Dispensary and Ward Based Pharmacy Assistant

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Detailed Responsibilities:

Dispensary role

1. To provide daily support to the dispensary workforce.

2. To use the pharmacy computer system to produce dispensing labels and to make stock issues, receipt, and transfers.

3. To dispense inpatient, outpatient clinical trial and controlled drug prescriptions according to dispensary procedures.

4. To assist the Stock Management Team with unpacking deliveries and filling the automated dispensing system.

5. To participate in conducting of regular Controlled Drug stock checks alongside a Registered Technician.

6. To be responsible for putting away dispensing stock including part packs and maintaining tidy storage areas.

7. To participate in extemporaneous dispensing e.g. preparing creams, ointments and liquid preparations.

8.    Maintaining equipment used in the dispensing process.

9. To participate in the training and induction of pre-registration students and ATO’s.

10. To participate in the audit and development of the dispensary service.

11. To provide reception cover as per the Dispensary rota, and to answer the telephone and direct queries as appropriate.

Ward-based role 

1.    To be responsible for the supply and delivery of any medicines required during inpatient stay according to the local procedures and guidance to reduce the number of missed doses.

2. Assist in the transfer of medicines between wards and locating medicines that have been left behind when patients transfer wards.

3.    Dealing with problems associated with the ordering of stock on behalf of the ward or refer where appropriate, liaising closely with the relevant pharmacy staff. 

4. To be involved in expiry date checking of ward stock.

5. To work closely with the pharmacy top-up assistant in maintaining a well-controlled and appropriate medication and fluid stock holding.

6. To provide support to the ward technician(s) and pharmacist(s) to ensure medicines management, including safe and secure storage of medicines, return of medicines into Local Funding, and facilitating near-patient dispensing.

7. To return unused medicines from the ward(s) back to pharmacy.

8. To ensure correct segregation and disposal of all types of waste such as cytotoxics both at ward level and in the dispensary.

9. To be an advocate for good communication between ward staff, pharmacists, medicines management technicians and the dispensary.

10.  To undertake extended roles at ward level according to local Standard Operating Procedures, following a period of supervised practice. This may include writing-controlled drug (CD) orders in ward CD order books.

11.  To monitor and report any issues regarding the safe storage of drugs to the ward pharmacist and/or ward manager.

12.  Photocopying, filing, and scanning documents when necessary. Collecting and disseminating documents received within pharmacy. To collect essential documentation, such as working copies, on behalf of the pharmacist to support swift discharge of patients.

13.  To contact GP surgeries or community pharmacies as requested by other members of the pharmacy team to either provide or retrieve information relating to medicines management.

General role

1.    To provide training, including induction, to pharmacy support staff as required.

2.    To work towards the BTEC level 2 Certificate in the principles and Practices for Pharmacy Support Staff.

3.    To undertake in-house and/or external training appropriate for the role. 

4. To complete reports and audits as requested.

5. To participate in a programme of work-based training, development, and appraisal.

6. To ensure confidentiality is always maintained.

7. To maintain a tidy and clean working environment.

8. To participate in early and late duties, evening, weekend, and bank holiday working according to the departmental rotas.

9. Any other duties as requested by the Lead Pharmacist, Ward Based Technician Manager or Clinical Director of Pharmacy and Medicines Management.