Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officer for In-Patient Services

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust; Gateshead; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional health service provider is seeking a qualified Pharmacy Assistant to join their team in Gateshead. This full-time role involves assisting in the processing and ordering of pharmaceutical items as well as maintaining stock management within the department. The ideal candidate will have NVQ Level 2 in pharmacy services, a strong educational background, and excellent communication skills. Candidates must be flexible as the pharmacy operates a 7-day service, requiring some weekend and holiday shifts.

Benefits

Support and initiatives for staff wellbeing

Opportunities for professional development

Qualifications

• Experience of working in a pharmacy environment, either community or hospital.
• Ability to demonstrate a wide range of dispensary skills.
• Prepared to work weekends, late nights, and Bank Holidays.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the receipt and processing of pharmaceutical items.
• Participate in ordering and supply of pharmaceutical products.
• Maintain good stock management practices in pharmacy areas.
• Use JAC to accurately dispense prescriptions and orders.

Skills

Dispensary skills

Excellent IT skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

NVQ Level 2 in pharmacy services

GCSE grade C in Maths and English

Job description

All references from current and previous employers will be sought and MUST cover a minimum of 3 years employment. Therefore, when completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current/previous line managers that cover 3 years employment. Where possible this should be from two separate employers. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.

PLEASE NOTE it is a requirement of this Trust that all successful applicants pay for their DBS certificate if a check is required for the post. This will be done through deduction from your monthly pay over a maximum of three months. It is also a requirement that all successful applicants register or are registered with the DBS update service where a DBS is required.

All new entrants to the NHS will be appointed on the minimum of the pay scale in line with Terms & Conditions. Successful applicants will be rotational between ward services, in-patient dispensary and the pharmacy store, to support the delivery of a high quality service to our patients and customers. Assist in the receipt of delivered pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical items; ensuring all items received are processed correctly. The accurate and timely completion of any supporting documentation along with receipt of goods on to JAC (Pharmacy Stock Management System) and systems to support FMD.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the receipt of delivered pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical items; ensuring all items received are processed correctly.
• Participate in the ordering, supply and replenishment of pharmaceutical items to wards, departments and clinic. This will be via either a top-up service, requisitions received into the department or Omnicell cabinet orders.
• Maintain good stock management, handling and rotation practices in all areas of pharmacy and ward areas. Assist with drug re-calls and alerts.
• Participate in the day to day maintenance and effective use of Robotic Dispensing Systems and Omnicell Cabinets, this will include addressing failures, restarts, re‑stocking and counts.
• Re‑stock the dispensary, as required, with all consumables / disposables used in the dispensing process.
• Manage and dispose pharmaceutical waste.
• Assist with reception duties such as receipt of orders and prescriptions, use of PTS (Prescription tracking), preparing completed orders and prescriptions ready for collection by delivery staff.
• Use JAC to accurately dispense a range of prescriptions and orders to include In‑Patient discharge and Out‑Patient prescriptions, temporary stock requisitions, controlled drugs orders, clinical trial and unlicensed medication, in accordance with agreed safe systems of work practice in a safe and timely manner.
• Maintain all areas of work, keeping areas clean and tidy (not general domestic duties). Complete and record environmental checks such as fridge and room temperatures.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external customers including pharmacy staff, health care professionals and delivery personnel.
• Ensure that Local Record Management is followed; storing, filing and maintaining all associated paperwork.

Applicants who have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date are to assume that their application has been unsuccessful.

Applications from job seekers who require Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications where the post is eligible. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Candidates who require sponsorship are strongly advised to visit the UK Border Agency website and familiarise themselves with what is required. There is a facility on this site to access the points based calculator and work through an example which should assist candidates in their understanding of the process.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic individual to join our caring team of pharmacy assistants, technicians and pharmacists, to help deliver pharmacy services to the Trust. Full time posts are available.

This role is an opportunity for a pharmacy assistant qualified to NVQ Level 2 (or equiv.) in pharmacy services who has experience of working in a pharmacy environment (either community or hospital), and who is looking for a role which will challenge and develop their knowledge and skills in a hospital environment. The successful candidate must also have a good basic education including GCSE grade C (or equivalent) in Maths and English.

The Pharmacy department operates a 7 day service so all applicants must be prepared to work weekends, late nights and Bank Holiday on rotation, and to be flexible to support the requirements of the team.

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate a wide range of dispensary skills, have excellent IT and communication skills. They must be able to work as part of team and also under their own initiative.

About the Trust

Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead. Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients. We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region. Our values should be the 'golden thread' which runs through everything we do – they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronym ICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement. We have a number of staff networks including the BAME network, D‑Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women's Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our armed forces network is one of our emerging networks. The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our 'Balance' programme balancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.