Pharmacy Assistant

Job overview

Kickstart your career and join our outstanding Pharmacy team!

This post is an excellent gateway to a technical pharmacy career - see the 'Career Pathway' document below for more details.

The Pharmacy Department is looking to recruit an enthusiastic Pharmacy Assistant to support us in the Goods-Receipt, Distribution and Reception areas of the service. This is an opportunity to join our friendly, committed team and learn new skills in a dynamic, supportive environment. As the successful candidate you will need to be self-motivated, able to concentrate on detailed tasks and understand the importance of working to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

We will provide you with a comprehensive in house training programme and support you to complete the relevant vocational qualifications required; if you do not already have this or an equivalent.

Standard NHS conditions of service apply.

Main duties of the job

To assist in the smooth running of the assigned area of Pharmacy under direction and supervision of Senior Technicians.

To provide a ward top up service for the supply of stock items to the ward.

In the Stores and Distribution operate the topping-up system for supply of pharmacy items to wards, departments and clinics.

To provide drugs to be used in emergency situations and to participate in the preparation of over-labelled patient packs of drugs for issue to the patient on discharge.

The post holder will participate in general stores and distribution activities to include ward deliveries, stock management and receipt/storage of goods.

In the Aseptic Unit undertake tasks to assist in the smooth running of daily activities, and undertake planned Aseptic work under the supervision of the Senior and Lead.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

General Duties

To undertake ward-based drug stock-checks as part of the ward topping-up system, to assess suitability for use and further need to supply.

To undertake accurate entry of data into the Pharmacy computer system.

To deal with incoming telephone calls and take accurate messages as necessary.

To undertake deliveries to wards and departments.

To process returns of goods to the section according to Standard Operating Procedures.

To monitor and record drug storage temperatures.

To effect stock rotation within all stock storage areas and to perform stock-level and expiry date checks.

To assist with routine filing, archiving of records and general clerical duties.

To maintain a neat and tidy working environment.

Any other duties as required by the Pharmacy Manager in accordance with this grade of post.

To provide short-term cover for colleagues during periods of leave.

To ensure that all Trust standards are maintained and monitored to improve the quality of care to all whom come into contact with services provided by South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust.

To participate in appraisals and personal reviews and work to achieve agreed set objectives.

To participate in appropriate training and development activities.

To participate in team, professional and personal development activities and promote commitment to continuous development and improvement.

Consciously review mistakes, complaints and incidents/near misses as well as successes to improve performance and the level of customer care.

Stores and Distribution

To produce picking lists via the pharmacy computer system.

To pick, process assemble and pack orders for stock items supplied by pharmacy, ensuring that appropriate storage is maintained and that transport deadlines are met.

To process orders received from other sections of the Pharmacy Service.

To ensure planned work in the area is completed on-time, and that ad-hoc work is completed in a timely manner, escalating to senior colleagues when necessary.

To ensure accurate recording and communication of “to-follow” lines.

To receive, unpack, check and appropriately store in accordance with defined stock locations, deliveries received from external suppliers.

To check and replenish drug resuscitation boxes and maintain accurate records of their contents and locations.

To produce, maintain and update ward and department drug stock lists on the pharmacy computer system.

To participate in the documented process of additional/over-labelling of drugs for issue to patients, by wards and departments, for discharge.

Aseptic Unit

To work to Aseptic Unit SOPs and complete relevant areas of the Aseptic Training manual

Work within specified job role, referring to senior staff at appropriate time.

Aid in the daily cleaning and setting up of rooms and isolators within the Aseptic Unit. To carry out daily, weekly , monthly, quarterly and annual cleans and procedures, and ensure all records relating to these activities are kept up to date and complete

To carry out wipe, spray, spray, wipe process for all products and equipment entering the clean rooms, as per SOPs.

To manufacture simple products, as defined in relevant SOP

To carry out setting up of worksheets, ingredients and consumables under supervision of suitably trained Aseptic staff.

To final pack products as per SOPs and store product according to specified storage conditions