Apprentice Pharmacy Technician

Job summary

Apprentice Pharmacy Technician - Band 3 Full time -3 hours with 1 day study leave Fixed Term contract - 2 years Applications are invited for a Apprentice Pharmacy Technician post whilst completing a Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians.

You must possess a minimum of 4 GCSE's Grade A-C or equivalent including English, Maths, and Chemistry (Dual Science Award Accepted) plus one other science subject. UK qualifications or NARIC certificate essential.

This is a development opportunity for a candidate at pre-graduate level open to applicants with previous level 4 qualifications and above a degree.

Please note: the exception to this is where previous study is in a Pharmacy related area- unfortunately we are not able to accept applicants with a Pharmacy related level 4 or above qualification

Individuals will need to be highly organised, motivated and capable of meeting multiple deadlines. You must be able to plan your own studies at home and complete college work punctually. The majority of study will be completed in your own time. We are looking for individuals who can guarantee this type of commitment the post is suitable only for those dedicated to becoming a pharmacy technician and able to put in the hard work consistently over the 2 year contract.

The pharmacy service is provided 7 days per week and the successful applicant will be expected to work weekends on a planned rotation.

Main duties of the job

To co-operate with all pharmaceutical staff in providing anddeveloping the technical aspects of the pharmaceutical serviceincluding a comprehensive dispensing and medicinesdistribution service to out-patients and in-patients on all wardsand departments throughout the Trust. Duties are carried outin specified areas of the pharmacy department under thecontrol or direct supervision of a pharmacist or pharmacytechnician.

To undertake suitable training and study to successfullycomplete a Level 3 Diploma in the Principals and Practice forPharmacy Technicians. This will enable the applicant to beeligible to register as a Pharmacy Technician with The GeneralPharmaceutical Council (GPhC).

About us

Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust serves a community of 250,000 people across Tameside & Glossop. We provide a range of services both within the hospital and across our community for both adults and children. Our vision is to improve health outcomes for our population and influence wider determinants of health through collaboration with our health & care partners.

We have a clear set of values & behaviours which we expect all of our staff to demonstrate:

Safety Care Respect Communication Learning

We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve. We are therefore seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce to make it truly representative of our local population.

We actively encourage applications irrespective of race, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage & civil partnership, or pregnancy or maternity. Recognising those communities that are underrepresented within our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian & minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+& Disabled people.

Benefits include; flexible working, 27-33 days annual leave plus bank holidays, sick pay, NHS Pension Scheme, free eye tests and health checks, gym discount, free bicycle loan scheme, salary sacrifice car scheme, support with stress, bereavement, relationships, finance, and much more.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Training for certification.

Distance learning with an accredited provider for 2 years on a day release basis to satisfy all requirements as instructed by academic staff to achieve the learning outcomes set within the standards, including all assignments, assessments and examinations. The qualification is a combined competency/knowledge based qualification with an end point assessment Carries out training in the duties of a pharmacy technician and fulfills those duties required under supervision. Follows a predetermined rota which will be set to coincide with the pharmacy standards. SECTION 1 - MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES: a. Dispensing To dispense prescriptions for in-patients, outpatients, patients being discharged from hospital; day case patients and mental health leave patients in accordance with standard labelling; relevant dispensary and computer procedures and safe systems of work practice To provide verbal and written information to outpatients to enable the patient to adhere to the prescribed therapy and gain maximum benefit from their medicines. Duties are carried out under supervision of a pharmacist or pharmacy technician and in ccordance with pharmacy procedures To receive telephone and face-to-face queries from health professionals and patients either in the pharmacy or on the ward, assess the nature of the query , where appropriate provide technical information on the supply or usage of medicines, and refer as necessary to the appropriate member of staff Receives and assesses prescriptions / orders from patients and / or hospital staff, against agreed departmental and Trust protocols, documenting receipt onto the manual or computer recording system and transferring to the appropriate working area to ensure efficient workflow through the department. Ensures that relevant details recorded on prescriptions comply with all legal requirements and liaises with medical and nursing staff as necessary. Evaluates prescriptions to determine if patients are liable to pay prescription charges, collects charges or checks proof of payment or issues promise to pay forms as appropriate. Ensures that documentation is completed for patients that are exempt from payment or are unable to pay. Issues pharmaceutical products being collected by hospital staff, patients, representatives or carers. To maintain and replenish stocks of medicines in ward out-of-hours / discharge cupboards via the retrospective prescription system by checking and reconciling stock to be issued against prescriptions received b Extemporaneous Dispensing and Product Assembly To prepare and package extemporaneously or in advance of requirements medicines for internal and external use using suitable techniques. Products are prepared from materials / ingredients in accordance with good manufacturing practice and with COSHH regulations, including the completion of all relevant documentation. This may require use of safe handling equipment including a Fume Filtration Cabinet where appropriate. Use the Pharmacy Computer System to label products in accordance with procedures Maintains, replenishes and checks the accuracy of assembly of the resuscitation boxes and emergency trays in accordance with local procedures. WARD BASED DUTIES - whilst under the supervision of a designated registered pharmacy technician Support clinical pharmacists and other ward based pharmacy staff in the provision of complete pharmaceutical care to patients at ward level Complete drug histories by communicating effectively with patients, carers, ward staff, doctors, other trusts, and community services including GP surgeries, community pharmacies, community drug teams, nursing and residential homes to obtain up to date and accurate information regarding patients medication history Accurately assess the safety and suitability of patients own drugs (PODs) to ensure correct use in hospital in accordance with the relevant procedures Conduct a thorough technical medication review of the patients medication chart, order and supply medicines to patients at ward level via a one stop drug (OSD) system using the correct documentation. Investigate any missed, delayed, or omitted medicines in accordance with relevant procedures Obtain clinical/transcriptions checks from the ward pharmacist Ensure that POD supplies are maintained via the one stop dispensing system in accordance with the relevant procedures Be responsible for the transfer of PODs for patients who may have already transferred to another ward without their medicines In accordance with the relevant procedure during discharge planning, accurately check POD/OSDs to ensure the directions on the drug correspond to the patients discharge prescription Accurately carry out dispensing of all prescriptions in accordance with agreed safe systems of work within the pharmacy department and at ward level, ensuring that there are no delays to a patient receiving their medication Work independently by managing own time and workload and prioritising urgent discharge prescriptions, non-stock items and re-supplies of medication c. Ward Medicines Distribution and Pharmacy Top-Up To participate in the maintenance of a cost-effective system of medicine distribution to all wards, departments and community clinics including evaluation of optimum range and stock level of medicines in liaison with senior nursing staff and pharmacist. responsibility for replenishing supplies of stock items to agreed levels and optimising delivery or supply..

The objective of the service is to ensure that economic stock levels are maintained in appropriate storage conditions and that the products have not time-expired and are suitable for use. Duties are carried out under supervision of a pharmacy technician and in accordance with pharmacy procedures

To issue medicines and provide a stock topping-up service to wards and departments in response to an authorised request. To check the accuracy of the assembly of ward orders carried out by pharmacy assistants and other approved personnel To participate in ward based stock audits under the direction of the Principal and / or Chief Pharmacy Technician d. Stock Control To ensure that dispensary stock levels are maintained and stocks are replenished from the pharmacy store. Assesses pharmaceutical products returned from clinical areas and returns to stock items which are fit for reuse or disposes of items unfit for use in accordance with COSHH regulations and Trust procedures. Enters details of returned items on pharmacy computer system. Carries out stock checks within the department in accordance with local procedures to ensure computer records accurately reflect stock holding. Monitors cold storage equipment to ensure temperatures are within the defined limits and reports any variation to a supervisor. Identifies and reports stock shortages to procurement colleagues for ordering to ensure that pharmaceutical products are available for patients when required. Identifies and reports stock discrepancies to a supervisor to ensure that pharmaceutical products are available for patients when required. Maintains storage areas in an organised, safe and tidy condition in accordance with Health and Safety regulations. Participates in a system for checking expiry dates of stock to ensure that stock is rotated so that shorter dated stock is used first and avoid unnecessary wastage. Reports out of date stocks to a supervisor and disposes of stock where appropriate recording the issue on the pharmacy computer. e. General Duties To participate in the delivery of pharmacy objectives set by the Trust and external organisations to meet clinical governance targets; develop patient are; improve clinical outcomes; and ensure compliance with all standards expected for hospital pharmacy services and the interface between primary and secondary care Contributes and inputs into review meetings regarding changes required to standard operating procedures To be competent in the operation of all equipment, particularly the dispensary computer and automated dispensing systems in carrying out all the above duties.Accurately records all issues and receipts through the Pharmacy Computer System, to ensure that all transactions are recorded and the stock management system works efficiently. Assists in the maintenance of all relevant documentation and work analysis records Work is carried out at all times in accordance with current legal requirements; local and national policies, departmental standard operating procedures and safe practices. Projects a professional attitude within and outside the department, and to the general public. To participate in Saturday, Sunday, Bank Holiday and late night duties in accordance with current local policy and the published rotas Undertakes manual handling up to maximum of 15Kg per item regularly each day Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Good general education, A minimum of 4 GCSE passes at Grades A-C or equivalent including English, Mathematics, and Chemistry (Dual Science Award Accepted) plus one other science subject

Desirable

Currently undertaking an approved trainee pharmacy technician training programme IT qualification ECDL

Experience

Desirable

Recent experience of working in a busy Hospital or Community Pharmacy Recent experience of working in a health care / public service environment (if not Pharmacy)

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential

Good numeracy and literacy skills Demonstrable attention to detail Ability to follow verbal and written instructions Can communicate effectively with patients and service users Able to prioritise own workload within the scope of organised rotas Familiarity with the necessary keyboard skills required to use the departmental computer systems

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