Band 2/3 Pharmacy Assistant

Job summary

Would you like to start your in pharmacy or would you like to expand your knowledge and experience in pharmacy?

An opportunity has arisen for 1 candidate to join our motivated, friendly and forward thinking team supporting the supply of medicines from our Calne dispensary hub. We are seeking individuals who are enthusiastic about improving the lives of those living with mental health issues. Previous experience in pharmacy is not required, as you will be provided with competency based training and support to help you expand on your knowledge and experience.

Candidates without training in pharmacy equivalent to a NVQ level 2 will be considered at a band 2 salary, increasing to band 3 on completion of the course.

Working hours are 9am until 5pm Monday to Friday, with an occasional commitment to the Saturday and bank holiday rotas. Working hours for weekends and bank holidays are 10am-1pm.

Main duties of the job

We are seeking a individual who is enthusiastic about improving the lives of those living with mental health issues. You will perform general pharmaceutical duties under the supervision of a Dispensary Manager (or deputy) and/or Pharmacist, in line with current policies and procedures. You will be based at our main dispensing hub in Calne, Wiltshire.

Previous experience in Mental Health or secondary care is not required, as you will be provided with competency based training and support to help you expand on your knowledge and experience.

Working hours are until 5pm Monday to Friday, with an occasional commitment to the Saturday and bank holiday rotas. Working hours for weekends and bank holidays are 10am-1pm.

About us

We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust) a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care. We provide services from a range of locations to approximately million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset. Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.

At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Dispensary1. To assist in the provision of a safe and effective dispensary service, under the supervision of the Dispensary Manager or Team Leader in line with current policies and procedures2. Dispense prescriptions according to the prescribers instructions and referring any unusual dosages or features for confirmation or revision to a Pharmacist before dispensing, whilst ensuring that local and national procedures and guidelines are followed3. Use the pharmacy IT system to produce labels accurately conveying the prescribers instructions4. Dispense and label controlled drugs, keeping accurate records in line with local procedures and relevant legislation5. Dispensing clinical trial materials and completing associated paperwork in line with policies and protocols6. Dispensing special items cytotoxics, after appropriate training and following current procedures and health and safety guidelines7. Dispensing compliance aids (MCAs) to meet the needs of the patient in line with departmental procedures. This includes manual fills and compliance aids dispensed using the MTS (Omnicell) robot8. Contacting nursing staff regarding problems encountered on prescriptions, referring to the appropriate Pharmacy Technician or Pharmacist where needed9. Receive enquires regarding information about medication, ensuring that adequate detail is obtained and the urgency is established. To escalate or answer these enquires where appropriate, to the appropriate Pharmacy Technician or Undertaking manual top-up of medication, obtaining stock from stores and storing appropriately in the dispensary11. Book taxis or arrange adhoc transport if required, after confirmation with section manager and in line with procedures12. Performing stock checks and expiry date checks as required13. Assisting in quality assurance procedures such as the monitoring of all near miss and critical errors, ensuring that they are logged and reflective practice is carried out after critical errors leaving the department14. Maintaining safe systems of work at all times, being responsible for the quality and accuracy of all dispensing undertaken15. Keeping the department clean and tidy, undertaking tasks as required in the relevant procedures16. Assist with the training of new and existing members of staff as requiredPharmacy Stores1. To assist in the provision of a safe and effective pharmacy stores and distribution service, under the supervision of the Pharmacy Procurement Technician and in line with current policies and procedures2. Raise orders with suppliers and receipt them on the pharmacy computer system when they are Visit nominated wards if required, checking the levels of stock drugs against standard stock levels and arranging to issue the required amount to top them up to that level4. Receiving orders from hospital suppliers, checking the quantities against the delivery notes and putting away the items according to their required storage (taking into account controlled drugs and maintaining the cold chain). This will include signing for deliveries from drivers5. Highlighting any errors with items delivered and liaising with the Procurement Technician to rectify the problem. Liaising with the suppliers and delivery companies where required6. Issuing all stock items direct to the ward from printed picking tickets and accurately picking medication7. Putting together orders from various hospital clinics, departments and outside units8. Receive enquires regarding information about supply of medication, escalating to the appropriate senior member of staff as appropriate9. Delivering urgent items and to-follow items to the dispensary during the day as required10. Using the allocated programs on the pharmacy's computerised stock control system as required11. Performing stock checks and expiry date checks as required12. Maintaining safe systems of work at all times, being responsible for the quality and accuracy of all work undertaken13. Keeping the department clean and tidy, undertaking tasks as required in the relevant proceduresGeneral Duties1. To take responsibility for own personal and professional development and agree objectives in discussion with line manager2. Foster and maintain good relationships with pharmacy and other AWP staff3. Ensuring that all lifting follows the Trust manual handling guidelines4. Ensuring that stock is stored in such a way to allow good stock rotation and showing that those items with the shortest expiry date are used first5. Maintain such documentation and records of the work as may be required6. Refer requests for information on drugs to the appropriate Pharmacist7. Maintain safe systems of work at all times, ensuring all work is undertaken in line with department policies and follows local health and safety guidelines8. Participating in the weekend and bank holiday services in line with departmental rotas to meet the needs of the service9. To manage own workload effectively and efficiently ensuring that work is completed to agreed timescales10. Demonstrate the capability to multi task when required11. Ability to adapt and respond to a variable workload with unexpected interruptions12. Complete in house training program and competencies13. Demonstrate knowledge in the use of Pharmacy and Hospital information systemsOther DutiesThe post holder may be required to perform duties other than those given in the job description for the post. The particular duties and responsibilities attached to post may vary from time to time withoutchanging the general character of the duties or the level of responsibilities entailed. Such variations are a common occurrence and would not of themselves justify the re-evaluation of a post. In cases,however, where a permanent and substantial change in the duties and responsibilities of a post occurs, consistent with a higher level of responsibility, then the post would be eligible for re-evaluation.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Good numeracy and literacy skills Pharmacy NVQ Level 2 or equivalent (or willing to work towards)

Desirable

GCSE Maths and English

Experience

Essential

Experience of using IT systems (Microsoft Office, internet etc)

Desirable

Previous pharmacy/retail/hospital experience Knowledge of EMIS (Ascribe)

Skills

Essential

Able to prioritise tasks and respond to urgent demands whilst managing own workload Able to demonstrate working to a high degree of accuracy Effective customer services skills Effective listening skills Able to work independently and show initiative within limits of own authority whilst following agreed procedures Proven ability in working well in a team Be able to undertake manual handling task such as lifting, unpacking deliveries and handling ward stock boxes on a daily basis frequently Car driver or to be mobile with the facility to move quickly across a geographically dispersed area with limited access to public transport Proven ability to work in a methodical and tidy fashion Non-judgmental and objective. Able to look at things objectively and to be able to weigh that information consistently to make appropriate decisions Able to work calmly under pressure and have capacity for problem solving Able to handle conflict effectively and differences of opinions in a mature and professional manner Requirement to handle hazardous substances ( cytotoxic) following agree proceduresfollowing agree procedures

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