Job responsibilities
Job Title: Pharmacy Dispenser
Department: Optimus Health Panacea Pharmacy
Directorate: Optimus Health Ltd
Location: Panacea Pharmacy. University Hospital of North Tees.
CRB Disclosure Level: Enhanced
Job Purpose
The post holder will be Responsible for a range of technical duties in the dispensaries within the pharmacies, to aid in the smooth and efficient running of the department. The post holder will be based in Panacea Pharmacy at North Tees Hospital. To work within a dispensary team to provide patients with an accurate and timely supply of medication as an outpatient. To dispense medication on prescriptions for out patients and for discharge. Performing stock checks each day in the rotated area and maintaining the stock in that area ensuring fitness for purpose at all times. Dispensing of controlled drug prescriptions. Delivery of a high quality dispensing service to patients and users, adhering to standards of service delivery, and managing stock control.
Manaerially Responsible to: Superintendent Pharmacist
Professionally Responsible to: Responsible Pharmacist
Liaises with: Ward staff, service users, other Pharmacy Staff and patients
Key Result Areas (Dispensary, plus counter)
Dispensary services
Prescription Process
Check prescription prior to dispensing to ensure that the professional check has been completed and all annotations are understood to facilitate accurate dispensing and error reduction. Interpret prescriptions and temporary stock orders, convert abbreviations to English prior to dispensing. Utilizing the EMIS Ascribe computer system accurately input data to produce labels for each individual patient. Utilize the program to search for specific patients. Ensure stock is charged to correct patient, consultant, ward and division to ensure accurate financial reporting. Maintain accurate patient medication records with accurate data input of medication, strength form and dose. Accurately select the medication to be dispensed, dispense following SOP. Calculate the quantities required to ensure correct supply and maintenance of patients treatment. Identify any supply problems inform pharmacist and ward staff of problems, place order for medication via buying office to ensure continuity. Self check to ensure quality and correctness of dispensed items prior to final technical check. Manage time effectively and prioritize own workload when necessary to meet deadlines and complete complicated tasks.
Prescription receipt.
Receive prescriptions directly from patients, healthcare staff, carers and their representatives. Inform patients / representatives how to adhere to the legal requirements for completion of the prescription form. Identify patients who are exempt from payment by having up-to-date knowledge of national exemptions. Calculate and collect prescription charges, handle cash /cards and operate the cash register. Inform patients when medication may be purchased over the counter for less than the prescription charge due to knowledge of medication cost and legal classification of products. Issue official receipts. Maintain work flow by placing prescriptions in order prioritizing where necessary and alert professional checker and dispensing staff when there are prescriptions to be dispensed.
Controlled drugs
Dispense controlled drug prescriptions and ward orders following SOPs. Accurate entries to be made in controlled drug registers to maintain stock control and legal requirements. Responsible for each individual entry any discrepancies to be reported immediately to manager.. Monitor stock levels and inform manager when supplies are required.
Over the counter sales.
Over the counter medicines to patients after ascertaining the appropriateness of purchase through effective questioning to identify any contraindications to issue of medication. Follow national guidelines for patient questioning. Evaluate information given and refer any queries to the pharmacist and inform pharmacist of the sale.
Stock control
Responsible for counting daily stock takes. Monitor accuracy of stock levels by reporting any discrepancies to line manager to ensure investigation. Maintain stock quality with regular expiry date checks and record log maintenance .accurately transfer stock between sites through correct data input. Accept the twice daily orders from the store check items supplied against the order to maintain adequate stock levels before inputting data. Inform manager or store when items are required urgently to fulfill prescription/orders. Ensure all stock is stored correctly and according to manufacturers recommendations and departmental procedures. Dispose of expired / discontinued medication in a safe manner following the trust and departmental waste management procedure and COSHH regulations. Return re usable stock into the department following SOP to ensure fit for purpose.
Cash reconciliation
Reconcile the daily payment for prescriptions following SOP for cashing up. Inform the cashier when change is required
Filing
Organizes, maintains and develops storage of dispensary generated forms and prescriptions
General
Tackle discrimination and harassment and promote equality and diversity in the workplace.
Reduce sickness absence, workplace accidents and promote zero tolerance on violence against staff.
Take responsibility for personal development and education and the development of a Personal Development Plan
Control of Infection
Be aware of and comply with all Trust infection prevention and control policies, to included hand hygiene, personal hygiene, environmental and food hygiene. To undertake annual training/updates in infection prevention and control.
Prepare for and undertake the protective interventions that he/she is responsible for in a manner that is consistent with evidence based practice and maintaining patient safety.
Communication and Working Relationships
The post holder must have good communication skills in order to:
- Act as link person between the pharmacy department, and the ward staff which involves frequent contact with nursing and medical staff in relation to providing information on progress of prescriptions and queries relating to dispensing/dosage/previous supply/availability and delivery.
- Daily contact with pharmacists and technicians and support workers higher level and assistants to ensure that medication is purchased and issued efficiently to meet the individual patients needs.
- Daily contact with patients face to face and on the telephone giving general information as well as information, advice, explanation and counselling on their medication.
- Act to ensure that medication is received within the required timescale from the suppliers. In case of an emergency to arrange the supply from an alternative supplier i.e. Ward/ department/site. Inform all concerned parties of progress and report any changes that need to be made
- Daily contact with other healthcare professionals, porters, couriers and taxi drivers from outside this organization sharing information where appropriate.
- Answer telephone calls promoting a positive attitude to the department, providing a suitable response when following departmental procedures or redirecting to a suitable member of staff or area.
- Communicate effectively with patients /staff in difficult environments and confrontational situations.
