About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) as a Senior Pharmacy Assistant within the Pharmacy and Medicines Optimisation Team.
Working as part of a busy pharmacy service, you will support the safe, efficient and effective supply of medicines across inpatient and community services. The role offers a varied workload including dispensing, medicines distribution, stock control, procurement support, invoice reconciliation and ward-based medicines management activities.
We are looking for an organised individual with excellent attention to detail, strong communication skills and a commitment to delivering high-quality patient care. Previous pharmacy experience is essential and experience within a hospital or NHS setting is desirable
Main duties of the job
- Support the dispensing and supply of medicines in accordance with pharmacy procedures and legislation.
- Assist with controlled drug processes and medicines distribution services.
- Receive, check, store and distribute pharmaceutical stock, ensuring accurate stock rotation and inventory management.
- Support procurement activities, including invoice matching, reconciliation and maintaining audit trails.
- Monitor stock levels, assist with ordering medicines and support stocktaking activities.
- Undertake ward stock top-ups and support medicines management services across Trust sites.
- Maintain accurate records using pharmacy computer systems and Trust IT systems.
- Assist with audits, data collection and quality improvement initiatives.
- Support the induction and training of pharmacy assistants and contribute to the smooth running of the pharmacy service.
About us
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from theCare Quality Commission.
Our family of over 4,500 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:
Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Dispensary Services
- Assist in dispensing and issuing medicines in accordance with departmental procedures and Standard Operating Procedures.
- Accurately label, assemble and dispense prescriptions under supervision.
- Support the supply of medicines to inpatient units and community services.
- Assist in the preparation and supply of controlled drugs in accordance with legal and local requirements.
- Maintain accurate dispensing records using pharmacy computer systems.
Purchasing and Distribution Support
The post holder will support the efficient procurement, receipt and distribution of medicines and pharmacy stock by:
Processing and reconciling supplier invoices, investigating discrepancies and maintaining accurate audit trails under the supervision of the Senior Pharmacy Technician.
Supporting that invoices are processed in accordance with Trust financial procedures and within agreed timescales.
Supporting any issues relating to outstanding invoices and resolving issues as required.
Receiving, checking and receipting pharmaceutical deliveries using the pharmacy stock control system.
Verifying quantities, condition, batch numbers and expiry dates of stock received.
Accurately recording stock information and maintaining inventory records.
Storing medicines securely and appropriately, ensuring effective stock rotation.
Supporting stock control activities, including monitoring stock levels, identifying shortages and participating in stock checks.
Assisting with the distribution of medicines and pharmacy stock to Trust services.
Complying with all relevant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), legal requirements and Trust policies relating to medicines management and financial governance.
Monitoring stock levels and identify supply shortages.
Ordering medicines and pharmacy consumables as directed.
Supporting annual and periodic stocktakes.
Ensuring pharmacy storage areas remain organised and compliant with Trust requirements.
Maintaining ward and service stock supplies.
Undertaking stock top-up services.
Participate in stock rotation and expiry date checks.
Assist with the return and disposal of unwanted medicines
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE's: Math's, English and Science (at level 4/C or higher/A-C) and 3 other subjects at a minimum of grade 4/C
- NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working as a member of a team
- Experience of working to deadlines
- Experience of using IT packages such as Microsoft Office/365
- Experience in working in a pharmacy environment
- Knowledge of pharmacy based computer systems
Desirable
- Previous hospital experience
- Experience of supervising other staff
Skills/Knowledge/Ability
Essential
- Ability to read/write in English language
- Good communication skills (written and verbal)
- Customer service skills
- Basic computer keyboard and mouse skills
- Enthusiastic, reliable and honest
- Proactive approach and willing to learn
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Methodical with attention to detail
- Good time management, organisation and prioritisation skills
Desirable
- Ability to manage difficult situations
- Ability to train and supervise staff
Physical/Mental/Emotional Effort
Essential
- Able to travel using own vehicle to various Trust and other locations across Hertfordshire to meet the needs of the service. *Car driver (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010 which prevents you from driving)
- Moving and handling of pharmacy items
- Demonstrates ability to meet set targets
- Ability to understand and empathise with people suffering from mental illness
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
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Pharmacy Department
Kingfisher Court, Kingsley Green
Radlett
WD7 9FB
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.hpft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)