Pharmacy Assistant

OUH; Banbury; Hybrid; GBP 21,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a proactive Pharmacy Assistant to join the cancer pharmacy team at the Horton. The post suits those with hospital or community pharmacy background, with training provided.

NVQ Level 2 Pharmacy Services Skills (QCF) or equivalent is required, with opportunities to work in both dispensary and ward areas. The role involves reception duties, dispensing, patient counseling and stock management, with a focus on oncology and haematology wards.

Qualifications

• Must have completed NVQ Level 2 Pharmacy Services Skills (QCF) or equivalent.
• Experience as a Pharmacy Dispensing Assistant using dispensing software and stock control.
• Good communication, well organized, able to use own initiative; willing to travel between sites.

Responsibilities

• Reception duties: taking in prescriptions
• Dispense inpatient and outpatient prescriptions
• Labeling and dispensing medications
• Support ward/dispensing teams for oncology/haematology
• Provide customer service and patient counselling
• Work across dispensary and ward areas

Skills

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Interpersonal skills

Pharmacy dispensing

NVQ Level 2 pharmacy

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services Skills

Tools

Pharmacy computer systems

Job description

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research.

The Trust comprises of four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call thisDelivering Compassionate Excellenceand its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.

Many of our recruitment programmes useValue Based Interviewingto identify those who have the skills we seek, who share our values and who are able to deliver compassionate excellence from the outset. We know that this makes a significant difference to your job satisfaction and above all the outcomes and experience of our patients and their families. For more information about our Values and Value Based Interviewing please visit www.ouh.nhs.uk/about/vision-and-values

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, highly motivated and proactive pharmacy assistant with excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills to join the cancer pharmacy team at the Horton.

This post would suit somebody with either a hospital pharmacy background, or with community pharmacy experience wishing to make a change into the hospital environment, for which appropriate training will be provided. You must have successfully achieved the relevant units of pharmacy services skills NVQ level 2 (QCF) or an equivalent GPhC accredited training programme. Applications for part-time/flexible working considered..

Did you know that there is an estimated 3 million people living with cancer in the UK, rising to 3.5million by 2025, 4 million by 2030 and 5.3 million by 2040? And on average, someone is diagnosed with cancer every 90 seconds in the UK?

However, it’s not all doom and gloom! Average survival is now estimated to be over 10 years from diagnosis (up from average survival time of one year In the 1970s and six years in 2007).

Main duties of the job

Key roles include:

• Work in reception area taking in prescriptions
• Delivery of high-quality pharmacy services for out-patientsand day treatment patients
• Labelling and dispensing prescriptions
• Providing support and ordering medications for patients on oncology and haematology wards following suitable training
• Provide Support to the Cancer Pharmacy Team
• To be aware of and be involved in customer service
• Patient counselling
• Working as part of a team
• Opportunity to work in both ward and dispensary area.

About you:

• You will respond to enquiries and requests from staff, patients and carers and ensure appropriate and accurate information is readily available, and to elevate questions and problems to other members of the pharmacy team when needed. You will be expected to form good working relationships with staff from all the different groups within the Cancer Services and work together as part of a team.
• You should ideally have experience of working as a qualified Pharmacy Dispensing Assistant, using computer systems for dispensing and stock control and have good communication, be well organised and able to use your own initiative.

Working for our organisation

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. Find out more here www.ouh.nhs.uk

The Trust comprises of four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Dispensary

• To provide daily support to the dispensary workforce.
• To use the pharmacy computer system to produce dispensing labels and to make stock issues, receipt, and transfers.
• To dispense inpatient, outpatient clinical trial and controlled drug prescriptions according to dispensary procedures.
• To assist the Stock Management Team with unpacking deliveries and filling the automated dispensing system.
• To participate in conducting of regular Controlled Drug stock checks alongside a Registered Technician.
• To be responsible for putting away dispensing stock including part packs and maintaining tidy storage areas.
• To participate in extemporaneous dispensing e.g. preparing creams, ointments and liquid preparations.
• Maintaining equipment used in the dispensing process.
• To participate in the training and induction of pre-registration students and ATO’s.
• To participate in the audit and development of the dispensary service.
• To provide reception cover as per the Dispensary rota, and to answer the telephone and direct queries as appropriate.

Ward-based

• To be responsible for the supply and delivery of any medicines required during inpatient stay according to the local procedures and guidance to reduce the number of missed doses.
• Assist in the transfer of medicines between wards and locating medicines that have been left behind when patients transfer wards.
• Dealing with problems associated with the ordering of stock on behalf of the ward or refer where appropriate, liaising closely with the relevant pharmacy staff.
• To be involved in expiry date checking of ward stock.
• To work closely with the pharmacy top-up assistant in maintaining a well-controlled and appropriate medication and fluid stock holding.
• To provide support to the ward technician(s) and pharmacist(s) to ensure medicines management, including safe and secure storage of medicines, return of medicines into Local Funding, and facilitating near-patient dispensing.
• To return unused medicines from the ward(s) back to pharmacy.
• To ensure correct segregation and disposal of all types of waste such as cytotoxics both at ward level and in the dispensary.
• To be an advocate for good communication between ward staff, pharmacists, medicines management technicians and the dispensary.
• To undertake extended roles at ward level according to local Standard Operating Procedures, following a period of supervised practice. This may include writing-controlled drug (CD) orders in ward CD order books.
• To monitor and report any issues regarding the safe storage of drugs to the ward pharmacist and/or ward manager.
• Photocopying, filing, and scanning documents when necessary. Collecting and disseminating documents received within pharmacy. To collect essential documentation, such as working copies, on behalf of the pharmacist to support swift discharge of patients.
• To contact GP surgeries or community pharmacies as requested by other members of the pharmacy team to either provide or retrieve information relating to medicines management.

General role

• To provide training, including induction, to pharmacy support staff as required
• To undertake in-house and/or external training appropriate for the role
• To complete reports and audits as requested
• To participate in a programme of work-based training, development, and appraisal.
• To ensure confidentiality is always maintained.
• To maintain a tidy and clean working environment.
• To participate in early and late duties, evening, weekend, and bank holiday working according to the departmental rotas.
• Any other duties as requested by the Lead Pharmacist, Ward Based Technician Manager or Clinical Director of Pharmacy and Medicines Management.

Person specification

Qualities

• NVQ2 in pharmaceutical sciences
• Experienced dispenser
• Experience of stock management
• Able to work as part of a team and independently
• Able to use own initiative appropriately
• Willing to travel between sites
• Enthusiastic and responsible attitude
• Ability to work well under pressure
• Adaptable to change
• Respectful towards colleagues and patients
• Willing to work in clinical areas with infectious diseases patients
• Previous NHS experience
• Experience of using the local pharmacy computer system
• Experience of hospital pharmacy
• Well organised
• A good working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs
• Experience of a changing work environment

Sexual Safety Charter : In 2023NHS England launched its first sexual safety charter, and our Trust proudly signed it. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit tothe ten core principles

Oxford University Hospitalspromotes a safe, respectful hiring environment.

If you want to make a difference with us, come and join our team. Together, we will uphold the highest standards of care and professionalism.

Vacancy Closures: Please note, this vacancy may close early if a high volume of applications are received.

Visa and Immigration: Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is able to offer Certificates of Sponsorship for all eligible roles for a Skilled Worker Visa without exception, provided the role meets the minimum salary and skill level criteria set by the Home Office (UKVI). All eligible candidates will be considered with equal consideration at all stages of the application and recruitment process. Skilled worker: Health and Care Visa | NHS Employers / Work in the UK - GOV.UK

COVID-19: The COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course our patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst COVID-19 vaccination is not a condition of employment, we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated. If you are unvaccinated there is helpful advice and information at Oxfordshire County Council Website where you can also find out more about how to access vaccination.

Probation Period: This post is subject to a 6 month probationary period. If you currently hold a contract of employment with the Oxford University Hospitals, this will not apply. This statement does not apply to Medical staff or Executive Appointments.

Referencing: When providing employment reference details please provide correct work related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your first referee will need to be your line manager, supervisor or clinical lead from your current or most recent post or place of study. Please note that if you have previously worked for the Trust we will require a reference from your last Manager, this information is essential if your offer of employment is to be confirmed.

To note: Applicants must write their own applications. If AI tools are used, the application may be rejected as this document is crucial for assessment. This does not prevent you from seeking support via AI with applications for the purposes of any disability and/or long-term health conditions.

When using AI to help write your application, it is important to personalise it, especially your supporting statement. While AI can simplify the process, it will not fully understand the job's requirements and/or be able to showcase your skills, knowledge, and experience. Write your statement to show why you are interested in the role and how you would be a valued member of the team/OUH employee.

No unsolicited recruitment agency telephone calls or emails.

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

Please note that this job advertisement will close automatically once the application limit is reached, regardless of whether this occurs before the advertised closing date.

Name Claire Kennedy Job title Advanced Clinical Pharmacy Technician Email address [e-mail] Additional information

For further details / informal visits contact:
[e-mail]

Band 5 NurseandBand 2 Healthcare Support Workerrecruitment iscentralised, meaning when you apply you will be considered fora number of rolesacross the Trust. If you have any questions please email: [e-mail] .

Vacancies with our PFI partners

Domestic / catering / porteringservices at theJohn Radcliffe Hospitalare provided byMitie.

Domestic / catering / portering / maintenance engineerservices at theChurchill HospitalandNuffield Orthopaedic Centreare provided byG4S.

Maintenance engineer services at the John Radcliffe Hospital are provided by Equans.

Fraudulent recruiters have been using social media platforms to dupe potential job seekers into divulging personal and financial information.

Sophisticated frauds, involving grooming of targeted individuals, shows the fake recruiter asking the unsuspecting job seeker to take part in a fake job interview, either over the phone or via WhatsApp, and also sending fraudulent follow-up correspondence offering job positions.
Any communication about jobs at Oxford University Hospitals will come from 'Trac', or via an ouh.nhs.uk email address.

All meetings and interviews will be scheduled on Microsoft Teams from a verified OUH email account.
Any communication

To use ReachDeck to listen to or translate this site you must

Departments and services

You can view our departments and services alphabetically. Some areas also have dedicated microsites, which are featured in the linked images below.

"Oxford University" is a registered trade mark of the University of Oxford, and is used with the University's permission.