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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Contribute to the provision of a dispensary service to Inpatients by receiving, interpreting, validating, dispensing, labelling and issuing routine prescriptions for in patients and Discharge patients using the pharmacy computer systems whilst training under the direct supervision of Pharmacy technicians and Pharmacists, seeking advice from other Senior staff where appropriate.

This includes use of the automated dispensing system.

To maintain satisfactory stock levels, storage and turnover of medicines to ensure a high quality of medicines is upheld.

To identify actual and potential problems with reference to other staff as necessary

To complete and maintain accurate records where appropriate

To prepare labels and dispense medicines for patients

To take all appropriate action to ensure that patients receive the correct medication, with advice and counselling and that all directions associated with medicines are fully understood after reaching the appropriate level of training and successful completion of the appropriate unit of competence

To dispense and record appropriate details according to written protocols for clinical trials, unlicensed and named patient medicines within pharmacy after reaching the appropriate level of training and successful completion of the appropriate unit of competence

To dispense controlled drugs after reaching the appropriate level of training and successful completion of the appropriate unit of competence

To use communication skills to receive enquiries and other appropriate information from healthcare professionals, patients and members of the public

To use communication skills to provide a suitable response to the enquirer in a variety of formats (verbal or written)

To refer enquirers to a more appropriate source of information when necessary and provide documentation of enquiries

To use databases (electronic and manual) to search enquiries using a variety of information sources.

To contribute to the work of the stock control, stock ordering, receiving and stock distribution of all pharmaceuticals within the pharmacy department under the supervision of registered pharmacy technicians.

To participate in ward / department stock “top-up service” as necessary working with the appropriate ward Pharmacist, Technician and Nursing staff to prevent stockpiling and to promote economic use of ward stocks.

To assist in the purchasing of pharmaceuticals

To participate in maintaining an adequate stock control programme

To participate with checking and validating receipt of orders

To replenish stock throughout the department

To participate in the distribution and return of medicines to and from wards and departments.

To work on wards completing the following tasks:

• Drug histories
• Patients Own Drugs (PODs) assessment
• Medication supply
• Locker checks

Completing in-house Medicines Management Training pack 

To dispose of medicines if unsuitable for use according to SOP’s working under the supervision of a registered technician or pharmacist.

To identify any discrepancies between individuals own medicines and prescribed items, reporting them to the registered technician or ward pharmacist.

To transcribe information of drugs to ward profiles or electronically to the dispensary to be later checked clinically for appropriateness by the ward pharmacist, highlighting problems to the registered technician or pharmacist.

To arrange for medicines to be re labelled where necessary working to local SOPs under the supervision of a qualified technician or pharmacist