West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Rotational Pharmacy Assistant - Band 3 - Pharmacy

This job is now closed

Job summary

At West Suffolk Hospital, our patients are at the heart of everything we do. Were dedicated to delivering the best quality and safest care to our local communities and need dedicated and skilled people to help us achieve this.

To maintain this standard, we are offering candidates the opportunity to apply for the post of Senior Rotational Pharmacy Assistant and be based within the Pharmacy Department at West Suffolk Hospital.

Postholders will rotate between the pharmacy dispensary and aseptic services production unit supplying pharmaceutical items, including cytotoxic and monoclonal drugs, to wards and departments across various sites in West Suffolk. Dispensary and production will be the primary areas of work; however, it may be necessary to undertake other reasonable duties to meet the needs of the service.

Due to their versatility, Senior Pharmacy Assistants are valued members of the team and play an important part in maintaining effective workflow and departmental efficiencies.

This is an exciting opportunity for individuals to provide high-quality patient care to those that need it whilst working with an excellent and experienced team committed to its very delivery.

This is a great opportunity to develop your pharmacy career and make a real difference to the lives of those who need our services.

Main duties of the job

As part of the dispensary team, the postholder will dispense and label medicines, including controlled drugs, for supply to inpatient and outpatient services and departments located external to the hospital in the West Suffolk area.

Inpatient and outpatient reception duties are an essential part of the role, utilising effective communication, customer service and organisational skills, to ensure effective information cascade to staff and members of the public.

Aseptic services production incorporates support for pharmacy technicians in the provision of chemotherapy and monoclonal treatment for high-risk patients utilising cleanroom technology.

All tasks must be performed to a high standard, conforming to approved standard operating procedures, to ensure quality is maintained, patient safety is upheld and efficient operation of the medicines management service.

As a department we are very forward thinking and utilise technology to increase efficiencies and reduce errors. This includes a fully electronic prescribing system for maintenance of patient records and use of our dispensary robot to process inpatient requests and discharge medication.

Training and development are key factors in our commitment to staff and we strongly support progression of individuals to help achieve their potential.

Experience of working in a busy hospital pharmacy is beneficial, however, necessary training will be provided for those with a community pharmacy or non-hospital sector background.

About us

#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community

We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.

The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.

Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.

We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.

With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.

We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.

Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?

Date posted

06 July 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£22,816 to £24,336 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9179-23-5048-C

Job locations

West Suffolk Hospitals Nhs Trust

Hardwick Lane

Bury St. Edmunds

Suffolk

IP332QZ

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the full job description for more detail in supporting information and information regarding parking

JOB PURPOSE:

To provide rotational dispensing support to the dispensary and aseptic services production unit under the direction of the Dispensary Manager and the Principal Technician for Production to ensure the accurate and timely dispensing of medicines.

To assist in the replenishment of medicine supplies to wards and other departments.

To ensure working areas are maintained in a clean and tidy condition, free from unwanted materials and equipment.

To ensure faults or damaged equipment or facilities are reported immediately to Senior Technicians or Pharmacists.

To be aware and comply with policies and procedures relating to Health and Safety/COSHH issues regarding the handling of potentially hazardous materials.

To promote and participate in the principles of robust clinical governance in pharmacy.

To participate in rotas covering evenings, weekends, and bank holidays.

To undertake other reasonable duties to meet the needs of the service.

To comply with all Standard Operating Procedures affecting their work.

KEY TASKS:

1. Dispensary

Dispense items for inpatients and outpatients in accordance with standard operating procedures.

With additional training and within assessed competence, check items for inpatients and outpatients in accordance with standard operating procedures.

Ensure that to follow items are issued promptly.

Dispense controlled drugs and ensure legal recording processes are followed.

Restock the dispensary with consumables and disposables.

Act as a messenger in the delivery of controlled drugs and other items.

Investigate discrepancies in stock levels, liaising with the Dispensary Manager and Procurement Manager when required.

Adjust stock levels on the pharmacy computer system under the direction of the Procurement Manager.

Complete daily stock level checks under the direction of the Procurement Manager, highlighting areas for attention.

Support the delivery of the ward top-up service as necessary.

Assist in specific cleaning duties in the dispensary.

Undertake reception and administrative duties for the process of receipt and issue of dispensed and non-dispensed items.

2. Aseptic Services Production Unit

Participate in the assembly, preparation and reconstitution of chemotherapy and monoclonal drugs, including the completion of all relevant paperwork, using approved protocols and guidelines.

Participate in the dispensing of parenteral nutrition using approved protocols and guidelines.

Complete all booking out and filing of parenteral nutrition and chemotherapy paperwork.

Ensure an adequate supply of chemotherapy and supportive drug stock levels and assist with the rotational movement of stock.

Top up supplies of equipment, materials, and consumables used within the department.

Assist with environmental monitoring within the production unit using nutrient media settle plates and contact plates, ensuring they are labelled appropriately.

Assist with cleaning the unit according to procedure and ensure cleaning materials are in stock at all times.

Assist with dedicated cleanroom garment use and collection.

Participate in the dispensing of prescribed oral chemotherapy and supportive medication.

Comply with departmental Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).

3. Education and Training

Assist in provision of training for staff in dispensary and/or production unit.

Work with support of the Education and Training team to develop, update and deliver, dispensary and/or production unit training packages.

Undertake educational, training and development opportunities required of the role.

NVQ level 2 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent qualification is essential for band 3 status. Applicants will be considered for employment if currently undertaking study for the necessary qualification. However, band 3 status will not be assigned until qualification has been attained. During this interim period, successful applicants will be employed at band 2 level.

4. Communication

Communicate medicine related information to healthcare staff, patients, and relatives; including people who may have language difficulties, and/or a physical or mental disability.

Ensure effective intra-departmental communication with:

o Pharmacy Assistants

o Pharmacy Technicians

o Pharmacists

o Pre-registration students

o Administrative staff

Ensure effective communication with other health care professionals.

Always communicate in a way which reflects the Trust Values & Behaviours.

5. Health, Safety & Security

Report any incidents/accidents and near misses in accordance with the Trusts incident reporting procedure.

Ensure own safety and the safety of others who may be affected by the Trusts business.

Comply with all Trust policies and procedures in order to protect the health, safety, and welfare of anyone affected by the Trusts business.

Comply with the Trusts Risk Management Strategy and Directorate/Department health and safety policies and procedures.

Ensure that equipment provided for the protection of health and safety is well-maintained and used appropriately.

Comply with emergency procedures e.g. resuscitation, evacuation, and fire precaution procedures.

Comply with the requirements of mandatory training.

6. Quality/Clinical Governance

Have a basic knowledge of the principles of clinical governance and understand what the benefits for patients and staff are.

Understand the clinical governance structure within the organisation and how you may be involved.

Participate in clinical governance activities within the Trust, and where applicable across organisational boundaries e.g. customer satisfaction surveys.

Ensure that you continuously contribute to and look for new ways to improve the quality of the service or care you provide to patients.

Explore ways to involve and consult with patients, public and carers when developing or evaluating services or the care you provide.

Participate in audit activity.

Ensure patient confidentiality is maintained at all times and that you do not access patient related information (either electronic or paper based), which you do not need during the course of your work.

Participate in the departmental appraisal process.