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Dispensary and Ward Based Pharmacy Assistant
NHS AfC: Band 3
Main area Pharmacy Grade NHS AfC: Band 3 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 321-CSS-7110469-B3
Site John Radcliffe Hospital Pharmacy Town Headington Salary £24,169 - £25,674 Per annum pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 05/05/2025 23:59
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research.
The Trust comprises of four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.
Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence. These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family.
Job overview
Hello!
My name is Hannah Newton-Oakes, I am a Senior Pharmacy Technician at the John Radcliffe Hospital Pharmacy. I am looking to recruit a Band 2-3 Dispensary and Ward Based Assistant on the John Radcliffe Site. This is a full-time post, 37.5 hours a week.
This post offers an exciting opportunity to provide support to the JR dispensary, as well as supporting the Oxford Critical Care Unit (OCCU) and Gastroenterology/Hepatology wards.
Main duties of the job
Band 2-3 Dispensary and Ward Based Assistant on the John Radcliffe Site.
Overall objectives of the role are:
* To improve the quality of care to patients in a clinical area by means of an efficient medicines management system.
* To provide a pharmacy service that ensures the safe and cost-effective use of medications at a ward level.
* To work as part of the dispensary team to facilitate the efficient and effective discharge of in-patients from their clinical area out of the hospital environment.
* To be an active member of the Pharmacy department and ensure continuous two-way exchange of information to maintain high standards with the Trust.
Ideally you will have obtained your Specialist BTEC Level 2 Principles and Practices for Pharmacy Support Staff Pharmacy Service Skills NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent GPhC recognised qualification), although this is not essential and support through the qualification process can be provided (successful applicants who do not hold the required qualification will be paid at band 2, rising to band 3 on successful completion of the qualification).
Working for our organisation
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.
Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community.
We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence, and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Detailed Responsibilities:
Dispensary role
* To provide daily support to the dispensary workforce.
* To use the pharmacy computer system to produce dispensing labels and to make stock issues, receipt, and transfers.
* To dispense inpatient, outpatient clinical trial and controlled drug prescriptions according to dispensary procedures.
* To assist the Stock Management Team with unpacking deliveries and filling the automated dispensing system.
* To participate in conducting of regular Controlled Drug stock checks alongside a Registered Technician.
* To be responsible for putting away dispensing stock including part packs and maintaining tidy storage areas.
* To participate in extemporaneous dispensing e.g. preparing creams, ointments and liquid preparations.
8. Maintaining equipment used in the dispensing process.
* To participate in the training and induction of pre-registration students and ATO’s.
* To participate in the audit and development of the dispensary service.
* To provide reception cover as per the Dispensary rota, and to answer the telephone and direct queries as appropriate.
Ward-based role
* To be responsible for the supply and delivery of any medicines required during inpatient stay according to the local procedures and guidance to reduce the number of missed doses.
* Assist in the transfer of medicines between wards and locating medicines that have been left behind when patients transfer wards.
* Dealing with problems associated with the ordering of stock on behalf of the ward or refer where appropriate, liaising closely with the relevant pharmacy staff.
* To be involved in expiry date checking of ward stock.
* To work closely with the pharmacy top-up assistant in maintaining a well-controlled and appropriate medication and fluid stock holding.
* To provide support to the ward technician(s) and pharmacist(s) to ensure medicines management, including safe and secure storage of medicines, return of medicines into Local Funding, and facilitating near-patient dispensing.
* To return unused medicines from the ward(s) back to pharmacy.
* To ensure correct segregation and disposal of all types of waste such as cytotoxics both at ward level and in the dispensary.
* To be an advocate for good communication between ward staff, pharmacists, medicines management technicians and the dispensary.
* To undertake extended roles at ward level according to local Standard Operating Procedures, following a period of supervised practice. This may include writing-controlled drug (CD) orders in ward CD order books.
* To monitor and report any issues regarding the safe storage of drugs to the ward pharmacist and/or ward manager.
* Photocopying, filing, and scanning documents when necessary. Collecting and disseminating documents received within pharmacy. To collect essential documentation, such as working copies, on behalf of the pharmacist to support swift discharge of patients.
* To contact GP surgeries or community pharmacies as requested by other members of the pharmacy team to either provide or retrieve information relating to medicines management.
General role
* To provide training, including induction, to pharmacy support staff as required.
* To work towards the BTEC level 2 Certificate in the principles and Practices for Pharmacy Support Staff.
* To undertake in-house and/or external training appropriate for the role.
* To complete reports and audits as requested.
* To participate in a programme of work-based training, development, and appraisal.
* To ensure confidentiality is always maintained.
* To maintain a tidy and clean working environment.
* To participate in early and late duties, evening, weekend, and bank holiday working according to the departmental rotas.
* Any other duties as requested by the Lead Pharmacist, Ward Based Technician Manager or Clinical Director of Pharmacy and Medicines Management.
Person specification
Essential and Desirable
* Willing to complete BTEC level 2 Certificate in the principles and Practices for Pharmacy Support Staff.
* Experienced dispenser
* Experience of stock management
* Able to work as part of a team and independently
* Able to use own initiative appropriately
* Willing to travel between sites
* Enthusiastic and responsible attitude
* Ability to work well under pressure
* Adaptable to change
* Respectful towards colleagues and patients
* Willing to work in clinical areas with infectious diseases patients
* Previous NHS experience
* Experience of using the local pharmacy computer system
* Experience of hospital pharmacy
* Well organised
* A good working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs
* Experience of a changing work environment
COVID-19: The COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course our patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst COVID-19 vaccination is not a condition of employment, we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated.
Vacancy Closures: Please note, this vacancy may close early if a high volume of applications are received.
Probation Period: This post is subject to a 6 month probationary period. If you currently hold a contract of employment with the Oxford University Hospitals, this will not apply. This statement does not apply to Medical staff or Executive Appointments.
Referencing: When providing employment reference details please provide correct work related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application.
Next Steps: Please make sure that you read the job description and person specification, and that your supporting statement reflects this as your application will be judged against these criteria.
No unsolicited recruitment agency telephone calls or emails.
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