Job Overview University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us. Please see below for detailed job description of the role. Main duties of the job UHS hospital pharmacy employs over 300 staff and around a third of them are Pharmacy Support Workers who are fundamental in supporting the provision of pharmacy services in a range of roles. We have an excellent track record of supporting staff development and career progression and many of our support workers progress to more advanced positions within the department, including trainee technician posts and senior support worker posts. If you are a hard-working, reliable person who is keen to learn and begin a new career, then this is a fantastic opportunity for you to join the world of hospital pharmacy Working for our organisation As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme. Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted. Specific to this role we are open to discussing flexibility in the hours that you work. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you need, and we will explore what’s possible for the role and service Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities We are looking for pharmacy support workers to work in the inpatient dispensary at Southampton General Hospital, but there may also be an opportunity to work in a rotational post between the Southampton General and Royal South Hants hospitals. The pharmacy dispensaries provide inpatient and discharge medicines to a variety of patients at Southampton General Hospital, Royal South Hants Hospital and outside units. You will be joining a multi-disciplinary team of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy support workers, who work together to provide an excellent service to our patients. Excellent communication skills are essential, as is the ability to work accurately under pressure. Our support workers work Mondays to Fridays, typically starting at 9am and finishing at 5pm or 5.15pm. Support workers in Southampton General dispensary also work at least one late shift per week, starting later in the morning and finishing by 7pm. Our support workers also work on weekends on a rota basis; currently no more frequent than one shift in six weeks. Your Main Tasks In The Dispensary Would Include Producing labels and dispensing medicines for patients to use in hospital and on discharge. Working on the pharmacy reception, helping nurses and patients with queries and passing on information to the relevant persons (pharmacists/technicians) Contributing to the department’s stock management, such as ordering, receiving and maintaining the medicines used by the dispensary. Use of the dispensing robot to retrieve medicines. Our pharmacy support workers also rotate into the Clinical Trials dispensary, where you will get to dispense medicines for patients going through cutting edge treatments. A GPhC approved qualification will be completed as part of the role, and as such we require applicants to have Maths and English Language GCSEs or equivalent. Person specification Trust Values Essential criteria Patient First Always Improving Working Together Qualifications / Training Required Essential criteria 2 GCSE’s or equivalent grades A - C or 4-9 in English and Maths (If qualifications gained outside the UK evidence of equivalent standards must be demonstrated at interview) Commitment to complete NVQ 2 in Pharmacy or other Level 2 approved GPhC qualification for pharmacy support, within 18 months of working Numerate and literate demonstrating ability to pass test at interview Desirable criteria Other healthcare qualifications GCSE’s in science-based or other role specific relevant subjects Previous or relevant experience necessary Essential criteria Use of information technology in the workplace or within education or voluntary sector Standard keyboard skills Desirable criteria Previous pharmacy/laboratory experience (hospital or community) Previous experience in health or social care (if not pharmacy) Experience in stock control i.e., receiving, maintaining and / or issuing stock Previous or relevant experience necessary Essential criteria Customer service skills in the workplace or voluntary sector Communicate effectively with others in English both in speaking and writing Ability to follow procedures Attention to detail and accurate working Able to work independently and prioritise work with limited supervision Motivated and self-reliant and organised Adaptable particularly able to work in busy, noisy and changing environments Application Interview X Desirable criteria Demonstrate times when able to work effectively under pressure