Rotational Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officer

King's College Hospital; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A major hospital trust in the United Kingdom seeks a Pharmacy Assistant to assist in dispensary operations and aseptic preparation. Responsibilities include dispensing medications and ensuring compliance with GMP standards. Ideal candidates will have a pharmacy degree or equivalent experience in supporting a pharmacy team. This position offers a chance to be part of a dedicated healthcare team aimed at delivering outstanding patient care.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Opportunities for professional development

Contributions to a sustainable healthcare model

Qualifications

• Experience in preparing aseptically produced products.
• Ability to dispense inpatient, outpatient, and discharge medication accurately.
• Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements.

Responsibilities

• Assist dispensary team in daily activities.
• Prepare and dispense aseptically produced products.
• Deliver customer-focused service to patients.
• Support Dispensary Manager in service development.

Skills

Aseptic techniques

Customer service

Pharmacy computer systems

Attention to detail

Education

Pharmacy degree or equivalent

Tools

Omnicell System

Job description

The post holder will assist the dispensary team in the delivery of the day to day activities in the dispensary. They will carry out duties in accordance with departmental policies and procedures. The post holder is primarily responsible for dispensing discharge and inpatient medication, as well as outpatient medication if based at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH); and other "housekeeping" duties.

Aseptics

The post holder will assist in the preparation and dispensing of aseptically produced products in isolators. The post holder will assist with the daily monitoring and cleaning of isolators and the monitoring of the clean room. The post holder will assist with the ordering of drugs and components.

• To assist in the preparation of aseptically prepared products.
• To assist in the supply of Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN).
• To provide information to nursing staff and other departmental staff or to refer them as appropriate.

Dispensary

• To deliver a customer-focused service to all patients who attend the Dispensary.
• To adhere to the highest principles of customer services when dealing with patients, staff and the public both face to face and over the phone.

Stores

The post includes general duties within the Pharmacy distribution service including receiving goods, carrying out ward top ups, and issuing stock to wards, carried out under the supervision of the Pharmacy Distribution Services Manager., Dispensary

Stores & Distribution

• Assist nursing staff with stock related queries.
• Provide a top-up service to allocated wards and departments following appropriate training.
• To ensure the safe, effective and economical use of drugs for all patients in the Trust.
• To be able to follow departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• To be able to dispense inpatient, outpatient and discharge medication accurately.
• To contribute to wider policies that has an impact within the pharmacy department and across the Trust.
• To support the Dispensary Manager by contributing to the development of the Dispensary Services.
• To refer non-routine enquiries to a more senior member of staff as appropriate.
• To be able to use pharmacy computer systems correctly and enter data accurately from transcription sheets, prescription forms and any other prescriptions written by others.
• To ensure that data is stored and archived appropriately in accordance with local and regionally agreed guidelines.
• To be able to participate in a 7 day operational model including working weekends and late shifts.
• To counsel patients on the use of their outpatient medication, where applicable.
• To be able to use initiative to appropriately prioritise work.
• To be able to dispense Controlled Drugs using the Omnicell System.
• To be able to carry out daily housekeeping duties as per daily and weekly rotas.
• To accept and sign receipt for deliveries of pharmaceutical products from suppliers, checking that delivery is for the pharmacy department.
• To unpack goods received.

Aseptics (Housekeeping duties)

• To tidy, clean and disinfect the Aseptic Services environment and equipment according to local SOPs. This may involve an early start.
• To assist with the environmental monitoring in Aseptic services.
• To produce and keep such records as defined by local SOP, and as required by the Associate Director and Chief Technician.
• To comply with departmental Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements of dress and hygiene relating to working in aseptic services.
• To work within the health and safety guidelines of the department at all times.
• To undertake any relevant validation to ensure on going validation of aseptic competence.
• To prepare documentation and labels using the pharmacy computer system.
• To undertake transfer disinfection into the aseptic unit and isolators according to procedures.
• To sit or stand at isolators for long periods.

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of £1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.