JOB PURPOSE

• To work as part of the Pharmacy team to provide an effective pharmacy service in the Pharmacy Dispensary, Ward Level, Pharmacy Store, Pharmacy Technical Services Department
• To participate in the on-call rota

MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

To work as part of the Pharmacy Team in the provision of a dispensary based Pharmacy service to:

• Identify, select dispense and distribute drugs for in and out patients prescriptions.
• Identify dispense and distribute pharmaceutical items including Controlled Drugs, Clinical Trials and extemporaneously prepared products to wards and 
departments throughout the Trust according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s)
• Take part in patient counselling and provide information on medicines to patients, doctors and other health care staff.
• Carry out reception duties, involving dealing with patients, relatives and all grades of healthcare workers.
• Deal with telephone enquiries and handle prescription charges.
• Use the computer systems to track prescriptions.
• Accuracy check of dispensed items following completion of Regional Checking Accreditation.

To work as part of the Pharmacy Team in the provision of a Pharmacy service from the Pharmacy Store to:

• Identify, select and issue drugs.
• Identify and receive drugs against an official order, using the Pharmacy Computer System to update stock levels.
• Deal with telephone enquiries, ward/department and community issues.
• Load and operate the automated pharmacy storage and dispensing system.
• Participate in ward top-up system.
• Appropriately dispose of pharmaceutical items.
• Ensure appropriate storage of pharmaceutical item.
• Check work of Assistant Technical Officers (ATO) and Pre-Registration Pharmacy Technicians as part of their induction program.

To work as part of the Pharmacy Team in the provision of aseptic dispensing in the Pharmacy Technical Service Unit to:

• Undergo regular validation tests.
• Participate in compounding of aseptic preparations, using appropriate equipment and in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice standards (GMP).
• Identify, select, compound and dispense drugs (may include clinical trial material) in accordance with prescriptions.
• Liaise with other healthcare workers.
• Identify drugs to be booked out using Pharmacy Computer System, to maintain stock control.
• Use of computer systems to generate work sheets for compounding aseptic products.
• Participate in the in-house checking schemes, including tray checks and volume checks.
• Transcribe prescriptions on to appropriate paper work in preparation for final checking.
• Carry out environmental monitoring.

To participate in Ward Based Pharmacy to:

• Act as a team member to deliver a ward-based pharmacy service
• Undertake in-patient transcribing of clinically validated pharmaceutical items to facilitate supply for wards at external hospitals.
• Review patient’s lockers each day for ‘top-up’ supplies.
• Undertake under supervision patient drug history taking, patient own drug checks, counselling and maintaining the daily log.
• Prioritise the work of the pharmacy team.
• Prioritise ward based work in the dispensary and check progress of urgent To Take Away drugs (TTA’s).
• Visit new admissions and check consent for use of Patients Own Drugs (POD’s).
• Liaise with Pharmacist to ensure all charts are clinically validated including new patients and newly written items.
• Following a competency assessment and adherence to SOP’s check POD’s and assess suitability for use following the criteria, counsel patients on their medication, 
transcribe in-patient pharmaceutical items, endorse drug chart and participate in Drug History taking, referring to pharmacist where necessary.
• Ensure that patient has at least 14 days TTA medication for discharge.
• Ensure effective and accurate communications with clinical pharmacists regarding concerns and discrepancies.
• Assist in the provision of seamless care by providing pharmaceutical information to other healthcare workers and patients.
• Act as bleep holder.
• Urgent dispensing where necessary.
• Locate patients drugs if transferred from other wards.
• Ensure to-follow items are supplied.
• Liaise with team and ward staff.
• Participate in the final accuracy check of dispensed discharge medication, following the completion of the Regional Checking Accreditation.

To carry out the following in all areas of Pharmacy:

• Maintain stock control and stock rotation.
• Follow all standard operating procedures (SOP’s) accurately.
• Maintain a clean and tidy working environment.
• Maintain accurate manual and computer records.
• ‘house-keeping’ duties.
• Ensure disposal of pharmaceutical waste in all areas is carried out according to SOP’s.
• Assist in the training of Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officers and Pre-Registration Pharmacy Technicians
• Identify pharmaceutical items which are unavailable for the prescription and follow appropriate SOP.
• Contribute to the updating of existing SOP’s.
• Ensure any problems with prescriptions are referred on to the most appropriate member of staff, where necessary.
• Ensure professional and legal standards are adhered to.
• All work will be checked by a pharmacist and or the designated staff in accordance with SOP’s, except for areas covered by a competency framework agreed by the Chief Pharmacist.

To follow all Health and Safety standards in compliance with Trust policies and procedures. This includes:

• Report all accidents, incidents and near misses
• Dealing with hazardous chemicals (including cytotoxic drugs) used in the department, following COSHH regulations.
• Attendance of all mandatory training.

Following attainment of satisfactory competency, to participate in the Technician on-call and Dispensary stand-by rota, if required.

To supervise and assist with the training of Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officers, Pre-Registration Pharmacy Technicians, Pharmacy Technicians, Pre-Reg Pharmacists and Vocational/Work Experience students.

Registered and maintain registration, as a Pharmacy Technician, with the General Pharmaceutical Council, and to act in accordance with the code of conduct, ethics and performance.

The post holder agrees to participate in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) including further training and learning in order to develop the knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes and values to become competent in the duties described. This may include the Regional Accredited Technician Checking Scheme, Regional Self Development Scheme and Certificate in Medicines Management.

All the above are carried out on a rotational basis.

This job profile is not a definitive or exhaustive list of responsibilities but identifies the key responsibilities and tasks of the post-holder. The specific objectives of the post-holder will be subject to review as part of the Performance Review and Development Plan process.

SYSTEMS & EQUIPMENT

• Pharmacy stock control system
• Pharmacy Prescription Tracking system
• Microsoft Office
• staff Intranet
• Datix incident reporting
• Multifunctional printers
• Automated drug storage and dispensing system
• Positive and negative Isolators in Technical Services Unit
• Personal protective equipment provided

• DECISIONS & JUDGEMENTS

• The post holder is required to escalate in situations that are out with the trust process, agreed procedures or nationally agreed terms and conditions 
• The post holder uses professional and specialist knowledge to provide complex information so it is understood 
• The post holder is required to prioritise their own work effectively in a busy and often pressurised environment 
• The post holder will abide by the General Pharmaceutical Council’s Standards of Conduct, Ethics and Performanc.

COMMUNICATIONS & RELATIONSHIPS

• Main working relationships are with the following groups, and communication is mainly face to face, electronic and by telephone:

• Pharmacy Technicians
• Pharmacy Department Managers
• Assistant Technical Officers
• Clerical Staff
• Pharmacists
• Multidisciplinary team including nurses and doctors
• Pre-registration Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacists

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB

• Technical Services Unit – Cleaning of all room surfaces, sitting in isolator for extended periods, dexterity required for manipulations

• Will be required to walk between different departments within Pharmacy and across the Hospital on a daily basis

• May involve sitting or standing for extended periods including at a computer screen

• Must have the ability to drive or use transport to travel to other hospitals or offsite training sessions as required

• MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB

• Ensuring safe and legal systems of work are in operation at all times following quality standards whilst ensuring a timely and customer focused service

KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB

Essential:

• NVQ Level 3 and BTEC or equivalent qualification in Pharmaceutical Science
• Ability to complete Regional Checking Accreditation
• Ability to complete Regional Medicines Management qualification
• Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council
• Computer Literate
• Meticulous to Detail
• Good Thinking & Reasoning Skills
• Good Communication Skills, both written and oral.
• Good team player, with ability to work in a multidisciplinary team.
• Good time management skills.
• Ability to plan, prioritise and organise workload.
• Effective Customer Service skills – able to work to meet the needs of customers of the department and meet the standards of the Trust Code of Conduct at all times.
• Enthusiastic with a positive response to change
• Pleasant and Cheerful
• Good attendance record.
• Commitment to and evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
• Flexible with in the work place.
• Available 5 out of 7 days.

Desirable:

• Regional Checking Accreditation
• Hospital Experience
• Aseptic Training
• Good training aptitude
• Adaptable
• Car Owner/Driver