Job Description

The Pharmacy Department is innovative and forward thinking; this is reflected in the huge range of roles that are already established and in development. The Department is hugely supportive and actively encourages creative thinking to improve services, patient experience and to develop new roles, drawing on strengths and experiences of the team.



We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officer (ATO) to join and support our team in Pharmacy Aseptic Services in the provision of chemotherapy to patients at the Whittington Hospital.



Please see the and the Persons Specification for further details about the job role. If you are unable to access the PDF, the details of the job description can also be found in the 'Detailed and Main responsibilities' section.



The post holder will join a dynamic Pharmacy Production team with the opportunity to develop within the role. Main duties of the role include (please see job description for complete list):



To provide support to the professional and technical staff within the Pharmacy Production department, assisting in the preparation of pharmaceutical products (after appropriate training and validation) and the provision of a high quality service to patients, trust staff, and wards/departments.



The post holder will already hold a NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services qualification (or equivalent). If you have not yet achieved this, we can offer the right candidate a Pharmacy ATO - Production, Band 2 to Band 3 progression post (see separate JD).



The post holder will be required to study for and complete a NVQ Level 3 Science Manufacturing Technician qualification . On-site training will be provided where necessary.



Whittington Health serves a richly diverse population and works hard to ensure that all our services are fair and equally accessible to everyone. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the way we look after our staff. We aim to employ a workforce which is as representative as possible of this population, so we are open to the value of differences in age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, and religion or belief. The Trust believes that as a public sector organisation we have an obligation to have recruitment, training, promotion and other formal employment policies and procedures that are sensitive to these differences. We think that by doing so, we are better able to treat our patients as well as being a better place to work.



Job responsibilities



Details of the main responsibilities are listed in the attached and Person Specification



Person Specification



Education/Qualifications



Essential



NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services qualification or hold an equivalent qualification as recognised by the GPhC. If you have not yet achieved this, we can offer the right candidate a Pharmacy ATO - Production, Band 2 to Band 3 progression post (see separate JD).

Hold or be able to commit to study for and complete a NVQ Level 3 Science Manufacturing Technician (SMT) qualification or hold an equivalent qualification as recognised by the GPhC.



GCSE English & Maths at A- C or equivalent
Successfully pass basic aptitude test at interview



Skills and Abilities



Essential



Computer/IT skills (e.g. Microsoft programs)

Able to communicate effectively with all grades of staff throughout the trust (verbal and written)

Able to communicate effectively with patients from all backgrounds and ethnic origins.

Problem-solving skills

Clear and literate writing skills

Accurate numeracy skills

Able to organise and prioritise workload, and to meet pre-determined deadlines

Able to follow written procedures and verbal instructions accurately



Personal Qualities



Essential



Reliable, Self-motivated

Commitment to continued personal development, and enthusiasm for extending the Assistant Technical Officer role.

Demonstrates initiative, motivation, and enthusiasm for the post.



Knowledge and Experience



Essential



Good clear and well-spoken English.

Effective customer service skills able to work to meet the needs of customers of the department and to meet the standards of the Trust.

Awareness of and handling potentially hazardous products such as flammable liquids and cytotoxics safely according to local standard operating procedure.

Demonstrated ability to manage workload, dealing with issues and ensure local manual handling procedures are followed.

Can act as a role model and participate in the training of new staff

Able to demonstrate ability to cope under pressure and multi-tasking correctly.

Knowledge of local health and safety, manual handling and COSHH policies

Awareness of the Data Protection Act and patient confidentiality

Experience of working in an environment requiring working with attention to detail and to pre-determined deadlines



Desirable



Experience of working in aseptic pharmacy Experience of the preparation of products in an isolator

Other



Essential



Ability to participate in late duties and Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday duties as required