Rotational Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officer

Job overview

Dispensary

The post holder will assist the dispensary team in the delivery of the day to day activities in the dispensary. They will carry out duties in accordance with departmental policies and procedures. The post holder is primarily responsible for dispensing discharge and inpatient medication, as well as outpatient medication if based at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH); and other “housekeeping” duties.

Aseptics

The post holder will assist in the preparation and dispensing of aseptically produced products in isolators. The post holder will assist with the daily monitoring and cleaning of isolators and the monitoring of the clean room.  The post holder will assist with the ordering of drugs and components.

Stores

The post includes general duties within the Pharmacy distribution service including receiving goods, carrying out ward top ups, and issuing stock to wards, carried out under the supervision of the Pharmacy Distribution Services Manager.

Main duties of the job

Dispensary

• To deliver a customer-focused service to all patients who attend the Dispensary.
• To adhere to the highest principles of customer services when dealing with patients, staff and the public both face to face and over the phone.

Aseptics

• To assist in the preparation of aseptically prepared products.
• To assist in the supply of Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN).
• To provide information to nursing staff and other departmental staff or to refer them as appropriate.

Stores & Distribution

• Assist nursing staff with stock related queries.
• Provide a top-up service to allocated wards and departments following appropriate training.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Dispensary

• To ensure the safe, effective and economical use of drugs for all patients in the Trust.
• To be able to follow departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• To be able to dispense inpatient, outpatient and discharge medication accurately.
• To contribute to wider policies that has an impact within the pharmacy department and across the Trust.
• To support the Dispensary Manager by contributing to the development of the Dispensary Services.
• To refer non-routine enquiries to a more senior member of staff as appropriate.
• To be able to use pharmacy computer systems correctly and enter data accurately from transcription sheets, prescription forms and any other prescriptions written by others.
• To ensure that data is stored and archived appropriately in accordance with local and regionally agreed guidelines.
• To be able to participate in a 7 day operational model including working weekends and late shifts
• To counsel patients on the use of their outpatient medication, where applicable.
• To be able to use initiative to appropriately prioritise work.
• To be able to dispense Controlled Drugs using the Omnicell System
• To be able to carry out daily housekeeping duties as per daily and weekly rotas

Aseptics

• To tidy, clean and disinfect the Aseptic Services environment and equipment according to local SOPs. This may involve an early start.
• To assist with the environmental monitoring in Aseptic services.
• To produce and keep such records as defined by local SOP, and as required by the Associate Director and Chief Technician.
• To comply with departmental Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements of dress and hygiene relating to working in aseptic services.
• To work within the health and safety guidelines of the department at all times.
• To undertake any relevant validation to ensure on going validation of aseptic competence.
• To prepare documentation and labels using the pharmacy computer system.
• To undertake transfer disinfection into the aseptic unit and isolators according to procedures.
• To sit or stand at isolators for long periods.

Stores & Distribution

• Follows laid down procedures for the issuing of medicines to wards and departments.
• Follow procedures for the Investigation/Retrieval of products from the Pharmacy Automated System(s) if errors occur (on applicable sites only).
• To accept and sign receipt for deliveries of pharmaceutical products from suppliers, checking that delivery is for the pharmacy department.

To unpack goods received