Pharmacy Technician Bank position- Band 4

Job overview

Role of the Department

To provide a co-ordinated pharmaceutical service which is broad-based, cost-effective and efficient.

To promote safe, legal, rational and economic use of medicines and all allied products to all its clients.

Job purpose

To work with the Principal/Senior Pharmacy Technician and with other team members to deliver a service to meet the pharmaceutical needs of patients within the Trust. The post will involve rotations across the in-patient and out-patient dispensaries and ward based medicine management roles on the two hospital sites.

Main duties of the job

• To participate in the efficient day to day running of the department and assisting the Principal/Senior Technician when required in overseeing the management of the dispensing service.
• To undertake daily stock level checks including expiry dates as per audit requirement, reporting any exception to the Principal / Senior Technician.
• To order / requisition stock from the Pharmacy Store as required.
• To undertake in-patient, discharge and out-patient dispensing using the Pharmacy Computer System and in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
• To participate in the dispensing for clinical trials, completing relevant documentation in accordance with departmental procedures.
• To counsel patients / carers regarding their medication.
• To obtain if appropriate following suitable experience Accredited Checking Technician status and perform a final accuracy checks of prescriptions in accordance with departmental protocols.
• To obtain if appropriate drug history and POD checking accreditation in order to work on wards in a medicine management role.
• To participate, on a rota basis, in a medicine management role on the wards working with pharmacists to ensure the accuracy of medicines for in-patients.
• To routinely check expiry dates of all stock, ensuring good stock rotation and correct storage conditions, maintaining a log as required and reporting any exceptions to the Principal/Senior Technician.
• To prepare, update and print computerised lists for stock issues for all relevant clients.
• To deputise for the Senior Technician in their absence.
• To encourage support and compliance with the Trust formulary and local prescribing guidelines.
• To assist in the training and supervision of pre-registration trainee pharmacy technicians, pre-registration pharmacists and other pharmacy staff as required.
• To obtain if appropriate following suitable experience NVQ assessor or equivalent status, undertaking appraisal and assessment of pre-registration trainee pharmacy technicians and pharmacy assistants.
• To maintain a clean, tidy and organised work area.
• To assist in the collection of performance/workload/audit data ensuring data input into Prescription Tracking, Pharmacy Computer, Out-patient number call systems and similar  is accurate and up to date.
• To identify risk and report incidents.
• To participate in and contribute to departmental meetings to maintain and develop the pharmaceutical service, contributing to the development of new procedures as required.
• To actively participate in continuing professional development.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder is required to:-

• Work within agreed Trust and departmental policies and procedures and to accepted standards of practice.
• Work on other sites in the Trust as required.
• Undertake such other duties as may be required from time to time, as are consistent with the responsibilities of the grade.
• Ensure confidentiality at all times, only releasing confidential information obtained during the course of employment to those acting in an official capacity.
• Treat patients and customers with dignity and courtesy.
• Ensure that medicines do not fall into unauthorised hands.
• Have responsibility for the health, safety and welfare for self and others and to comply with the requirements of the Health and Safety regulations, including COSHH.
• Promote Equal Opportunities and to comply with the requirements of the legislation and the Trust’s policies.
• Attend such training courses and meetings as are necessary for the efficient performance of the post holder’s duties.
• Participate in Continuing Professional Development (CPD), maintaining own CPD portfolio.
• Participate in the Trust’s appraisal system.
• Comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act.
• Comply with the Trust’s No Smoking Policy.
• Comply with Duty of Candour principles

This job description is a reflection of the current position and may change in emphasis or detail in the light of subsequent service development.