Job Description
An exciting, new opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic individual to join us as a Pharmacy Technician, Dispensary and Aseptics.
This role will be a rotational post split between dispensary and aseptics working 3 months in each area on a rota basis.
You will work as part of our team to deliver a high quality pharmacy service to wards and departments where patient experience and safety is at the heart of everything we do.
You must be able to demonstrate an enthusiasm for trying new roles, supporting innovation and delivering an excellent patient experience.
For more experienced technicians we will provide on the job training in areas such as staff supervision to help you progress in your career. Newly qualified Pharmacy Technicians and Pre-Registration Pharmacy Technicians due to qualify are also encouraged to apply.
This role will require you to participate in the late team, weekend and Bank Holiday Rotas as a part of the 7-day service when on dispensary rotation.
The successful post holder must be registered with The General Pharmaceutical Council as a Pharmacy Technician.
An ACPT qualification is an advantage but a successful permanent candidate without the ACPT may be required to undertake accreditation.
1. To rotate between dispensary and aseptics and fulfil duties as requested by the area leads
2. Support the senior technicians in the day to day running of the dispensary service by being a team lead and fulfilling duties as per dispensary procedures
3. To provide patients with information on appropriate use of their medication
4. To provide training in dispensary in accordance with competency frameworks on the use of pharmacy stock control software and dispensing cabinets
5. To act as a professional role model for pre-registration trainee pharmacy technicians and pharmacy assistants
6. To carry out technical pharmaceutical duties and provide organisational support to senior colleagues within the pharmacy aseptics
7. Support the senior technicians in aseptics in the day to day running of the aseptic supply service to the Oncology unit and Day unit as per procedures
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics.
You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.
We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.
All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.
Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.
DISPENSARY
CLINICAL AND TECHNICAL RESPONSIBILITY
- To accurately receive prescriptions in to the dispensary and ensuring prescription charges are collected where appropriate
- Dispense inpatients/outpatients/discharge prescriptions/controlled drugs for a wide range of specialities
- Maintain high quality data input of patient and drug information in to pharmacy JAC system
- To support with daily robot stock maintenance and be available to trouble shoot as appropriate
- To undertake patient consultations when handing out medication and ensure patients are given appropriate advice to support
- To participate in audits necessary for service developments as set out by dispensary management
- To undertake and maintain own CPD record to ensure a high level service is provided to patients and staff
COMMUNICATION/CUSTOMER SERVICE
- To assist service users visiting the department, efficiently and quickly, whilst being sensitive to their needs.
- Foster and maintain good working relationships with trust wide staff through effective communication
- To answer telephone promptly and courteously
OTHER
- To support dispensary management in reviewing and updating Dispensary Work Instructions ensuring the highest level of pharmacy practice
- To act as a team lead and ensure work flow is maintained and report to the Senior Technicians any problems or concerns
- To participate in the Regional Pharmacy Technician Checking Accreditation Scheme and when deemed competent, to act as an ACPT and participate in the dispensary checking rota
- To support the training of other Pharmacy Technicians, Pre-Registration Pharmacy Technicians, Trainee Pharmacists, Pharmacists and Senior Pharmacy Assistants when required
- To deputise as appropriate for Senior Technicians as and when required
- To contribute to every work session without having to be asked and to take pride in the overall performance of the team
- To maintain a clean, tidy work area, ensuring all items and documentation are stored appropriately
- Attend and participate in dispensary and departmental meetings
- To undertake all statutory and mandatory training and relevant updates in accordance with the trust requirements
- Participate in late team, weekend and Bank Holiday Rotas as a part of the 7-day service when on dispensary rotation
- Act as a role model for technical staff in line with the General Pharmaceutical Council
- To undertake other duties as reasonably requested by Deputy Chief Pharmacists and/or Chief Pharmacist
ASEPTICS
CLINICAL AND TECHNICAL RESPONSIBILITY
- To prepare documentation and labels for supply of ready-made aseptically prepared products
- To accurately dispense outsourced parenteral chemotherapy treatment, ensuring product is fit for purpose and the batch number and expiry dates are recorded accurately
- To dispense oral chemotherapy and supportive medicines on electronic prescriptions from the Oncology and Haematology department, according to specific drug requirements
- To ensure materials are stored appropriately according to manufacturer’s requirements; to monitor expiry dates optimising drug usage.
- To work with Senior Aseptic Technicians to ensure all required chemotherapy is ordered and allocated to patients and the relevant databases updated
- To assist with ordering of patient-specific chemotherapy doses from external aseptic compounding companies, communicating and problem solving issues regarding dose changes and cancellations
- To be responsible for ordering and receipting chemotherapy doses for patients, allocating doses appropriately using the in-house ordering database and highlighting defective products all in accordance with the MHRA’s GDP
- To monitor expired drug stock and minimise wastage; to help maintain the stock wastage database
- To relabel outsourced adult Parenteral Nutrition (PN) infusion bags in an accurate and safe manner, if required by the PN team Pharmacist
- To undertake continued professional development and training as necessary to ensure a high level of competency in carrying out the tasks required and to enable further appropriate development
- To accurately dispense clinical trial prescriptions to Pharmacy Aseptics standards after completing documented trial specific training for each trial after appropriate training and competency assessment/achievement of Pharmacy Aseptics dispensing standards
COMMUNICATION/CUSTOMER SERVICE
- To deliver checked and released patient specific chemotherapy to the Oncology day unit at start of day, relaying back to senior colleagues any queries from nursing staff regarding that day’s chemotherapy
- To receive calls from the Primrose Oncology Unit, Haematology and Day Treatment Unit and ensure the smooth running of day to day activities e.g. receiving blood results from nursing staff, responding to queries in an efficient manner, referring to a Pharmacist, Senior/Lead Pharmacy Technician or relevant healthcare professional when necessary
OTHER
- To assist in the delivery of the safe, effective and efficient supply of aseptically prepared chemotherapy and other medicinal products in accordance with work instructions
- To contribute to the Quality Assurance of all products and supplies by using approved systems of work and participating in audit
- To participate in the Final Accuracy Checking Pharmacy Technician (ACPT) Scheme
- To regularly attend and actively participate in discussions at Aseptic Services staff meetings
- To obtain GCP qualification and maintain Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and annual updates regarding Clinical Trials
- To train and participate in statutory temperature monitoring of clinical trial drugs and all other drugs held for chemotherapy and haematology use
- To ensure the disposal and recycling of chemotherapy and other medicinal products is carried out in a safe and efficient manner within the Aseptics Unit in accordance with Health & Safety (H & S), COSHH regulations and departmental work instructions
- To participate in the training and induction of students, technicians and assistants when required to do so by the Lead Aseptics Technician
- To organise and maintain documentation and records, archiving according to legal requirements.
- To report to Senior/Lead Aseptic staff any incidents and procedural deficiencies which require corrective and preventative actions
If requested, to be part of the Health & Safety Team for Pharmacy and take part in Health & Safety assessments to ensure a safe environment for working
The list of responsibilities above, are key primary requirements for the role, however, additional duties may be required to ensure patient and employee safety is met.