Apprentice Pharmacy Support Worker

North Middlesex University Hospitals NHS Trust; London; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare institution in London is seeking an apprentice for their pharmacy department. The role involves providing excellent customer service, assisting with stock management, and supporting various pharmacy functions under supervision. A professional attitude and the ability to maintain confidentiality are essential. This is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a hospital setting.

Qualifications

• Customer service skills to interact with patients and staff effectively.
• Ability to communicate professionally and maintain confidentiality.
• Skills for accurately handling and managing pharmacy stock.

Responsibilities

• Support ordering and transport of medicines within pharmacy.
• Assist in dispensing prescriptions under supervision.
• Participate in stock management and control activities.

Job description

Core Apprentice Responsibilities

The following responsibilities are generic to all apprentices within the North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust.

• Develop and provide a professional level of customer service for the department.
• Respond to enquiries in a friendly, professional and courteous manner, resolving issues where possible or escalating to an appropriate team member when required.
• Communicate effectively and use appropriate interpersonal skills with people both internally and externally, maintaining the professional reputation of the Trust and department at all times.
• Portraying a professional image, maintaining confidentiality at all times.
• To continuously contribute to the progression and development of the chosen department through the provision of a high quality service.
• The post holder will be expected to complete all mandatory training provided.

Duties and Responsibilities

• STORES
  • To support the ordering process for obtaining medicines from wholesalers and suppliers.
  • To receive Pharmacy stock (medical and non-medical) against the orders placed for all Pharmacy locations.
  • To transport stock, including stock requiring quality control checks, to the correct pharmacy locations safely and securely.
  • To unpack all deliveries and match the items carefully against the order sheet, following procedures.
  • To follow the procedures for checking, storing and handling each medicine received.
  • To accurately input data in to the Pharmacy computer system for all deliveries received and for audit records.
  • To attach appropriate additional labels to received stock as per procedures.
  • To file order sheets / paperwork as per procedures.
  • To pass delivery notes, credit notes and invoices for payment to the appropriate person.
  • To assist in putting away Pharmacy stock in the correct shelf location.
  • To follow the procedures for any discrepancies found in the deliveries i.e. wrong items, missing goods etc.
  • To ensure that all incorrectly delivered goods are packed safely and returned as per procedures.
  • To assist in following up delayed orders when requested.
  • To use the Electric and manual pallet truck (following training) to unload and stack I.V. fluids.
  • To assist in invoice matching duties as required.
• DISTRIBUTION
  • To assist in the assembly of stock to wards and departments.
  • To mark and assemble I.V. fluids for delivery to wards and departments.
  • To accurately compute stock orders for wards and departments.
  • To assist in ensuring work is prioritised effectively within the department.
  • To assist with the top-up service as directed by the Technician Team manager (after appropriate training).
  • To complete other tasks within distribution as directed by the Rotational Technician.
• DISPENSARY
  • To assist in the dispensing of in-patient/out patient prescriptions under the supervision of a pharmacist/accredited checking technician (after appropriate training), including ward based dispensing.
  • To assist in the preparation of porter bags/boxes and audit records for delivery of medicines to wards and departments.
  • To complete other tasks within the dispensary as directed by the Technician Team manager.
  • To assist in reception duties including taking in prescriptions, collection of fees and entry of prescription details onto computer system (tracker) as per procedures.
• STOCK CONTROL RESPONSIBILITIES
  • To be aware of and put into practice the principles of good stock control at all times, including correctly storing stock, stock rotation and routine checking of expiry dates.
  • To participate in stock management, including stock counts & maintaining cold chain storage for medicines during receipt, dispensing, checking and delivery processes.
  • To assist with the return to stock and /or disposal of returned items following departmental procedures.
• ALL AREAS
  • To respond to general enquiries or direct the enquiry to the appropriate person.
  • To provide a high standard of customer service.
  • To assist in quality control checks as directed by the QC manager.
  • To assist with tracking activities and maintaining appropriate audit trails.
  • To assist in maintaining departmental security at all times.
  • Maintain high standards of cleanliness and tidiness in working areas at all times.
  • Observe safe working practices to avoid placing themselves, other staff, patients or visitors at risk by their actions.
  • To communicate and liaise with other pharmacy staff.
  • To participate in any training deemed appropriate by the Technician Team manager and to complete all compulsory training within a specified time period.
  • To participate in a system of performance appraisal.
  • To deal with all trust staff, patients and their relatives in a respectful, polite and courteous manner at all times.
  • To participate in the Pharmacy Late Duty service, Weekend service, and Bank Holiday service on a rota basis.
  • To undertake any other relevant duties, as may be required by the Technician Team manager.