Pharmacy Assistant

Staffline are recruiting on behalf of NHSCT for a B2 Pharmacy Assistant, required on a temporary basis based in Antrim.

Role: Pharmacy Assistant

Location: Antrim Area Hospital

Hours: Full-Time, 37.5 hours per week

Pay Rate: £12.71 per hour

Main Responsibilities

• To receive, check and shelve all pharmacy items in accordance with departmental SOPs, liaising with senior pharmacy assistants, technicians, pharmacists and clerical staff as appropriate.
• To ensure that all delivery documentation is accurately receipted onto the EPIC system and that documentation is endorsed and retained according to departmental SOPs.
• To participate in the provision of a Bulk Issue "top-up" service to wards and departments, including preparation of the regular orders, removal of overstock and appropriate stock rotation / expiry day management, highlighting queries / changes in usage trends to designated technicians / pharmacists as appropriate.
• To comply with relevant Infection Control guidelines in clinical areas with regard to personal protective equipment.
• To assemble and issue daily ward orders, requisitions and Bulk Issue lists received via the EPIC pharmacy computer system for distribution to wards and other users, keeping appropriate records and communicating with nursing and clinical pharmacy staff as appropriate.
• To assemble and supply IV fluids and procedure pack orders, issuing stock to users via the computer system, keeping appropriate records as appropriate.
• To monitor and maintain pharmacy stock levels within designated areas by regular bin maintenance and assistance in physical stock checks, identifying stock discrepancies and supply shortages.
• To liaise with the appropriate senior Pharmacy Assistants and Technicians to ensure efficient resolution of any stock / supply issues.
• To cover the pharmacy reception and telephone to communicate with and respond to requests from service users, referring requests to senior Pharmacy Assistants / technicians / pharmacists as appropriate.
• To apply good standards of customer service at all times.
• To carry out broken pack dispensing or pre-packing of solid or liquid medicines, keeping appropriate records as required.
• To assist in the supply of drugs, dressings, medical and surgical items to community users and communicate information as appropriate.
• To assist in the dispensing and distribution of vaccines to community users
• To deliver pharmacy supplies, prescriptions and controlled drugs to wards / departments as required
• To assist in the processing of returns from users on a daily basis in accordance with departmental returns SOPs.
• Participate in the cleaning and preparation pf the aseptic unit and its equipment and supplies ready for aseptic preparation and dispensing
• To adhere to the requirements of the Medicines Act and Controls Assurance Standards for the safety and security of pharmaceuticals, including controlled drugs, by compliance with departmental SOPs.
• To share and demonstrate knowledge of working area with other staff as required during training of other pharmacy staff, e.g. student technicians / pharmacy assistants / pharmacy students as appropriate, and in designated core service areas.
• To assist in the development and introduction of new technologies and working practices to improve the efficiency and running of the department.
• To utilise the pharmacy Robots correctly to load and issue Robot stock items via EPIC pharmacy system / ARiM and, following training respond to and resolve Red Screen Robot / Prolog Errors in line with SOPs (site dependent).
• To assist with the development and review of SOPs relevant to service area as appropriate.
• To observe and participate in the delivery of safe systems of work, ensuring compliance with the Trust's Health and Safety Policy, COSHH and Statutory Regulations.
• To maintain clean working surfaces and equipment at all times.
• To ensure safe systems of working and compliance with written procedures.
• To ensure the maintenance of appropriate documentation and records.
• To perform any other duties as assigned.

Essential Criteria

5 GCSEs (Grades A - G) or equivalent. To include English Language and Mathematics Grade C or above

OR

NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services or BTEC level 2 Certificate in Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Support Staff

To be shortlisted for this role all applicants MUST meet the essential criteria. If you are interested, please upload your CV to the link provided, and Mia Taylor will be in contact to confirm if you have been shortlisted.

Successful candidates may need to apply for an Access NI Certificate with Staffline regardless of if you already have a valid certificate.