Job summary
Pharmacy Aseptic Services Apprentice (Band 3)
Are you an enthusiastic and motivated individual, looking for an opportunity to join our established Aseptic Team within the Pharmacy Department? We have an exciting opportunity for someone to be part of our dynamic and innovative pharmacy team, to join us as a Pharmacy Aseptic Services Apprentice.
Main duties of the job
Under the supervision of a Pharmacist or Principal Technician you will be involved in a broad range of activities in the Pharmacy department. You will participate in the preparation of worksheets and cytotoxic drugs in the Pharmacy Aseptic Unit and will assist the Principal Technician in coordinating work and cleaning in the Suite to ensure an efficient and safe supply of medicines to service users.
There will be a requirement to visit wards to order stock items using work stations on wheels (WOWs) and assemble these stock items for distribution.
You will have received a good standard of general education and have attained a GCSE grade C or above in Mathematics and English (or equivalent). You must be qualified to NVQ level 2 in Pharmacy Services or be willing to undertake a Science Manufacturing Technician apprenticeship or equivalent qualification within an agreed timescale, which will include doing a proportion of work in your own time in order to achieve this.
You will possess excellent communication skills, be self-motivated, have a flexible approach to work and be open to changing practices. You will need to be able to work well under pressure, have excellent attention to detail. You must be able to work as part of a team but also able demonstrate initiative and work in a professional and timely manner. Computer literacy is required although appropriate training on pharmacy systems will be provided.
About us
The purpose-built Pharmacy provides a clinical pharmacy service to Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Dorset University Foundation Trust (DHUFT). The dispensary has been recently refurbished and is now a state of the art pharmacy with the benefits of a new ARX robot installation, a Prescription Tracking System (PTS) with full electronic prescribing and medicines administration throughout the hospital. We are currently developing links between Primary and Secondary care to streamline continuity of care between service providers ensuring better patient care.
Dorset County Hospital isn't just a great place to work, but a great place to live. Situated within easy walking distance of the historic town of Dorchester, which is eight miles from the spectacular Jurassic Coast ideal for sports and outdoor activities. It is also within easy reach of areas of outstanding natural beauty such as the New Forest, the natural harbour of Poole, and one of Britain's best beaches at Bournemouth.
We are a Trust that celebrates diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We would welcome applications from people in groups which are under-represented in our organisation. We are an innovative forward thinking department entering an exciting new phase. If you have the drive and enthusiasm and are committed to providing a positive difference to the care of our patients then we look forward to hearing from you.
Job description
Job responsibilities
General
- To perform a variety of general pharmacy duties under the supervision of a pharmacist, technician or senior assistant in the designated areas, which will include the pharmacy Aseptic suite, main dispensary and ward areas.
- To work independently following standard operating procedures (SOPs) after successfully completing competency assessments.
- To undertake general housekeeping to maintain a clean, tidy and safe working environment.
- To have shared responsibility for reducing waste and expenditure.
- To assist in the training of other staff members to achieve the required competencies.
- To assist in the upkeep and maintenance of documentation including SOPs.
- To be proactive in identifying improved more efficient methods of working.
- Monitor and advise senior colleagues regarding non-conformance within the department.
- To promote Health & Safety and quality issues within the pharmacy service.
Aseptic Suite
- To be part of a team of pharmacists, technicians and assistants providing a timely and accurate supply of aseptically prepared intravenous pharmaceuticals to wards and departments.
- Prepare worksheets for the preparation of aseptic products
- To work in a clean room environment using isolators to manufacture cytotoxic drugs
- To participate in the preparation and reconstitution of cytotoxic drugs and monoclonal antibodies using approved protocols, guidelines and SOPs
- Carry out assembly, spraying in and packing of aseptically prepared and cytotoxic items
- To assist the senior technician to co-ordinate work within the aseptic suite
- To assist in the daily/monthly cleaning of the unit according to procedures and to supervise and train other staff in these procedures
- Assist with the receipt and storage of deliveries of pharmaceutical goods for clinical trials according to the requirements of GCP
- Dispense clinical trial medication according to SOPs
- Complete all relevant clinical trial paperwork
- Ensure all clinical trial folders are updated with the most recent documentation
Dispensary and Distribution
- To participate in the ward top-up system to replenish stock at ward level and liaise closely with ward pharmacist and ward staff to maintain effective stock levels on the wards
- To use the prescription tracking system (PTS) to track all prescriptions throughout their journey from the point of arrival in the pharmacy to their delivery to appropriate ward/department
- To deliver medication for patients and ward stock in a timely manner to the correct destination
Job description
Job responsibilities
General
- To perform a variety of general pharmacy duties under the supervision of a pharmacist, technician or senior assistant in the designated areas, which will include the pharmacy Aseptic suite, main dispensary and ward areas.
- To work independently following standard operating procedures (SOPs) after successfully completing competency assessments.
- To undertake general housekeeping to maintain a clean, tidy and safe working environment.
- To have shared responsibility for reducing waste and expenditure.
- To assist in the training of other staff members to achieve the required competencies.
- To assist in the upkeep and maintenance of documentation including SOPs.
- To be proactive in identifying improved more efficient methods of working.
- Monitor and advise senior colleagues regarding non-conformance within the department.
- To promote Health & Safety and quality issues within the pharmacy service.
Aseptic Suite
- To be part of a team of pharmacists, technicians and assistants providing a timely and accurate supply of aseptically prepared intravenous pharmaceuticals to wards and departments.
- Prepare worksheets for the preparation of aseptic products
- To work in a clean room environment using isolators to manufacture cytotoxic drugs
- To participate in the preparation and reconstitution of cytotoxic drugs and monoclonal antibodies using approved protocols, guidelines and SOPs
- Carry out assembly, spraying in and packing of aseptically prepared and cytotoxic items
- To assist the senior technician to co-ordinate work within the aseptic suite
- To assist in the daily/monthly cleaning of the unit according to procedures and to supervise and train other staff in these procedures
- Assist with the receipt and storage of deliveries of pharmaceutical goods for clinical trials according to the requirements of GCP
- Dispense clinical trial medication according to SOPs
- Complete all relevant clinical trial paperwork
- Ensure all clinical trial folders are updated with the most recent documentation
Dispensary and Distribution
- To participate in the ward top-up system to replenish stock at ward level and liaise closely with ward pharmacist and ward staff to maintain effective stock levels on the wards
- To use the prescription tracking system (PTS) to track all prescriptions throughout their journey from the point of arrival in the pharmacy to their delivery to appropriate ward/department
- To deliver medication for patients and ward stock in a timely manner to the correct destination
Person Specification
EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING
Essential
- Evidence of good level of education to include GCSE grade C in Mathematics, Science and English (or equivalent qualifications)
- Qualified to NVQ level 2 or 3 in Pharmacy Services AND/OR willing to undertake and achieve a Science Manufacturing Technician apprenticeship or equivalent qualification within an agreed timescale
KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Evidence of general work experience
Desirable
- Evidence of work experience in a pharmacy environment
- Evidence of previous hospital experience
SKILLS & ABILITIES
Essential
- Enthusiastic, motivated and able to use initiative and work with minimum supervision
- Ability to work methodically and accurately under pressure
- Ability to organise and prioritise own workload in order to meet deadlines
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Excellent communication skills both oral and written
- Excellent spoken and written English Language skills
Desirable
- Computer literacy and keyboard skills
- Ability to have a flexible approach to work and to be open to changing practices
- Good analytical, judgmental and interpersonal skills
Person Specification
EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING
Essential
- Evidence of good level of education to include GCSE grade C in Mathematics, Science and English (or equivalent qualifications)
- Qualified to NVQ level 2 or 3 in Pharmacy Services AND/OR willing to undertake and achieve a Science Manufacturing Technician apprenticeship or equivalent qualification within an agreed timescale
KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Evidence of general work experience
Desirable
- Evidence of work experience in a pharmacy environment
- Evidence of previous hospital experience
SKILLS & ABILITIES
Essential
- Enthusiastic, motivated and able to use initiative and work with minimum supervision
- Ability to work methodically and accurately under pressure
- Ability to organise and prioritise own workload in order to meet deadlines
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Excellent communication skills both oral and written
- Excellent spoken and written English Language skills
Desirable
- Computer literacy and keyboard skills
- Ability to have a flexible approach to work and to be open to changing practices
- Good analytical, judgmental and interpersonal skills
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).
