Rotational Pharmacy Assistant Officer
Job overview
Dispensary
The post holder will assist the dispensary team in the delivery of the day to day activities in the dispensary. They will carry out duties in accordance with departmental policies and procedures. The post holder is primarily responsible for dispensing discharge and inpatient medication, as well as outpatient medication if based at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH); and other “housekeeping” duties.
Aseptics
The post holder will assist in the preparation and dispensing of aseptically produced products in isolators. The post holder will assist with the daily monitoring and cleaning of isolators and the monitoring of the clean room. The post holder will assist with the ordering of drugs and components.
Stores
The post includes general duties within the Pharmacy distribution service including receiving goods, carrying out ward top ups, and issuing stock to wards, carried out under the supervision of the Pharmacy Distribution Services Manager.
Main duties of the job
Dispensary
To ensure the safe, effective and economical use of drugs for all patients in the Trust. To be able to follow departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). To be able to dispense inpatient, outpatient and discharge medication accurately. To refer non-routine enquiries to a more senior member of staff as appropriate.To be able to use pharmacy computer systems correctly and enter data accurately from transcription sheets, prescription forms and any other prescriptions written by others. To be able to participate in a 7 day operational model including working weekends, late shifts and bank holidays.
To be able to dispense Controlled Drugs using the Omnicell System. To be able to carry out daily housekeeping duties as per daily and weekly rotas
Aseptics
To tidy, clean and disinfect the Aseptic Services environment and equipment according to local SOPs. This may involve an early start. To assist with the environmental monitoring in Aseptic services. To produce and keep such records as defined by local SOP, and as required by the Associate Director and Chief Technician.To comply with departmental Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements of dress and hygiene relating to working in aseptic services. To work within the health and safety guidelines of the department at all times. To undertake any relevant validation to ensure on going validation of aseptic competence.
Working for our organisation
King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of £1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites.The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King’s to another level.
We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.
King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus.Everyone’s contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Rotate between Dispensary, Stores & Aseptics.
Follow all SOPS in all areas
Complete all competencies in all areas
Liaises with (internal): All pharmacy staff including:
- Principal Pharmacists
- Senior Pharmacists
- Pharmacy technicians
- Other Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officers and admin & clerical staff
Liaises with (external): Nursing staff
Portering staff
Admin & clerical staff
Patients & their relatives
The general public
Dispensary ManagerDeputy Dispensary Manager B6
Senior Technician B5
- To ensure the safe, effective and economical use of drugs for all patients in the Trust.
- To be able to follow departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). be able to dispense inpatient, outpatient and discharge medication accurately.
- To contribute to wider policies that has an impact within the pharmacy department and across
- To support the Dispensary Manager by contributing to the development of the Dispensary Services.
- To refer non-routine enquiries to a more senior member of staff as appropriate. To be able to use pharmacy computer systems correctly and enter data accurately from
- transcription sheets, prescription forms and any other prescriptions written by others.
- To ensure that data is stored and archived appropriately in accordance with local and regionally
- To be able to participate in a 7 day operational model including working weekends, late shifts
- To counsel patients on the use of their outpatient medication, where applicable.
- To be able to use initiative to appropriately prioritise work.
- To be able to dispense Controlled Drugs using the Omnicell System
- To be able to carry out daily housekeeping duties as per daily and weekly rota Aseptics
- To tidy, clean and disinfect the Aseptic Services environment and equipment according to local SOPs. This may involve an early start.
- To assist with the environmental monitoring in Aseptic services.
- To produce and keep such records as defined by local SOP, and as required by the Associate Director and Chief Technician.
- To comply with departmental Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements of dress and hygiene relating to working in aseptic services.
- To work within the health and safety guidelines of the department at all times.
- To undertake any relevant validation to ensure on going validation of aseptic competence.
- To prepare documentation and labels using the pharmacy computer system.
- To undertake transfer disinfection into the aseptic unit and isolators according to procedures.
- To sit or stand at isolators for long periods. To check volumes of other staff in the aseptic unit after an appropriate period of training and competence assessment.
- To participate in the monitoring and cleaning rota of the isolators following SOPs.
- To assist in the maintenance of equipment as required
Person specification
Education and Qualification
Essential criteria- NVQ Level 2 certificate in pharmacy skills (QCF), BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Pharmaceutical Sciences qualification or equivalent or currently undertaking course
Skills
Essential criteria- Be able to communicate effectively in both written and verbal formats with staff and patients
- Be able to plan & prioritise the day-to-day activities of self and others
- Be able to deal with routine dispensary enquiries
Experiences
Essential criteria- Knowledge of pharmacy dispensing systems
- Experience of working in a Pharmacy (community or hospital)
- Knowledge of pharmacy computer systems