In addition to routine dispensing duties, the assistant will provide support to ward-based pharmacy technicians and participate in weekend and evening rotas to ensure a 7-day service. Responsibilities also encompass maintaining accurate financial records, conducting stock control, answering queries from patients and healthcare staff, and supporting the training of new pharmacy personnel. Professional development and engagement in research or audit projects to enhance service delivery are also expected in this role.
We are looking for individuals who are enthusiastic, proactive in their own role, can communicate well and work accurately and efficiently to a high standard.
You will be based within the main dispensary at Whiston Hospital with rotation to our out-patient centred pharmacy department at St Helens Hospital, where you will assist in the provision of a safe and effective dispensing service.
Current experience of working within a pharmacy setting, for example Hospital Community, Prison service etc. is essential and candidates must have completed an NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services or have a GPhC recognised qualification for Pharmacy support staff.
Duties will include routine labelling and dispensing of prescriptions for both inpatients and outpatients and Controlled drugs, the preparation of extemporaneous medicines, and involvement in the effective management of returned medicines from within the Trust. You will also take part in a rotation to work with our ward-based Pharmacy Technicians to provide a ward based dispensing service.
You will need to take part in our weekend and evening rotas providing a 7 day a week service to the Trust
About us
KEY DUTIES
- To assist in the receipt of prescriptions accurately according to safe working practices.
- To dispense prescriptions accurately according to safe working practices.
- To participate in the ATO dispenser rota through areas of the inpatient and outpatients dispensaries throughout the Trust.
- To dispense controlled drug prescriptions and maintain records accordingly.
- To take payment for prescriptions from patients according to the departmental procedure.
- To maintain an accurate balance of cash in the dispensary till and cash up at the end of each day.
- To participate in ward and clinic pharmacy services primarily to maintain and control stocks.
- To request stocks and special line items to fulfil prescriptions and ward top ups
- To assist in the preparation and assembly of supplies for delivery to wards and departments.
- To provide information to patients relating to the dispensed prescriptions and ensure they understand their treatment.
- To answer telephone and face to face queries of a routine or basic technical nature from a wide range of staff groups, patients and the public, either in the pharmacy or on the ward and refer appropriate queries to the relevant member of the Pharmacy team.
- To co-operate with the provision of necessary staffing within the pharmacy dept and participate in staff rotation to other sites e.g. St Helens.
- To extemporaneously dispense medicines using specific equipment (e.g. fume cupboards and weighing balances) and taking protective measures. Weighing and measuring must be accurate as there are narrow margins for errors.
- To dispense cytotoxics drugs.
- To assist other members of staff in the performance of an efficient and cost-effective service.
- To answer phone calls and queries from patients, medical staff and all other users of the Trust.
- To accurately produce labels for dispensing using the JAC computer system.
- To attend and participate in study days and courses as necessary.
- To provide individual dose dispensing and blister packing services for patients who have difficulty with normal medicines packaging.
- To participate in the stock control of medicines under the supervision of the dispensary senior and chief technicians.
- To assist in the correct storage and turnover of stock including expiry date checks and leech storage.
- To participate in all Saturday, Sunday, evening, on-call and bank holiday rotas in response to the changing needs of the Pharmacy service.
CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- To maintain own continuing Professional development.
ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES
- To be responsible for the accurate input of data into the pharmacy JAC computer system for all duties requiring its use e.g. labelling, ordering and stock control
TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES
- To assist in the training of ATOs, ATO dispensers, student pharmacy technicians, pre-registration pharmacists, work experience students and other new pharmacy staff.
RESEARCH & AUDIT
- To carry out and assist in audit research projects to improve and develop the service provision.
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