Pharmacy Dispensing Assistant Technical Officer (A&E)

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust; Sefton; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking an enthusiastic Pharmacy Assistant based in the Emergency Department at Southport Hospital, to support the timely supply of medicines and pharmacy services within A&E, including SDEC. You will help dispense medicines, ensure they accompany patients on transfer, maintain stock levels, and collaborate with the A&E team to keep services flowing.

The role requires weekend/bank holiday/late rotas to provide a 7-day pharmacy service.

Qualifications

• Applicants must have experience working within a pharmacy environment (hospital, community, prison, or primary care).
• A recognised dispensing qualification and NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services (or equivalent) are essential.

Responsibilities

• Dispense medicines for patients attending A&E and support quick turnaround.
• Ensure medicines accompany patients when transferred from A&E to inpatient wards.
• Maintain Omnicell stock levels and perform date checks as per procedures.
• Promote reuse of patients' own medicines to optimise resources and costs.
• Respond to urgent medicine requests from clinical staff and support ward stock management.
• Collaborate with A&E Pharmacist and Technician to support daily service delivery.

Skills

Pharmacy experience

Customer service

Attention to detail

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services

Dispensing qualification

Tools

Omnicell cabinets

Dispensing software

Job description

We are looking for a enthusiastic and motivated Pharmacy Assistant who is committed to delivering high-quality patient care and have excellent attention to detail. Successful candidates will work as part of a friendly & supportive pharmacy team, contributing to the safe and effective supply of medicines across Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals. We have one exciting opportunity available based in our Emergency Department (A&E) including SDEC which is based at Southport Hospital, supporting the timely supply of medicines and pharmacy services within the Emergency Department. The successful candidate will play a key role in the delivery of pharmacy services within A&E, helping to ensure the timely and safe supply of medicines to patients. The role will include dispensing medicines to support quick turnaround and discharge, ensuring medicines move with patients as they transfer through the hospital, maintaining appropriate stock levels, and working closely with the pharmacy and A&E teams to support smooth patient flow and the efficient day-to-day running of the department., The post holders will be expected to participate in weekend, bank holiday, and late duty rotas as part of the department's commitment to providing a 7 day pharmacy service.,

• Be based within (A&E), including (SDEC), providing pharmacy support throughout the week.
• Undertake dispensing duties, including the dispensing & supply of medicines for patients attending A&E.
• Ensure medicines supplied to patients accompany them when transferred from A&E to inpatient wards, reducing delays in treatment and preventing unnecessary re-dispensing.
• Manage the day-to-day operation of the Omnicell cabinets, ensuring stock levels are maintained, medicines are replenished promptly and date checks are completed in line with departmental procedures.
• Promote the reuse of patients' own medicines where appropriate, supporting medicines optimisation and cost-effective use of resources.
• Respond to urgent medicine requests & supply queries from clinical staff.
• Maintain ward stock levels & support the effective management of medicines within the department.
• Monitor & maintain pre-pack medicine stock levels to support efficient patient care.
• Work closely with the A&E Pharmacist and Technician to support the day-to-day running and development of the service.
• Assist in identifying opportunities to improve processes, enhance the patient experience and increase efficiency within the department.
• Contribute to initiatives aimed at reducing medicine waste and delivering cost savings to the Trust.
• Provide excellent customer service to patients and healthcare professionals, maintaining high standards of accuracy, professionalism & patient safety.
  Applicants must have experience working within a pharmacy environment, such as hospital, community, prison, or primary care pharmacy. A recognised dispensing qualification and NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services (or equivalent) are essential
  Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9000 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.
• We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.
  Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites. Primary Care Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital. Community Services Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation, freeing up space for more unwell patients. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre. Specialist Regional Services We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales. Achievements: o Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018 o Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal) o National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme