Job summary
We are looking to recruit Dispensing Assistants into our Trustwide Pharmacy Team.
This is a great role to start your career as a Pharmacy Assistant, as you'll receive all the training and support you need to be your best. In our new recruit we are looking for an individual who is committed to delivering a high quality service to our patients and the trust, whose personal attributes include:- the ability to work accurately in a very busy environment, good communication skills, a professional manner, good time management, a flexible team approach and the ability to adapt to and engage in change.
Previous experience in pharmacy is not required, as you will be provided with competency based training and support to help you expand on your knowledge and experience. Candidates without training or experience in hospital or community pharmacy equivalent to a NVQ level 2 will be considered for an apprenticeship at a Band 2 salary, increasing to Band 3 on completion of the course or if you already have experience in pharmacy and hold a NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy services or equivalent this post.
This position would suit a Dispensing Assistant seeking new challenges in an innovative environment and those who are keen to develop their knowledge and skills in the dispensary and ward based setting of a large Acute Trust.
So, if you are ambitious, enthusiastic, reliable, and conscientious. Then this is the opportunity for you.
- Interview Date Thursday, 10 October 2024
- 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week
Main duties of the job
As a Dispensing Assistant you will be based at the Freeman Hospital or the Royal Victoria Infirmary, but be willing to work across site if required, both of which have the advantage of automated robotic dispensing to facilitate the dispensing of a wide range of prescriptions to various specialties across the Trust.
As a key member of the Pharmacy Team you will work alongside Pharmacists, Technicians, Assistants and Students supporting the rapid discharge of our patients 7 days a week.
There may also be the requirement for you to prepare and dispense medicines for discharge at ward level.
The successful candidate will also be expected to support our seven day service and participate in weekend working, weekday late duties and bank holidays on a rotational basis.
About us
Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest, largest and most successful teaching NHS foundation trusts in the country, with around 16,000 staff and an annual income of £1 billion.
We have a long history of providing high quality care, clinical excellence, and innovation in medical research regionally, nationally and internationally.
We're also proud to be the second largest provider of specialised services in the country. This means we support people with a range of rare and complex medical, surgical and neurological conditions, cancers and genetic orders.
Our staff oversee around 2 million patients 'contacts' each year, delivering high standards of healthcare.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust.
We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognise the benefit in providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people's race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Dispensing Assistant
- To carry out the full range of Dispensing Assistant duties including the dispensing of prescriptions and orders.
- Provide technical support to dispensary services including carrying out routine procedures in the ordering, distribution and storage of pharmaceutical stock.
- To dispense discharge prescriptions and electronically generate patient specific orders at ward level.
- To provide support within the clinical trials unit (Freeman only).
Apprentice Dispensing Assistant - Band 2 18 month fixed-term
- Provide technical support to dispensary services including carrying out routine procedures in the ordering, distribution and storage of pharmaceutical stock.
- Undertake reception duties at the staff hatch, answer the dispensary telephone and ensure orders/prescriptions are entered on the prescription tracking system.
- Provide appropriate support as required to dispensary staff.
- Checks off orders received into the dispensary in accordance with procedure.
- Replenish the Emergency Drug Cupboard.
- Replenish a variety of cardiac arrest boxes.
- Issues Controlled Drugs in response to a written order.
- Undertake in-house training programme for the dispensing of discharge prescriptions.
Apprenticeship Posts You will need to be able to meet all the eligibility requirements as prescribed by the apprenticeship criteria to undertake the role.
To be eligible for an apprenticeship you must:
- Have the right to work and remain in the UK.
- Have lived in the UK for at least 3 years.
- Provide evidence of required English and maths qualifications.
Further information:
- You will not be considered if you have an equivalent or higher qualification in the same or a very similar subject.
- You must not be engaged in any other funded training or education programme.
- We cannot sponsor applicants during or on successful completion of the apprenticeship so please ensure you meet visa status eligibility.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate.The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first months pay.
You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Dispensing Assistant
- To carry out the full range of Dispensing Assistant duties including the dispensing of prescriptions and orders.
- Provide technical support to dispensary services including carrying out routine procedures in the ordering, distribution and storage of pharmaceutical stock.
- To dispense discharge prescriptions and electronically generate patient specific orders at ward level.
- To provide support within the clinical trials unit (Freeman only).
Apprentice Dispensing Assistant - Band 2 18 month fixed-term
- Provide technical support to dispensary services including carrying out routine procedures in the ordering, distribution and storage of pharmaceutical stock.
- Undertake reception duties at the staff hatch, answer the dispensary telephone and ensure orders/prescriptions are entered on the prescription tracking system.
- Provide appropriate support as required to dispensary staff.
- Checks off orders received into the dispensary in accordance with procedure.
- Replenish the Emergency Drug Cupboard.
- Replenish a variety of cardiac arrest boxes.
- Issues Controlled Drugs in response to a written order.
- Undertake in-house training programme for the dispensing of discharge prescriptions.
Apprenticeship Posts You will need to be able to meet all the eligibility requirements as prescribed by the apprenticeship criteria to undertake the role.
To be eligible for an apprenticeship you must:
- Have the right to work and remain in the UK.
- Have lived in the UK for at least 3 years.
- Provide evidence of required English and maths qualifications.
Further information:
- You will not be considered if you have an equivalent or higher qualification in the same or a very similar subject.
- You must not be engaged in any other funded training or education programme.
- We cannot sponsor applicants during or on successful completion of the apprenticeship so please ensure you meet visa status eligibility.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate.The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first months pay.
You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.
Person Specification
KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Knowledge of drug names and differences in formulations / pack sizes
Desirable
- Knowledge of Hospital Pharmacy
SKILLS
Essential
- Demonstrate good oral and written communication
- Basic computer skills
- Good organisational and accuracy skills
- Good customer care skills
- Capable of working with minimum supervision
EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Previous experience dispensing prescriptions
Desirable
- Grandparent clause notification to the GPhc
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- Have or working towards: NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services OR a training programme accredited by the GPhC to an equivalent level to Pharmacy Services Skills NVQ Level 2 (QCF)
Desirable
- GCSE (Min. Grade C) or equivalent in Mathematics and English Language or previous relevant experience
Meets All Band 2 Apprentice Criteria
Essential
- Knowledge of Health and Safety and hygiene in the workplace
- Demonstrate good oral and written communication
- Basic computer skills
- Good organisational and accuracy skills
- Good customer care skills
- English and Maths at Level 2 or equivalent (GCSE 9 - 4 or A-C or Functional/Key Skills Level 2)
- Must commit to undertake an Apprenticeship level 2 in Pharmacy
Desirable
- Knowledge of Hospital Pharmacy
- Knowledge of drug names and differences in formulations / pack sizes
- Grandparent clause notification to the GPhC
- Experience of stock control and stock management
Person Specification
KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Knowledge of drug names and differences in formulations / pack sizes
Desirable
- Knowledge of Hospital Pharmacy
SKILLS
Essential
- Demonstrate good oral and written communication
- Basic computer skills
- Good organisational and accuracy skills
- Good customer care skills
- Capable of working with minimum supervision
EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Previous experience dispensing prescriptions
Desirable
- Grandparent clause notification to the GPhc
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- Have or working towards: NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services OR a training programme accredited by the GPhC to an equivalent level to Pharmacy Services Skills NVQ Level 2 (QCF)
Desirable
- GCSE (Min. Grade C) or equivalent in Mathematics and English Language or previous relevant experience
Meets All Band 2 Apprentice Criteria
Essential
- Knowledge of Health and Safety and hygiene in the workplace
- Demonstrate good oral and written communication
- Basic computer skills
- Good organisational and accuracy skills
- Good customer care skills
- English and Maths at Level 2 or equivalent (GCSE 9 - 4 or A-C or Functional/Key Skills Level 2)
- Must commit to undertake an Apprenticeship level 2 in Pharmacy
Desirable
- Knowledge of Hospital Pharmacy
- Knowledge of drug names and differences in formulations / pack sizes
- Grandparent clause notification to the GPhC
- Experience of stock control and stock management
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).
