Pharmacy Procurement Assistant

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Our Pharmacy Purchasing Assistant will provide clerical and administrative support to the Purchasing / Computer Services section of the Pharmacy.

They will raise routine purchase orders for goods required, liaise with suppliers about back orders and support stock flowing through the department.

They will assist in the development and support of IT-related projects.

Provide routine and ad hoc reports related to drug usage, purchasing, expenditure and workload.

You will be an integral part of the Procurement Team; contributing towards delivering products efficiently and giving IT support.

Main duties of the job

• Assist in the maintenance of systems for effective and economic purchasing of medicines and other pharmacy-supplied items to ensure continuity of supply, minimise waste and to maintain efficacy.
• Assist in the day to day maintenance of the pharmacy stock control system and in the development of the software, including modification of files, implementation of planned enhancement and basic maintenance of back-up systems and hardware e.g. printers.
• Provide general administrative and clerical support for purchasing and computer services e.g. processing of letters, reports and maintaining effective systems for filing.
• Process invoices and other documentation relating to purchasing when required; receive goods on to the stock control system and support the use of EDI e.g. by creating trading partners and inputting EAN codes.
• Provide appropriate and accurate financial and accounting information to appropriate members of staff within the organisation, and any other information required relating to drug usage, purchasing, expenditure and pharmacy workload. Plan and maintain a regular reporting schedule and produce adhoc reports as required.
• Provide specialist IT support to all pharmacy staff e.g. problem solving and advice on advanced features of word processing and spreadsheet software.
• Following guidelines, provide new members of pharmacy staff with appropriate levels of access to the computer systems. Administer initial and on-going training, being on hand to assist pharmacy staff with IT related queries / problems.
• Undertake risk assessments on visual display equipment and other IT equipment used throughout the department, and report on findings.
• Be involved in service development projects to ensure continuous improvement; participate in reviews of work practices and procedures in order to ensure consistent provision of services.
• Achieve objectives agreed at Achievement Reviews in order to contribute effectively to the overall provision of pharmacy services and to ensure progressive development.
• Ensure awareness of, and operate within current health and safety legislation and compliance with the departmental safety policies and procedures.
• Strictly observe confidentiality of all information concerning patients, and comply with procedures relating to Data Protection Act.
• Represent the department to a high professional standard in conduct, manner and appearance.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• GCSE or equivalent in Maths and English grade C or above.
• Able to complete a BTEC Level 2 certificate in the principles and practice for pharmacy support staff or equivalent.
• ECDL qualification or equivalent.

Knowledge

• Ability to demonstrate an in depth understanding of all application of Microsoft Office, especially Excel, where complex reports are compiled and formatted, and Trust email, Outlook.
• Able to provide general administrative support.
• Ability to compile accurate information relating to drug usage and expenditure.
• Experience in raising purchase orders/using a stock control system.

Skills

• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
• Ability to manage interruptions on workload.
• Methodical, accurate and quality-oriented, strives for continuous improvement.

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 name

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Depending on experience / qualification