Senior Pharmacy Dispensary Assistant

At West Suffolk Hospital, our patients are at the heart of everything we do. We're dedicated to delivering the best quality and safest care to our local communities and need dedicated and skilled people to help us achieve this.
To maintain this standard, we are offering candidates the opportunity to apply for the post of Senior Pharmacy Dispensary Assistant and be based within the Pharmacy Department at West Suffolk Hospital.
The postholder will form part of the dispensary team and be responsible for supplying pharmaceutical items to wards and departments across various sites in West Suffolk.
Involvement with dispensary tasks will be the primary area of work, however it may be necessary to undertake other reasonable duties to meet the needs of the service.
Senior Pharmacy Assistants are valued members of the team and play an important part in maintaining effective workflow and departmental efficiencies.
This is an exciting opportunity for individuals to provide high-quality patient care to those that need it whilst working with an excellent and experienced team committed to its very delivery., As part of the dispensary team, the postholder will dispense and label medicines, including controlled drugs, for supply to wards and departments located both internal and external to the Trust.
This includes prescriptions for patients attending outpatient clinics within the hospital, supplying essential medication and medical devices to those that need them.
Inpatient and outpatient reception duties are an essential part of the role, with the postholder utilising effective communication, customer service and organisational skills, ensuring effective information cascade to staff and members of the public.
The postholder will act as a point of contact for dispensary queries and provision of advice, liaising accordingly with the Dispensary Manager, to complete necessary tasks.
All duties must be performed to a high standard, conforming to approved departmental standard operating procedures, to ensure quality is maintained and to support operation of the medicines management service.
As a department we are forward thinking and utilise technology to increase efficiencies and reduce errors. This includes a fully electronic prescribing system for maintenance of patient records alongside use of our dispensary robot to process inpatient requests and discharge medication.
This is a great opportunity to develop your pharmacy career and make a real difference to the lives of those who need our services., To perform technical duties required of the Pharmacy Department, in accordance with approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), as part of a 7-day weekend and late shift service. The primary area of work will be the Pharmacy Dispensary, however, it may be necessary to undertake reasonable duties in other areas of the department, as deemed necessary by senior staff, to maintain needs of the service.
The core hours of the pharmacy department are 0830 to 1700, Monday to Friday, with a late team working until 2000. Weekends, bank holidays and late shifts are allocated on a rostered basis, 1. Dispensary
+ Dispense inpatient, outpatient, and discharge medication requests in accordance with standard operating procedures.
+ If the necessity arises and with additional training and assessed competence, check items for inpatient, outpatient, and discharge supply in accordance with standard operating procedures.
+ Ensure that "to follow" and repeat items are issued promptly.
+ Dispense controlled drugs ensuring legal documentation processes are followed.
+ Check and restock the dispensary with consumables and disposables.
+ Act as support for the dispensary manager, orchestrating workflow when required.
+ Act as a messenger in the delivery of controlled drugs and other items.
+ Investigate discrepancies in stock levels, consulting with the dispensary manager and procurement manager as required.
+ Adjust stock levels on the pharmacy computer system under the direction of the procurement manager.
+ Complete daily stock checks under the direction of the dispensary manager and/or procurement manager, highlighting areas for further attention.
+ Support delivery of the ward top-up service, as necessary.
+ Assist in specific cleaning duties within the pharmacy department.
+ Undertake reception and administrative duties for the process of receipt and issue of dispensed and non-dispensed items.
+ Participate in late, weekend and bank holiday shift work., + Assist in the provision of training of staff in dispensary duties.
+ Work with the Education and Training team to develop, update and deliver dispensary training packages.
+ Undertake mandatory training and development as required of the role.
+ NVQ level 2 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent qualification is essential for band 3 status. Applicants will be considered for employment if currently undertaking study for the necessary qualification. However, band 3 status will not be assigned until qualification has been attained. During this interim period, successful applicants will be employed at band 2.
3. Communication
+ Communicate medicine related information to healthcare staff, patients, and relatives; including people who may have language difficulties, and/or a physical or mental disability.
+ Implement effective intra-departmental communication with:
o Pharmacy Assistants
o Pharmacy Technicians
o Pharmacists
o Pre-registration students
o Administrative staff
+ Implement effective communication with other health care professionals.
+ Always communicate in a way which reflects Trust Values & Behaviours.
4. Health, Safety & Security
+ Report any incidents/accidents and near misses in accordance with the Trust's incident reporting procedure.
+ To be aware and comply with policies and procedures relating to Health and Safety/COSHH issues regarding handling of potentially hazardous materials.
+ Comply with all Trust policies and procedures to protect the health, safety, and welfare of self and anyone affected by the Trust's business.
+ Comply with the Trust's Risk Management Strategy and Directorate/Department health and safety policies and procedures.
+ Ensure that equipment and facilities provided for the protection of health and safety is well-maintained, used appropriately and defects reported to relevant senior staff.
+ Comply with emergency procedures e.g. resuscitation, evacuation, and fire precaution procedures.
+ Comply with the requirements of mandatory training.
5. Quality/Clinical Governance
+ Have a basic knowledge of principles of clinical governance and understand what the benefits for patients and staff are.
+ Understand the clinical governance structure within the organisation and how you may be involved.
+ Participate in clinical governance activities within the Trust, and where applicable across organisational boundaries e.g. customer satisfaction surveys.
+ Ensure that you continuously contribute to, and look for new ways to improve, the quality of the service or care you provide to patients.
+ Explore ways to involve and consult with patients, public and carers when developing or evaluating services or the care you provide.
+ Participate in audit activity.
+ Ensure patient confidentiality is always maintained and that you do not access patient related information (either electronic or paper based), which you do not need during your work.
+ Participate in the departmental appraisal process.

#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.
With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?