Assistant Technical Officer, Stores and Distribution

Job description

Job responsibilities

To assist in the purchasing of medicines and other items by Pharmacy. This will involve following procedures on how to:

To receive, unpack, input data, store and appropriately distribute pharmaceuticals and equipment in accordance with departmental procedures.

To advise appropriate staff when specific goods have been received and to transfer the goods to the appropriate location.

To assist, as required, in the collection and delivery of goods from and to the delivery point in the Supplies department and Main Reception, and to wards/departments, if necessary.

To resolve problems arising from deliveries and outstanding orders and notify Advanced Technician Stores/Procurement or deputy.

To assist in the maintenance of stationery stocks.

To assist with routine production of orders.

If required, to place orders with suppliers in the absence of the Advanced Technician, Stores/Procurement or deputy and ensure they are notified at the earliest opportunity.

If required, to arrange for orders to be delivered using approved carriers when necessary.

To progress orders as required by the dispensary staff or Principal Technician- Medicines Supply and give feedback.

To participate in the procedure for Expired Stock.

To fill the automated dispensing system (robot).

Distribution. This will involve following associated procedures on how:

To order, issue, assemble and pack pharmaceutical supplies as part of the Topping-Up Service.

To carry out stock checks on wards/departments and the Emergency Store and remove expired stock.

To answer the telephone and liaise, when necessary, with the Principal Technician/ Deputy regarding requests from wards, departments and other hospitals.

To obtain medicines from the automated dispensing system.

To process ward and department requisitions.

To put stock medicines away on wards that have electronic medicine cabinets and maintain the cabinets in a clean condition.

To process wholesale requisitions in accordance with MHRA requirements.

To assist with the on-going reviews of ward stock profiles.

To liaise with clinical Nursing staff/Directorate Pharmacist/Medicine Management Technicians on appropriate range and level of stock medicines.

To participate in the replenishment and maintenance of the automated Emergency Store (Omnicell).

To assist in maintaining records mainly by using a computer terminal.

To assess and return medicines for re-use.

To assemble emergency kits and vaccines and to record their batch numbers and expiry dates.

To liaise with Suppliers for the ordering of Emergency Kits.

To participate in the safety and security of medicines on wards and departments.

To assist, when required, in the collection and delivery of medicines to wards/departments.

To assist, when required, in the collection of empty stock boxes and bags from wards and departments

To assist in the provision of an accurate computerised stock control system. This will involve the following tasks:

To participate in stock control procedures, including stock checks and investigation of stock discrepancies.

To assist in the control, maintenance and updating of locally negotiated and divisional price details and price information from other sources.

To participate in the monitoring of expiry dates and removal procedure.

To provide operational support to the Pharmacy Automated Dispensing System (ADS). This will involve the following tasks:

To assist with the removal of unidentified items loaded incorrectly in the ADS.

To assist with the monthly removal of expired stock from the ADS.

To deal with minor problems relating to the ADS and restart in accordance with procedures.

To liaise with Manager/Supervisor, or in their absence, the Informatics Manager or Deputy.

When necessary to supervise staff loading items into the ADS.

To obtain items from the ADS by automated retrieval or manual pick.

To assist in the training and supervision of allocated staff. This will involve the following tasks:

To participate in the training and supervision of new ATOs, Student Pharmacy Technicians, Pre-registration Pharmacists and any other staff, where appropriate.

If required, to assist in the supervision of Pharmacy Porters to ensure goods are received into the department and completed orders distributed to wards/departments in a timely fashion.

To check stock items picked once a checking competency has been completed, and ensure they are distributed according to departmental procedure.

To check vaccine orders and emergency kits picked and prepared by other ATOs prior to distributing to appropriate areas.

To assist in the provision of clerical support to Pharmacy Stores and Distribution. This will involve the following tasks:

To ensure the maintenance of a smooth and efficient communication of messages, mail and faxes.

To maintain Stores and Distribution forms and documents.

To ensure relevant paperwork and documents are filed at the end of each month in the Stores and Distribution areas.

To attach supplementary labels to specific items prior to issue to wards/departments according to procedures.

Other Duties. This will include the following tasks:

To assist in data recording, as and when required.

If required, to assist with the provision of a Receptionist Service to patients, hospital staff and other customers to support the work of the Pharmacy Department.

To carry out general dusting/cleaning of areas not covered by Domestic Services, as required.

Person Specification

Educations, Training and Qualifications

Essential

• 4 GCSEs at grade C, two of which must be English and Maths (or Level 2 Numeracy and Literacy or CSE grade 1) with a further two GCSEs at grade C or above
• Appropriate units of NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services specific to job role

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Dealing with customers in person or via the telephone
• Experience in stock control systems

Desirable

• Previous Stores / Distribution experience
• Demonstrate ability in Office practices (eg photocopier)
• Demonstrate ability to work with computer systems (eg WORD. Excel)
• Working in a community hospital or similar Pharmacy
• Previous Pharmacy experience
• Medicine names

Skills

Essential

• Responsible/professional attitude to job (meeting patient's needs)
• Ability to use own initiative
• Effective communicator both verbal and written
• Ability to work effectively under pressure
• Demonstrate ability to work with computer
• Ability to work systematically
• This post involves walking around the Trust, lifting and reach in high/low, small spaces

Desirable

• Personal and work time management skills
• Evidence of accuracy/precision

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

Northampton General Hospital

Address

Northampton General Hospital

Cliftonville

Northampton

NN1 5BD

Employer's website

https://www.northamptongeneral.nhs.uk/Home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)