Job summary
We are looking for someone motivated and enthusiastic to help support our busy dispensary department.
We are in exciting times of change within our department. Our main objective is to increase our presence on the wards and help the hospital to give patients the best care possible. Pharmacy dispenser's are key to this as they help to ensure timely discharge by getting patients prescriptions dispensed in an efficient way. This allows ward-based staff to concentrate on the ward-based duties.
Main duties of the job
The focus of this role is to accurately perform (under the supervision of qualified staff) a range of tasks in the Dispensary, which do not require the knowledge, skills and training of a qualified Pharmacy Technician.
The 100+ staff work towards providing services in many aspects of Pharmacy including Aseptic Dispensing, Quality Assurance, Medicines Management and involvement with Clinical Trials. The successful candidate will join the Dispensary team at Northampton General Hospital, where we have an excellent Technician-led dispensary. We have a newly updated robotic dispensing system which allows us to dispense efficiently and accurately.
If you have a Boots or NPA dispensing qualification or you have previous Pharmacy experience then this post will help you develop further in your career.
About us
Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.
Our Excellence Values
Compassion
Accountability
Respect
Integrity
Courage
We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.
The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.
We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.
We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds.This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To accurately and promptly dispense medicines for patients whose prescriptions have been validated by a Pharmacist.- Accurately check dispensed medicines for patients using the criteria in - - Dispensary set for Band 3 staff.- To issue prescriptions when this is appropriate.- To supply Controlled Drugs and keep appropriate records.- To participate in the Pharmacy Service to Wards and Departments.- To liaise with the appropriate Pharmacy Team Leader and Senior Technician, Stores to ensure that any to-follow medicines are ordered and supplied to patients.- To inform the appropriate Pharmacist of any problems with the supply of medicines ordered.- To receive prescriptions from patients and staff, and collect the relevant prescription charge, or ensure the appropriate exemption forms are completed in accordance with the current requirements.- To receive prescriptions via the electronic discharge system.- To answer the telephone and either deal with the query, take a message or re-direct the call to the appropriate person / are of the department.- To participate and control the Prioritising System in the Dispensary by:Keeping a log of all discharge prescriptions and in-patients charts coming into the Dispensary and then forwarding these to the appropriate priority tray.- When required, to photocopy prescription charts and then forward the original and the copy to the appropriate tray.- To telephone ward staff and inform them that their discharge prescriptions are ready for collection or delivery.- To receive signed requisitions / o4der from hospital staff and other customers and to forward these to the appropriate area for processing.- To assist in maintaining adequate stock levels of medicines in the Dispensary via the daily internal order from Pharmacy Stores.- To participate in the daily dispensary stock check of Controlled Drugs.- To participate in the daily dispensary stock check and assist with maintaining an accurate computerised Pharmacy stock control system.- To participate in regular checks and recording of expiry dates of medicines.- To assess and return medicines for re-use in accordance with departmental policy.- To assist in the provision of the Pharmacy Reception service.- To ensure the Waiting Room is kept clean and tidy, and that notices/posters are up-to date, and information leaflets are available for patients.- To assist in the training of staff.- To assist in the audit of Dispensary Services.- To maintain supplies of bottles, cartons, bags and other equipment required to ensure the smooth running of the dispensing process.- To assist in the maintenance of a clean and efficient environment suitable for the handling and compounding of medicinal substances.
This post is ideal for an individual with previous experience in dispensing or a formal pharmacy qualification. However, this post is not exclusively for candidates who have worked in a Pharmacy environment before.The focus is to accurately perform (under the supervision of qualified staff) a range of routine and non-routine tasks in the Pharmacy dispensary such as labelling and dispensing medications.Individuals are expected to undertake the NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services.Individuals may be expected to undertake the Buttercup Accuracy Checking for Dispensary Assistants course.Included in this post is the requirement to provide a receptionist service to patients, hospital staff and other customers visiting or telephoning the department.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To accurately and promptly dispense medicines for patients whose prescriptions have been validated by a Pharmacist.- Accurately check dispensed medicines for patients using the criteria in - - Dispensary set for Band 3 staff.- To issue prescriptions when this is appropriate.- To supply Controlled Drugs and keep appropriate records.- To participate in the Pharmacy Service to Wards and Departments.- To liaise with the appropriate Pharmacy Team Leader and Senior Technician, Stores to ensure that any to-follow medicines are ordered and supplied to patients.- To inform the appropriate Pharmacist of any problems with the supply of medicines ordered.- To receive prescriptions from patients and staff, and collect the relevant prescription charge, or ensure the appropriate exemption forms are completed in accordance with the current requirements.- To receive prescriptions via the electronic discharge system.- To answer the telephone and either deal with the query, take a message or re-direct the call to the appropriate person / are of the department.- To participate and control the Prioritising System in the Dispensary by:Keeping a log of all discharge prescriptions and in-patients charts coming into the Dispensary and then forwarding these to the appropriate priority tray.- When required, to photocopy prescription charts and then forward the original and the copy to the appropriate tray.- To telephone ward staff and inform them that their discharge prescriptions are ready for collection or delivery.- To receive signed requisitions / o4der from hospital staff and other customers and to forward these to the appropriate area for processing.- To assist in maintaining adequate stock levels of medicines in the Dispensary via the daily internal order from Pharmacy Stores.- To participate in the daily dispensary stock check of Controlled Drugs.- To participate in the daily dispensary stock check and assist with maintaining an accurate computerised Pharmacy stock control system.- To participate in regular checks and recording of expiry dates of medicines.- To assess and return medicines for re-use in accordance with departmental policy.- To assist in the provision of the Pharmacy Reception service.- To ensure the Waiting Room is kept clean and tidy, and that notices/posters are up-to date, and information leaflets are available for patients.- To assist in the training of staff.- To assist in the audit of Dispensary Services.- To maintain supplies of bottles, cartons, bags and other equipment required to ensure the smooth running of the dispensing process.- To assist in the maintenance of a clean and efficient environment suitable for the handling and compounding of medicinal substances.
This post is ideal for an individual with previous experience in dispensing or a formal pharmacy qualification. However, this post is not exclusively for candidates who have worked in a Pharmacy environment before.The focus is to accurately perform (under the supervision of qualified staff) a range of routine and non-routine tasks in the Pharmacy dispensary such as labelling and dispensing medications.Individuals are expected to undertake the NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services.Individuals may be expected to undertake the Buttercup Accuracy Checking for Dispensary Assistants course.Included in this post is the requirement to provide a receptionist service to patients, hospital staff and other customers visiting or telephoning the department.
Person Specification
Key Competencies/Personal Qualities and Attributes
Essential
- Desire to work within a large team.
- To be able to deal with confidential information correctly.
- Both full time and part time candidates should have the ability to work shifts that will cover 7 days of the week as the NHS moves towards 7 day service provision.
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Evidence of accuracy.
- Effective communicator , verbal and written.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure.
- Evidence of working to standard operating procedures.
- Able to work systematically.
- Ability to prioritise workload.
Desirable
- Training / mentoring new staff.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Working in a hospital or community pharmacy.
- Evidence of using Pharmacy IT stock control system eg, Ascribe, JAC etc.
- Evidence of good IT skills e.g. Microsoft office applications.
- Ability to effectively deal with customers / patients in person or by telephone, and be able to handle difficult situations.
Desirable
- Knowledge of medicines , including how to handle potentially hazardous medicine / substances.
- Customer care skills.
- Evidence of using Ascribe Pharmacy stock control system.
Educations, Training and Qualifications
Essential
- Four GCSE's (or equivalent), at grade C or above; to include English and Maths.
- NVQ2 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent in-depth experience.
Desirable
- Double Science award at grade C's or above.
- Buttercup Accuracy Checking for Dispensary Assistants
Person Specification
Key Competencies/Personal Qualities and Attributes
Essential
- Desire to work within a large team.
- To be able to deal with confidential information correctly.
- Both full time and part time candidates should have the ability to work shifts that will cover 7 days of the week as the NHS moves towards 7 day service provision.
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Evidence of accuracy.
- Effective communicator , verbal and written.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure.
- Evidence of working to standard operating procedures.
- Able to work systematically.
- Ability to prioritise workload.
Desirable
- Training / mentoring new staff.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Working in a hospital or community pharmacy.
- Evidence of using Pharmacy IT stock control system eg, Ascribe, JAC etc.
- Evidence of good IT skills e.g. Microsoft office applications.
- Ability to effectively deal with customers / patients in person or by telephone, and be able to handle difficult situations.
Desirable
- Knowledge of medicines , including how to handle potentially hazardous medicine / substances.
- Customer care skills.
- Evidence of using Ascribe Pharmacy stock control system.
Educations, Training and Qualifications
Essential
- Four GCSE's (or equivalent), at grade C or above; to include English and Maths.
- NVQ2 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent in-depth experience.
Desirable
- Double Science award at grade C's or above.
- Buttercup Accuracy Checking for Dispensary Assistants
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
