Job summary
We are looking to appoint a pre-registration pharmacy technician. This is a two-year fixed term post which offers the trainee the opportunity to complete an advanced apprenticeship leading to application for registration with The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) to practice as a professionally registered Pharmacy Technician.
The successful candidate will develop, the knowledge, skills, and competencies to achieve a QCF Level 3 Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship . This will be through a structured rotational training program with RJAH, community pharmacy and General Practice.
Main duties of the job
Whilst in training the post holder will carry out pharmaceutical duties, under the direct supervision of an appropriate person in all aspects of the pharmacy service at RJAH Pharmacy.
Some of the duties will be in the form of training exercises and competence-based assessments in conjunction with Level 3 Pharmacy Technician (Integrated) apprenticeship standard qualification. The content of these courses will be provided via an online programme with allocated protected learning and training time. There will be further agreed sessions within your working week to undertake learning activities.
About us
The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic NHS Trust (RJAH) is one of the leading orthopaedic hospitals in the country, with some of the highest levels of staff and patient satisfaction, as well as a strong reputation for research and innovation.
Joining RJAH is more than just a job – we want our people to have the best opportunities to thrive in their have a range of fantastic staff benefits on offer to everyone who joins RJAH and you’ll have access to outstanding professional development opportunities and state-of-the-art facilities – including our recently-opened £6 million Headley Court Veterans’ Orthopaedic Centre (the first unit of its kind in the UK).RJAH has strong links with a range of universities including Staffordshire, Keele, Glyndwr, Chester and hospital is located on a site outside Oswestry in Oswestry, just off the A5. The nearest train station is in Gobowen, approximately two miles from the hospital. The station is part of the Chester to Birmingham are based in North Shropshire, close to the border with North and Mid Wales. It is one of the most attractive parts of the country, with a rich historic culture and excellent transport links. It offers outstanding opportunities for anyone who enjoys an outdoor lifestyle or is looking to raise a family.
Job description
Job responsibilities
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Chief Pharmacist / Deputy Chief Pharmacists
Senior Pharmacy Technicians
Pharmacists / Pharmacy Technicians / Assistants / Support staff
Administration Team
External BTEC/NVQ/ QCF training providers
Pharmacy delivery personnel
Patients
Hospital Staff
Other Allied Health Professionals
KEY AREAS
Training will take place at the at the RJAH Hospital Site.
Dispensary and stores work area duties
To dispense prescriptions in accordance with professional and ethical standards set out by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
Complete a dispensing and checking log as part of the pharmacy technician qualification.
To assist in stock management including date checking; recalls and alerts. Outstanding items and stock ordering for the dispensary.
Support Pharmacy staff with topping up service to the wards, thus ensuring adequate stock holdings in ward areas. Deliver medicines to clinical areas.
To serve customers according to their requirements and in line with pharmacy policies to deliver high quality, exemplar customer service.
To issue medication to patients and counsel them on the correct and safe usage of their medication so that patients are well informed and able to comply with their medication regimen.
Ward based and preoperative pharmacy duties.
Working with the ward pharmacy team identify patients for discharge, supply medicines ready for discharge, ensure continued supply of medication for the patient, relabelling medication or ordering medication where indicated.
Counsel patients regarding their discharge medicines as part of the discharge service and ensure timely referral to the discharge medicines service (DMS) in community.
To ensure that accurate drug histories are obtained for identified patients by communication with the patient/carer and/or by liaising with external organisations including GP practices, community pharmacies and nursing/residential homes. Refer any problems identified to the Medicines Management Technician or the Clinical Pharmacist in a timely manner.
To undertake patient counselling on selected patients and to work with the ward pharmacy team to ensure patients understand their discharge medication.
To be responsible for ensuring that medicines, which are returned to pharmacy from wards, are either returned to stock or disposed of in accordance with current procedures.
To maintain up to date handover to ensure effective communication to other pharmacy staff.
To support the medicines safety team with audits to evidence ward compliance with CQC standards
Undertake the preoperative pharmacy technician training to ensure medicines reconciliation is completed in accordance with local policies.
Stores
To accept and sign receipt for deliveries of pharmaceutical products from suppliers, checking that delivery is for pharmacy department.
To unpack goods received.
To accurately use the computer system to receive goods into the pharmacy store.
To accurately put received goods into their correct location within the pharmacy, ensuring stock rotation.
To accurately use the computer system to issue stock items list to replenish stocks on wards and departments. This includes creating picking tickets and delivery notes for the required items.
Support Pharmacy staff with topping up service to the wards, thus ensuring adequate stock holdings in ward areas. Deliver medicines to clinical areas.
Medicines safety
To support the medicines safety team with audits.
To support the medicines safety team with collating evidence of ward compliance with CQC standards.
To assist with the governance of GPhC standards.
To assist with health promotion.
To undertake data reviews when investigation is required for Datix.
Other Duties:
To document errors and support process review and improvement to reduce internal and external error rates in accordance with clinical governance guidelines
Initiating contact with and responding to requests from patients, other team members and associated healthcare professionals and providers
Conduct regular audits on medicines storage and waste, ensuring local and national guidelines are adhered to and issues are reported to the appropriate party.
Contribute to the Trusts Clinical Incident Reporting system to ensure identification of medicine incidents and help with sharing of the learning.
To take responsibility for specific areas of work or projects as may be agreed from time to time, including contributing towards team goals and objectives.
To assist with the cleaning and maintenance of the work areas, equipment, and clothing.
To ensure a tidy work environment, so that space is effectively utilised and bench space is kept clear and clean so good dispensing practice is maintained this includes stock rotation and expiry checks.
To ensure all complaints about the service are recorded and dealt with effectively and promptly according to procedure.
To undertake such other reasonable duties as may be required from time to time.
To participate in weekend and bank holiday service in accordance with departmental rotas.
Participate in monthly personal reviews and work to achieve set objectives.
Develop professional and pharmaceutical skills through participation in the rotation of working in community pharmacy, General Practice through the PCN, and RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital Foundation Trust.
Undertake study in own time when necessary.
Be aware and workwithindepartmental procedures and policies, accepted standards of practice and relevant legislation (, Health and Safety, Medicine Act).
Additional Information
Physical Skills and Effort Long periods of standing, Exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances is rare.
Working conditions; there is a requirement for the use of VDU equipment.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker Sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Job seekers should be aware that not all roles will be eligible for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. For further information visit UK Visas and Immigration – (
Person Specification
Qualifications/Training
Essential
5 passes or more at GCSE (C grade equivalent or above) – biology/human biology; chemistry (or physics with chemistry, or Integrated Science (two unit level)); English; mathematics; and one other
Desirable
A-level or equivalent healthcare science qualification
Experience
Essential
Working as part of a team. Working under supervision
Desirable
Familiar with healthcare systems and with pharmacy services
Skills and Competencies
Essential
Ability to work accurately under pressure and meet agreed deadlines.
Ability to apply theory to practice. Excellent communication skills
Ability to meet the travel needs. The post holder will be required to travel between placement sites.
Ability to learn simultaneously – undertake projects/assignments in own time
Desirable
Able to use word processing and data spreadsheets.
Familiar with computer systems
Driving / use of a car
Knowledge (including specialist or technical knowledge required)
Essential
Demonstrable willingness to learn
Able to undertake BTEC Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians Qualification and to meet all organisational commitments associated with the course.
Desirable
Previous experience working in healthcare.