Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officer

''Creating a great place to be cared for and a great place to work''

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay has a firm commitment to strengthening the diversity of our workforce, and therefore welcome and encourage applications from likeminded people who can support our ambition to become effortlessly inclusive. We are particularly keen to hear from protected groups – including BAME, LGBT+ and people with a disability.

Job overview

Royal Lancaster Infirmary Pharmacy department is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated individual to become part of our team.

You must be able to work as a team member and on an individual basis and although Pharmacy experience is not essential for this post, you must be willing to work towards an NVQ level 2 in Pharmacy services.

Hours of work are Monday to Friday with participation in rotational weekend and bank holiday rota. Candidate will need to be able to support shift patterns of 9:00 to 17:30 and 9:30 to 18:00, staffing dependent.

Shifts will be allocated 6 weeks in advance.

Main duties of the job

The main duties of the role involve working in a busy Pharmacy department ensuring a safe and effective service is provided. Main duties include:

1. Safe and efficient delivery and collection of medication / pharmacy orders to the wards/departments.
2. Dispensing medications for inpatients.
3. Carrying out ATO duties including pack downs/over labelling, replenishing emergency drug boxes, expiry date checking and reception duties.
4. To adhere to legislation, national and local standards and procedures in all tasks performed.
5. To participate in the introduction and use of new technology and techniques in accordance with the needs of the service.
6. To acquire with training, a working knowledge of the pharmacy computer system in order to use as required following departmental policies and procedures.
7. To maintain stock and consumable levels in Pharmacy and at Ward level, ensuring stock rotation within designated areas in accordance with procedures.
8. To perform general tidying and non-domestic cleaning duties in the department as needed, ensuring the safe disposal of waste.
9. Aware of COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations for the storage, handling and disposal of pharmaceutical products.

Working for our organisation

We operate from three main hospitals - Furness General Hospital (FGH) in Barrow, the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI), and Westmorland General Hospital (WGH) in Kendal, as well as a number of community healthcare premises including Millom Hospital and GP Practice, Queen Victoria Hospital in Morecambe, and Ulverston Community Health Centre.

FGH and the RLI have a range of General Hospital services, with full Emergency Departments, Critical/Coronary Care units and various Consultant-led services.

WGH provides a range of General Hospital services, together with an Urgent Treatment Centre, that can help with a range of non-life-threatening conditions such as broken bones and minor illnesses.

All three main hospitals provide a range of planned care including outpatients, diagnostics, therapies, day case and inpatient surgery. In addition, a range of local outreach services and diagnostics are provided from community facilities across Morecambe Bay.

Our community services for adults are provided in people’s homes, community centres, clinics, GP Practices, community hospitals and our main hospitals. Our aim is to work with people to help them remain independent, improve their health and manage their conditions through high quality care, advice and support.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To read more information about the advertised role, and the main job duties/responsibilities please open the Job Description and Person Specification located under the supporting documents heading. You can also read more information about University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay visiting our website here.

Person specification

Education and qualifications

• Good basic education to GCSE level or equivalent - Including numeracy & literacy.
• Willing to work towards NVQ 2 and BTEC – Pharmacy services.
• Willing to work towards NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services.

Experience

• Experience in hospital or community pharmacy.

Skills, ability and knowledge

• Basic computer experience / keyboard skills.
• Accuracy.
• Ability to work under pressure.

Personal Qualities

• Team player.
• Ability to work alone.
• Reliable, Honest, trustworthy and able to maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Ability to work a designated shift pattern inline with the trusts 7 day working policy.

PLEASE NOTE THAT SHORTLISTED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED BY EMAIL.

The Trust promotes flexible working opportunities where ever possible to enable staff to balance their work and home life. We are committed to Equal Opportunities and aim to be Effortlessly Inclusive.

The trust operates a No Smoking Policy.

Only those applicants who demonstrate clearly how they meet our Person Specification will be shortlisted for Interview.

We reserve the right to close a job advert early where sufficient applications have been received.

The Trust does not offer interview expenses to shortlisted candidates unless indicated in the advert.

If the post is subject to Disclosure & Barring Service checking, (formally CRB) a charge of £49.50 for Enhanced and £21.50 for Standard clearance and additional to this a £4.90 administration fee will be made to the successful candidate(s). This currently only applies to roles Band 6 and above and Medical & Dental posts.

Anyone newly appointed to the trust under the Agenda For Change contract, will be subject to the completion of a satisfactory 6 month probationary period. This will give the new staff member an opportunity to become familiar with the role and working environment.

We have introduced a new system called Pre-Onboarding, specifically to support you right the way through to your first few months in your new role with us at UHMB. This bespoke site has lots of useful information to help you settle into your new role including: what to expect from the recruitment clearances process, where to get a uniform, when you'll get paid etc. To access click on this link here.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.