About this role
Job summary
To undertake a range of routine technical duties in support of Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.
These duties may include: o Assisting within the pharmacy aseptic services suites o Undertaking reception duties.
Accurately, safely and promptly dispense professionally checked prescriptions including participating in the reconstitution and preparation of medicinal products within the pharmacy aseptic services suites.
Using the trust based electronic ordering system to support stock supplies of consumable items for the aseptic unit and department.
Supplying medicines to wards and Departments.
Providing a top-up service as allocated.
Receiving stock from suppliers.
Assisting in the delivery and collection of pharmacy items to and from wards and departments
Deputise where needed for other band 3 assistants in non-sterile manufacturing
Main duties of the job
Assist in the provision of Pharmacy Aseptic Services, under direct supervision.
This will include:
Assisting in the assembly of the ingredients and equipment for product production, prepare labels and complete any documentation prior to the aseptic reconstitution process.
Participating in the reconstitution and preparation of medicinal products.
Cleaning of the aseptic suite(s) including sterile and non-sterile areas in accordance to the cleaning procedures.
Providing agreed supportive clerical duties to assist pharmacy technicians and pharmacists within the suites.
Assisting in the recording and maintenance of documentation which may include photocopying and filing.
Participate in monitoring and recording activities such as pressure data, storage temperatures and handling agar plates as is required within the suites.
Using the trust based electronic ordering system to support stock supplies of consumable items for the aseptic unit and the AH and WRH pharmacy departments as required.
Deputise as needed for the non-sterile manufacturing band 3 assistant
About us
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.
The Trust operates hospital-based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester
Our workforce is more than 7,000 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care. You could be one of them.
We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us. Our values, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.
Being open and honest
Ensuring people feel cared for
Showing respect to everyone
We are committed to developing a culture of continuous improvement by embedding the principles of our Improvement System.
We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation as a flex positive employer.
DBS Checks and Costs
Any applicants who are offered posts requiring a DBS check as part of their employment check will have the cost of this check (at the current rate) deducted from their salary. Please see link in Supporting Information section for more details on DBS checks and costs.
Job description Job responsibilities
Post Title:
Pay Band: Hours:
Contract: Location / Department:
Accountable to: Reports to:
Key Working Relationships:
Pharmacy Assistant Aseptic Services 3 37.5 hrs Permanent Aseptic Unit, Pharmacy Department, Alexandra Hospital Lead Technician Aseptic Services Lead Technician Aseptic Services
Co-workers within pharmacy, AH - to maintain continuity of service Pharmacy staff within Distribution and stores at Pharmacy, Alexandra Hospital.
Nursing staff to be able to answer routine queries relating to top-ups, waiting times and orders
Patients and their relatives - to be able to communicate effectively. Risk Assessment:
Frequently handle cytotoxic drugs and hazardous drugs as defined by the COSHH Regulations whilst dispensing, receiving stock, topping up, and working within the Aseptic Suite.
Requirement for prolonged concentration whilst preparing aseptic products and when inputting data on computer system.
Work within enclosed space for long periods of time whilst working within the Aseptic Suites.
Frequently be involved with the moderate physical effort associated with the manual handling of bulk fluid boxes, ward delivery boxes and deliveries from Suppliers for short periods of time whilst receiving and issuing stock 6-15kg and Occasionally be involved in dealing with angry and distressed relatives and nursing staff for short periods of time whilst covering reception duties.
Work under pressure to meet set transport and portering times to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of medicines.
Frequently sit at a VDU inputting data for long periods of time 10-15% of time
Assist in the provision of Pharmacy Aseptic Services, under direct supervision.
This will include:
Assisting in the assembly of the ingredients and equipment for product production, prepare labels and complete any documentation prior to the aseptic reconstitution process.
Participating in the reconstitution and preparation of medicinal products.
Cleaning of the aseptic suite including sterile and non-sterile areas in accordance to the cleaning procedures.
Providing agreed supportive clerical duties to assist pharmacy technicians and pharmacists within the suites.
Assisting in the recording and maintenance of documentation which may include photocopying and filing.
Participate in monitoring and recording activities such as pressure data, storage temperatures and handling agar plates as is required within the suites.
Using the trust based electronic ordering system to support stock supplies of consumable items for the aseptic unit and the AH and WRH pharmacy departments as required.
Deputise as needed for the non-sterile manufacturing band 3 assistant
Health and Safety
To minimize hazards in the working area, report any identifiable hazards to your line manager. Adhere to all safe systems of work applicable to your area.
Ensure all documentation relating to COSHH is maintained and kept up to date.
Research & Audit:
Maintain personal GCP training to dispense trial medication.
Training & Development:
Provide mentoring or supervision of trainee staff such that training needs are identified and staff progression is maintained.
Demonstrate and maintain Aseptic competence by successfully completing Aseptic Broth Transfer Test Validation every six months.
Other Responsibilities: The post holder will use the Pharmacy Computer System, finance systems, MS Office and other computer software to produce drug usage reports, management reports, plans, rotas, policies and procedures etc. as required.
The post holder will undertake a mutually agreed range of technical duties in the department, meeting the required standards at all times, gained by completion of the appropriate competency based training program.
The post holder will participate in the Trusts Skills Development Review process on at least an annual basis, preparing for and pro-actively contributing to the annual review. This will include following the Personal Development Plan PDP devised.
The post holder will be expected to work on some weekends and Bank Holidays.
The post holder will maintain patient confidentiality at all times according to Trust procedure and policy.
The post holder will act in a professional, caring and responsible manner at all times.
Where concerns or doubts of the accuracy of another member of staff are identified by the post holder, these must be communicated promptly and appropriately to the Lead technician.
Person Specification
Experience Essential
Recent experience of working in a hospital environment in the care of patients OR of working in a clean room environment
Desirable
Recent hospital experience of successfully delivering technical pharmacy services as a pharmacy assistant. Recent and relevant aseptic compounding experience Recent and relevant experience of working in a laboratory
Additional information Essential
Issuing medicine stock where accuracy is important. Dispensing medicines where accuracy is of the utmost importance including aseptically dispensed medicines. Dispensing medicine accurately without making errors. Attention to detail. Good concentration skills Up to date knowledge of Health and Safety at Work including COSHH, GMP and Manual Handling. Able to work in a busy environment, meet deadlines, manage time effectively and remain calm under pressure. Able to train other staff. Able to work on own as well as be a good team worker. Able to empathise with patients, carers, visitors and staff. Flexible, reliable, enthusiastic and punctual Able to resolve simple problems, use initiative but understand limits of responsibility Honest and trustworthy and able to maintain strict confidentiality at all times Manual dexterity and skilled at manipulating aseptic products Good verbal and written communication skills with neat and accurate record keeping Organising and prioritising work. Skilled at ordering medicines to ensure sufficient stock is available for issue whilst minimising stock holding and minimising waste due to expiry. Skilled at using the Pharmacy Computer System for ordering and labelling medicines Standard key-board skills for using the Pharmacy Computer System, and other software, to produce departmental work sheets, correspondence, label medicines. Skilled at using Microsoft Office e.g. to produce word-processed documents in MS Word, memorandums and emails in MS Outlook Skilled at using the internet and intranet.
Desirable
Up to date knowledge and understanding of Safe Systems of Working in pharmacy. Up to date knowledge of Trust Medicines Policy. Current understanding of the issues facing pharmacy technical services within the NHS. Knowledge of quality assurance.
Qualifications Essential
GCSE (or equivalent) grades 7-4 in Maths, Science and English Language.
Desirable
NVQ Level 2 in pharmacy technical services
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 Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
Address The Alexandra Hospital
Woodrow Drive
Redditch
Worcestershire
B987UB
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)