Pharmacy Assistant - Outpatients

Job overview

To assist in the provision of a high-quality patient focused dispensary service to outpatients at the Trust.

Main duties of the job

• To accurately dispense clinically checked prescriptions referring any areas of doubt to the Responsible Pharmacist
• To provide quality customer service to all outpatient pharmacy customers including multidisciplinary healthcare professionals
• To contribute to the development and maintenance of a high quality and timely outpatient service for patients
• To contribute to the safe and accurate issue of completed dispensed prescriptions to patients

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

See briefing pack for further details

Dispensary Duties

• To carry out the validation, labelling, dispensing and issue of prescriptions in the outpatient pharmacy
• To calculate varying degrees of complex doses and quantities to supply on prescriptions
• To undertake an in-process accuracy check of assembled prescribed items prior to the final accuracy check
• To work on the pharmacy outpatient reception, taking in and handing out prescriptions, taking payment and dealing with customer queries
• Use the Electronic Patient Record system to locate and print outpatient prescriptions
• To securely and accurately input data, patient and prescription details onto the computer system and assist with the maintenance of records relating to work and workload statistics
• To participate in the ordering, receipt of goods, stock checks and stock control of medicines in the outpatient pharmacy, ensuring efficient use of pharmaceuticals and resources
• To assist with the dispensing, recording, maintenance, issue and receipt of Controlled Drugs as appropriate
• To work under the supervision of site pharmacy manager within the outpatient dispensary to ensure efficient workflow and pharmacy provision
• To carry out general duties, including stock and preparation of bottles, sundry items, additional information and labels, packaging, and counting and cleaning equipment
• To use the prescription tracking system to record patient information and monitor and audit the transit of prescriptions through the dispensing, checking and delivery processes
• To assist with the monitoring of the till to enable the team to process transactions efficiently
• To monitor and record safe storage of stock by carrying out environmental temperature checks, expiry date checking, stock checks and assisting in the rotation of stock
• To clean shelving where pharmaceuticals are stored, keeping them in a tidy, organised and fit for purpose condition

Communication

• To provide / receive routine information that may require tact or persuasive skills where there may be difficulties in understanding, especially when answering the telephone
• To provide medication information verbally or in written format to outpatients or their representatives

General Duties

• To work flexibly to support the team and service needs
• To adhere to all policies and procedures for CHS and CHFT
• To complete all mandatory training
• To participate in and contribute towards an annual individual appraisal, with the dual goals of enhancing performance and developing a personal development plan
• To carry out duties with due regard to the Trust’s Equal Opportunity policy
• To seek advice and support from Line Manager whenever necessary
• To maintain professional conduct including appearance at all times

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.