Assistant Technical Officer | Liverpool Women\'s NHS Foundation Trust

We have a great opportunity for 2 people to join our growing pharmacy team. We are developing the role of our team and are looking for dynamic and enthusiastic team players to join our pharmacy department, you will have the opportunity to work in a varied role.

Duties include:

• Dispensing
• Assembly and supply of medication to hospital wards/departments
• Answering the telephone
• Stock control
• Ward top-ups
• Dealing directly with patients and other hospital staff under supervision
• Contacting suppliers

Some lifting is essential in this post. The successful candidate will receive full training and will undertake level 2 training in pharmacy services after initial in-house training if not already achieved. Maths and English GCSE grade 4 or above (or equivalent) are needed for this role achievable through functional skills if not already acquired.

The ATO, under supervision, will assist in the dispensing process of medicines and receive, check, store and prepare stock items in the dispensary. The ATO is also responsible for stock keeping of pharmaceuticals and related products within the dispensary. The ATO will assist in providing stock to wards and clinics, also ensuring it is put away in the correct location. The ATO will regularly support the dispensary outpatient service in providing a friendly, professional and informative front line service to all dispensary customers. The ATO will undertake various housekeeping duties including making sure that the dispensary has sufficient stocks of bottles, tops, boxes, bags, labels etc. The ATO is also responsible for answering the telephone and dealing with simple internal and external enquiries.

To participate in daily and weekly environmental monitoring of the Pharmacy Department. To undertake record keeping and the preparation of worksheets and labels for pre packing and over labelling as required by the department. To assist in attaining a smooth workflow and undertake general housekeeping duties, including the removal of clinical and pharmaceutical waste in the Pharmacy department. To carry out dispensing of prescriptions, including extemporaneous prescriptions, unlicensed drugs, in-patient, outpatient prescriptions and clinical trials in accordance with the agreed safe systems of work practice. To assist in routine duties in the dispensary including maintenance of stock levels, checking expiry dates and ensuring a tidy work environment. To participate in ensuring the efficient running of the dispensary, including sending and receiving prescriptions and printing prescriptions on the Meditech EP Module. To undertake basic patient counselling in the outpatient area of the pharmacy in accordance with pharmacy procedures and under the supervision of a pharmacist or technician. To provide a ‘top-up’ service for stock items held on wards and departments, including checking stock levels and placing newly ordered items into stock. To process orders using the Pharmacy Meditech Module. To input data into the pharmacy computer system as necessary and to produce information such as computerised picking lists. To produce and transmit orders using computerised and technical equipment. To assist in the receipt, storage and issue of pharmaceutical products including the maintenance of manual and computerised records. To undertake, under appropriate supervision, routine procedures connected with the preparation and packing of pharmaceutical products. To top up emergency trolleys in accordance with Trust and department procedures. To observe the regulations in respect of the Health and Safety at Work Act and Data Protection Act. To observe and support Trust policy with respect to infection control and participate in any activity that is considered appropriate by the pharmacy manager and infection control team. To assist in maintaining reasonable stock levels, in accordance with the policies that are in force and to assist in ensuring correct storage and turnover of stock to maintain quality and potency. To attend appropriate training courses for Assistants, to encourage other staff to undertake further training and to participate in such training schemes as necessary to keep relevant pharmaceutical clinical and technical knowledge up to date. To participate in Saturday, Sunday, Bank Holiday and late night Duties as is considered appropriate by the Deputy Chief Pharmacist or other Senior Managers. To participate in ward and department based stock audits under the direction of the Pharmacy Technicians. To co-operate in the operation and development of computerised systems of stock control and medical speciality costing. To act as a role model for student technicians and other members of technical and support staff. To provide induction and training of pharmacy pre registration graduates, student technicians, assistant technical officers and any other relevant members of the pharmacy team. To participate in pharmacy objectives set by the Trust, the National Patient Safety Agency, the Healthcare Commission, the Department of Health (including the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulation Agency) NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA) and others to meet clinical governance targets, develop patient care, improve clinical outcomes and ensure compliance with all standards expected for hospital pharmacy services and the interface between primary and secondary care. To undertake NVQ Pharmacy Services Level 2 in order to keep pharmaceutical knowledge current and ensure best practice. To answer telephone and face to face queries of a routine or basic technical nature from a wide range of staff groups, either in the pharmacy or on the ward, and refer appropriate queries to the relevant member of the pharmacy team when necessary. To liaise with various members of the pharmacy team and ward staff when solving supply problems and ensuring the best service to patients. To undertake any other related duties that may be required.