Rotational Pharmacy Technician

NHS; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job description

Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust

Pharmacy Technicians play an integral role within the pharmacy department supporting the safe and effective use of medicines, using their knowledge and skills to manufacture, prepare, supply and final check medicines in the in-patient, out-patient dispensary and at ward level.

The successful candidate will rotate through different areas of the department and will need to be self-motivated and capable of working methodically and accurately with the desire to further develop their knowledge and skills.

Candidates must be patient-focused and passionate about upholding Trust values in order to provide the best possible service.

Candidates will be recruited at Band 4 unless they hold a BTEC Professional Diploma in Dispensing Checking and can demonstrate their experience to fulfill other competency-based requirements.

Candidates should preferably have recent hospital experience although previous pediatric experience is not essential, as a full induction and training programme will be made available from experienced mentors.

We have two posts available, 1 x full time permanent and 1 x full time 18 month temporary contract.

Main duties of the job

Accurately dispense, final accuracy check and issue prescriptions in a designated area of work, providing a robust and efficient technical service to the in-patient, out-patient, Oncology satellite and ward based services. Effectively communicating and engaging with patients and colleagues to support the correct use and administration of medicines.

Supporting managers in the supervision, training, and coordination of staff on a day-to-day basis.

Our Band 4 Technicians rotate through various areas of the department, offering the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills to aid their development and progression to the Band 5 role.

Our Band 5 Technicians support the Near Patient Pharmacy ward-based service and participate in Final Accuracy checking.

About us

Alder Hey Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is a stand-alone paediatric hospital located on the outskirts of Liverpool with a national reputation for excellence. It recently featured in the award-winning BBC documentary "Hospital". A brilliant team of pharmacists and technicians provide pharmacy services to a wide range of paediatric surgical and medical specialties. The pharmacy teams are innovative, caring, and compassionate and work well together.

We are committed to staff development and value our Technician's dedication and hard work.

Job responsibilities

1. To safely and accurately carry out and monitor the dispensing and issuing of prescriptions, including in-patients, outpatients, discharge, unlicensed and controlled drugs in accordance with the safe systems of work procedures within the department.
2. To carry out the final accuracy check of clinically screened complex paediatric prescriptions dispensed by others in accordance with safe systems of work practice ensuring the maintenance of records and information.
3. Our normal working hours are between 8:45am - 5:00pm Mon - Fri.
4. To use the pharmacy computer system to dispense and label pharmaceuticals, produce stock reports, extemporaneous worksheets and audit trails in accordance with the level of training provided.
5. To supervise and participate in the maintenance of stock control systems within the dispensary dealing with any discrepancies, reporting these and action taken to the Chief Pharmacy Technician Patient Services.
6. To assist in the provision of service quality and cost-effectiveness of medicines identifying any improvements to senior pharmacy staff.
7. To organise and supervise the day-to-day workload and problems that may arise within the designated area of work ensuring the implementation of department rotas and planning and referring any issues to relevant senior pharmacy staff.
8. To supervise and participate in the assembly and preparation of extemporaneous products demonstrating Good Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Practice and adhering to Health and Safety and COSHH requirements.
9. To support the training of student pharmacy technicians, pharmacy technicians, Pre-registration pharmacists and pharmacy assistants in accordance with departmental training packages.
10. To dispense clinical trials in accordance with the dispensing protocol, ensuring the maintenance of records and information.
11. To accurately carry out formula and measurement checks on extemporaneous products following set procedures to ensure quality and safety standards are met.
12. To support the replacement of and accurately check the dispensing of the Hospital Emergency Drug Boxes to ensure a safe and effective service.
13. To carry out label checks for Accident and Emergency out of hour dispensing packs, ensuring information is clear and correct and that item is labelled appropriately.
14. To provide support to all areas of the pharmacy department as and when required. To answer queries of a complex technical nature from a wide range of staff groups, either in the pharmacy or on the ward. To answer queries from the public referring appropriate queries to a senior member of the pharmacy team.
15. To undertake patient counselling, providing clear and concise information to patients/carers regarding the safe and effective use of their medication to ensure understanding and compliance. This will include providing information of a more complex nature and providing demonstrations where applicable, both in the dispensary and on the wards.
16. To participate in the Near Patient Pharmacy scheme on assigned wards. This will include daily patient medication reviews, medicines reconciliation, assessment of patients own drugs (PODS), discussing any clinical problems with the ward pharmacist and arranging for appropriate supplies of medications.
17. To undertake Continuing Professional Development in order to keep pharmaceutical clinical and technical knowledge current, ensure best practice and comply with requirements for entry on the pharmacy technician register.

Person Specification

Proof of registration with General Pharmaceutical Council

• NVQ Level 3 Pharmacy Services & BTEC in Pharmaceutical Science
• Registered with the Pharmaceutical Council
• Good working knowledge of safe dispensing practices and responsible attitude to quality and accuracy
• Demonstrated experience of delivering staff training
• Demonstrated experience of supervising pharmacy technicians and assistants
• Previous experience of 'Near Patient Pharmacy' and POD's
• Good understanding of the job description and expectations of the role
• Ability to communicate effectively and in a professional manner with patients and staff
• Ability to work effectively within various teams
• Ability to solve complex technical problems
• Experience of working within a hospital pharmacy setting
• Ability to adapt to different computer packages
• Knowledge and expertise in extemporaneous manufacture of medicines and Good Pharmacy Manufacturing Practice
• Pro-active approach to the extended roles for technicians
• In-house NPP ward-based / Medicines Reconciliation training
• Demonstrated experience of maintaining stock control systems
• Previous experience of completing department projects and audits

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust