Pharmacy Assistant Higher Level

The Methodist Church in Britain; Worthing; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS Pension Scheme

Excellent supervision programmes

Flexible working opportunities

Discount schemes

Job summary

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Pharmacy Assistant to support the medicines management team on the Worthing site. The role involves topping up medicines on mental health inpatient wards and assisting with medicines optimisation, under supervision of pharmacists and technicians.

Applicants should have NVQ level 2 in pharmacy services and Maths GCSEs; the job requires strong numeracy, literacy and communication skills, plus DBS clearance and a patient-focused approach.

Qualifications

• NVQ level 2 in pharmacy services and three core units.
• Minimum 3 GCSEs at grade A*-C including Maths.
• Experience in a pharmacy team handling medicines is preferred.
• Knowledge of stock control, pharmacy procedures and medicine supply systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide medicines top-ups to mental health inpatient wards.
• Develop towards named patient ordering.
• Assist pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in medicines optimisation.
• Ensure compliance with mental health regulations.
• Support healthcare professionals and patients, with good written/verbal communication.
• Work with Inpatient Pharmacy Team and Pharmacists.

Skills

Clear communication

Numeracy

Literacy

Interpersonal skills

Education

NVQ level 2 in pharmacy services

GCSEs including Maths

Tools

Pharmacy IT systems

PTS ordering system

Job description

This Pharmacy Assistant post sits within the Trust's medicines management team at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, based with the Inpatient Pharmacy Team in Worthing. The role supports pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in medicines optimisation, including topping up medicines on mental health inpatient wards and building towards named patient ordering. It carries no dispensary commitment. An NVQ level 2 in pharmacy services, or an equivalent qualification, is needed for an application to be considered.

What the job involves

• Provide medicines top-ups to mental health inpatient wards
• Develop towards named patient ordering
• Assist pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in medicines optimisation
• Ensure compliance with mental health regulations
• Provide support to healthcare professionals and patients
• Work with Specialist Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians in the Inpatient Pharmacy Team

What’s required

Qualifications

• NVQ level 2 in pharmacy services, including three core units
• Minimum 3 GCSEs at grade A*-C, including Maths

Experience

• Experience of working in a pharmacy team with medicines
• Trained to the higher level of the national Pharmacy Assistant job description

Skills & knowledge

• Knowledge of policies, procedures and practices across pharmacy services
• Knowledge of pharmacy medicine supply systems
• Knowledge of stock control systems and storage of medicines
• Clear and accurate written and verbal communication
• Numeracy for simple calculations
• Literacy to follow verbal and written instructions accurately

Checks & eligibility

• Enhanced DBS check with adults barred list

Other

• Ability to maintain mental concentration for sustained periods
• Ability to meet deadlines with attention to detail
• Appropriate empathy towards the patient group
• Good interpersonal skills

Nice to have

• Experience of working with medicines IT systems
• Experience of dispensing prescriptions
• Experience of using the PTS ordering system
• Experience of assessing PODS

What’s offered

• Access to full psychological support through the wellbeing team
• Excellent supervision programmes
• Flexible working opportunities
• Discount schemes including gyms, shopping, restaurants and cars
• Holiday entitlement starting at 27 days plus 8 bank holidays
• NHS Pension Scheme
• Access to training and opportunities for development