Job responsibilities
1.1 To participate (in accordance with
SOPs and under the supervision of the pharmacist in charge/ Responsible
Pharmacist) in all dispensing activities, ensuring that the correct medicines
are dispensed and that they are appropriate for the patient.
1.2 This will include dispensing and
labelling medication for individual patient supply from a variety of
prescription types and making the necessary records and endorsements.
1.3 To follow SOPs to ensure that all
issues are dispensed and entered correctly using the pharmacy computer system
so that the following are accurate: patient records, records of issues, stock
control, the charges made to relevant cost centres and pharmacy workload
statistics.
1.4 To be competent in the operation of
automated dispensing systems (where applicable according to placement) and
associated IT interface with the dispensary computer system.
1.5 To understand and be competent in the
use of discharge programmes and discharge facilitation
1.6 To perform routine self-accuracy
checks to ensure safe dispensing (complete successful dispensing and
self-accuracy checking validation).
1.7 Receive prescriptions from customers
(community pharmacy) over the counter.
1.8 Use questioning according to protocols
to determine and accurately document allergies, other medications and exemption
status.
1.9 Issue dispensed and checked
prescriptions to outpatients/customers, providing routine advice on medication
use, identifying and referring them to the pharmacist in charge/ Responsible
Pharmacist when appropriate/ further advice is required
1.10 Participate in the sale of Over the
Counter (OTC), General Sales List (GSL) preparations and miscellaneous items
(community pharmacy) to staff and customers
1.11 Use established set criteria (2WHAM
questions) to identify patients who require Pharmacist referral when selling
OTC and GSL preparations
1.12 Assist in housekeeping duties in the
dispensary, maintaining clean and tidy dispensing facilities and safe systems
of work
1.13 To undertake any further duties that
may be necessary to help provide the dispensary service
2. STOCK PROCUREMENT, MAINTENANCE AND
STORAGE
2.1 To gain a basic knowledge of
procurement for pharmaceuticals including contracting (e.g. Commercial
Medicines Unit) and re-imbursement (e.g. drug tariff)
2.2 Ensure stock is stored safely,
securely according to required storage conditions. Provide advice to healthcare
professionals on storage, expiry dates, stock rotation and other related
matters within the guidance of SOPs to ensure a cost-effective service which
minimises wastage.
2.3 Participate in maintaining good stock
rotation.
2.4 Assist in identifying and removing of
stock not fit for purpose e.g. expired stock,
2.5 Participate in departmental stock
taking as required. To help investigate stock level discrepancies within the
dispensary in line with current procedures.
2.6 Participate in the rota for checking
the emergency cupboard (hospital pharmacy) and replenish stock as required.
2.7 Assist in the review and update stock
lists and stock holding
2.8 Participate in the raising of orders
from outside suppliers and the monitoring of outstanding orders to ensure
adequate stock levels are maintained in the dispensary. To ensure that all
discrepancies/queries are satisfactorily resolved before an order is placed.
2.9 Assist in processing stock deliveries
to the dispensary, unpacking, checking, recording, rotating and shelving.
2.10 Assist in informing suppliers of all
missing or damaged goods. and in the return of incorrect orders.
2.11 Assist with environmental monitoring
e.g. temperature control, checks and maintenance of storage areas.
3. MEDICINES SUPPLY DUTIES
3.1 Participate, under direct supervision
and according to SOPs, in the distribution service of pharmaceutics. This will
include the selection, dispensing, packing of
medicines.
3.2 Assist in supply arrangements, under
direct supervision and according to SOPs, to ensure that sufficient stocks of
medicines for patients are available. This will include:
3.3 Undertaking top up of stock
3.4 Assist in straightforward planning
tasks to ensure medicines supply during transfer of care (e.g. after discharge)
3.5 Where medication supply issues exist
for a patient, liaise with patients and their local community pharmacies to
understand the patients supply arrangements and assist in resolving where
possible under supervision (GP Practice placement).
3.6 Assist in undertaking level 1
medication reviews (simple technical non clinical reviews) according to local
policies and procedures. Refer more complex /clinical issues to pharmacist or
clinician (GP Practice placement).
3.7 Assist in straightforward
synchronising of repeat prescriptions (GP Practice placement).
3.8 Deal with repeat prescription request
and identify missing information, discrepancies and errors on repeat
prescription requests and resolve them in accordance with local policies and
procedures. Refer more complex /clinical issues to pharmacist or clinician (GP
Practice placement).
3.9 Ensure all requests are assessed and
prioritised appropriately (GP Practice placement).
4 MEDICINES MANAGEMENT AND OPTIMISATION
4.1 Perform medicines reconciliation
processes for new patients and at transfer of care according to SOPs and under
direct supervision. This will include obtaining and verifying drug histories,
ensuring allergy information is accurate, correctly documented and
communicated, identifying missing information, investigating discrepancies/
missed items and changes required within own limitations and referring them to
your supervising pharmacy professional. This may involve assessing some facts
or situations which may require analysis.
4.2 Liaise and share information with
medical/ nursing staff/ the wider multidisciplinary team including community
pharmacy as appropriate in regard to any previously undocumented allergies,
discrepancies concerning medication, difficulties in supply or unresolved
issues. Highlight all issues to your supervising pharmacy professional.
4.4 Assist in monitoring high-risk
medicines according to local processes and SOPs.
4.5 Assist in helping to ensure effective
antimicrobial stewardship within own work area.
4.6 Assist in helping to ensure
appropriate blood tests have been requested in relation to medicines according
to local clinical protocols/ SOPs.
4.7 Contribute to patient care, where
appropriate, by counselling patients (some of whom may have certain barriers to
understanding e.g. hearing issues, language problems) or carers on how to
manage their medicines and provide information on medication to
patients/carers/healthcare professionals within own limitations of knowledge.
Refer to a pharmacist for further advice if necessary.
4.8 Assist in the implementation of the BSWCCG
Formulary by highlighting non formulary items and referring to Medical/
Pharmacist/Pharmacy Technician as appropriate.
4.9 Within own work area, comply with the
policies and effective processes for medicines governance within the
organisations of the Partnership including controlled drugs.
4.10 Within own work area, help to ensure
Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and National Reporting and
Learning Service (NRLS) alerts are actioned.
5 ADMINISTRATIVE
5.1 To maintain accurate records according
to departmental procedure.
5.2 To ensure that information related to
the measurement of quality standards is recorded.
5.3 To participate in audits, monitoring
of prescribing, reviews of medicines use as required in accordance with local
policies and procedures.
5.4 Ensure all medication incidents are
reported in accordance with the policies of the organisations within the
Partnership
6 COMMUNICATION
6.1 Communicate verbally or in writing as
appropriate, with patients, relatives, carers, pharmacy staff and other
healthcare professionals (within both the hospital and community setting) to
provide and receive routine information.
6.2 Deal with routine medication queries,
both on the telephone and in person, from patients, staff, other healthcare
professionals including health and social care services according to local
policies and procedures. Refer to a pharmacist or senior colleague as necessary
and when researching and providing more complex queries. Always respond within
own limitations and under supervision.
6.3 The post holder may sometimes be the
first point of contact within the department for patients, carers, medical,
nursing staff and other healthcare workers. This may require tact and empathy,
as there may be communication difficulties or barriers to understanding, in
order to ensure effective communication and prevent any potential conflict with
patients.
6 HUMAN RESOURCES/WORKFORCE/TRAINING OF
OTHERS
6.1 To practice good teamwork, liaise with
and help foster effective working relationships with colleagues from within the
department and across the Partnership e.g. other health care workers.
6.2 To develop strong working
relationships with supervisors/ line managers to assist in the provision of a
safe and efficient service.
6.3 To assist in the induction, training
and support of new and junior/rotational staff and work experience students
within the limitations of own role/area of practice.
6.4 To assist in the training of
non-pharmacy staff about the policies and procedures for medicines governance
within the limitations of own role/area of practice.
