Job responsibilities
- Provide appropriate and accurate financial and accounting information and any other information required relating to drug usage and expenditure, procurement, and workload. Maintain a regular reporting schedule and produce ad hoc reports as required for Finance, Superintendent Pharmacist and other professionals in the Trust.
- The post-holder will supervise some aspects of the work of goods inward staff.
SDH Developments Ltd staff - general issues relating to dispensing, purchasing and supply of medicines
Invoice Clerk - liaison to support effective and efficient clearing of invoices
Trust Staff - general issues relating to purchasing and supply of medicines
Consultants and other medical Staff - information and advice relating to medicines shortages
Medical Representatives - local price agreements, services reviews and issues
Finance Staff - provision of specialist information and reports; liaison with internal / external auditors
NHS Commercial Medicines Unit - local, regional and national procurement and logistics issues
Epic work with One Devon colleagues to implement Epic in the Outpatient Pharmacy.
Analytical and judgement
- Evaluate and assign a preferred supplier when no contract or agreement is in place for a specific product, or when there are problems with supply, based upon criteria including cost and performance.
- Investigate stock discrepancies and liaise with Superintendent Pharmacist and Operations Manager regarding action required.
- Source Pharmaceutical Specials where required based upon set criteria.
The post holder will make judgements on how to fulfil urgent and routine orders when contracted lines are out of stock. This will involve sourcing the cheapest alternative and reviewing prescribing reports to see how much to purchase to cover the supply period.
Planning and organisation
- Undertake efficient and cost-effective processing (including through EDI) of orders and other documentation relating to ordering and receipt of pharmaceutical and pharmacy-supplied items according to current NHS CMU contracts and other negotiated agreements.
Physical skills
Frequent moderate moving and handling of pharmaceutical goods.
Patient and client care
The postholder will be expected to hand out the medicines after final check and provide information on dosage, specific regimes e.g. oral chemotherapy and any changes from previous prescriptions. This is particularly relevant for paediatric patients that may have been provided a different strength of medicine compared to previous prescriptions.
Policy and service responsibility
- Following guidelines, provide new members of staff with appropriate levels of access to the computer system. Administer initial and on-going training and be on hand to assist SDH Developments Ltd staff with IT related queries / problems.
- Ensure that all expired / waste stock is disposed of according to guidelines
- Be fully conversant with, and comply with, departmental procedures in order to ensure consistent provision of services. Participate in reviews of work systems and evaluation of standards and contribute to the development of new processes and systems to ensure systems are improved continuously.
- Be aware of, and operate within, current health and safety legislation and comply with the departments safety policies and procedures
- Strictly observe confidentiality of all information concerning patients and comply with procedures relating to the Data Protection Act.
Finance, equipment and other resources
- Undertake efficient and cost-effective processing (including through EDI) of orders and other documentation relating to ordering and receipt of pharmaceutical and pharmacy-supplied items according to current NHS CMU contracts and other negotiated agreements.
- Oversee efficient ordering and stock control of all stationery, uniforms and other consumables.
- The post holder will have authority to place purchase orders (no restricted value) and then price match invoices on receipt. They will investigate price discrepancies and liaise with suppliers regarding credits / discounts and returns.
People management and training
Allocate tasks to supporting staff and give appropriate training.
Information technology and administrative duties
- Ensure prompt receipt and unpacking of goods received, processing of appropriate documentation, and accurate recording of all necessary details to ensure continuity of supply
- Ensure accurate and timely processing of all invoices arising from the purchase of pharmaceuticals and other pharmacy related goods. Investigate errors and differences in pricing promptly and effectively, advising the Operations Manager of any substantial price differences or unresolved problems.
- Provide support to the Pharmacy Operations Manager in the management of the pharmacy EDS computer system and in the implementation of Epic, including modification of files, implementation of enhancements and basic maintenance of back-up systems and hardware e.g. printers.
- Support the use and further develop ordering via EDI e.g. by creating trader partners and inputting EAN codes.
- Manage effective systems for the introduction of new drugs and for reducing the range and level of non-formulary items held in stock. Keep the EDS system up to date with changes
Maintains regular reports including prescribing activity, prescription numbers and specialty prescribing along with expired stock reports and electronic patient register.
Research and development
Achieve objectives agreed at Achievement Review to contribute effectively to the provision of pharmacy services that are continuously improved and ensure continuous personal and professional development.
Freedom to Act
- Evaluate and assign a preferred supplier when no contract or agreement is in place for a specific product, or when there are problems with supply, based upon criteria including cost and performance.
- Investigate stock discrepancies and liaise with Superintendent Pharmacist and Operations Manager regarding action required.
- Source Pharmaceutical Specials where required based upon set criteria.
Accredited to check dispensed prescriptions
