Outpatient Call-Centre

Job overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic Senior Pharmacy Assistant to work as a key part of the aseptic pharmacy team within our dispensary area. This is an ideal opportunity to gain skills in a specialist area in a busy hospital pharmacy department. 

This position requires a proactive and dynamic individual to work closely with peers and uphold the high standards of patient care and medicines optimisation. You must be able to demonstrate an enthusiasm for trying new roles, supporting innovation and delivering an excellent patient experience. 

The L&D Pharmacy is a 7 day service and some weekend shifts will be required.

Main duties of the job

To assist the Aseptic Supply Team with the dispensing of outsourced aseptic products, in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures.

To be involved in pharmacy ordering activities within the Aseptic Supply Unit.

To be involved in dispensing activities, within both the Aseptic Supply Unit and the Dispensary.

To assist the Aseptic Supply Unit Pharmacists with administration activities relating to the electronic chemotherapy prescribing system.

To supervise the activity of trainee Pharmacy Assistants and Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technicians.

Working for our organisation

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.

We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.

Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To be involved in the dispensing of outsourced aseptic products and supplementary medicines for in-patients, out-patients and unit use. This will include personally receiving prescriptions into the Aseptic Supply Unit and accurately labelling, assembling and dispensing of individual in-patient and out-patient prescriptions according to departmental policies and standard operating procedures.

To accurately use computer systems within the Aseptic Supply Unit to record issues, receipts and returns.

To answer the telephone promptly and politely and refer queries to the appropriate person.

To assist the Senior Pharmacy Technician with the provision of efficient stock control, ensuring correct storage and rotation of drugs, monitoring stock levels and alerting the Senior Pharmacy Technician to any low or incorrect levels.

To oversee and participate in weekly stock checks, ensuring checks are completed for expired and damaged goods.

To participate in the Aseptic Supply Unit’s cleaning schedule, in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures.

To participate in the Aseptic Supply Unit’s ordering schedule for both patient specific and batch chemotherapy / monoclonal antibodies.

To maintain the Aseptic Supply Unit’s filing system of QA / QC paperwork.

To receive prescriptions and other requests into the pharmacy according to the agreed procedures and deal with straightforward problems.

Interpret prescriptions and where necessary, contact either a pharmacy technician or a pharmacist to clarify prescriptions.

To assist the Senior Pharmacy Technician with the packing and checking of emergency boxes to the Trust, ensuring continuity of supply.

To assist the Senior Pharmacy Technician with the maintenance of the departments emergency box database.

To follow up outstanding items promptly.

To liaise with the Chemotherapy and St Mary’s Day Unit clerks to co-ordinate and maintain patient treatment dates.

To process and coordinate patient returns in a timely manner.

To replenish dispensing sundries such as bottles and cartons and order stock.

To maintain high standards of cleanliness and tidiness, personally, and within working areas.

Education and Development

To participate in the “Aseptic Supply Unit Training Programme” and ensure that training documents are completed appropriately.

Undertake any mandatory training updates and courses in line with local and trust policies.

To possess an NVQ level 2 qualifications in Pharmacy Services.

To participate in and co-operate with, individual personal assessment, continuing professional development and continuing education programmes in order to develop personal competencies and knowledge base.

To take an active role in the training of pharmacy assistants and other grades of staff within the Aseptic unit.

Other

To participate in dispensary duties as required, maintaining a working knowledge in current drug usage and dispensary procedures. This will include receiving prescriptions into dispensary and ensuring prescription charges are collected where appropriate, accurately labelling, assembling and dispensing individual in-patient, out-patient and discharge prescriptions including cytotoxic medicines, according to departmental policies and standard operating procedures.

To adhere at all times to the policies and procedures of the Trust as they relate both to the management and delivery of services. To maintain safe systems of work in accordance with relevant medicines legislation and with the Health and Safety at Work Act.

To participate fully in the individual performance review and objective setting process of the Luton & Dunstable Hospital NHS Trust.

To participate in the weekend and bank holiday rota.

To undertake other duties as reasonably requested by the Chief Pharmacist.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services

Desirable criteria

Vocational qualification in IT skills

Experience

Essential criteria

Experience in a pharmacy Customer orientated services

Desirable criteria

Use of computer systems

Knowledge

Essential criteria

Understanding of the need of confidentiality awareness at all times

Desirable criteria

Use of JAC stock control system

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

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