Medicine Ward Assistant/ Apprentice in317 02 Royal Victoria Infirmary in317 02 Royal Victoria Infirmary PUBLISHED MON 28 OCT 2024

Following our recent CQC inspection, a business case aimed at improving Medicines Management on our wards with a focus on reducing waste has been approved, resulting in an opportunity for us to expand the services we currently deliver. This crucial work will form part of a bigger project with the long-term aim of securing further investment to grow the technical pharmacy workforce.

This is a great role to start your career as a Ward based Pharmacy Assistant, as you'll receive all the training and support you need to be your best. In our new recruits, we are looking for individuals who is committed to delivering a high quality service to our patients and the trust, whose personal attributes include:- the ability to work accurately in a very busy environment, good communication skills, a professional manner, good time management, a flexible team approach and the ability to adapt to and engage in change.

Previous experience in pharmacy is not required, as you will be provided with competency-based training and support to help you expand your knowledge and experience. Candidates without training or experience in hospital or community pharmacy equivalent to a NVQ level 2 will be considered for an apprenticeship at a Band 2 salary, increasing to Band 3 on completion of the course, within 18 months, or, if you already have experience in pharmacy and hold a NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy services or equivalent this post, you will be appointed on a Band 3 salary.

Alongside this role, there are a number of other posts associated with this business case that have been created and the successful candidates will play a crucial role within this team to demonstrate the benefits of having pharmacy involved in the management of medicines at ward level.

We are looking for motivated individuals who have the drive to implement & deliver quality improvement. The successful candidates must be able to work well within a large team and help develop and deliver the Ward Pharmacy service. These roles will be Trust wide - covering areas at both the Royal Victoria Infirmary and Freeman Hospital. Working alongside a Senior Pharmacy Leadership team, Specialist Pharmacy Technician, and Senior Ward medicines Assistant. You will support the Pharmacy team and senior nursing colleagues with oversight of medication at ward level. This will include the following:

• Dispensing of prescriptions
• Ordering of medication for ward use
• Temperature monitoring
• Participation in audits
• Sustained improved stock management (supporting / rationalising medicine supply processes resulting in significantly less stock being kept on wards)
• Elimination of expired stock on wards
• Reduce waste from medicines by utilising patients own drugs
• Appropriate use of pre-packs
• Ensure the quality and safety of medicines used at ward level is maintained through education and training
• Ensure any data collection is collated and presented in line with departmental/clinical board requirements

About us

Band 3

• To carry out the full range of Dispensing Assistant duties including the dispensing of prescriptions and orders at ward level.
• Provide technical support to the ward clinical pharmacy team, including carrying out the ordering of individual patient medication, distribution and storage of pharmaceutical stock.
• Provide technical support to dispensary services including carrying out routine procedures in distribution and storage of pharmaceutical stock.
• Assess patients own drugs (PODs) to ensure that they are suitable for reuse within the Trust and that they are transferred with the patient.

Apprentice Band 2

• To support with a full range of Dispensing Assistant duties including the dispensing of prescriptions and orders at ward level.
• Provide support to the ward clinical pharmacy team, including carrying out the ordering of individual patient medication, distribution and storage of pharmaceutical stock.
• Provide support to dispensary services including carrying out routine procedures in distribution and storage of pharmaceutical stock.
• Support with assessing patients own drugs (PODs) to ensure that they are suitable for reuse within the Trust and that they are transferred with the patient.

Apprenticeship Posts You will need to be able to meet all the eligibility requirements as prescribed by the apprenticeship criteria to undertake the role.

To be eligible for an apprenticeship you must:

• Have the right to work and remain in the UK.
• Have lived in the UK for at least 3 years.

Further information:

• You will not be considered if you have an equivalent or higher qualification in the same or a very similar subject.
• You must not be engaged in any other funded training or education programme.
• We cannot sponsor applicants during or on successful completion of the apprenticeship so please ensure you meet visa status eligibility.

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.

• Interview Date Thursday 21 November 2024
• 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week
• You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy

NO AGENCIES PLEASE