Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Medicines Management team at Northampton General Hospital as a Medicines Management Assistant. Over the last 3 years, we have significantly expanded our Medicines Management team as part of our Dedicated Ward Pharmacy service, and we are now looking for a new Medicines Management Assistant to join our team. We are a constantly evolving service and are always striving for better care for our patients.
The role involves working closely with the Medicines Management Pharmacy Technicians, Pharmacists and ward staff. Duties of the role include, transferring patients own medicines, on ward dispensing in our satellite Pharmacies, ensuring wards have their required stock of medications and enabling the re-use of medicines.
If you are looking for a new challenge in a busy, fast paced environment ensuring that patients are at the forefront of all you do, then this role may be what you are looking for. Candidates must have the ability to work independently as well as part of a larger team and be able to manage their time efficiently. You must have excellent communication skills and the ability to work under pressure.
Main duties of the job
The role involves working as a Medicines Management Assistant within a multidisciplinary team on the wards at Northampton General Hospital. This role is ward based and involves transferring patients' medication between wards, dispensing in Pharmacy and at ward level, supporting the wards and the Clinical team with medicines management.
Working closely with the ward staff, the Pharmacy Clinical, Distribution and Dispensary teams, ensuring all required medication is available on the wards for the patients during their stay and also at discharge.
About us
Please submit your application as soon as possible, as we reserve the right to close adverts once sufficient applications have been received.
We recognise that AI tools can support application writing; however, candidates are asked to keep their use to a minimum. Responses should reflect your own experience, skills and knowledge, as over-reliance on AI-generated content may result in generic answers that do not accurately represent your abilities.
University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) brings together Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust. As a group, we are committed to improving services for our communities through collaboration, modernising care delivery and striving for excellence. Working together enables us to share expertise, strengthen services and create greater opportunities, and there may be a requirement to work across sites depending on service needs.
Our Excellence Values are Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Integrity and Courage. UHN welcomes applications from all backgrounds and is committed to an inclusive working environment. We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and hold the Gold Award under the Employer Recognition Scheme. Candidates who identify as members of the Armed Forces community and meet the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To use technical and pharmaceutical skills to ensure the control, security, quality and cost-effective management of medicines. This includes:
Managing stock medicines within allocated wards and satellite pharmacies, maintaining agreed stock levels and avoiding overstocking. Carrying out expiry date checks, stock rotation and stock replenishment. Maintaining tidy medicine storage areas to support safe and efficient use by ward staff. Monitoring medicine usage and stock levels to minimise waste. Liaising with senior pharmacy staff, Distribution and Procurement teams regarding stock issues and orders. Maintaining accurate pharmacy stock control records and systems.
Automated Cabinets (when required)
Replenishing stock correctly and maintaining accurate stock levels. Performing routine cycle counts and removing excess stock. Assisting with cabinet cleanliness and organisation. Supporting ward staff in the use of automated medicine cabinets and escalating issues when required. Reporting cabinet issues, stock changes and additions/removals to the Omnicell Administrator. Undertaking regular expiry date checks and replacing expired stock.
To support the Clinical/Medicines Management Team and wards with Medicines Management. This includes:
Assessing and returning suitable medicines for re-use in line with procedures. Collecting and delivering medicines to wards, clinics and theatres as required. Resolving routine queries and referring complex issues to senior staff. Reporting storage deviations and unsafe medicines practices through Trust reporting systems. Checking patient medicines in lockers and transferring medication where appropriate. Completing ward, trolley, treatment room and fridge checks in line with Trust requirements. Managing medicines no longer required on wards and arranging transfers where necessary. Monitoring and auditing pre-pack medication use. Participating in audits and supporting patient discharge by ensuring medicines are available.
To assist in the provision of medicines for the treatment of patients. This includes:
Accurately dispensing medicines following pharmacist validation. Supplying controlled drugs and maintaining appropriate records. Liaising with pharmacy teams to ensure medicines are ordered and supplied promptly. Supporting medicines reconciliation and the supply of medicines for inpatient use. Escalating medicine supply issues to the appropriate Pharmacist or Medicines Management Technician.
Other Duties
Assisting with staff training, induction and mentoring of new or rotational staff. Collecting and submitting data to support reporting and performance monitoring. Planning daily workload and supporting colleagues where required. Communicating effectively with colleagues and service users. Maintaining a clean, safe and efficient working environment for the handling of medicines. Ensuring Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) remain up to date and identifying areas for improvement.
Person Specification
Skills
Essential
- Evidence of accuracy.
- Effective communicator and strong listening skills
- Ability to work effectively under pressure from wards/departments regarding medicines
- Evidence of working as part of a team and supporting others
- Able to work independently
- Ability to prioritise workload and be organised
- Attention to detail/strong level of concentration
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Evidence of good IT skills
- Ability to effectively deal with customers/patients in person or by telephone, and be able to handle difficult conversations
Desirable
- Working in a hospital or community Pharmacy.
- Knowledge of medicines and their importance.
- Ward work experience
Educations, Training and Qualifications
Essential
- Four GCSEs (or equivalent) Grade C or above to include English and Maths.
Desirable
- GCSE Double Science award essential if candidate wants to progress to Pre-registration Technician.
- NVQ2 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent in depth experience.
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 (Opens in a new tab).
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. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
Northampton General Hospital
Address
University Hospitals of Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire
Northampton
NN1 5BD
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.northamptongeneral.nhs.uk/Home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)
Medicines Management Assistant in Northampton employer: Northampton General Hospital
University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment for Paediatric Oncology Consultants. With a commitment to professional development, the hospital provides generous study budgets, mentorship opportunities, and a collaborative culture that encourages innovation in child health services. Located in Northampton, you will be part of an award-winning team dedicated to delivering high-quality care to children and young people, making a meaningful impact in the community.
Contact Details:
Northampton General Hospital Recruitment Team
