Assistant Technical Officer, Stores and Distribution in Northampton

We require an enthusiastic, hardworking person to join our friendly Stores/Distribution team. You will participate in the supply of essential stock medicines (Top up service) and putting away in the wards, theatres, clinics and departments within Northampton General Hospital and to other hospitals. The post involves working in both Pharmacy Stores and Pharmacy Distribution. The amount of time in each area is determined by rotas, staffing.

Main duties of the job:

• You will participate in the ordering, receipt of goods, storage of medicines, stock and expiry date checks and the assembly of emergency kits and vaccines.
• Both roles involve use of computer pharmacy stock control system and automated ward stock system.

About us:

Please submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close adverts once we have received sufficient applications. Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust is on an exciting journey with all of our divisions committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN). As part of this collaborative approach, there may be a requirement for you to work across both the Kettering and Northampton hospital sites, depending on the needs of the service.

Our Excellence Values:

• Compassion
• Accountability
• Respect
• Integrity
• Courage

We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across UHN and help to unleash everyone's full potential. UHN encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups. We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative. We recognise the valuable contribution that the Armed Forces community make to our organisation. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and achieved Silver Award under the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme. We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for UHN.

Job responsibilities:

• To assist in the purchasing of medicines and other items by Pharmacy. This will involve following procedures on how to receive, unpack, input data, store and appropriately distribute pharmaceuticals and equipment in accordance with departmental procedures.
• To advise appropriate staff when specific goods have been received and to transfer the goods to the appropriate location.
• To assist, as required, in the collection and delivery of goods from and to the delivery point in the Supplies department and Main Reception, and to wards/departments, if necessary.
• To resolve problems arising from deliveries and outstanding orders and notify Advanced Technician Stores/Procurement or deputy.
• To assist in the maintenance of stationery stocks.
• To assist with routine production of orders.
• If required, to place orders with suppliers in the absence of the Advanced Technician, Stores/Procurement or deputy and ensure they are notified at the earliest opportunity.
• If required, to arrange for orders to be delivered using approved carriers when necessary.
• To progress orders as required by the dispensary staff or Principal Technician- Medicines Supply and give feedback.
• To participate in the procedure for Expired Stock.
• To fill the automated dispensing system (robot).

Distribution:

• To order, issue, assemble and pack pharmaceutical supplies as part of the Topping-Up Service.
• To carry out stock checks on wards/departments and the Emergency Store and remove expired stock.
• To answer the telephone and liaise, when necessary, with the Principal Technician/ Deputy regarding requests from wards, departments and other hospitals.
• To obtain medicines from the automated dispensing system.
• To process ward and department requisitions.
• To put stock medicines away on wards that have electronic medicine cabinets and maintain the cabinets in a clean condition.
• To process wholesale requisitions in accordance with MHRA requirements.
• To assist with the on-going reviews of ward stock profiles.
• To liaise with clinical Nursing staff/Directorate Pharmacist/Medicine Management Technicians on appropriate range and level of stock medicines.
• To participate in the replenishment and maintenance of the automated Emergency Store (Omnicell).
• To assist in maintaining records mainly by using a computer terminal.
• To assess and return medicines for re-use.
• To assemble emergency kits and vaccines and to record their batch numbers and expiry dates.
• To liaise with Suppliers for the ordering of Emergency Kits.
• To participate in the safety and security of medicines on wards and departments.
• To assist, when required, in the collection and delivery of medicines to wards/departments.
• To assist, when required, in the collection of empty stock boxes and bags from wards and departments.

To assist in the provision of an accurate computerised stock control system:

• To participate in stock control procedures, including stock checks and investigation of stock discrepancies.
• To assist in the control, maintenance and updating of locally negotiated and divisional price details and price information from other sources.
• To participate in the monitoring of expiry dates and removal procedure.

To provide operational support to the Pharmacy Automated Dispensing System (ADS):

• To assist with the removal of unidentified items loaded incorrectly in the ADS.
• To assist with the monthly removal of expired stock from the ADS.
• To deal with minor problems relating to the ADS and restart in accordance with procedures.
• To liaise with Manager/Supervisor, or in their absence, the Informatics Manager or Deputy.
• When necessary to supervise staff loading items into the ADS.
• To obtain items from the ADS by automated retrieval or manual pick.

To assist in the training and supervision of allocated staff:

• To participate in the training and supervision of new ATOs, Student Pharmacy Technicians, Pre-registration Pharmacists and any other staff, where appropriate.
• If required, to assist in the supervision of Pharmacy Porters to ensure goods are received into the department and completed orders distributed to wards/departments in a timely fashion.
• To check stock items picked once a checking competency has been completed, and ensure they are distributed according to departmental procedure.
• To check vaccine orders and emergency kits picked and prepared by other ATOs prior to distributing to appropriate areas.

To assist in the provision of clerical support to Pharmacy Stores and Distribution:

• To ensure the maintenance of a smooth and efficient communication of messages, mail and faxes.
• To maintain Stores and Distribution forms and documents.
• To ensure relevant paperwork and documents are filed at the end of each month in the Stores and Distribution areas.
• To attach supplementary labels to specific items prior to issue to wards/departments according to procedures.

Other Duties:

• To assist in data recording, as and when required.
• If required, to assist with the provision of a Receptionist Service to patients, hospital staff and other customers to support the work of the Pharmacy Department.
• To carry out general dusting/cleaning of areas not covered by Domestic Services, as required.

Person Specification:

Education, Training and Qualifications:

• 4 GCSEs at grade C, two of which must be English and Maths (or Level 2 Numeracy and Literacy or CSE grade 1) with a further two GCSEs at grade C or above.
• Appropriate units of NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services specific to job role.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Essential: Dealing with customers in person or via the telephone.
• Experience in stock control systems.
• Desirable: Previous Stores / Distribution experience.
• Demonstrate ability in Office practices (e.g. photocopier).
• Demonstrate ability to work with computer systems (e.g. WORD, Excel).
• Working in a community hospital or similar Pharmacy.
• Previous Pharmacy experience.
• Medicine names.

Skills:

• Essential: Responsible/professional attitude to job (meeting patient's needs).
• Ability to use own initiative.
• Effective communicator both verbal and written.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Demonstrate ability to work with computer.
• Ability to work systematically.
• This post involves walking around the Trust, lifting and reach in high/low, small spaces.
• Desirable: Personal and work time management skills.
• Evidence of accuracy/precision.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check:

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship:

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.

Employer details:

Employer name: Northampton General Hospital

Address: Northampton General Hospital, Cliftonville, Northampton NN1 5BD