Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officer in Knowsley

We want talented and enthusiastic people from all backgrounds to join #TeamMWL, with us you can learn, grow and develop yourself and your career, realising your true ambitions and aspirations. Whatever you’re looking for in your career, you’ll find it here at MWL.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, flexible and well-motivated individual to join our existing Pharmacy team. The successful candidate will rotate between Pharmacy stores and Whiston and St Helens Hospital dispensaries, and participate in our evening, weekend and bank holiday rotas. Attention to detail is essential, as is an ability to work accurately in a fast-paced environment with other members of the Pharmacy team. Good communication skills and a willingness to learn is important. Candidates ideally should possess NVQ Level 2 Pharmacy Service skills or a GPhC recognised equivalent qualification, however training can be provided. A good standard of education (to GCSE level) would be advantageous.

Main duties of the job:

• To participate in the ATO rota through areas of the stores dispensaries and wards.
• To assist in the receipt of prescriptions.
• To participate in pharmacy services to wards and clinics primarily to maintain and control medicines.
• To assist in booking in and auditing prescriptions, using the latest software.
• To prepare and assemble supplies of medicines for delivery to wards and departments.
• To assist in the receipt, storage and issue of stock including the maintenance of manual and computerised records.
• To assist in the provision of a ward topping up service, supplying stock medication to wards on a weekly basis.
• To co‑operate with the provision of necessary staffing within the pharmaceutical service and participate in staff rotation to other sites e.g. St Helens.
• To assist in the preparation and assembly of resuscitation and anaphylaxis boxes.
• To participate in stock control of medicines within the pharmacy department under the supervision of the dispensary manager or senior technician.
• Regularly handle or process cash or cheques when dealing with outpatients prescriptions.
• To comply with the legal and other requirements related to the purchase, supply, use, safe custody and destruction of drugs both within the Pharmacy and in all other areas of the Trust.
• To comply and ensure that all other pharmacy staff under his / her control comply with the Health and Safety at work act, COSHH Regulations, Display Screen Equipment Regulations, Data Protection Act and other appropriate legislation during daily activities.
• To participate in the Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday rotas.
• To participate in evening and on‑call rotas in response to the changing needs of the service.
• To assist with basic counselling of outpatients in accordance with pharmacy procedures and under the supervision of a pharmacist or Pharmacy technician.
• To answer telephone and face to face queries of a routine or basic technical nature from a wide range of staff groups, patients and the public, 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 ensure safety of drugs awaiting collection by nursing staff and other responsible persons.
• To participate in individual performance review and continuing education programmes in order to maintain and improve standards of service.
• To be responsible for the accurate input of data into the Pharmacy JAC computer system for all duties requiring its use e.g. Ordering and stock control.
• To assist in the completion and filing of departmental documents.
• To record any information and assist in the compilation of any data necessary.
• To act as a role model and assist in the training and induction of other members of the technical staff.
• To undertake and achieve the NVQ level 2 – Pharmacy service skills qualification in accordance with GPhC guidance.

Qualifications:

• NVQ level 2 Pharmacy service skills – or GPhC recognised equivalent, or must be willing to undertake qualification and complete within 18 months of commencing employment.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Experience of working with Computer systems.
• Experience of working in a Hospital pharmacy.
• Experience in using the CMM (JAC) Pharmacy system.

Skills:

• Good communication skills.
• Ability to talk to patients, staff and other Health care professionals.
• Ability to express items clearly, both face to face and using telephones.
• Ability to work accurately and efficiently with good attention to detail.
• Understand importance and context of role.
• Self‑motivated with the ability to motivate others.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Works well as part of a team.
• Presents a professional image / appearance.
• Supportive of colleagues of all grades.
• Good physical fitness for duties including manual handling, items up to approx 15kg, standing and walking.
• Good organisational skills with the ability to prioritise.

Other:

• Ability to travel between sites.
• Able to participate in the evening and weekend rotas.

Thank you for considering an application to work for Mersey West Lancashire NHS Trust. MWL is an exciting and forward‑thinking NHS Trust who are one of the best places to work for in England.

We actively cultivate a professional environment of fairness, equality, dignity, and respect for all individuals. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and value the unique skills, perspective and experience you bring.

We hope to welcome you to Team MWL very soon.