Job summary An opportunity has arisen for a qualified Pharmacy Accuracy Checking Technician to join our developing team of pharmacy staff serving Southport & Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust. This follows a significant investment in Pharmacy services by the Trust to improve medicines management and optimisation for all our patients throughout their hospital stay. Please note, this post will be subject to Enhanced DBS Check Children's & Adults' Barred Lists. Please be aware that we may close a vacancy earlier than stated should a sufficient number of applications be received, you are therefore advised to apply at your earliest convenience. Main duties of the job The post will be based at either Southport District General or Ormskirk District General but the ability to travel to all hospitals within the Trust is essential. Duties will include Technician Ward based services, Accuracy Checking, inpatient, out-patient and ward based dispensing, stock control, Aseptic preparation, ordering and supply of medicines. Qualification requirements: BTEC in Pharmaceutical science, S/NVQ 3 in Pharmacy services or equivalent and a Northwest Framework Accredited Checking qualification or equivalent. About us Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9000 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites. We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care. Our Services Acute Care Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites. Primary Care Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital. Community Services Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation, freeing up space for more unwell patients. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre. Specialist Regional Services We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancs, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales. Achievements o Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018 o Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal) National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme Date posted 10 January 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 5 Salary £29,970 to £36,483 a year per annum, pro rata Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 409-6837211 Job locations Southport District General Hospital Town Lane Southport PR8 6PN Job description Job responsibilities KEY DUTIES 1. To be a member of the Pharmaceutical Service team as required at Southport District General, or Ormskirk District General Hospitals. 2. To participate in inpatient, outpatient and discharge dispensing including extemporaneous, unlicensed, controlled drugs & Clozaril / Aricept within the guidelines of the GPhC Guidelines for Medicines Ethics and Practice. 3. To undertake cytotoxic dispensing in accordance with departmental procedures and the criteria set out under COSHH Regulations and Regional and National Standards. 4. To perform a final accuracy check on prescriptions which have previously been clinically checked by a Pharmacist in accordance with Trust and Departmental Procedures and ensure dispensing errors are corrected by the appropriate member of staff. 5. To undertake specialist dispensing including the use of aseptic technique to a suitable standard in preparation of sterile products in accordance with Aseptic Procedures and under the direction of the Senior Technician and Aseptic Services Manager. 6. To undertake intravenous cytotoxic dispensing in accordance with departmental procedures and the criteria set out under COSHH Regulations and Regional and National Standards. 7. To be an active member on the Trusts Intrathecal Register enabling the preparation of Intrathecal cytotoxic Injections in accordance to Trust and Departmental Procedures. 8. To participate in Annual Performance Appraisal Reviews, setting joint objectives in relation to the Trust set objectives. 9. To co-operate in the operation and development of the ASCribe Pharmacy computer system under the direction of the Computer Services Manager. 10. To undertake Continuing Professional Development in order to keep pharmaceutical clinical and technical knowledge current to ensure best practice and comply with requirements for entry on the Pharmacy Technician Register. 11. In the absence of the Dispensary, Stores and Purchasing and Computer Services Managers raise and release orders internally and to external wholesalers after appropriate, documented training and in line with departmental procedures. 12. To participate in the physical receipt of medicines and sundries, including signing for delivery and put away such items in the appropriate location ensuring stock rotation. To assist in the maintenance of stock levels and stock storage ensuring efficient turnover whilst maintaining quality and potency. 13. To participate in ward topping-up for individual patient and stock drug supplies service under the supervision of the Stores and Purchasing Manager in accordance with departmental procedures. 14. To participate in extemporaneous dispensing in line with the Guide to the Preparation of non-sterile extemporaneous products in NHS Hospitals and departmental procedures under the guidance of the Responsible Pharmacist. 15. To raise orders through the ASCribe computer system for wards and departments as per approved stock order sheets. 16. To participate in the assessment of patients own medicines at ward level, to record and act on interventions where appropriate and counsel patients on the use of their discharge medication. 17. To participate in ward based discharge. 18. To provide accurate record keeping of CDs kept in the Pharmacy including supplies to wards and departments, orders received into the Pharmacy and regular Audits of the accuracy of the computer and paper records. 19. Input and maintain data ensuring the Patient Medication Record is accurate and up to date. 20. To answer telephone and face to face queries of a routine or technical nature from a wide range of staff groups, either in the Pharmacy or on the wards. Refer appropriate queries to the relevant member of the Pharmacy team when necessary. 21. To liaise with various members of the Pharmacy team and ward staff when solving supply problems and ensuring the best service to patients. 22. To undertake Patient Counselling in the Out-patient area taking into account difficult situations which can arise with aggressive, elderly, terminally ill patients and/or complex medication regimes. 23. To dispense clinical trials in accordance with the dispensing protocol, ICH GCP Guidelines and European Directive under supervision of the Clinical Trial Pharmacist. 24. To participate in ward based SSHM Audits under the direction of the Technical Services Manager on a quartley basis. 25. To provide mentoring, induction and training of student technicians, pre-registration pharmacists, dispensary ATOs, summer placement and work experience students and any other relevant members of Trust staff 26. To assemble stocks of medicines for wards, departments and associated hospitals. 27. To accuracy check orders of stock medicines for wards, departments and associated hospitals. 28. To check expiry dates on stock items on a regular basis, no less than monthly. 29. To re-issue returned drugs in accordance with local procedures. 30. To participate with Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday duties on a Rota basis. 31. To participate on the late night rota duties as considered appropriate by the Technical Services Manager or other supervising pharmacists or senior technical staff. 32. To participate in appropriate training schemes for pharmaceutical staff. To keep relevant pharmaceutical clinical and technical knowledge up to date. 33. To comply with Health and Safety at work regulations, safe systems of work including COSHH requirements and the Data Protection Act. 34. To ensure compliance to all Trust Risk Management, Research Governance and Infection Control Policies and Procedures and abide by the Standards for Better Health 35. Take responsibility for managing their own health and well being. CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES Maintain Professional Registration with the GPhC To undertake Continuing Professional Development in order to keep pharmaceutical clinical and technical knowledge current to ensure best practice and comply with requirements for entry on the GPhC Pharmacy Technician Register. Adhere to the Standards for Pharmacy Professionals as set out by the GPhC ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES To provide accurate record keeping of CDs kept in the Pharmacy including supplies to wards and departments, orders received into the Pharmacy and regular Audits of the accuracy of the computer and paper records. Input and maintain data ensuring the Patient Medication Record is accurate and up to date. TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES To provide supervision, mentoring, induction and training of student technicians, pre-registration pharmacists, dispensary ATOs, summer placement and work experience students and any other relevant members of Trust staff. LINE MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES To provide supervision, mentoring, induction and training of student technicians, pre-registration pharmacists, dispensary ATOs, summer placement and work experience students and any other relevant members of Trust staff. FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES In the absence of the Dispensary, Stores and Purchasing and Computer Services Managers raise and release orders internally and to external wholesalers after appropriate, documented training and in line with departmental procedures. To participate in the physical receipt of medicines and sundries, including signing for delivery and put away such items in the appropriate location ensuring stock rotation. To assist in the maintenance of stock levels and stock storage ensuring efficient turnover whilst maintaining quality and potency. RESEARCH & AUDIT To dispense clinical trials in accordance with the dispensing protocol, ICH GCP Guidelines and European Directive under supervision of the Clinical Trial Pharmacist. To participate in ward based SSHM Audits under the direction of the Technical Services Manager on a quarterly basis. Job description Job responsibilities KEY DUTIES 1. To be a member of the Pharmaceutical Service team as required at Southport District General, or Ormskirk District General Hospitals. 2. To participate in inpatient, outpatient and discharge dispensing including extemporaneous, unlicensed, controlled drugs & Clozaril / Aricept within the guidelines of the GPhC Guidelines for Medicines Ethics and Practice. 3. To undertake cytotoxic dispensing in accordance with departmental procedures and the criteria set out under COSHH Regulations and Regional and National Standards. 4. To perform a final accuracy check on prescriptions which have previously been clinically checked by a Pharmacist in accordance with Trust and Departmental Procedures and ensure dispensing errors are corrected by the appropriate member of staff. 5. To undertake specialist dispensing including the use of aseptic technique to a suitable standard in preparation of sterile products in accordance with Aseptic Procedures and under the direction of the Senior Technician and Aseptic Services Manager. 6. To undertake intravenous cytotoxic dispensing in accordance with departmental procedures and the criteria set out under COSHH Regulations and Regional and National Standards. 7. To be an active member on the Trusts Intrathecal Register enabling the preparation of Intrathecal cytotoxic Injections in accordance to Trust and Departmental Procedures. 8. To participate in Annual Performance Appraisal Reviews, setting joint objectives in relation to the Trust set objectives. 9. To co-operate in the operation and development of the ASCribe Pharmacy computer system under the direction of the Computer Services Manager. 10. To undertake Continuing Professional Development in order to keep pharmaceutical clinical and technical knowledge current to ensure best practice and comply with requirements for entry on the Pharmacy Technician Register. 11. In the absence of the Dispensary, Stores and Purchasing and Computer Services Managers raise and release orders internally and to external wholesalers after appropriate, documented training and in line with departmental procedures. 12. To participate in the physical receipt of medicines and sundries, including signing for delivery and put away such items in the appropriate location ensuring stock rotation. To assist in the maintenance of stock levels and stock storage ensuring efficient turnover whilst maintaining quality and potency. 13. To participate in ward topping-up for individual patient and stock drug supplies service under the supervision of the Stores and Purchasing Manager in accordance with departmental procedures. 14. To participate in extemporaneous dispensing in line with the Guide to the Preparation of non-sterile extemporaneous products in NHS Hospitals and departmental procedures under the guidance of the Responsible Pharmacist. 15. To raise orders through the ASCribe computer system for wards and departments as per approved stock order sheets. 16. To participate in the assessment of patients own medicines at ward level, to record and act on interventions where appropriate and counsel patients on the use of their discharge medication. 17. To participate in ward based discharge. 18. To provide accurate record keeping of CDs kept in the Pharmacy including supplies to wards and departments, orders received into the Pharmacy and regular Audits of the accuracy of the computer and paper records. 19. Input and maintain data ensuring the Patient Medication Record is accurate and up to date. 20. To answer telephone and face to face queries of a routine or technical nature from a wide range of staff groups, either in the Pharmacy or on the wards. Refer appropriate queries to the relevant member of the Pharmacy team when necessary. 21. To liaise with various members of the Pharmacy team and ward staff when solving supply problems and ensuring the best service to patients. 22. To undertake Patient Counselling in the Out-patient area taking into account difficult situations which can arise with aggressive, elderly, terminally ill patients and/or complex medication regimes. 23. To dispense clinical trials in accordance with the dispensing protocol, ICH GCP Guidelines and European Directive under supervision of the Clinical Trial Pharmacist. 24. To participate in ward based SSHM Audits under the direction of the Technical Services Manager on a quartley basis. 25. To provide mentoring, induction and training of student technicians, pre-registration pharmacists, dispensary ATOs, summer placement and work experience students and any other relevant members of Trust staff 26. To assemble stocks of medicines for wards, departments and associated hospitals. 27. To accuracy check orders of stock medicines for wards, departments and associated hospitals. 28. To check expiry dates on stock items on a regular basis, no less than monthly. 29. To re-issue returned drugs in accordance with local procedures. 30. To participate with Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday duties on a Rota basis. 31. To participate on the late night rota duties as considered appropriate by the Technical Services Manager or other supervising pharmacists or senior technical staff. 32. To participate in appropriate training schemes for pharmaceutical staff. To keep relevant pharmaceutical clinical and technical knowledge up to date. 33. To comply with Health and Safety at work regulations, safe systems of work including COSHH requirements and the Data Protection Act. 34. To ensure compliance to all Trust Risk Management, Research Governance and Infection Control Policies and Procedures and abide by the Standards for Better Health 35. Take responsibility for managing their own health and well being. CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES Maintain Professional Registration with the GPhC To undertake Continuing Professional Development in order to keep pharmaceutical clinical and technical knowledge current to ensure best practice and comply with requirements for entry on the GPhC Pharmacy Technician Register. Adhere to the Standards for Pharmacy Professionals as set out by the GPhC ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES To provide accurate record keeping of CDs kept in the Pharmacy including supplies to wards and departments, orders received into the Pharmacy and regular Audits of the accuracy of the computer and paper records. Input and maintain data ensuring the Patient Medication Record is accurate and up to date. TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES To provide supervision, mentoring, induction and training of student technicians, pre-registration pharmacists, dispensary ATOs, summer placement and work experience students and any other relevant members of Trust staff. LINE MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES To provide supervision, mentoring, induction and training of student technicians, pre-registration pharmacists, dispensary ATOs, summer placement and work experience students and any other relevant members of Trust staff. FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES In the absence of the Dispensary, Stores and Purchasing and Computer Services Managers raise and release orders internally and to external wholesalers after appropriate, documented training and in line with departmental procedures. To participate in the physical receipt of medicines and sundries, including signing for delivery and put away such items in the appropriate location ensuring stock rotation. To assist in the maintenance of stock levels and stock storage ensuring efficient turnover whilst maintaining quality and potency. RESEARCH & AUDIT To dispense clinical trials in accordance with the dispensing protocol, ICH GCP Guidelines and European Directive under supervision of the Clinical Trial Pharmacist. To participate in ward based SSHM Audits under the direction of the Technical Services Manager on a quarterly basis. Person Specification Qualifications Essential BTEC / NVQ LEVEL III in Pharmacy Services with relevant underpinning knowledge (or equivalent) Professional Registration with the GPhC BTEC in Accuracy Checking (Northwest framework) Desirable ECDL (or equivalent) Knowledge and Skills Essential Previous, relevant post qualification experience in a hospital / retail pharmacy Skills and Abilities Essential Good communication skills, both written and verbal Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team Ability to pay attention to detail Ability to work to a high specification of accuracy Ability to understand the importance of confidentiality Commitment to Continual Professional Development Good time management skills Self-motivating and flexible Other Essential Ability to participate in the departmental rota for late, weekend and Bank Holiday working. Presents professional image/appearance Supportive of colleagues of all grades Physical Effort - To sit at VDU, to push, pull and handle deliveries of drugs Mental Effort - To concentrate for dispensing and accuracy checking Emotional Effort - To dispense and counsel terminally ill and distressed patients Working Conditions - Use of VDU for data input. To concentrate for dispensing and accuracy checking. To handle drugs and deal with a variety of patients Person Specification Qualifications Essential BTEC / NVQ LEVEL III in Pharmacy Services with relevant underpinning knowledge (or equivalent) Professional Registration with the GPhC BTEC in Accuracy Checking (Northwest framework) Desirable ECDL (or equivalent) Knowledge and Skills Essential Previous, relevant post qualification experience in a hospital / retail pharmacy Skills and Abilities Essential Good communication skills, both written and verbal Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team Ability to pay attention to detail Ability to work to a high specification of accuracy Ability to understand the importance of confidentiality Commitment to Continual Professional Development Good time management skills Self-motivating and flexible Other Essential Ability to participate in the departmental rota for late, weekend and Bank Holiday working. Presents professional image/appearance Supportive of colleagues of all grades Physical Effort - To sit at VDU, to push, pull and handle deliveries of drugs Mental Effort - To concentrate for dispensing and accuracy checking Emotional Effort - To dispense and counsel terminally ill and distressed patients Working Conditions - Use of VDU for data input. To concentrate for dispensing and accuracy checking. To handle drugs and deal with a variety of patients 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. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). 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. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Address Southport District General Hospital Town Lane Southport PR8 6PN Employer's website https://www.merseywestlancs.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)