About this role
Job summary
Are you an enthusiastic Pharmacy Assistant looking to take the next step in your career? We're looking for a positive, proactive Pharmacy Assistant to join our friendly team and support the smooth running of our busy aseptics, dispensary & stores departments based at Princess Royal University Hospital.
In this varied and rewarding role, you'll work closely with the aseptics, dispensary & stores teams and wider pharmacy team to ensure the safe, efficient, and caring delivery of services to our patients.
This is a fantastic opportunity to develop your skills in a supportive environment where new ideas are encouraged and professional growth is celebrated. If you're a Pharmacy Assistant ready for more responsibility and looking for a fresh challenge, we'll make sure you have the support, training, and resources to succeed.
Main duties of the job
Dispensary
Ensure the safe, effective and economical use of medicines for all Trust patients.
Work in accordance with departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Accurately dispense inpatient, outpatient and discharge (TTO) medications.
Refer any non-routine or complex queries to senior staff when appropriate.
Use pharmacy computer systems correctly, entering accurate data.
Participate in the 7-day pharmacy service, including weekends, late shifts and bank holidays.
Dispense Controlled Drugs (CDs) using the Omnicell system.
Carry out daily housekeeping and maintenance tasks as outlined in daily/weekly rotas.
Aseptics
Clean, tidy and disinfect the aseptic environment and equipment in line with local SOPs (may require early starts).
Assist with environmental monitoring within aseptic services.
Maintain accurate records as required by SOPs.
Comply with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements, including dress code and hygiene standards.
Follow all departmental health and safety guidelines.
Complete required validation and ongoing competency assessments for aseptic work.
Stores
Support the Pharmacy Distribution Service with general duties, including:
Receiving and checking incoming goods
Completing ward top-ups
Issuing stock to wards
Work under the supervision of the Pharmacy Distribution Services Manager to ensure efficient and accurate stock management.
About us
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of £1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.
We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.
King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.
Job description Job responsibilities
Rotate between Dispensary, Stores & Aseptics.
Follow all SOPS in all areas
Complete all competencies in all areas
Liaises with (internal): All pharmacy staff including:
Principal Pharmacists
Senior Pharmacists
Pharmacy technicians
Other Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officers and admin & clerical staff
Liaises with (external): Nursing staff
Portering staff
Admin & clerical staff
Patients & their relatives
The general public
Dispensary ManagerDeputy Dispensary Manager B6Senior Technician B5
To ensure the safe, effective and economical use of drugs for all patients in the Trust. To be able to follow departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). be able to dispense inpatient, outpatient and discharge medication accurately. To contribute to wider policies that has an impact within the pharmacy department and acrossthe Trust. To support the Dispensary Manager by contributing to the development of the Dispensary Services. To refer non-routine enquiries to a more senior member of staff as appropriate. To be able to use pharmacy computer systems correctly and enter data accurately from transcription sheets, prescription forms and any other prescriptions written by others. To ensure that data is stored and archived appropriately in accordance with local and regionallyagreed guidelines. To be able to participate in a 7 day operational model including working weekends, late shiftsand bank holidays To counsel patients on the use of their outpatient medication, where applicable. To be able to use initiative to appropriately prioritise work. To be able to dispense Controlled Drugs using the Omnicell System To be able to carry out daily housekeeping duties as per daily and weekly rota Aseptics To tidy, clean and disinfect the Aseptic Services environment and equipment according to local SOPs. This may involve an early start. To assist with the environmental monitoring in Aseptic services. To produce and keep such records as defined by local SOP, and as required by the Associate Director and Chief Technician. To comply with departmental Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements of dress and hygiene relating to working in aseptic services. To work within the health and safety guidelines of the department at all times. To undertake any relevant validation to ensure on going validation of aseptic competence. To prepare documentation and labels using the pharmacy computer system. To undertake transfer disinfection into the aseptic unit and isolators according to procedures. To sit or stand at isolators for long periods. To check volumes of other staff in the aseptic unit after an appropriate period of training and competenceassessment. To participate in the monitoring and cleaning rota of the isolators following SOPs. To assist in the maintenance of equipment as required
Person Specification
Education and Qualification Essential
NVQ Level 2 certificate in pharmacy skills (QCF), BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Pharmaceutical Sciences qualification or equivalent or currently undertaking course
Skills Essential
Be able to communicate effectively in both written and verbal formats with staff and patients Be able to plan & prioritise the day-to-day activities of self and others Be able to deal with routine dispensary enquiries
Experiences Essential
Knowledge of pharmacy dispensing systems Experience of working in a Pharmacy (community or hospital)
Desirable
Knowledge of pharmacy computer systems
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship 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).
Employer details Employer name King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address Princess Royal University Hospital
Farnborough Common
Bromley
BR6 8ND
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.kch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)