Job summary
We have recently enrolled two of our team enrolling onto the Technician training course, so we are once again expanding our successful, friendly outpatient pharmacy team. We are searching for a Pharmacy Assistant (dispenser) who is looking to expand their skills and knowledge into hospital specialities and use it each day without having to work on a ward.
This role is suitable for colleagues who are looking for a change of sector from community pharmacy practice,including newly qualified pharmacy assistants, as well as those who are more established.
The role is for 40-hours a week, Monday to Friday there is no weekend, late-night or Bank Holiday working. The annual salary will be on or around £22,500 depending on experience.
This is an exciting opportunity to join an outpatient hospital pharmacy that has a focus on patient safety and experience. We have a strong focus on people development and a clear career pathway map, which provide opportunities to develop clinical, managerial and leadership skills and knowledge.
You will be working in a busy and supportive environment, providing a patient-centred service, whilst maintaining a healthy work-life balance. The role is perfect for those seeking a new challenge, and particularly suits those with a strong focus on patient care and an ability to develop solid working relationships with doctors, nurses and the wider healthcare team.
Main duties of the job
Our outpatient pharmacies run very much like a community pharmacy, and the role will be very similar to a dispenser at other pharmacies: our pharmacy assistants help manage the day-to-day routine in the pharmacy, keeping us running, well stocked and dispensing prescriptions with accuracy and care.
See the job description below for a more detailed list, or contact us to discuss further.
About us
We are PharmCo, the wholly owned subsidiary outpatient pharmacy of the Royal Surrey County Hospital. We run two dispensaries at the hospital, and one non-dispensing hub for patients to collect their medicines and get advice.
Clinically we cover a diverse range of hospital-based specialities, particularly paediatrics, emergency medicine, rheumatology, gastroenterology and ophthalmology, as well as serving the UKs fourth largest cancer centre.
We have a strong focus on people development and a clear career pathway map for our pharmacist and technical colleagues, which provide opportunities to develop clinical, managerial and leadership skills and knowledge.
Equal Opportunities
We recognise that diversity brings strength and value, so we don't simply accept difference, we actively encourage and celebrate it. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate. We will not tolerate discrimination or harassment.
Benefits
We truly appreciate our staff and reward them with the best benefits package we can, including:
- Weekday working only
- Competitive starting salary
- Generous annual leave entitlement including bank holidays
- Free on-site parking
- Flexible working opportunities
- Competitive private pension scheme
- Staff gym (low annual charge)
- On-site social club
- Paid maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Discounts and lifestyle savings, plus a 24/7, 365 wellbeing support service through our partner staff benefits organisation
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a dispenser, you will:
- Be part of a pharmacy team, working under the direction of a registered pharmacist.
- Receive training, support and development to be able to work safely and effectively
- Work with patients every day, helping them with their prescriptions
- Help with the tasks needed to open up and close the pharmacy each day
- Carry out retail transactions
- Prepare medicines and deliver them between our on-site dispensaries
- Help ensure medicines are appropriately stored and secured
- Present yourself and the company in a positive manner at all times
- Order medicines, and receive and put away deliveries at the pharmacy, checking accuracy against purchase orders and delivery notes
- Help maintain effective stock rotation and control, including expiry date checks
- Help keep the dispensary organised, tidy and running smoothly
- Complete project work with the support of one of our pharmacists or technicians, including audit participation
- Use effective questioning and listening techniques to understand and meet the needs of patients and colleagues
You will also
- Accurately dispense clinically checked prescriptions
- Identify potential patient safety or medicine optimisation issues with a prescription and appropriately escalate these
- Safely handout medicines and advise patients and their representatives about their prescription
- Help develop and run medicine-related audits
- Contribute to the induction and training of new staff
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a dispenser, you will:
- Be part of a pharmacy team, working under the direction of a registered pharmacist.
- Receive training, support and development to be able to work safely and effectively
- Work with patients every day, helping them with their prescriptions
- Help with the tasks needed to open up and close the pharmacy each day
- Carry out retail transactions
- Prepare medicines and deliver them between our on-site dispensaries
- Help ensure medicines are appropriately stored and secured
- Present yourself and the company in a positive manner at all times
- Order medicines, and receive and put away deliveries at the pharmacy, checking accuracy against purchase orders and delivery notes
- Help maintain effective stock rotation and control, including expiry date checks
- Help keep the dispensary organised, tidy and running smoothly
- Complete project work with the support of one of our pharmacists or technicians, including audit participation
- Use effective questioning and listening techniques to understand and meet the needs of patients and colleagues
You will also
- Accurately dispense clinically checked prescriptions
- Identify potential patient safety or medicine optimisation issues with a prescription and appropriately escalate these
- Safely handout medicines and advise patients and their representatives about their prescription
- Help develop and run medicine-related audits
- Contribute to the induction and training of new staff
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Qualified to NVQ level 2 as a Pharmacy Assistant or similar demonstrable experience
What we are looking for in our colleagues
Essential
- What you need to have
- - At least Level 2 Functional Skills, though for apprenticeship colleagues we will support you to obtain this as part of your role if it is needed
- - A basic level of IT literacy, including video conferencing
- - Attention to detail and accuracy in your work
- - An ability to organise and prioritise
- The behaviours we expect all staff to demonstrate include:
- - A high standard of professionalism
- - A focus on quality and safety
- - Empathy, and acting in the best interests of patients
- - Taking responsibility for their own actions and omissions
- - Working to the top of their ability and escalating when necessary
- - Maximising the value that diversity brings
- - A Quality Improvement approach, which includes identifying where we can make our standard procedures better and more effective
- - Commitment to continuing professional development
- - An agile approach to working
- - Open collaboration
Desirable
- What we would like you to have
- - A proven ability to provide excellent patient or customer service
- - A positive attitude to change
- - A working knowledge of pharmacy practice
- - An ability to solve problems
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Qualified to NVQ level 2 as a Pharmacy Assistant or similar demonstrable experience
What we are looking for in our colleagues
Essential
- What you need to have
- - At least Level 2 Functional Skills, though for apprenticeship colleagues we will support you to obtain this as part of your role if it is needed
- - A basic level of IT literacy, including video conferencing
- - Attention to detail and accuracy in your work
- - An ability to organise and prioritise
- The behaviours we expect all staff to demonstrate include:
- - A high standard of professionalism
- - A focus on quality and safety
- - Empathy, and acting in the best interests of patients
- - Taking responsibility for their own actions and omissions
- - Working to the top of their ability and escalating when necessary
- - Maximising the value that diversity brings
- - A Quality Improvement approach, which includes identifying where we can make our standard procedures better and more effective
- - Commitment to continuing professional development
- - An agile approach to working
- - Open collaboration
Desirable
- What we would like you to have
- - A proven ability to provide excellent patient or customer service
- - A positive attitude to change
- - A working knowledge of pharmacy practice
- - An ability to solve problems
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.
