Job summary
If you are interested in a job in Pharmacy and working in the hospital environment, this job may be of interest to you. We are looking for a highly motivated, dedicated individual to train to become a fully qualified and registered Pharmacy Technician.
You will gain your experience by rotating throughout the pharmacy department including dispensary and clinical ward areas. You will be studying and working towards a nationally recognised qualification. You will combine the practical experience gained in the work environment with the underpinning knowledge under the tuition of the University of East Anglia based over a two year period.
If you are invited for an interview, please be aware that you will be expected to:
- Present your educational certificates.
- Complete an aptitude test which has been designed to test your numeracy and literacy skills.
- You must have at least 4 GCSEs at grade C / 4 or above (or equivalent recognised qualifications) which must include Maths, English and Science . Overseas qualifications must be certified by the UK national agency for the recognition and comparison of international qualifications and skills (NARIC).
- All candidates must meet the apprenticeship eligibility criteria the details can be found at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/998876/2122_Employer_Rules_Version_Clarification__v1.0.pdf
Main duties of the job
To act as a member of the pharmacy team, undertaking a full range of duties commensurate with the professional role of a pharmacy technician, under the supervision of the Chief Pharmacist whilst working within the legal requirements, Trust policies and department procedures as laid down by the department and the Trust.
To work flexibly, responding to the needs of the department which will include rotating through each area according to the departmental rota and participating in the weekend rota, bank holiday rota and late clinic rota.
About us
Our vibrant team consists of approximately 90 highly skilled staff who work together to empower our patients to use medicines safely and effectively to improve their health outcomes. The successful candidate will benefit from drawing on the knowledge and experience of approachable staff so you will feel supported and mentored throughout your learning journey. We pride ourselves on creating a positive, supportive and structured learning environment enabling you to strive for success.
All roles within the trust require staff to demonstrate our core values and behaviours in the care they provide to patients. All members of staff should consider these behaviours and essential part of their job role.
- Courtesy and respect- A welcoming and positive attitude- Polite, friendly and interested in people- Value and respect people as individuals
- Attentively kind and helpful- Look out for dignity, privacy and humanity- Be attentive, responsive and take time to help- Visible presence of staff to provide the service
- Responsive communication- Listen to people and answer their questions- Keep people clearly informed- Involve people
- Effective and professional- Safe, knowledgeable and reassuring- Effective care and services from joined up teams- Organised and timely, looking to improve
Job description
Job responsibilities
Dispensary and stores duties
- To dispense inpatient and outpatient prescriptions using the electronic dispensing record (JAC) and present them for checking.
- To participate in the dispensing of clinical trial prescriptions ensuring all relevant documentation is completed.
- To ensure the safe dispensing and witnessing of controlled drugs via the Omnicell cabinet.
- To dispense TTO prescriptions, using PODs whenever possible, and present them for checking.
- To issue prescriptions to patients and, where appropriate, counsel on the use of their medicines.
- To undertake the role of an Accredited Checking Technician, after appropriate training and competency assessment.
- To assist in the training of new staff, pre-registration pharmacy technicians and pharmacy assistants.
- To assist in the review of pharmacy standard operating procedures.
- To check returned stock from wards for re-use within the dispensary.
- To take part in the ward top-up supply system.
- To screen pharmacy stores picking tickets as per the standard operating procedure, and amend if necessary.
- To ensure security of pharmaceutical stock including drugs and other materials for production of pharmaceutical products.
- To assist the systems and data support technician in preparing and submitting the monthly high cost drugs monthly medicines issues data and answering any queries by reviewing patients clinical record or liaising with the clinical team.
Aseptic Services
- To prepare products and maintain isolator and clean room conditions to the required standards and the departmental procedures. This will include aseptic manipulation, TPNs and cytotoxics.
- To liaise with the haematology and oncology pharmacists and clinic doctors to ensure prescriptions are received in a timely manner
- To work flexibly as part of a team to prepare and deliver chemotherapy items to Sandra Chapman Centre, as well as prepare other aseptic products.
- To dispense extemporaneous products as required
- To assist with the assembly of repacks and emergency packs
- To assist the Quality Assurance Technician with the management of the Trusts temperature monitoring system.
Procurement and Homecare Duties
- To order medicines via all relevant supply channels (including non-stock items) following procurement standard operating procedures.
- To assist in the smooth running of the medicines procurement process including:
- Return of medicines to the supplier due to ordering errors and product damage.
- Drug recalls searching for and quarantining affected stock.
- Wholesale dealer transactions.
- Receipt of deliveries and processing of invoices and delivery notes.
- To participate in the homecare dispensing process, working within the standard operating procedures.
- To assist with resolving stock discrepancies identified by the pharmacy team and assisting with situations concerning availability of prescribed medicines, referring to senior members of staff where necessary to ensure consistent medicines supply.
Ward Services Duties
- After appropriate training and competency assessment, to undertake drug histories and medicines reconciliation on wards under the supervision of a clinical pharmacist or senior pharmacy technician
- To counsel patients on medicines use, overcoming barriers to communication where necessary to ensure safe use of medicines.
- To check patients own medicines for appropriateness, providing a new supply where needed.
- Ordering medicines for inpatients via the electronic prescribing and medicines administration system.
- To deliver controlled drugs to wards/theatres/clinics as per standard operating procedures and assist in the receipt of controlled drugs into stock with a nurse/ODP.
- To support others in undertaking medicines related audits throughout the trust, including controlled drugs audits.
- To assist in destroying patients own controlled drugs and returning unwanted and out of date controlled drugs to pharmacy in preparation for destruction.
- To input information on the electronic discharge system in order to transfer discharge information between care setting where appropriate.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Dispensary and stores duties
- To dispense inpatient and outpatient prescriptions using the electronic dispensing record (JAC) and present them for checking.
- To participate in the dispensing of clinical trial prescriptions ensuring all relevant documentation is completed.
- To ensure the safe dispensing and witnessing of controlled drugs via the Omnicell cabinet.
- To dispense TTO prescriptions, using PODs whenever possible, and present them for checking.
- To issue prescriptions to patients and, where appropriate, counsel on the use of their medicines.
- To undertake the role of an Accredited Checking Technician, after appropriate training and competency assessment.
- To assist in the training of new staff, pre-registration pharmacy technicians and pharmacy assistants.
- To assist in the review of pharmacy standard operating procedures.
- To check returned stock from wards for re-use within the dispensary.
- To take part in the ward top-up supply system.
- To screen pharmacy stores picking tickets as per the standard operating procedure, and amend if necessary.
- To ensure security of pharmaceutical stock including drugs and other materials for production of pharmaceutical products.
- To assist the systems and data support technician in preparing and submitting the monthly high cost drugs monthly medicines issues data and answering any queries by reviewing patients clinical record or liaising with the clinical team.
Aseptic Services
- To prepare products and maintain isolator and clean room conditions to the required standards and the departmental procedures. This will include aseptic manipulation, TPNs and cytotoxics.
- To liaise with the haematology and oncology pharmacists and clinic doctors to ensure prescriptions are received in a timely manner
- To work flexibly as part of a team to prepare and deliver chemotherapy items to Sandra Chapman Centre, as well as prepare other aseptic products.
- To dispense extemporaneous products as required
- To assist with the assembly of repacks and emergency packs
- To assist the Quality Assurance Technician with the management of the Trusts temperature monitoring system.
Procurement and Homecare Duties
- To order medicines via all relevant supply channels (including non-stock items) following procurement standard operating procedures.
- To assist in the smooth running of the medicines procurement process including:
- Return of medicines to the supplier due to ordering errors and product damage.
- Drug recalls searching for and quarantining affected stock.
- Wholesale dealer transactions.
- Receipt of deliveries and processing of invoices and delivery notes.
- To participate in the homecare dispensing process, working within the standard operating procedures.
- To assist with resolving stock discrepancies identified by the pharmacy team and assisting with situations concerning availability of prescribed medicines, referring to senior members of staff where necessary to ensure consistent medicines supply.
Ward Services Duties
- After appropriate training and competency assessment, to undertake drug histories and medicines reconciliation on wards under the supervision of a clinical pharmacist or senior pharmacy technician
- To counsel patients on medicines use, overcoming barriers to communication where necessary to ensure safe use of medicines.
- To check patients own medicines for appropriateness, providing a new supply where needed.
- Ordering medicines for inpatients via the electronic prescribing and medicines administration system.
- To deliver controlled drugs to wards/theatres/clinics as per standard operating procedures and assist in the receipt of controlled drugs into stock with a nurse/ODP.
- To support others in undertaking medicines related audits throughout the trust, including controlled drugs audits.
- To assist in destroying patients own controlled drugs and returning unwanted and out of date controlled drugs to pharmacy in preparation for destruction.
- To input information on the electronic discharge system in order to transfer discharge information between care setting where appropriate.
Person Specification
Education and qualifications
Essential
- 4 GCSEs at grade C or above maths, english, science
- Be registered with the General Pharmaceutical council
- Word processing, use of the internet and IT skills
Desirable
- NVQ level 3 in pharmacy services (or equivalent qualification)
Skills and experience
Essential
- Abilty to demonstrate an understanding of hospital pharmacy and it staff skill mix.
Desirable
- Previous dispensing experience in a hospital, community pharmacy or dispensing doctors practice
Skills and competencies
Essential
- Articulate and numerate with excellent oral and written communication skills
- Ability to work as part of a team as well as able to demonstrate working on own using initiative and common sense
- Responsible, honest, trustworthy and reliable
- Able to work under pressure
- Able to maintain professionalism at all times
- Appreciation of confidentiality issues
- Being self-motivated and committed to learning and completing the apprenticeship
- Able to travel to and participate in training days associated with the apprecenticeship
Trust values and behaviours
Essential
- Courteous and Respectful
- Kind and Helpful
- Responsive Communication
- Effective and Professional
Person Specification
Education and qualifications
Essential
- 4 GCSEs at grade C or above maths, english, science
- Be registered with the General Pharmaceutical council
- Word processing, use of the internet and IT skills
Desirable
- NVQ level 3 in pharmacy services (or equivalent qualification)
Skills and experience
Essential
- Abilty to demonstrate an understanding of hospital pharmacy and it staff skill mix.
Desirable
- Previous dispensing experience in a hospital, community pharmacy or dispensing doctors practice
Skills and competencies
Essential
- Articulate and numerate with excellent oral and written communication skills
- Ability to work as part of a team as well as able to demonstrate working on own using initiative and common sense
- Responsible, honest, trustworthy and reliable
- Able to work under pressure
- Able to maintain professionalism at all times
- Appreciation of confidentiality issues
- Being self-motivated and committed to learning and completing the apprenticeship
- Able to travel to and participate in training days associated with the apprecenticeship
Trust values and behaviours
Essential
- Courteous and Respectful
- Kind and Helpful
- Responsive Communication
- Effective and Professional
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. 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).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. 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).
