Job summary
We are looking for someone motivated and enthusiastic to help support our busy Distribution and Dispensary departments.
This newly created split-post role is an opportunity to work in two fast paced environments within the Pharmacy.
The Distribution department is the area within Pharmacy that manages stock medicines on the wards by visiting the areas and performing a 'top-up'.
The Dispensary department aims to ensure the timely discharge of patients by getting patients prescriptions dispensed in an efficient way. This allows ward-based staff to concentrate on the ward-based duties. The Dispensary also services in-patients and some clinics.
Main duties of the job
To support Pharmacy Distribution Management in providing efficient stock medicine management on allocated top-up areas and to maintain an efficient supply of stock medicines to wards, theatres and clinics.
To assist in the provision of medicines for the treatment of patients. This will include the labelling and dispensing of medications against a
validated prescription.
To assist in the provision of the Pharmacy Receptionist Service to patients, Hospital staff and other customers visiting or telephoning the department.
Individuals are expected to undertake the NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services if they do not have the same/equivalent qualification.
The range of tasks in the Dispensary include:
Dispensing a wide variety of prescription types, including clinical trials.
Undertaking reception duties.
Processing returned medicines.
Medicine stock control.
Dispensing of controlled drugs.
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 use technical and pharmaceutical skills to ensure control, security, quality and value for money of medicines. This will include the following tasks:
Manage stock medicines on allocated Wards/Specialist areas/clinics known as Top-up. This involves working alone with supervisor contactable by phone.
Visit allocated area to manage stock medicines up to their re-order level using electronic devices or paper, ensuring they are not over stocked.
Leave the cupboard in a tidy state to aid proper selection by ward staff.
Perform regular expiry date checks and remove and replace affected medicines on expiry.
Review usage to maintain optimum levels to help reduce wastage.
Liaise with senior staff over stock issues.
Automated cabinets
Correctly put the stock away.
Perform regular cycle counts to aid ward staff maintain correct stock levels.
Remove excess stock
Assist in keeping the cabinets clean.
Instruct ward staff on how to use the cabinets if necessary or escalate to Omnicell Administrator/Deputy.
Inform Omnicell Administrator/Deputy of any issues, pack size changes and additions/deletions.
Perform regular expiry date checks and remove and replace affected medicines on expiry.
Perform Safety and Security audits in clinics.
Datix/record deviations from storage conditions and potentially harmful practices found in clinical areas.
To participate in regular checks of ward and fridge temperatures and treatment room checks as per CQC requirement.
To assess ward fridge for patients medicines no longer on the ward using iBox / asking ward staff and transfer to the dispensary asrequired.
To accurately and promptly dispense medicines for patients whose prescriptions have been validated by a Pharmacist.
To participate in the late night rota.
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 / order 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 use technical and pharmaceutical skills to ensure control, security, quality and value for money of medicines. This will include the following tasks:
Manage stock medicines on allocated Wards/Specialist areas/clinics known as Top-up. This involves working alone with supervisor contactable by phone.
Visit allocated area to manage stock medicines up to their re-order level using electronic devices or paper, ensuring they are not over stocked.
Leave the cupboard in a tidy state to aid proper selection by ward staff.
Perform regular expiry date checks and remove and replace affected medicines on expiry.
Review usage to maintain optimum levels to help reduce wastage.
Liaise with senior staff over stock issues.
Automated cabinets
Correctly put the stock away.
Perform regular cycle counts to aid ward staff maintain correct stock levels.
Remove excess stock
Assist in keeping the cabinets clean.
Instruct ward staff on how to use the cabinets if necessary or escalate to Omnicell Administrator/Deputy.
Inform Omnicell Administrator/Deputy of any issues, pack size changes and additions/deletions.
Perform regular expiry date checks and remove and replace affected medicines on expiry.
Perform Safety and Security audits in clinics.
Datix/record deviations from storage conditions and potentially harmful practices found in clinical areas.
To participate in regular checks of ward and fridge temperatures and treatment room checks as per CQC requirement.
To assess ward fridge for patients medicines no longer on the ward using iBox / asking ward staff and transfer to the dispensary asrequired.
To accurately and promptly dispense medicines for patients whose prescriptions have been validated by a Pharmacist.
To participate in the late night rota.
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 / order 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
Skills
Essential
- Ability to work effectively under pressure and in a team environment and as an individual
- Time management skills
- Ability to work to Standard Operating Procedures accurately and in a timely fashion
- Methodical approach to problem solving
- Effective verbal / written communication skills
- Ability to use own initiative
- Ability to prioritise workload
- Attention to detail
Desirable
- Training/mentoring new staff
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Ability to recognise limits of own competencies and to refer and seek advice from colleagues
- Ability to effectively deal with customers in person or by telephone and be able to handle difficult conversations
- Evidence of good IT skills e.g. Microsoft applications
- Maintenance of databases
- Knowledge of medicines including how to handle potentially hazardous medicines / substances.
Desirable
- Previous Hospital Pharmacy experience
- Experience in how stock errors occur
- Previous Distribution/Dispensary experience
- Previous experience in a supervisory and / or mentoring role
- Customer Care skills
- Knowledge of automated dispensing systems (robot)
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.
Person Specification
Skills
Essential
- Ability to work effectively under pressure and in a team environment and as an individual
- Time management skills
- Ability to work to Standard Operating Procedures accurately and in a timely fashion
- Methodical approach to problem solving
- Effective verbal / written communication skills
- Ability to use own initiative
- Ability to prioritise workload
- Attention to detail
Desirable
- Training/mentoring new staff
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Ability to recognise limits of own competencies and to refer and seek advice from colleagues
- Ability to effectively deal with customers in person or by telephone and be able to handle difficult conversations
- Evidence of good IT skills e.g. Microsoft applications
- Maintenance of databases
- Knowledge of medicines including how to handle potentially hazardous medicines / substances.
Desirable
- Previous Hospital Pharmacy experience
- Experience in how stock errors occur
- Previous Distribution/Dispensary experience
- Previous experience in a supervisory and / or mentoring role
- Customer Care skills
- Knowledge of automated dispensing systems (robot)
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.
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).
