Senior Pharmacy Services Assistant (XR03)

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB DIMENSIONS

The post holder will not have any line management responsibilities. They will provide induction and training for Pharmacy Services Assistants and Pharmacy Porters and other staff as required.

The post holder will be required to work evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays on a rostered basis.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Level 2 Apprenticeship /Pharmacy Services Assistant or NVQ level 2 in Pharmacy Services or Pharmacy Manufacturing Course.

Experience of working in a community or hospital pharmacy.

Knowledge of procedures of own working area following on the job training

Knowledge of good customer care.

Experience of stock control systems

Must have excellent verbal communication skills.

Ability to work accurately under pressure and follow standard operating procedures.

Good literacy and numeracy skills

Ability to interpret written instructions.

Developed computer skills

Ability to supervise and give instruction to Pharmacy Services Assistants and Porters and other staff as required

6. THE LEEDS WAY VALUES

Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are:

Patient-centred

Collaborative

Fair

Accountable

Empowered

All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values

8. CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS

Team working

Flexibility

Reliability

Trustworthy

Honest

Integrity

Confidentiality

Manage time effectively

Can use initiative within limits of authority

Good communication skills with colleagues, patients and other healthcare staff.

Working accurately with attention to detail

Ability to train others in line with S.O.Ps

Use mistakes as a continuing learning experience

Supports others through day to day supervision

Commitment to provision of the best possible service

Health and Safety/Risk Management

All staff are responsible for working with their colleagues to maintain and improve the quality of services provided to our patients and other service users. This includes complying at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Policies, including Health and Safety policies, in particular by following agreed safe working procedures, and reporting incidents using the Trust Incident Reporting system.

Infection Control

The jobholder must comply at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Infection Control policies, in particular by practising Universal Infection Control Precautions. Hand hygiene must be performed before and after contact with patients and their environment.

Equality and Diversity

The jobholder must comply with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment and that services are delivered in ways that meet the individual needs of patients and their families. No person whether they are staff, patient or visitor should receive less favourable treatment because of their gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion etc.

Patient and Public Involvement

The Trust has a statutory duty to involve patients and public in evaluating and planning services. All staff have a responsibility to listen to the views of patients and to contribute to service improvements based on patient feedback.

Training and Personal Development Continuous Professional Development

The jobholder must take responsibility in agreement with his/her line manager for his/her own personal development by ensuring that Continuous Professional Development remains a priority. The jobholder will undertake all mandatory training required for the role.

Respect for Patient Confidentiality

The jobholder should respect patient confidentiality at all times and not divulge patient information unless sanctioned by the requirements of the role.

COMMUNICATION & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

The post holder will maintain a close working relationship with the team they are working in, as well as the Pharmacy Technician Specialist. They will communicate with ward staff, patients/relatives referring when necessary.

SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS

PHYSICAL EFFORT:

Accuracy, dexterity, manipulation and a degree of speed in the preparation and dispensing/assembly of medicines against written prescriptions/requisitions.

This involves drawing up using syringes and weighing small amounts of raw materials.

Physical effort required if lifting/moving boxes of fluids or dietary products. This can be on a daily basis and can weigh up to 10kg. There may be an infrequent need to handle goods up to 20kg.

Senior Pharmacy Services Assistants working in Stores and Distribution will be required to frequently lift heavy boxes up to 20kg throughout a shift. They will also be required to move, using specialist equipment, weights above 20kg. This will be at intervals throughout the day.

MENTAL EFFORT:

Concentration is required to label, assemble, prepare and dispense medicines against a written prescription/requisition. This activity is performed all day but the post holder has regular short breaks between tasks. Examples are:- to label a prescription can take approx 5-10 minutes then move away from PC and start to assemble medicines required. Then dispense medicines and leave for accuracy checking.

To prepare medicines in an aseptic unit may require longer period of concentration with a longer break after a period of up to 3 hours.

Controlled Drug dispensing requires concentration as specific checks have to be made at all stages of labelling and dispensing.

Senior Pharmacy Services Assistants working in Pharmacy Stores/Distribution may be required to be trained and certified to operate manual handling equipment such as fork lift truck and automated pallet movers. This would be on average 2-3 hours a day.

Senior Pharmacy Services Assistants working in Pharmacy Stores/Distribution Warehouse are required to accuracy check orders for periods of up to 3 hours.

EMOTIONAL EFFORT:

Some prescriptions can be for terminally ill patients. Also, when working in an out-patient dispensary, staff are dealing with patients who have various conditions and can on occasion be asked questions. These are usually referred to a more senior member of staff.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The post holder is allocated to work in one of the pharmacy sections. They may on the odd occasion encounter aggressive behaviour and most staff have attended the violence and aggression workshop. Any problems would be passed on to a more senior member of staff.

Staff receiving goods into Pharmacy Stores will work with changes in temperature e.g. receipt of order into cold store, working on or near open loading bays, working outside with fork lift truck.

The post holder will be required to receive, assemble, prepare/dispense cytotoxic medicines in accordance with COSHH and SOPs.

When working in aseptic dispensary the post holder is required to work in a confined environment where aerosols are used eg alcohol sprays for disinfection. Staff follow COSSH guidelines and SOPs.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Level 2 Apprenticeship /Pharmacy Services Assistant or NVQ level 2 in Pharmacy Services or Pharmacy Manufacturing Course. (Or near completion of course).

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a pharmacy setting.

Desirable

• Experience of working within an Aseptics unit.

Skills & behaviours

Essential

• Good attention to detail.
• Can work in a fast paced environment.
• Good numeracy and literacy skills.
• Can work in a physically demanding role.
• Can manage time effectively.

Desirable

• Good IT skills.
• Committed to self-development.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF

Employer's website

https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)