Band 3 Senior support worker - Stores & Distribution/ Patient Services

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust; Enfield; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team at a leading NHS trust, providing essential support in the Pharmacy department. This role as a Senior Support Worker involves ensuring the efficient operation of pharmacy services, supervising support staff, and delivering high-quality care to patients. With a commitment to excellence and a focus on continuous improvement, this position offers the opportunity to make a significant impact in a vibrant healthcare environment. If you are enthusiastic, adaptable, and passionate about patient care, this is the perfect opportunity to advance your career in a supportive and dynamic setting.

Qualifications

• GCSEs in Maths, English, and Science at Grade C/4 or above required.
• Level 2 Pharmacy Service Assistant apprenticeship or willingness to undertake it.

Responsibilities

• Provide pharmacy service to patients, wards, and departments.
• Supervise a team of pharmacy support workers and apprentices.
• Ensure compliance with standard operating procedures.

Skills

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Communication skills

IT skills (Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel)

Flexibility

Education

GCSE or equivalent including Maths, English, Science

Level 2 Pharmacy Service Assistant apprenticeship or equivalent

Tools

Pharmacy JAC computer system

Job description

Our current vacancies

If you want to be part of the Royal Free London team, search our current vacancies below to find the job for you.

Band 3 Senior Support Worker - Stores & Distribution/ Patient Services

NHS AfC: Band 3

Main area: Pharmacy
Grade: NHS AfC: Band 3
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (1 in 6 weekends and 1 bank holiday per year pro rata)
Job ref: 391-RFL-6845412

Employer: Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Chase Farm Hospital
Town: Enfield
Salary: £28,622 - £30,225 per annum inclusive of HCAS
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 02/01/2025 23:59

Our trust has around 10,000 staff serving 1.6 million patients. It comprises Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital, the Royal Free Hospital and more than 30 services in the community. This larger scale organisation provides an unprecedented opportunity for us to continue our pioneering work, particularly in finding ways to deliver even better care to our patients.

Our mission is to deliver world-class care and expertise in our clinical services, underpinned by world-class teaching and research, and we will continue to measure our progress against our five governing objectives: excellent outcomes, excellent patient and staff experience, excellent value for taxpayers’ money, being safe and meeting our external duties, and building a strong organisation.

Everyone is welcome at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. We're proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME, gender equality, staff carers and people with disabilities and lived experiences to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.

Job Overview

Salary Band: Band 3
Hours per week: 37.5 hours
Permanent

We are looking for an enthusiastic, helpful and hardworking individual to join our team within the Pharmacy department at Chase Farm Hospital.

In accordance with objectives set by the Chief Technician, the post holder will be responsible for supporting the Pharmacy Stores and Patients Service Team in the provision of an efficient service to all users and in the day-to-day running of the Pharmacy Department following standard operating procedures (SOP).

Main Duties of the Job

The post holder will provide pharmacy service to patients, wards and departments. You will supervise a team of pharmacy support workers and apprentices.

The post holder will have a Level 2 in Pharmacy Service Assistant apprenticeship (or equivalent) or be willing to undertake a pharmacy apprenticeship if not qualified.

Successful applicants will be appointed into a Band 3 position if expected qualifications are met, and those requiring training will be enrolled on a pharmacy apprenticeship programme and appointed in a Band 3 annex 21 role for the duration of training.

This training opportunity will lead to a substantive Band 3 position on completion of their apprenticeship.

Apprentices are expected to work towards the attached job description and should not be expected to perform the full duties of the role until competencies are signed off. The pharmacy apprentice will learn about Pharmacy services under the guidance, direction, control or supervision of Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, and other staff to practice the skills of a Pharmacy Support Worker. Throughout the apprenticeship, the post holder will work through Pharmacy Inpatients, Stores/ Distribution and undertake a course of study and assessment with a chosen educational provider. Alongside on-the-job training, apprentices spend a minimum of 6 hours per week of their working hours completing classroom-based learning.

Working for Our Organisation

The Pharmacy department at The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is an ambitious and quality improvement-focused team who are committed to optimising the use of medicines and providing the best pharmaceutical care to our patients. We are proud to lead the way in integrated training partnerships, digital transformation, and cost improvement programmes (CIP).

The Pharmacy Service comprises of Inpatient and Outpatient dispensary services, ward-based clinical pharmacy services, Medicines Information, aseptic and non-sterile production services, pharmacy stores & distribution, procurement, and homecare services. We cover a range of clinical specialties including HIV, general medicine, emergency services, surgery, rheumatology, hepatology, anti-coagulation, oncology & haematology, women’s health, paediatrics and infection control.

Detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities

1. To unpack, check, record and put away stock pharmaceutical products according to SOPs, completing documentation including dating and signing.
2. To receive stock, i.e., book goods onto the Pharmacy JAC computer system and endorse all Delivery Notes in accordance with SOPs.
3. To report on and follow-up any identified discrepancies including invoice/delivery queries.
4. To load checked items into the automated dispensing machine.
5. To sort and file all prescriptions, requisitions, and invoices/delivery records daily and to find and retrieve such documents when necessary.
6. To process medications returned by patients and departments in accordance with COSHH and departmental regulations.
7. To prepare, monitor and record the issue of Cardiac Arrest Boxes to the correct wards and departments.
8. To handle enquiries from medical staff regarding the status of stock within the Pharmacy Department and/or their ward/department, escalating to the dispensary manager when necessary.
9. To notify wards and departments with necessary information of stock availability and collections.
10. To ensure that any collected items are signed for by a Healthcare professional or portering staff.
11. To dispense medication accurately following current SOPs and HSWA (Health and Safety at Work Act).
12. To maintain the records of FP10HP prescription receipts and issues.
13. To manage the packing up and labelling of Pharmacy documents for storage on a monthly basis.
14. To carry out ward/department stock top-up service against an agreed stock list.
15. To assemble ward distribution boxes/containers/dispensary (satellite) orders and all other stock requests accurately and in an appropriate delivery container, which will involve heavy lifting.
16. To participate in dispensing of in-patient’s medications when required and to ensure that procedures relating to good dispensing practices are followed.

Person Specification

Royal Free World Class Values

• Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust Values

Education & Professional Qualifications

• Educated to GCSE or equivalent including Maths, English, Science – Grade C / 4 and above
• Must have successfully completed the Level 2 Pharmacy Service Assistant apprenticeship or equivalent or be willing to undertake

Experience

• Good working knowledge of IT Microsoft Packages such as Outlook, Word, Excel and other relevant programmes.
• Able to prioritise workload effectively.
• Previous experience of working in a Pharmacy.
• Previous experience of working in a warehouse/distribution environment.
• Previous employment in the NHS.

Skills and Aptitudes

• Team member with an adaptable and flexible approach to work, willing to adapt to changing situations.
• Able to respond to unpredictable work patterns.
• Ability to work well as a team member.
• Demonstrated abilities to work to set procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to show attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to work accurately under pressure.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritise routine daily tasks using own initiative.
• Demonstrate ability to organise own workload.
• Demonstrates initiative particularly in relation to problem-solving.
• Demonstrate ability to communicate effectively using clear written and spoken English.
• Demonstrates basic numeracy skills, the ability to be able to add, multiply, subtract and divide.
• Able to move heavy loads when required.
• Familiar with computer systems and basic keyboard skills.

Personal Qualities & Attributes

• Ability to develop effective working relationships across the organization.
• Effective organisational skills.
• Ability to work in a busy environment.
• Well-motivated.

Others

• Able to do late duty, weekend duties and bank holidays as rostered.
• Appreciation of need to maintain confidentiality and security.
• Awareness of Equal Opportunities.
• Enthusiastic and shows initiative.
• Flexibility with regard to changes in work schedule.
• Good attendance record and good time keeping/time management.

Getting vaccinated, and getting a booster, remains the best defence against COVID-19. We encourage and support staff to get COVID-19 vaccine and a booster dose as and when they are eligible.

Application Process

Applications are welcome from people wishing to job share or work flexible patterns. We are committed to equal opportunities.

Please note:

• Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. Therefore please apply for this post as soon as you can, if you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification.
• Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.
• Interview arrangements will be communicated via email so please check your email regularly following the closing date.

Please be advised that due to exceptionally high demand, all Royal Free accommodation is at full capacity and waiting lists are being held. Average waiting times are 12 months. Please do not rely on Trust accommodation when you commence your role and ensure you investigate alternative accommodation for your arrival.

Employer Certification / Accreditation Badges

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Application Numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

Please note that jobs marked as 'Restricted' and/or 'open to internal applicants only' apply to both Royal Free London and North Middlesex staff who are currently employed by either organisation. Applicants from these trusts will be treated as internal candidates for these roles. This is to support the ongoing work that is required to plan for the proposed integration of our two organisations.