Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officer (ATO)

Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; West Midlands Combined Authority; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in England is seeking a pharmacy assistant to support dispensary duties. The role involves accurately dispensing medication requests, assisting with patient inquiries, and maintaining stock levels. Ideal candidates will have relevant pharmacy qualifications and demonstrate excellent communication skills. This position requires attention to detail and the ability to work under pressure, with potential weekend shifts.

Qualifications

• Ability to work in a high-pressure environment with attention to detail.
• Experience in customer service and handling inquiries.
• Familiarity with pharmacy operations and procedures is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Interpret and dispense medication requests accurately.
• Assist with reception duties and handle patient inquiries.
• Conduct stock maintenance and monitor inventory levels.
• Support pharmacy operations and documentation processes.

Skills

Customer service

Effective communication

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Computer skills

Education

Relevant pharmacy qualification

Job description

Dispensary Duties

- To interpret and accurately dispense requests for medication for in-patients, outpatients, and clinical trials in accordance with department SOPs under the supervision of a pharmacy professional (excluding Controlled Drugs).

- To assist with general reception duties, including receiving prescriptions from patients and staff, answering the telephone, and dealing with inquiries, ensuring a positive and professional image in line with Trust values.

- Working with customers in a polite and efficient manner face-to-face, over the phone, or via electronic methods to handle routine inquiries and refer complex queries to relevant pharmacy staff.

- To participate in departmental stock takes and stock maintenance, including expiry date checks and quarantining short-dated or expired items.

- Ordering stock, checking received orders against delivery notes, and restocking shelves to maintain proper stock rotation, completing all necessary documentation and using the pharmacy computer system for stock transfers.

- Supporting with raising orders for external suppliers and homecare, requiring sign-off by a pharmacy technician or pharmacist.

- Undertaking temperature monitoring of refrigerators and room environments, alerting senior staff of any excursions outside normal ranges.

- Participating in medication returns management, ensuring recycling and destruction to maximize drug usage and financial resources.

- Liaising with portering and transport services to ensure adequate service provision and escalating failures as needed.

- Maintaining accurate computer records, including patient records, medication issue and costing, and pharmacy system data.

- Supporting the safe storage and security of medicines, prescriptions, and confidential information.

- Assisting in topping up ward/department stock medication and reordering as necessary, including emergency medicines, removing short-dated drugs, and occasionally delivering medication to wards, including cytotoxic/cytostatic medicines.

- Supporting the day-to-day pharmacy operations, including documentation, liaising with patients, troubleshooting, and participating in audits and stock takes.

- Assisting with procurement, arranging transport for urgent deliveries, and packing medicines securely for delivery.

- Monitoring fridge items and packing them separately to ensure refrigeration until collection.

- Contacting wards/departments to notify when prescriptions are ready for collection.

- Monitoring fax and scanner for prescriptions or orders, photocopying, filing, and faxing documents.

- Attending pharmacy staff meetings, supporting communication, and following SOPs.

- Completing mandatory training, participating in personal development plans, and attending relevant training to improve knowledge and competence.

- Working arrangements include potential weekend/bank holiday work and site changes to cover staff shortages.

- Maintaining excellent communication with pharmacy staff, clinical and managerial staff, patients, couriers, and external partners.

- Using standard keyboard skills for pharmacy systems and general computer use.

- Applying general knowledge effectively for service delivery and working across multiple sites as needed.

- Handling physical demands such as moving pharmaceutical supplies and working in sometimes unpleasant conditions, requiring high concentration and fine manipulation skills.

- Dealing with emotional and distressing situations, including irate patients or complaints.

- Following Trust policies and SOPs, contributing to SOP development, maintaining confidentiality, and participating in audits and surveys.