Pharmacy Technician

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To carry out dispensing of drugs (including controlled drugs), medicated dressings, enteral feeds, in-patients and A&E prescriptions and clinical trial prescriptions.

To perform a final accuracy check of dispensed items.

To give routine clinical and pharmaceutical advice to healthcare staff if confident to do so and within the knowledge limitations of the grade.

To counsel patients as appropriate in order to ensure the safe and effective use and storage of their medicines.

To liaise with ward pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and ward staff in determining appropriate pharmaceuticals stock levels, for the production and updating of ward-stock lists and to assist in the provision of advice to ward staff on the storage and handling of pharmaceuticals.

To check, maintain and replenish the out of hour’s drug cupboard and resuscitation cupboard.

To participate in the ‘topping-up’ service for wards/departments in the hospital and outside units as required.

To participate in stock replenishment procedures in all areas of the pharmacy.

To monitor the continued suitability of pharmaceutical stock on wards and in departments and to arrange the appropriate removal/destruction in accordance with environmental regulations.

To monitor and record drug storage temperatures within the Pharmacy and on wards/departments during the ‘top-up’ and to alert section managers of any discrepancies.

Ensure the security of the pharmacy department and stores areas at all times during working hours and at the end of the working day by maintaining responsibility for keys and swipe access cards and by the setting of alarms as necessary.

To carry out accurate entry of data into the Pharmacy computer system.

To assist in the maintenance of the Controlled Drugs Register and to carry out regular stock level checks of Controlled Drugs in line with legal responsibilities.

To carry out aseptic preparation following completion of the in-house aseptic training programme.

To participate in the ward-based Medicines Management service when appropriate and under the supervision of a Medicines Management Technician.

To undertake disposal of cytotoxic drug waste in accordance with COSHH regulations.

To assist in the individual and group training of pharmacy assistants (ATOs),
senior ATOs, Pre-Registration Pharmacy Technicians and Pre-Registration Pharmacist students.

To assist section managers in the orientation, induction and training of pharmacy staff new to those sections, and to contribute to the training of the Pre-Registration Pharmacy Technicians.

To contribute ideas for improving cost-effectiveness and to assist in their implementation where agreed.

To participate in the weekend and Bank Holiday rota including handling of boxes of intravenous fluids and other bulk products.

To process cash and cheque transactions for over the counter sales of medicines and for private prescriptions, as required.

To undertake other duties at the base hospital and outside units as required by the Pharmacy Operations Lead, in accordance with this grade of post.
Relationships:

Managed by the section manager to which allocated.

Supervises pharmacy assistants (ATOs) and senior ATOs in the section of work to which allocated.

Works and co-operates with all pharmacy and healthcare staff in the provision of services