Senior Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officer

NHS; London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job description

Senior Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officer

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

We are looking for a motivated and detail-oriented Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officer to join our vibrant pharmacy team within the NHS. In this role, you will support the delivery of high-quality pharmaceutical services, ensuring the safe and efficient supply of medications to our patients. You will work collaboratively with pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, and other healthcare professionals to contribute to patient care and improve health outcomes.

Main duties of the job

1. To supervise other ATOs and lead / co-ordinate the workload in dispensary.
2. To support the ward teams in maintaining safe storage and temperature control of medications in all areas of the ward(s).
3. To assist in the provision of a high-quality pharmacy stores service to the wards, community teams, and associated areas.
4. To ensure that stock levels for 'topped up' areas are appropriate and that the stock is in date and appropriately rotated.
5. To assist in the provision of a high-quality patient-focused medicines management service to patients at the Trust, in association with the Medicines Management Pharmacy Technicians, ward teams, and clinical pharmacist teams to ensure that stock lists are updated and adequately reflect the needs of the area.

About us

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) provides the widest range of NHS mental health services in the UK as well as substance misuse services for people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. We work closely with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London and are part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre. There are very few organisations in the world that have such wide-ranging capabilities working with mental illness. Our scope is unique because it is built on three major foundations: care and treatment, science and research, and training.

SLaM employs around 5000 staff and serves a local population of 1.1 million people. We have more than 230 services including inpatient wards, outpatient, and community services. Currently, we provide inpatient care for approximately 5,300 people each year and treat more than 45,000 patients in the community in Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham, and Southwark, as well as substance misuse services for residents of Bexley, Bromley, and Greenwich.

By coming to work at SLaM, you will gain experience of being part of an organisation with a rich history and international reputation in mental health care. You will have access to professional development and learning opportunities and have the chance to work alongside people who are world leaders in their field.

Job responsibilities

1. To ensure the safe, efficient, and correct receipt, storage, and distribution of pharmaceuticals.
2. To participate in stock topping up service to wards and departments.
3. To interpret and accurately dispense prescriptions and requests for medication including in-patients, outpatients, and community prescriptions that have been clinically screened by a pharmacist.
4. To use the pharmacy computer system to dispense, issue, label, return, order, and requisition medicines in accordance with the level of training provided.
5. To ensure that the stores, dispensary, and distribution areas are kept clean and tidy.
6. To dispose of and recycle pharmaceuticals in accordance with the departmental and local policies.
7. To ensure an adequate supply of sundries and stationery at all times in the dispensary and stores.
8. To undertake day-to-day housekeeping tasks and other basic duties as necessary.
9. To assist the purchasing officer to ensure supplies are maintained at optimum levels.
10. To ensure that requisitions are dealt with in a timely manner.
11. To ensure the maintenance of efficient stock control, including stock checks, stock rotation, and expiry date checks.
12. To assist in the induction and training of new members of staff, for example, student pharmacy technicians, pharmacy assistants, and pre-registration pharmacists as appropriate.
13. To work as a practice supervisor.
14. To work in line with department policies and procedures and line manager contactable.
15. To attend courses and study days as deemed appropriate.
16. To participate in education and training schemes and meetings organised within the department.
17. To participate in all relevant departmental meetings and contribute to effective communication within the department.
18. To always practice in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the General Pharmaceutical Council.
19. Any other duties deemed appropriate by the Dispensary Manager.

Person Specification

Education and Training

• A Levels or equivalent
• GCSEs or equivalent in Maths and English Grade 4 or above (grades A-C).
• NVQ Level 2 in pharmaceutical services

Experience

• Experience of working within a team
• Previous experience of working in a pharmacy
• Previous experience with computerised stock control systems.
• Experience of working in a mental health setting
• Previous experience of working in a hospital

Skills

• Good organisational skills with the ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure
• Good verbal and written communication
• Good IT skills with knowledge of standard operating systems such as Microsoft Office.

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.

Salary: £30,039 to £31,088 a year (per annum incl. of HCAs)