Job summary
Are you a dedicated and hard-working individual, looking to further your Pharmacy career?
The Pharmacy Department requires an experienced and adaptable Pharmacy Technician to be involved in the day to day management of a variety of computer systems and the review / development / change within the purchasing section of the pharmacy department.
Interview date: 31st May 2023
Main duties of the job
- You will be a highly motivated individual with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and having the ability to effectively work with a small team of staff in the purchasing section and the pharmacy team as a whole. You will be responsible for the day-to-day co-ordination of the purchase of pharmaceuticals ensuring the appropriate purchasing of stock for the pharmacy and it's customers.
- The Pharmacy department has over 150 staff operating across Whiston and St Helens Hospitals; we have an established automated dispensing system across both sites.
- The department is committed to continuous personal and professional development and aims to give the necessary support to ensure that individual needs can be met.
- Applicants must be registered with GPhC as a Pharmacy Technician, possess BTEC Level 4 Professional Diploma in Dispensing Technician Checking or recognised equivalent and have significant experience within hospital procurement.
- This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check (with adults and children barred lists).
About us
St Helens & Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is the only acute Trust in Cheshire and Merseyside and one of the few in the country to achieve OUTSTANDING rated by the Care Quality Commission.
We provide a full range of acute adult services to our local population of circa 360,000 and provide tertiary services across the North West, North Wales, and Isle of Man. We are a Major Trauma Unit and the Mersey Regional Burns Unit.
Our '5 Star Patient Care' strategy is at the heart of what we do; supporting our vision to provide world class services for all our patients by getting it right for every patient, every time.
Our latest achievements include:
- Acute Trust of the Year HSJ Awards November 2019
- Trust rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
- Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
- Best acute Trust in the North West for quality of care (NHS Staff Survey 2021)
- Best place to work in the North West (NHS Staff Survey 2021)
- Awarded National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for our Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme
In the NHS Staff Survey 2021 the Trust scored the highest marks in the North West for the following areas:
- Standard of care
- Best place to work
- Care of patients being the Trust's priority
- Staff engagement
- Staff morale
- Compassionate & inclusive
- Providing safe environments for staff
Please see attached Wellbeing & Benefits booklet for more information on our benefits for staff. Accessible version available upon request.
Job description
Job responsibilities
KEY DUTIES
Purchasing & Homecare
- To act as the System Manager for the Pharmacy CMM Stock Control system.
- To work under the direction of the Principal Pharmacist-Business Management in managing the purchasing section of the pharmacy to ensure that the purchase transactions of pharmaceuticals is processed accurately and efficiently to meet the sections customers needs.
- To source and purchase pharmaceuticals according to departmental standard operating procedures and Trust standing financial orders.
- To work with the Principal Pharmacist-Business Management in reviewing / developing / changing purchasing and distribution arrangements for pharmaceuticals within the Trust to increase the efficient availability of medicines for all customers.
- To work alongside the EPMA Pharmacy team to ensure the effective management of the CMM Pharmacy Computer System.
- To assist in the implementation and maintenance of a purchasing for safety policy to promote procurement of products with inherent safety features.
- To assess deliveries of unlicensed medicines for suitability and release them from quarantine according to the unlicensed medicines procedure.
- To assist in the management of recalled drugs following MHRA / notification via another route.
- To assist in promoting patient safety and efficiency within the department.
- Design, management and administration of inter departmental /speciality databases working with the specialist informatics pharmacist.
- Design, management and administration of Crystal reports and Crystal Scheduler working with the specialist informatics pharmacist.
- Design, management and administration of supplier performance database.
- Project Management for future computer/pharmacy systems development including the introduction of full electronic ordering and invoicing in line with the Carter report.
- To work alongside Senior Technician-Patient Services to ensure the effective training and on-going management of dispensary, purchasing and stores personnel with respect to use of the JAC computer system and ordering procedures.
- Organisation of processes and procedures for the collection, recording and reporting of Pharmacy Patient Data in line with NHS strategic direction working with the specialist informatics pharmacist.
- To respond to Freedom of Information requests received by the Pharmacy department where applicable.
- To represent St Helens & Knowsley Hospitals Pharmacy service as an active member on the NW CMM User Group.
- To support the needs of the Financial Sub Committee of the Medicines Management Group by providing financial reports from CMM
- To work with the Chief Technician Patient Services in ensuring that the pharmacy robot is used to maximum efficiency.
- To actively participate in the North West networks for procurement of hospital medicines.
- To actively contribute to the Trust and Department cost improvement schemes
- To support the development and implementation of procedures and practices in accordance with all relevant standards.
- To develop and support Homecare delivery of medicines in accordance with local and national guidelines and standards.
- To assist invoicing staff in reconciling invoice queries as required.
- To act as an authorised signatory for orders of Pharmaceutical items up to a value of £20k
- To liaise with senior staff within the pharmacy department regarding prescribing trends, seasonal variation, horizon scanning and formulary changes in order to plan and maintain suitable stock availability.
- To liaise with pharmacy staff and prescribers to ensure supply of patient specific items are obtained as required.
- To work with the Principal Pharmacist-Business Management in obtaining alternative products in case of supply problems and communicate availability problems to appropriate staff both within and outside of the Pharmacy department.
- To work with the Principal Pharmacist-Business Management in preparing for external audit from bodies such as Mersey Internal Audit and to prepare action plans in response to these audits.
- To produce forecast demands for contracting purposes.
- To participate in the development of departmental policies and procedures in liaison with other pharmacy staff.
- To undertake personal staff appraisals and review objectives according to the Trusts requirements.
- To investigate, resolve and review complaints and breaches in quality and review practice, policies and procedures to reduce the risk of a recurrence.
- To comply with legal and other requirements related to the purchase, supply, use, safe custody and destruction of drugs within the pharmacy and other areas of the hospital
Job description
Job responsibilities
KEY DUTIES
Purchasing & Homecare
- To act as the System Manager for the Pharmacy CMM Stock Control system.
- To work under the direction of the Principal Pharmacist-Business Management in managing the purchasing section of the pharmacy to ensure that the purchase transactions of pharmaceuticals is processed accurately and efficiently to meet the sections customers needs.
- To source and purchase pharmaceuticals according to departmental standard operating procedures and Trust standing financial orders.
- To work with the Principal Pharmacist-Business Management in reviewing / developing / changing purchasing and distribution arrangements for pharmaceuticals within the Trust to increase the efficient availability of medicines for all customers.
- To work alongside the EPMA Pharmacy team to ensure the effective management of the CMM Pharmacy Computer System.
- To assist in the implementation and maintenance of a purchasing for safety policy to promote procurement of products with inherent safety features.
- To assess deliveries of unlicensed medicines for suitability and release them from quarantine according to the unlicensed medicines procedure.
- To assist in the management of recalled drugs following MHRA / notification via another route.
- To assist in promoting patient safety and efficiency within the department.
- Design, management and administration of inter departmental /speciality databases working with the specialist informatics pharmacist.
- Design, management and administration of Crystal reports and Crystal Scheduler working with the specialist informatics pharmacist.
- Design, management and administration of supplier performance database.
- Project Management for future computer/pharmacy systems development including the introduction of full electronic ordering and invoicing in line with the Carter report.
- To work alongside Senior Technician-Patient Services to ensure the effective training and on-going management of dispensary, purchasing and stores personnel with respect to use of the JAC computer system and ordering procedures.
- Organisation of processes and procedures for the collection, recording and reporting of Pharmacy Patient Data in line with NHS strategic direction working with the specialist informatics pharmacist.
- To respond to Freedom of Information requests received by the Pharmacy department where applicable.
- To represent St Helens & Knowsley Hospitals Pharmacy service as an active member on the NW CMM User Group.
- To support the needs of the Financial Sub Committee of the Medicines Management Group by providing financial reports from CMM
- To work with the Chief Technician Patient Services in ensuring that the pharmacy robot is used to maximum efficiency.
- To actively participate in the North West networks for procurement of hospital medicines.
- To actively contribute to the Trust and Department cost improvement schemes
- To support the development and implementation of procedures and practices in accordance with all relevant standards.
- To develop and support Homecare delivery of medicines in accordance with local and national guidelines and standards.
- To assist invoicing staff in reconciling invoice queries as required.
- To act as an authorised signatory for orders of Pharmaceutical items up to a value of £20k
- To liaise with senior staff within the pharmacy department regarding prescribing trends, seasonal variation, horizon scanning and formulary changes in order to plan and maintain suitable stock availability.
- To liaise with pharmacy staff and prescribers to ensure supply of patient specific items are obtained as required.
- To work with the Principal Pharmacist-Business Management in obtaining alternative products in case of supply problems and communicate availability problems to appropriate staff both within and outside of the Pharmacy department.
- To work with the Principal Pharmacist-Business Management in preparing for external audit from bodies such as Mersey Internal Audit and to prepare action plans in response to these audits.
- To produce forecast demands for contracting purposes.
- To participate in the development of departmental policies and procedures in liaison with other pharmacy staff.
- To undertake personal staff appraisals and review objectives according to the Trusts requirements.
- To investigate, resolve and review complaints and breaches in quality and review practice, policies and procedures to reduce the risk of a recurrence.
- To comply with legal and other requirements related to the purchase, supply, use, safe custody and destruction of drugs within the pharmacy and other areas of the hospital
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registration as Pharmacy Technician with GPhC
- Qualified Checking Technician
- ECDL Advanced or above or equivalent
- Completion of training in procurement relevant to pharmacy
Desirable
- CIPS qualification
- Completion of training on appraisals
Other
Essential
- Willingness to travel between sites
Desirable
- Possession of a clean driving licence with appropriate insurance
Knowledge
Essential
- Substantial experience of working in a hospital pharmacy purchasing office
- Advanced experience in managing the CMM Pharmacy Computer System
- Substantial experience of management of all aspects of a hospital pharmacy computer system and pharmacy automation
- Demonstrable experience of supervising and developing staff
- Designing and implementing new databases, reporting systems etc.
- Active involvement in regional purchasing and/or pharmacy system user groups
- Experience of Crystal Reporting
- Expertise of pharmacy drug contract management obtained via training & experience or equivalent.
Desirable
- Experience in using the Trust's Patient Administration System
- Web and intranet development experience
- Writing Standard Operating Procedures
Skills
Essential
- Advanced skills in pharmacy technology management including computer systems, databases & automation
- Analysis & reporting of complex information
- Experience of managing/supervising teams
- Planning & service development skills
- Ability to liaise effectively with patients, staff and other senior health professionals
- Ability to work unsupervised
- Ability to work accurately & efficiently
- Well-organised with good administrative skills
- Good time management
- Self-motivated with the ability to motivate others
- Ability to work under pressure
- Team player
- Reliable
- Supportive of colleagues of all grades
Desirable
- Staff appraisal skills
- Good motivational skills
- Good negotiating skills
- Management of change
- Practice audit
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registration as Pharmacy Technician with GPhC
- Qualified Checking Technician
- ECDL Advanced or above or equivalent
- Completion of training in procurement relevant to pharmacy
Desirable
- CIPS qualification
- Completion of training on appraisals
Other
Essential
- Willingness to travel between sites
Desirable
- Possession of a clean driving licence with appropriate insurance
Knowledge
Essential
- Substantial experience of working in a hospital pharmacy purchasing office
- Advanced experience in managing the CMM Pharmacy Computer System
- Substantial experience of management of all aspects of a hospital pharmacy computer system and pharmacy automation
- Demonstrable experience of supervising and developing staff
- Designing and implementing new databases, reporting systems etc.
- Active involvement in regional purchasing and/or pharmacy system user groups
- Experience of Crystal Reporting
- Expertise of pharmacy drug contract management obtained via training & experience or equivalent.
Desirable
- Experience in using the Trust's Patient Administration System
- Web and intranet development experience
- Writing Standard Operating Procedures
Skills
Essential
- Advanced skills in pharmacy technology management including computer systems, databases & automation
- Analysis & reporting of complex information
- Experience of managing/supervising teams
- Planning & service development skills
- Ability to liaise effectively with patients, staff and other senior health professionals
- Ability to work unsupervised
- Ability to work accurately & efficiently
- Well-organised with good administrative skills
- Good time management
- Self-motivated with the ability to motivate others
- Ability to work under pressure
- Team player
- Reliable
- Supportive of colleagues of all grades
Desirable
- Staff appraisal skills
- Good motivational skills
- Good negotiating skills
- Management of change
- Practice audit
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
