Senior Pharmacy Homecare Clerk

Job overview

An opportunity for development within Pharmacy Services

An internal opportunity has arisen for a Senior Pharmacy Homecare Clerk (Band 3) to join the Homecare Team based at Kent and Canterbury Hospital.

This role is ideal for staff looking to develop their administrative, supervisory and pharmacy-related experience within a supportive team environment, while continuing to contribute to safe, effective patient care across East Kent Hospitals.

PLEASE NOTE - WE CANNOT OFFER VISA SPONSORSHIP FOR THIS ROLE . If you hold a Graduate/Post Study work visa, you will only be able to work this role fixed term until the expiry date of your visa.

Main duties of the job

As a Senior Homecare Clerk, you will:

• Oversee the day-to-day running of the Homecare Office
• Support and supervise Homecare Clerks under the direction of the Assistant Team Leader
• Manage prescription ordering and prioritise homecare requests
• Resolve invoicing queries and discrepancies using pharmacy systems
• Liaise with clinicians, nurses, finance colleagues, homecare companies and patients
• Escalate supply or funding issues to ensure continuity of care
• Support training, service development and new ways of working

You will also deputise for the Assistant Team Leader when required, in line with experience and competence.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To support the day-to-day running of the Pharmacy Homecare Office, ensuring administrative tasks are completed accurately, efficiently and within agreed timescales.
• To provide guidance and support to Homecare Clerks and new starters, under the direction of the Assistant Team Leader and in line with agreed procedures.
• To undertake the processing, ordering and monitoring of homecare prescriptions from third-party providers, prioritising work according to deadlines and patient need.
• To resolve invoicing queries, including the use of pharmacy systems such as CMM, and to process credits in accordance with local procedures.
• To identify and report supply, ordering or invoicing issues to the Assistant Team Leader in a timely manner.
• To initiate urgent medicine orders via homecare companies, following established processes, to reduce the risk of patients running out of medication.
• To ensure prescriptions processed have appropriate funding in place by carrying out checks on relevant systems, including Blueteq, and escalating discrepancies as required.
• To review monthly homecare statements and follow up routine discrepancies with homecare providers, escalating complex issues to senior staff.
• To liaise with Trust Finance colleagues, specialist nurses, consultants, secretarial staff, pharmacy colleagues and homecare companies to support effective service delivery.
• To communicate relevant availability and supply information to clinical teams, ensuring messages are accurate, clear and timely.
• To work in accordance with Trust policies, standard operating procedures and information governance requirements at all times.
• To maintain accurate records, including filing and archiving of homecare documentation in line with local procedures.
• To monitor shared homecare email inboxes and respond to routine queries, escalating issues to the Assistant Team Leader where appropriate.
• To undertake training and development activities as required for the role and support the training of Homecare Clerks within own scope of competence.
• To contribute suggestions for improvements to working practices in order to support service efficiency and effectiveness.
• To assist with the implementation and use of homecare company portals and pharmacy systems, following training and guidance provided.
• To carry out general office duties, including photocopying, correspondence and mail handling, to support the effective running of the service.
• To assist with the collection and reporting of Pharmacy Key Performance Indicator (KPI) data under the direction of the Assistant Team Leader.
• To support the Assistant Team Leader and Team Leader with administrative tasks related to ordering, invoicing and system updates, appropriate to Band 3 responsibility.
• To act as a point of contact in the absence of senior staff for routine matters, escalating non-routine or complex issues appropriately.