community pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals.
- Process medication changes following hospital letters and GP instructions.
- Ensure proper documentation, including adding medication review dates and relevant monitoring data for patients.

**Patient Support**:

- Provide patients with basic medication information, including dosage, potential side effects, and storage instructions.
- Respond to patient queries, assisting them in understanding their medications, including inhaler techniques and the proper use of devices like glucometers.
- Promote electronic repeat dispensing and online ordering systems to improve efficiency and accessibility for patients.

**Collaboration and Communication**:

- Work closely with the Clinical Pharmacist, GPs, nurses, and administrative staff to support safe prescribing and medicines optimisation initiatives.
- Communicate effectively with local pharmacies to resolve prescription-related issues and coordinate with care homes regarding medication queries.
- Support the practice in achieving national and local medication safety and prescribing targets, such as QOF (Quality and Outcomes Framework) and medicines optimisation.

**Audit and Compliance**:

- Assist in conducting clinical audits to assess medication safety and prescribing practices, ensuring adherence to national guidelines and formulary requirements.
- Help monitor medication-related alerts and recall processes, ensuring patient safety and appropriate responses.
- Contribute to medication reviews, particularly for patients on repeat prescriptions, and assist in identifying areas for improvement in prescribing practices.

**Health and Safety, Confidentiality, and Equality**:

- Maintain high standards of infection control, health, and safety as outlined by the practice’s protocols.
- Adhere to confidentiality and data protection policies, safeguarding patient information.
- Uphold principles of equality, diversity, and non-discriminatory practices in all interactions with patients and staff.

**Personal and Professional Development**:

- Participate in ongoing professional development and mandatory training, including safeguarding, infection control, and IT systems (e.g., SystmOne or EMIS).
- Support the clinical pharmacist in developing and implementing medication safety and process improvements.

**Essential Qualifications and Skills**:

- GCSEs or equivalent qualifications, with a focus on English and Maths.
- Experience working in a pharmacy or healthcare environment.
- Knowledge of medications, prescription processing, and pharmacy-related procedures.
- Strong organisational and time-management skills.
- Ability to maintain patient confidentiality and work within the framework of data protection laws.
- Good communication skills, with an ability to interact effectively with patients, carers, and healthcare professionals.

**Desirable**:

- NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent qualification
- Experience in a GP surgery or NHS primary care setting.
- Knowledge of NHS prescription processing systems (e.g., SystmOne, EMIS).

**Personal Attributes**:

- Compassionate, patient-focused, and approachable.
- Able to work well both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Ability to remain calm and accurate under pressure.
- Self-motivated with a strong drive for learning and continuous improvement.

Join our family practice team as a Pharmacy Assistant to contribute to the well-being of our community through quality pharmaceutical services.

**Job Types**: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: £13,234.13-£18,000.95 per year

Work Location: In person