Job summary An exciting opportunity exists for a Pharmacy Dispensing Assistant Technical Officer to assist in the delivery of a comprehensive Pharmacy service to the hospital by providing support in all aspects of the dispensary and pharmacy stores. Pharmaceutical Sciences at NVQ level 2 (or equivalent as required by the General Pharmaceutical Council) plus GCSE Mathematics and English at Grade C or above (or their equivalent). NHS Hospital experience desirable, but not essential. This role is rostered to work 5 days per week (with some weekend and bank holidays as rostered) Pay Banding subject to Agenda for Change Evaluation 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. Job seekers should be aware that not all roles will be eligible for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. For further information visit UK Visas and Immigration - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Main duties of the job Provision of a variety of pharmacy support duties to the stores and dispensary involving labelling, assembling, preparing and dispensing medicines, stock control, receipt and distribution, dispensing of controlled drugs and receipt of prescriptions. Timely and efficient delivery of requests for pharmaceutical products across the Trust by the dispensing and issuing of prescriptions, signed orders and controlled drugs orders. About us The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic NHS Trust (RJAH) is one of the leading orthopaedic hospitals in the country, with some of the highest levels of staff and patient satisfaction, as well as a strong reputation for research and innovation. Joining RJAH is more than just a job - we want our people to have the best opportunities to thrive in their role.We have a range of fantastic staff benefits on offer to everyone who joins RJAH and you'll have access to outstanding professional development opportunities and state-of-the-art facilities - including our recently-opened £6 million Headley Court Veterans' Orthopaedic Centre (the first unit of its kind in the UK).RJAH has strong links with a range of universities including Staffordshire, Keele, Glyndwr, Chester and Birmingham.The hospital is located on a site outside Oswestry in Oswestry, just off the A5. The nearest train station is in Gobowen, approximately two miles from the hospital. The station is part of the Chester to Birmingham line.We are based in North Shropshire, close to the border with North and Mid Wales. It is one of the most attractive parts of the country, with a rich historic culture and excellent transport links. It offers outstanding opportunities for anyone who enjoys an outdoor lifestyle or is looking to raise a family. Date posted 23 January 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 3 Salary £24,071 to £25,674 a year pa Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 224-PA20240901911 Job locations Pharmacy Department, The Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hosp NHS FT Location 29 Tympath Lane, Gobowen, Oswestry, Shropshire SY10 7AG Job description Job responsibilities GENERAL Complying with all Trust and departmental policies and standard operating procedures on a daily basis. Participating in departmental rotas for weekend working. Undertaking such duties as may be required to maintain a safe and effective pharmacy service. Participating in audits as required by medical, nursing and pharmacy staff. Be committed to maintaining a high quality service to patients. Standing for long periods of time on a daily basis whilst working in the Pharmacy department and on wards with prolonged periods of time at a computer. Being able to deal with distressed patients and carers and being sensitive to their needs. Accurately input data into the pharmacy computer system recording details of issuing medicines to patients and areas of the Trust. Ensuring own computer transactions are performed accurately, maintaining stock levels and quality of data. OPERATIONAL Accurately dispensing a variety of pharmaceutical products including controlled drugs, cytotoxic medicines, unlicensed products, intravenous injections and inflammable liquids by packaging and labelling items, issuing on the pharmacy computer system and completing relevant computer and written records following current department Standard Operating Procedures. Answer urgent queries in person and on the telephone often causing interruption when concentrating on accurately dispensing. Participating in all aspects of dispensary cover according to the needs of the service. Advising and counselling patients on the use of their medicines, side effects, dosage and further supplies including dealing with confused, partially sighted, hard of hearing, agitated and aggressive patients. Calculating the cost of private prescription charges using the pharmacy computer system for payment of private prescriptions. Providing information for the Finance department to generate invoices for outstanding charges. Updating patient information and dispensing records on the pharmacy computer system. Completing written and computer records of dispensing. Issuing high cost drugs in accordance with local policies under the supervision of a Pharmacist and with financial approval. Continuing to show competency in dispensing accurately and safely. To answer telephones promptly and politely where appropriate throughout the working day: Dealing with query/information and responding promptly Relaying complete and accurate information Recognising self-limitations and referring to appropriate person. Identifying stock shortages and communicating with the Procurement Officer or a Senior Technician, regarding urgency and availability. Taking action to ensure outstanding medication orders to wards or patients are followed up and supply made within a suitable time frame, referring to a senior person where long term delays are identified and getting advice on appropriate action to be taken. Maintaining the shelves and storage areas of the dispensary in a neat and tidy manner ensuring a good rotation of stock. This also includes returning used dispensing containers to their allocated locations. Performing daily stock checks, investigating discrepancies, informing the pharmacist and making accurate adjustments to written and computer records. Performing monthly checks to locate expired stock. Removing and disposal of expired stock. Updating of computer records and liaising with pharmacists and procurement officer to reorder vital drugs. Performing general housekeeping duties within the dispensary including cleaning dispensing equipment and ensuring that there are also sufficient quantities of dispensing sundries and warning cards etc. Standing for long periods of time on a daily basis whilst working in the Pharmacy department. Receiving prescriptions from staff and patients at the Pharmacy hatch. Job description Job responsibilities GENERAL Complying with all Trust and departmental policies and standard operating procedures on a daily basis. Participating in departmental rotas for weekend working. Undertaking such duties as may be required to maintain a safe and effective pharmacy service. Participating in audits as required by medical, nursing and pharmacy staff. Be committed to maintaining a high quality service to patients. Standing for long periods of time on a daily basis whilst working in the Pharmacy department and on wards with prolonged periods of time at a computer. Being able to deal with distressed patients and carers and being sensitive to their needs. Accurately input data into the pharmacy computer system recording details of issuing medicines to patients and areas of the Trust. Ensuring own computer transactions are performed accurately, maintaining stock levels and quality of data. OPERATIONAL Accurately dispensing a variety of pharmaceutical products including controlled drugs, cytotoxic medicines, unlicensed products, intravenous injections and inflammable liquids by packaging and labelling items, issuing on the pharmacy computer system and completing relevant computer and written records following current department Standard Operating Procedures. Answer urgent queries in person and on the telephone often causing interruption when concentrating on accurately dispensing. Participating in all aspects of dispensary cover according to the needs of the service. Advising and counselling patients on the use of their medicines, side effects, dosage and further supplies including dealing with confused, partially sighted, hard of hearing, agitated and aggressive patients. Calculating the cost of private prescription charges using the pharmacy computer system for payment of private prescriptions. Providing information for the Finance department to generate invoices for outstanding charges. Updating patient information and dispensing records on the pharmacy computer system. Completing written and computer records of dispensing. Issuing high cost drugs in accordance with local policies under the supervision of a Pharmacist and with financial approval. Continuing to show competency in dispensing accurately and safely. To answer telephones promptly and politely where appropriate throughout the working day: Dealing with query/information and responding promptly Relaying complete and accurate information Recognising self-limitations and referring to appropriate person. Identifying stock shortages and communicating with the Procurement Officer or a Senior Technician, regarding urgency and availability. Taking action to ensure outstanding medication orders to wards or patients are followed up and supply made within a suitable time frame, referring to a senior person where long term delays are identified and getting advice on appropriate action to be taken. Maintaining the shelves and storage areas of the dispensary in a neat and tidy manner ensuring a good rotation of stock. This also includes returning used dispensing containers to their allocated locations. Performing daily stock checks, investigating discrepancies, informing the pharmacist and making accurate adjustments to written and computer records. Performing monthly checks to locate expired stock. Removing and disposal of expired stock. Updating of computer records and liaising with pharmacists and procurement officer to reorder vital drugs. Performing general housekeeping duties within the dispensary including cleaning dispensing equipment and ensuring that there are also sufficient quantities of dispensing sundries and warning cards etc. Standing for long periods of time on a daily basis whilst working in the Pharmacy department. Receiving prescriptions from staff and patients at the Pharmacy hatch. Person Specification Qualifications and Educataional attainments Essential NVQ Level 2 in Pharmaceutical Sciences (or equivalent) GCSE English Grade C or above (or equivalent) GCSE Mathematics Grade C or above (or equivalent) Desirable Previous NHS experience Experience Essential Two years healthcare experience in a patient facing environment Skills and Competencies Essential Accurate skills Strong interpersonal skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills using plain English The ability to listen effectively and to provide clear, concise, accurate information The ability to prioritise workload when working under pressure and using own initiative. Maintain confidentiality of information at all times The ability to recognise professional and personal limitations referring to appropriate person when necessary The ability to be flexible and adaptable to the service needs Other Essential Ability to work as part of a team but also independently. Demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of colleagues and patients Ability to deal with difficult people in person and on the phone. Ability to maintain professionalism at all times when assisting in providing a Pharmacy service Willing to undertake new roles and responsibilities and demonstrating the ability to be flexible and adapt to change Presentable in professional setting Desirable Able to work those rostered shifts required of the role Able to meet any job related travel requirements of the role Person Specification Qualifications and Educataional attainments Essential NVQ Level 2 in Pharmaceutical Sciences (or equivalent) GCSE English Grade C or above (or equivalent) GCSE Mathematics Grade C or above (or equivalent) Desirable Previous NHS experience Experience Essential Two years healthcare experience in a patient facing environment Skills and Competencies Essential Accurate skills Strong interpersonal skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills using plain English The ability to listen effectively and to provide clear, concise, accurate information The ability to prioritise workload when working under pressure and using own initiative. Maintain confidentiality of information at all times The ability to recognise professional and personal limitations referring to appropriate person when necessary The ability to be flexible and adaptable to the service needs Other Essential Ability to work as part of a team but also independently. Demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of colleagues and patients Ability to deal with difficult people in person and on the phone. Ability to maintain professionalism at all times when assisting in providing a Pharmacy service Willing to undertake new roles and responsibilities and demonstrating the ability to be flexible and adapt to change Presentable in professional setting Desirable Able to work those rostered shifts required of the role Able to meet any job related travel requirements of the role 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). Additional information 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 Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Address Pharmacy Department, The Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hosp NHS FT Location 29 Tympath Lane, Gobowen, Oswestry, Shropshire SY10 7AG Employer's website https://www.rjah.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)