Pharmacy Support Worker

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Medicines Management team consists of pharmacy technicians and pharmacy support workers, providing ward based services covering most ward areas of Southampton General Hospital.

Pharmacy support workers deliver a forward thinking and continuously developing service. The Medicines Management team work closely with each other and pharmacist colleagues and play a vital role in the patient journey with their medicines and their safe storage.

With a comprehensive in-house training programme and a nationally recognised qualification, we support and encourage staff through their development. There are opportunities to work on projects, be involved in audits and contribute to the training and mentoring of staff. This is an excellent opportunity to join a friendly, patient focussed team.

The department is moving towards 7 day working. All staff are required to contribute to weekend and bank holidays as part of their core hours. Weekend working will be 1 weekend day in 6. Flexible working opportunities will be considered.

Your responsibilities

What you will be doing:

Assist in the sorting of medicines returned to the pharmacy, disposing of unwanted medicines in accordance with departmental policy and returning appropriate items onto the pharmacy computer system following standard operating procedures.

Accurately select, prepare and supply medicinal products for individual patients use and/or for stock replenishment to wards and outside units.

Be responsible for good stock control in line with departmental SOPs, including ordering/receipting drug/sundry deliveries, dealing with the relevant paperwork, stock rotation, stock taking, checking expiry dates, crediting wards for used stock and putting stock on shelves.

What we're looking for:

Be enthusiastic about working in a team, comfortable working individually and dedicated to providing the best possible service for the best possible patient outcome. Be keen to develop and contribute to an emerging role.

Have excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Be self-motivated, flexible and adaptable.

Be able to work on busy wards.

Person Specification

Trust Values

Essential

• Patients first
• Always Improving
• Working Together

Qualifications / training required

Essential

• Commitment to complete NVQ 2 in Pharmacy or other Level 2 approved GPhC qualification for pharmacy support, within 18 months of working
• Numerate and literate demonstrating ability to pass test at interview

Desirable

• 2 GCSE's or equivalent grades A* - C or 4-9 in English and Maths (If qualifications gained outside the UK evidence of equivalent standards must be demonstrated at interview)
• Other healthcare qualifications
• GCSE's in science-based or other role specific relevant subjects

Previous or relevant experience necessary

Essential

• Use of information technology in the workplace or within education or voluntary sector
• Standard keyboard skills

Desirable

• Previous pharmacy/laboratory experience (hospital or community)
• Previous experience in health or social care (if not pharmacy)
• Experience in stock control i.e., receiving, maintaining and / or issuing stock
• Clinical trials or research experience (Clinical trials only)
• Use of till and / or handling money in a work environment (RSH posts only)

Aptitudes and skills required

Essential

• Customer service skills in the workplace or voluntary sector
• Communicate effectively with others in English both in speaking and writing
• Ability to follow procedures
• Attention to detail and accurate working
• Able to work independently and prioritise work with limited supervision
• Motivated and self-reliant and organised
• Adaptable particularly able to work in busy, noisy and changing environments

Desirable

• Demonstrate times when able to work effectively under pressure

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust

Address

CS Pharmacy Clinical

Southampton

SO16 6YD

Employer's website

https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)