Job Description

Duties include helping to manage stock, providing a ward top-up service (including replenishment of Omnicell cabinets), labelling and dispensing, cleaning and tidying Completes HEE Medicines Optimisation course modules for checking Patients' Own Drugs and transcribing medicines for inpatient use. Carries out reception duties as required, including receiving prescriptions from patients and processing prescription charges Assists in dispensing medicines to inpatients and outpatients, wards and departments and helps maintain workflow (including assisting in the use of the robot where applicable) Carries out reception duties as required, including receiving prescriptions from patients and processing prescription charges Receive requisitions and prescriptions from nurses and members of the public and deal with telephone call as per department procedures. Be compliant with the requirements of Good Distribution Practice (GDP), MHRA, Whole Seller Dealer License (WDL) Deals with non-clinical enquiries from patients and healthcare staff and refers clinical enquires or complex issues to appropriate members of staff as required Oversees good housekeeping in appropriate rotations by ensuring benches and baskets are kept clear of drugs no longer required.

An opportunity has arisen for a Pharmacy Assistant to join the Pharmacy team at LNWH. The Pharmacy Department is well established, developed, modern and well resourced, and therefore we are looking for a committed Pharmacy Assistant who will contribute to our ongoing success. You will work as part of a friendly and supportive team of Technical staff and Pharmacists.



Our vision and values



Our vision is quality at our HEART



Our vision also encompasses our HEART values, which were shaped and developed in 2017 by more than 2,500 employees as well as many patients. The values describe how we interact with each other and our patients and underpin everything we do and say to achieve our vision :

Y Honesty:

we're truthful, we're open, and we speak up

Y Equity:

we're kind and caring, we act with fairness, and we're understanding

Y Accountability:

we're professional, we strive for excellence, and we improve

Y Respect:

we're attentive and helpful, we're appreciative, and we act with empathy

Y Teamwork:

we involve others, we support our colleagues, and we set clear goals.



You can read more about our vision, values and objectives at lnwh.nhs.uk/OWF .



Knowledge, Training and Education



Attends trust induction and completes core skill training according to trust policies and maintains compliance with mandatory and essential courses. Good working knowledge of computer packages used within the pharmacy department Possesses good working knowledge of local SOPs for various pharmacy areas and maintains this knowledge and understanding as new and revised SOPs are introduced Possesses a good working knowledge of various pharmacy systems and assists new staff to orientate. Qualified to National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level 2 in pharmacy service skills and be willing to undertake courses applicable to the role. Basic understanding of good manufacturing practice (GMP), pharmaceutical quality system and also regulatory requirements. Able to successfully complete appropriate competency training in accordance with procedures.

Planning & Organisational Skills



Manages own time to perform tasks required at a time that will cause least disruption to services e.g. ward top up's, Omnicell cycle count, dispensary top up's etc. Assembles medications in a timely manner for both out-patients and in-patient prescriptions Dispenses medicines and ensures accurate completion of all relevant documentation. Manages the to- follows in various rotations. Deals with urgent requests for stock and non-stock medicines. Supervises transfer of stock from stores to various locations within pharmacy. Performing stock checks and stock rotation appropriately Alerts purchasing team to place orders for medicines that are not in stock by reviewing the stock levels and stock related reports. Organizes items and boxes to be delivered to wards by porters. May need to plan for additional duties to cover staff that are sick or on annual leave and helps to delegate tasks to ensure service is maintained. Follows Pharmacy Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and policies.

Physical Skills



Sits for long periods of time while labelling batches requiring concentration. Repetitive lifting of boxes containing packs for labelling and boxes containing products ready for dispatch. Enters drugs returned from wards onto the computer system. Ensures dispensing areas are kept clean and tidy Packs and supplies drugs and medicines to wards and departments exerting light to moderate physical effort. Provides a ward top up service which includes checking medicines stock levels, expiry dates and ordering stock including replenishing Omnicell cabinets. Photocopying, sealing and using the guillotine when required as well as assisting with other admin duties as per requirement. Disposes of waste substances ensuring hazardous/cytotoxic waste is disposed of according to Standard Operating Procedures. Records the issue and return of blood products according to Standard Operating Procedures. Responsible for entering returns of drugs from wards on the computer system. Skills needed to use standard and local computer packages.

Responsibility for Patient/Client Care



Provides a pharmacy service for patients of the Trust including dispensing drugs (including clinical trial medication) to patients and providing information on common drug dosage and use under supervision. Skills for accurately dispensing with narrow margin for error. All work is checked by a qualified member of staff. Enters patient details on computerized record system from prescriptions, to produce labels according to SOPs. Participates in ward and department top-up services and trains new assistant technical officers and other members of staff as required. Ensures stock checks, stock rotation and date checking are conducted regularly according to SOPs. Stock discrepancies investigated and rectified under supervision. Returned medicines are dealt with according to department procedure. Ensures compliance with GMP/ Medicines legislation, MHRA and GDP requirements including Controlled Drug legislation and supplies under supervision. Accurate preparation of pharmaceutical products with narrow margins for error under supervision. Monitor and record fridge temperatures to ensure compliance with storage conditions according to SOPs. Deals with routine enquiries from internal and external staff/customers Processing, filing and storage of paper-based prescriptions and patient details. Clear benches of drugs/medicines which are no longer required and monitors and keeps various sections tidy. Assist in providing and maintaining a supply of bottles, caps/lids, cartons, oral dose syringes, spoons and other items of equipment for dispensing of medicines and reviews usage of sundries. Regularly empty, correctly label and store green boxes returned from wards. Occasionally processes prescription details on the computer-based prescription tracking system, and supports the homecare team under the supervision of the senior technician.

Responsibility for Policy/Service Development



Works within the standard operating procedures for the department and suggests ways of improving service. Work within set routines, policies and procedures with staff available to answer queries. Undertake surveys and audits for own work and as required for other members of staff. Raises concerns about service as appropriate.

Responsibility for Financial Resources



Assists in the provision of a manufacturing service producing medicines for use in London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, and for sale to other hospitals, community pharmacies and research units. Undertake stock checks and stock rotation in the pharmacy department. Return medicines under supervision into stock on the pharmacy computer system. Responsible for security of stock, checking, storage and distribution of medicines. Participate in the sales and supply of manufactured medicinal products to external customers.

Other Aspects of the Role



Flexible and work within the roles of the pharmacy department. * Participates in the late duties, weekend and bank holiday rotas