Job summary
To work under the professional direction and supervision of
Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacists to perform a variety of routine and non
routine tasks to support and assist the pharmacy teams to deliver a 7 day
patient focused pharmaceutical service. This will include working between
dispensaries, ward based services and distribution areas (stores)
To work closely with the senior assistants, technicians and
pharmacists to provide patients with an accurate and timely supply of
medication from admission through to discharge, in compliance with departmental
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), policies and national guidelines.
To work as part of a team which includes both pharmacy staff
and other healthcare professionals to ensure that a safe, high quality pharmacy
service is delivered.
Main duties of the job
To work under the professional direction and supervision of
Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacists to perform a variety of routine and non
routine tasks to support and assist the pharmacy teams to deliver a 7 day
patient focused pharmaceutical service. This will include working between
dispensaries, ward based services and distribution areas (stores).
The post holder will:
Be
responsible for a range of technical duties in the dispensary to aid in the
smooth and efficient running of the department. Dispense medication on
prescriptions and requisitions, for in patient use, outpatient prescriptions
and for discharge. Dispensing of controlled drug prescriptions.
Work
together with the pharmacists and technicians at ward level to provide patients
with an accurate and timely supply of medication from admission through to
discharge to contribute to the delivery of a comprehensive and modern ward
pharmacy service
Perform
the weekly top up service to allocated wards ensuring that the requirements of
the ward are met at all times.
Assist in the rollout, training, and management of Omnicell under the
supervision of the Omnicell Pharmacy Team
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
Over reliance on
AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of
success.
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have been employed for a minimum of two years
of as a HCA Band 3 within the NHS for the Trust to consider
sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and
have a current visa expiring within 3 months).
Job description
Job responsibilities
Ward based Clinical Support
Support
the availability of medicines throughout a patients stay with the ward pharmacy
team and ward team.
Act as
link person between the pharmacy department, and the ward staff in relation to
providing information on progress of prescriptions/ requisitions and queries
relating to dispensing/dosage/previous supply/availability and delivery.
Use the
required underpinning communication skills, intrinsic to the role of a pharmacy
assistant.
Transfer
medicines between wards to follow the patient to minimise re-ordering of
supplies, medicines wastage and drug expenditure.
Facilitate
the ongoing provision of compliance aids including communication with community
pharmacy colleagues.
Support
the planning / prompting of discharge medicines on completion of training.
Correctly
assess patients own drugs (PODs) and complete appropriate documentation.
Highlight
discrepancies between PODs and prescribed items to pharmacists/technicians, as
appropriate.
Obtain
consent from the patient or carer for the use or destruction of PODs.
Recognise
own limitations and refer to a pharmacist/technician, as appropriate.
Order
medicines that are required or are unavailable for individual patients.
Take
action to ensure omitted doses of medicines are reduced, particularly critical
/high risk medicines.
Ward top up Supply
Provide an
individual stock replenishment service (top-up) to designated wards and
departments to ensure that good stock control is maintained at all times. This
will include the checking of expiry dates of ward stock, ensuring that wards
and departments have a sufficient stock of medicines.
Liaise
with the pharmacy team to ensure that stock levels are set at the correct
level.
Accurately
assemble ward top-up orders and book out ward supplies using the pharmacy
computer system.
Dispensary Services
Take
responsibility for the dispensing and issue of all prescriptions within their
knowledge and skills including oral cytotoxic regimes, clinical trials,
controlled drugs and unlicensed medication via in-patient and out-patient
prescriptions, using the pharmacy computer system in accordance with agreed
safe systems of work practice in safe and timely manner
Participate in core and extended
working hours (including evening, weekend and Bank Holidays).
Job description
Job responsibilities
Ward based Clinical Support
Support
the availability of medicines throughout a patients stay with the ward pharmacy
team and ward team.
Act as
link person between the pharmacy department, and the ward staff in relation to
providing information on progress of prescriptions/ requisitions and queries
relating to dispensing/dosage/previous supply/availability and delivery.
Use the
required underpinning communication skills, intrinsic to the role of a pharmacy
assistant.
Transfer
medicines between wards to follow the patient to minimise re-ordering of
supplies, medicines wastage and drug expenditure.
Facilitate
the ongoing provision of compliance aids including communication with community
pharmacy colleagues.
Support
the planning / prompting of discharge medicines on completion of training.
Correctly
assess patients own drugs (PODs) and complete appropriate documentation.
Highlight
discrepancies between PODs and prescribed items to pharmacists/technicians, as
appropriate.
Obtain
consent from the patient or carer for the use or destruction of PODs.
Recognise
own limitations and refer to a pharmacist/technician, as appropriate.
Order
medicines that are required or are unavailable for individual patients.
Take
action to ensure omitted doses of medicines are reduced, particularly critical
/high risk medicines.
Ward top up Supply
Provide an
individual stock replenishment service (top-up) to designated wards and
departments to ensure that good stock control is maintained at all times. This
will include the checking of expiry dates of ward stock, ensuring that wards
and departments have a sufficient stock of medicines.
Liaise
with the pharmacy team to ensure that stock levels are set at the correct
level.
Accurately
assemble ward top-up orders and book out ward supplies using the pharmacy
computer system.
Dispensary Services
Take
responsibility for the dispensing and issue of all prescriptions within their
knowledge and skills including oral cytotoxic regimes, clinical trials,
controlled drugs and unlicensed medication via in-patient and out-patient
prescriptions, using the pharmacy computer system in accordance with agreed
safe systems of work practice in safe and timely manner
Participate in core and extended
working hours (including evening, weekend and Bank Holidays).
Person Specification
Special Requirements
Essential
- To participate in a weekend pharmacy service and relevant bank holiday arrangements
Qualifications
Essential
- Good standard of literacy and numeracy equivalent to GCSE grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics
- Level 2 in Pharmacy Services (or equivalent experience) or other accredited in-house programmes or recognised pharmacy dispensing qualifications (Boots, NPA) and relevant training /experience
- Have obtained or willing to commence CDDFT Medicines Management Module 1: Assessment of Patients Own Drugs within 6 months of employment
- Evidence of on-going Competency/Training
Desirable
- Medicines Management experience
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a hospital pharmacy
- Working knowledge of live pharmacy stock control systems
- Demonstrate experience of working in a team
- Experience of customer service role
Special Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Good computer and keyboard skills
- Responsible, accurate and methodical
- Able to demonstrate this approach in a busy environment
- Able to pay attention to detail and carry out instructions
- Excellent customer service skills for dealing with people
- Good oral and written communication skills
- Evidence of personal development and commitment to CPD
Person Specification
Special Requirements
Essential
- To participate in a weekend pharmacy service and relevant bank holiday arrangements
Qualifications
Essential
- Good standard of literacy and numeracy equivalent to GCSE grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics
- Level 2 in Pharmacy Services (or equivalent experience) or other accredited in-house programmes or recognised pharmacy dispensing qualifications (Boots, NPA) and relevant training /experience
- Have obtained or willing to commence CDDFT Medicines Management Module 1: Assessment of Patients Own Drugs within 6 months of employment
- Evidence of on-going Competency/Training
Desirable
- Medicines Management experience
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a hospital pharmacy
- Working knowledge of live pharmacy stock control systems
- Demonstrate experience of working in a team
- Experience of customer service role
Special Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Good computer and keyboard skills
- Responsible, accurate and methodical
- Able to demonstrate this approach in a busy environment
- Able to pay attention to detail and carry out instructions
- Excellent customer service skills for dealing with people
- Good oral and written communication skills
- Evidence of personal development and commitment to CPD
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.
Employer details
Employer name
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust
Hollyhurst Road
Darlington
County Durham
DL3 6HX
Employer's website
https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
