Job responsibilities
1. CLINICAL AND OPERATIONAL
DISPENSING DUTIES
1.1 To participate (in accordance with SOPs and under the supervision of the pharmacist in
charge/ Responsible Pharmacist) in all dispensing activities, ensuring that the correct
medicines are dispensed and that they are appropriate for the patient.
1.2 This will include dispensing and labelling medication for individual patient supply and
stock items for hospital wards/units/clinics from a variety of prescription types and
requisitions and making the necessary records and endorsements.
1.3 To follow SOPs to ensure that all issues are dispensed and entered correctly using the
pharmacy computer system so that the following are accurate: patient records, records of
issues, stock control, the charges made to relevant cost centres and pharmacy workload
statistics.
1.4 To be competent in the operation of automated dispensing systems (where applicable
according to placement) and associated IT interface with the dispensary computer system.
1.5 To understand and be competent in the use of discharge programmes and discharge
facilitation (hospital placement).
1.6 To perform routine self-accuracy checks to ensure safe dispensing (complete successful
dispensing and self-accuracy checking validation).
1.7 Receive prescriptions/medication charts/orders from staff over the counter/at the
pharmacy hatch.
1.8 Receive prescriptions from customers (community pharmacy) and outpatients (hospital
pharmacy) over the counter. Use questioning according to protocols to determine and
accurately document allergies, other medications and exemption status.
1.9 Issue dispensed and checked prescriptions to outpatients/customers, providing routine
advice on medication use, identifying and referring them to the pharmacist in charge/
Responsible Pharmacist when appropriate/ further advice is required
1.10 Participate in the sale of Over the Counter (OTC), General Sales List (GSL) preparations
and miscellaneous items (community pharmacy) to staff and customers
1.11 Use established set criteria (2WHAM questions) to identify patients who require
Pharmacist referral when selling OTC and GSL preparations
1.12 Assist in housekeeping duties in the dispensary, maintaining clean and tidy dispensing
facilities and safe systems of work
1.13 To undertake any further duties that may be necessary to help provide the dispensary
service
STOCK PROCUREMENT, MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE
2.1 To gain a basic knowledge of procurement for pharmaceuticals including contracting
(e.g. Commercial Medicines Unit) and re-imbursement (e.g. drug tariff)
2.2 Ensure stock is stored safely, securely according to required storage conditions. Provide
advice to healthcare professionals on storage, expiry dates, stock rotation and other related
matters within the guidance of SOPs to ensure a cost-effective service which minimises
wastage.
2.3 Participate in maintaining good stock rotation.
2.4 Assist in identifying and removing of stock not fit for purpose e.g. expired stock
2.5 Participate in departmental stock taking as required. To help investigate stock level
discrepancies within the dispensary in line with current procedures.
2.6 Participate in the rota for checking the emergency cupboard (hospital pharmacy) and
replenish stock as required.
2.7 Assist in the review and update of ward stock lists and Emergency Cupboard stock
holding, in consultation with ward pharmacists and the Senior Technician, as required
(hospital rotation).
2.8 Participate in the raising of orders from outside suppliers and the monitoring of
outstanding orders to ensure adequate stock levels are maintained in the dispensary. To
ensure that all discrepancies/queries are satisfactorily resolved before an order is placed.
2.9 Assist in processing stock deliveries to the dispensary, unpacking, checking, recording,
rotating and shelving.
2.10 Assist in informing suppliers of all missing or damaged goods. and in the return of
incorrect orders.
2.11 Assist with environmental monitoring e.g. temperature control, checks and
maintenance of storage areas.
3. General Practice
3.1 Respond to prescription requests from community patients, nursing/care home staff,
pharmacy staff and GPs
3.2 Use practice and ICB templates to record patient monitoring for high risk drugs.
3.3 Identify blood tests, recalls and reviews using established protocols and forward these
to the appropriate clinician.
3.4 Review hospital discharge notifications and reconcile medication against current
repeats, flagging up and highlighting discrepancies.
3.5 Support practice prescribing budgets by on-going monitoring, audit and analysis of drug
use and support practices in reviewing, developing and enhancing cost-effective prescribing.
3.6 Help review medication with the and make recommendations for prescribing changes
to improve outcome and ensure prescribing of the most cost effective product
3.7 Conduct regular audits on medicines storage and waste, ensuring local and national
guidelines are adhered to and issues are reported to the appropriate party.
3.8 Perform face to face reviews with patients and ensure results are recorded and reported
to the clinical pharmacist, practice pharmacist or GP.
3.9 Produce recommendations to reduce medicines waste
3.10 Support prescribing clerks by helping with queries relating to prescription requests and
look for ways to improve the efficiency prescription issuing process
3.11 Participate in practice clinical meetings, patient participation groups, and other
meetings
3.12 Support the pharmacy team in implementing drug withdrawals and alerts e.g. MHRA
alerts.
4 ADMINISTRATIVE
4.1 To participate in department audits, monitoring of prescribing, reviews of medicines use
as required in accordance with local policies and procedures.
4.2 Ensure all medication incidents are reported in accordance with the policies of the
organisations
5 COMMUNICATION
5.1 Communicate verbally or in writing as appropriate, with patients, relatives, carers,
pharmacy staff and other healthcare professionals to provide and receive routine information.
5.2 Deal with routine medication queries from
patients, staff, other healthcare professionals. Refer to a pharmacist or senior colleague as
necessary
6 HUMAN RESOURCES/WORKFORCE/TRAINING OF OTHERS
6.1 To practice good teamwork, liaise with and help foster effective working relationships
with colleagues from within the department and across the Partnership e.g. other health
care workers.
6.2 To develop strong working relationships with supervisors/ line managers to assist in the
provision of a safe and efficient service.
6.3 To assist in the induction, training and support of new and junior/rotational staff and
work experience students within the limitations of own role/area of practice.
7 RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCE / RESOURCES
7.1 The post holder is required to input information into the pharmacy computer system
accurately and in a timely manner in order to maintain adequate stock control.
7.2 The post holder is required to monitor stock levels of drugs, consumables and other
equipment and communicate requests for additional stock to be procured as required.
7.3 The post holder is required to take reasonable care of physical resources e.g. by
operating equipment according to procedures and reporting equipment malfunction to a
senior colleague.
7.4 The post holder may be required to assist the Pharmacist Manager /Responsible
Pharmacist in the monthly submission of prescriptions to NHS Prescription Services for
payment (community pharmacy).
8 POLICY AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT
8.1 Participate in service development by attending and contributing at team meetings e.g.
suggesting changes to working practices or identifying opportunities for the development of
the pharmacy technician role within own work area (wards/ units and areas of rotation).
8.2 Assist in the local implementation of Quality Innovation Productivity and Prevention
(QIPP) projects, departmental quality improvement initiatives and service development
projects within own work area.
8.3 Assist in supporting effective processes, local compliance and implementation of
General Pharmaceutical Councils guidelines, and the Care Quality Commission standards for
managing medicines, within own work area.
8.4 Assist in the promotion of public health and medicines management initiatives within
own work area.
8.5 Assist in the local implementation of policies and effective processes for repeat
dispensing and prescribing within own work area.
9 PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES / CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT/
TRAINING OF SELF
9.1 To be pro-active in self- development and willing to use own initiative in identifying
training needs and resources required.
9.2 Undertake learning assignments and assessments required by the Education Provider,
Education Supervisor and Practice/Clinical Supervisors. This will require some study in own
time. Organise use of study time in order to complete assignments according to deadlines.
9.3 Working within SOPs, undertake practical work in the department, including
observations and completing in house competency accreditations to demonstrate on-going
competence against set standards.
9.4 To take part in own staff personal development review/appraisal process. Take
responsibility for understanding and completing all set objectives in agreed development
plans, mandatory training and KSF development needs.
9.5 Attend training events, placements and relevant courses etc. in order to complete
required learning and assessments.
9.6 To attend Pharmacy Team meetings as required in order to be updated on
pharmacy/medicines management issues, changes to policies and procedures and support
the development of the pharmacy service.
9.7 To undertake training in the accuracy checking of others in the dispensing of medicines
(2nd year of training having successfully completed the dispensing and self-accuracy
checking validation).
