HealthJobsUK

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

a.  Dispensing of Medicines
• To label and dispense prescriptions for in-patients and outpatients under the supervision of a Pharmacist in accordance with local and national policies and any Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in place 
•  To receive prescriptions for patients and carers and verify patients details
• To input prescription data onto the pharmacy computerised record system
• Enter patient’s details on the pharmacy system from PAS
• The preparation of pre-packs and over-labelling of medicines
• The preparation of worksheets and labels for pre-packing and overlabelling where medicines are unavailable arrange an appropriate follow-up supply and ensure these  items are sent to patients where necessary
• To refer any prescription queries to the dispensary manager or supervising pharmacist
• Give out prescriptions to patients and carers, referring to a pharmacist or technician if information or education is required
• To ensure that the dispensary and dispensing stations are appropriately stocked
• To carry out reception duties including answering of the telephone from staff and patients
• To undertake the daily rolling stock take and check expiry dates of all medicines held and advise the purchasing manager of those that are going out of date
• To file prescriptions, pharmacy orders and other documents as required
• To supervise other pharmacy assistants as designated by the dispensary manager and / or chief or principal pharmacy technician, following Standard Operating Procedures
• To participate in effective stock control and management systems for the various areas within the pharmacy
• To ensure that operational / technical audits are completed within the pharmacy department
• To participate in clinical audit as part of the multidisciplinary audit process
• To participate in the filling of emergency drug boxes for adults and paediatrics
• To implement procedures and deliver in-service training, as required, of other pharmacy assistants within the section
• To mentor less experienced and trainee dispensing pharmacy assistants.
• To contribute to the induction , training and mentoring of staff allocated to the department, including pre-registration students and summer students
• To contribute to the smooth and efficient running of the department, including cover of other staff
• To maintain safe systems of work at all times, including the knowledge of and abiding by the fire precautions, departmental and Trust safety policies and procedure manuals
• To promote the professional image of pharmacy within the Trust by ensuring that the standards of dress and behaviour reflects the professional service offered by the department
• To participate in any training, validation work or competency testing in line with the departmental requirements
• To participate in the Trust appraisal scheme and to agree training needs in line with continuing professional development
• To maintain a high level of professional practice
• To observe the regulations in respect of Health and Safety and Safety at Work Act, COSHH, Data protection Act, abiding by the fire precautions and departmental and Trust safety policies
• To ensure that safe working procedures are maintained and followed
• To participate in weekend, bank holiday and late night duties as is considered appropriate by the Dispensary manager 
• To undertake any other related duties, that may be required
• Works within the rota and all Standard Operating procedures

b. Ward Medicines Distribution and Pharmacy Top-Up
• To participate in the maintenance of a cost-effective system of medicine distribution to all wards, departments and community clinics including:
-  Evaluation of optimum range and stock level of medicines in liaison with senior nursing staff and pharmacist.
- Responsibility for replenishing supplies of stock items to agreed levels and optimising delivery or supply.
- To review prescription charts to replenish medication prescribed for individual patients on selected wards.
-  The objective of the service is to ensure that economic stock levels are maintained in appropriate storage conditions and that the products have not time-expired
and are suitable for use
- To issue medicines and provide a stock topping-up service to peripheral hospitals, community clinics, wards and departments in response to an authorised request.
- To check the accuracy of the assembly of ward orders carried out by pharmacy assistants and other approved personnel
- To participate in ward based stock audits under the direction of the Dispensary Manager or Chief Pharmacy Technician

c. Stock Control
• To be responsible for all expiry date stock checks in the pharmacy dispensary and removal and destruction of expired stock
• To assist in the procurement and stock control process within the department including stock checking
• To ensure that dispensary stock levels are maintained and stocks are replenished from the pharmacy store.
• Assesses pharmaceutical products returned from clinical areas and returns to stock items which are fit for reuse or disposes of items unfit for use in accordance with COSHH regulations and Trust procedures. Enters details of returned items on pharmacy computer system.
• Monitors cold storage equipment to ensure temperatures are within the defined limits and reports any variation to a supervisor.
•Identifies and reports stock shortages to procurement colleagues for ordering to ensure that pharmaceutical products are available for patients when required.

d. General Duties
• Works within a pre-determined rota providing day to day pharmaceutical services to the hospital and other health care premises
• To participate in the delivery of pharmacy objectives set by the Trust; Department of Health; and others to meet clinical governance targets; improve patient safety; improve • clinical outcomes; and ensure compliance with all standards expected for hospital pharmacy services and the interface between primary and secondary care
• Contributes and inputs into review meetings regarding changes required to standard operating procedures
• To be competent in the operation of all equipment, particularly the dispensary computer system in carrying out all the above duties. Accurately records all issues and receipts through the Pharmacy Computer System, to ensure that all transactions are recorded and the stock management system works efficiently. Assists in the maintenance of all relevant documentation and work analysis records
• Work is carried out at all times in accordance with current legal requirements; local and national policies, departmental standard operating procedures and safe practices.
• Projects a professional attitude within and outside the department, and to the general public.
• To participate in Saturday, Sunday, Bank Holiday and late night duties as is considered appropriate by the Chief Pharmacist or other senior manager in line with current local policy. This will include duties on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays on a rota basis.
• Undertakes manual handling up to maximum of 15Kg per item regularly each day.