Assistant Technical Officer

London Ambulance Service NHS Trust; London; On-site; GBP 30,000; Full time

Job description

Job Summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for assistant technical officers (ATO) to join the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust. We have moved to a newly constructed medicines packing unit in Hither Green/Lewisham. This is a fantastic opportunity for those who wish to experience a different sector in the NHS.

Main duties of the job

You will be assisting and working within the medicines packing and distribution function of the LAS. Daily activities include: stock checks, medicines packing, processing of drug usage forms. On occasion there may be a requirement to visit ambulance stations for audit work and stock checks to ensure compliance with our clinical governance framework. You will be a champion for medicines management and drive continuous improvement. All training and development will be provided for the post.

About Us

London Ambulance Service NHS Trust is the busiest ambulance Trust in the UK. We are seeking someone who will fit with the Trust values of being respectful, professional, innovative and collaborative.

The team works widely across the Trust at all levels up to Board and with a variety of other partners such as external NHS Trusts, commercial organisations, Heathrow Airport, Stadia, Londons Air Ambulance and Healthcare UK and Department for International Trade.

You will, therefore, have the opportunity to join the team at an exciting time of growth and to gain experience of being involved in a varied portfolio.

Annual leave starts at 27 days rising to 33 days, plus bank holidays, in line with agenda for change (NHS terms and conditions).

Employees can access Blue Light (emergency services) discounts as well as NHS discount schemes.

Date posted

16 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£29,583 a year per annum pro rata inclusive of HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

308-CORP-3032

Job locations

Deptford, Lewisham & Trust-wide

London/Trustwide

SE1 8SD

Job Description

Job responsibilities

• Effectively assist the medicines area of the Logistics Support Unit and help ensure that demand of medicines is met across the Trust and that medicines are kept in a secure manner.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders including medicines management staff, health care professionals and delivery personnel.
• Supply bulk medicines stock to ambulance station in accordance to agreed stock lists, schedules and timetables.
• Produce accurate picking lists, delivery notes and/or to-follows using the medicines management computer system.
• Process requests from stations and deal effectively with different queries.
• Ensure station orders are booked out and completed in a timely manner to meet delivery/transport times.
• Ensure orders are checked and packed appropriately and any errors corrected before dispatch.
• Assist with the receipt of goods into Stores, ensuring correct storage of stock taking account of Good Distribution Practice and rotation of expiry dates.
• Participate in the receipt/checking of goods from different suppliers and booking in the deliveries on the medicines management computer system if necessary.
• Ensure that any associated paperwork is correct, processed and filed according to departmental procedures.
• Monitor and advise the pharmacy technicians on actual and potential out-of-stock items to maintain adequate stock levels at all times.
• Process and dispatch to-follow items, ensuring computer files and paperwork are updated.
• Ensure information on to-follow items is disseminated to relevant staff and stock shortages are pro-actively managed.
• Input, process and file data both computerised and paper-based to ensure accurate record keeping and to facilitate its timely retrieval.
• Ensure all areas are kept clean, tidy and well organised to provide a safe working environment.
• To support the development and delivery of medicine management training, if required and agreed for a range of individuals including clinicians and non-clinicians.
• Support the delivery of the corporate governance and assurance requirements and any internal/external assurance processes.
• To undertake risk management and clinical governance activities within own area of responsibility and contribute towards the delivery of the appropriate quality standards and targets outlined in the Trust's Risk Management Strategy.

Applicants are advised to read all the information enclosed in the advert and the supporting information before completing and submitting an application. As you complete your application please ensure you clearly demonstrate how you meet the criteria in the person specification for this post by adequately completing the supporting information section of the application form.

Priority will be given to staff at risk candidates.

We reserve the right to close the application window early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Qualifications, Accreditations, Education Essential

• GCSE grades A -C-English Language, Maths, Double Science or equivalent experience

Desirable

• NVQ Level 2 in pharmacy services or equivalent

Experience Essential

• Experience of working in a team
• Previous work with or within an NHS Trust

Desirable

• Previous experience of assisting staff induction and competency-based training
• Experience in community or hospital pharmacy stock distribution and top-up services.

Knowledge and Skills Essential

• Understand issues involved in stock control and medicines distribution
• Interested in and have knowledge of the use of medicines
• Understand the importance of quality issues.
• Able to accurately perform calculations
• Able to work to policies and procedures
• Ability to apply technical pharmacy knowledge and critically compare a range of options
• Understanding of COSHH regulations, Health and Safety at Work Act.
• Good prioritisation/organisation skills
• Ability to influence others
• Good IT skills including data entry
• Good Analytical skills
• Good Communication skills (including verbal and written)

Personal Abilities Essential

• Able to work alone and in a team
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Able to travel to different sites across LAS
• Able to undertake further training/development as necessary
• A commitment to and evidence of personal development
• A commitment to quality & personal excellence in all areas of work.
• Patient experience and clinical care quality focused.
• Ability to concentrate with occasionally unpredictable workload. For example, able to concentrate for calculating quantities for supply with interruptions to provide advice to other staff
• Sitting or standing in restricted position for several short periods

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.

Employer details

Employer name

London Ambulance Service NHS Trust

Address

Deptford, Lewisham & Trust-wide

London/Trustwide

SE1 8SD

Employer's website

https://www.londonambulance.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)