Pharmacy Technician

at  Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

This role is suitable for Pharmacy Technicians from all areas of Pharmacy, including Hospital, Community Pharmacy, Prison service, Primary care etc.
Due to recent promotion of some of our Band 4 Pharmacy Technicians, we are looking for motivated and dedicated band 4 Pharmacy Technicians to join our dispensary team.
The role offers an exciting opportunity to be an integral part of our Pharmacy team contributing to the efficient and accurate dispensing of medicines to patients of the Trust.
The Pharmacy currently has approximately 140 staff operating across both sites, and our two main Dispensaries based at Whiston Hospital and St Helens Hospital have new Automated Dispensing Systems installed last year.
It is vital that applicants are adaptable and prepared to work with us to help us deliver the Trusts vision of 5-star patient care.
Applicants must be registered as a Pharmacy Technician with GPhC (Student Pharmacy Technicians qualifying this year may also apply). An enhanced DBS Cer tificate with the checking of both the Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists is required for this post.
Interview Date - Week Commencing 25th November 2024
To participate in the routine duties of a newly qualified pharmacy technician whilst undergoing a supervised probationary period (minimum 6 months) of competency based training.
To maintain safe systems of working
To co-operate in the provision and development of an efficient and effective pharmaceutical service.
The Pharmacy operates a 7 day service and as part of this role you will be expected to participate in the evening and weekend working rota providing both ward and dispensary services to the Trust
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9000 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.
We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.

KEY DUTIES

To assist in the receipt of prescriptions accurately according to safe working practices.
To dispense prescriptions accurately according to safe working practices.
To dispense controlled drug prescriptions and record according.
To assist in the receipt of controlled drugs.
To assist in stock control within the pharmacy, wards, departments, and clinics.
To transcribe information from medicines kardexes on wards and liaise with ward staff on the appropriate supply of non-stock medication.
To order stocks and special line items to fulfil prescriptions.
To take payment for prescriptions according to the departmental procedure.
To maintain an accurate balance of cash in the dispensary tills and cash up at the end of the day.
To communicate with patients regarding their own medication that they have brought into the hospital and the continuation of supply.
To assist in the preparation and assembly of supplies for delivery to wards and departments.
To counsel patients on the correct use of their medication and assess their understanding of the medicines and devices prescribed.
To extemporaneously dispense medicines, occasionally using specific equipment (e.g. fume cupboards and weighing balances) and taking protective measures. Weighing and measuring must be accurate as there are narrow margins for errors.
To assist other members of staff in the performance of their duties
To co-operate in the provision of an efficient and cost-effective service.
To answer phone calls and queries from patients and other health care professionals.
To provide individual dose dispensing and blister packing services for patients who have difficulty with normal medicines packaging.
To assist in the preparation and assembly of resuscitation and anaphylaxis boxes according to trust policy.
To participate as necessary in weekend, evening, bank holiday and on call rotas in response to the changing needs of the service.
To participate in the band 4 rota to the dispensary at St Helens.

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

To work to the code of ethics and standards of practice as laid down by the General Pharmaceutical Council.
To maintain continuing professional development.
To maintain registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

To use the JAC computer system and input data responsibly and accurately, for all duties requiring its use e.g. labelling, ordering and stock control.
To record any information and assist in the compilation of any data necessary including ordering inpatient medication, transcribing medicine kardexes to order forms (one stop dispensing sheets) accurately.

LINE MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

To comply with and ensure that all other pharmacy staff under his/her control comply with the legal and other requirements related to the purchase, supply, use, safe custody and destruction of drugs both within the pharmacy and in all other areas of the trust.