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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Depending on the service section in which the post holder is based, their priorities will vary but will include some or all of the following:

To assess the prevailing demands on the work of the section, in conjunction with any transport deadlines, and to decide the order in which tasks are undertaken, with the aim of ensuring optimum service delivery to patients and healthcare staff.

To carry out dispensing of drugs, medicated dressings, enteral feeds, and drug-related devices for outpatients, in-patients and clinical trial patients, from either dispensary as required.

To give routine clinical and pharmaceutical advice to healthcare staff, referring to a pharmacist if required.

To undertake the final accuracy checking (as an Accredited Checker Technician ACT) of dispensed prescriptions in the dispensary and / or the aseptics unit, in accordance with pharmacy departmental policies and procedures. Note that discharge medicines dispensing may move to wards, and this will involve on-ward accuracy checks by the postholder alongside the clinical check by a Pharmacist.

To ensure the timely and supportive notification to dispensers, of any error found when checking. To ensure such errors are recorded, and to participate in the Trust Incident Reporting process as appropriate.

To maintain a working relationship with the Outpatients Pharmacy, which is operated by a wholly owned subsidiary of the Trust.

To refer patients and staff seeking treatment of minor ailments, to the duty pharmacist for advice.

To counsel all out-patients when issuing drugs, and in-patients as appropriate, in order to ensure the safe and effective use and storage of their medicines.

To cover day to day managerial duties in the absence of the section Lead Technician, including managing and prioritising daily workload, organising staff breaks and ensuring adequate cover in all areas during times of absence.

To undertake unaccompanied visits to wards at the base hospital and to outlying hospitals, including wards without pharmacist input; to undertake materials management duties relating to the drug distribution and non-stock pharmaceuticals supply service; and to provide basic clinical and pharmaceutical advice to ward staff as required.

To participate in the operation of the Aseptic Service at ward level:

• Specialised medication counselling, eg, inhaler use.
• Medicines reconciliation against home medicines and GP records (including the NHS Summary Care Record).
• Discharge planning, including the identification of patients requiring their discharge supply in a monitored dose device, and liaison with community Pharmacies, and with care homes and hospices which may have non-standard arrangements.

To liaise with ward pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and ward staff in determining appropriate pharmaceuticals stock levels, for the production and updating of ward-stock lists and to assist in the provision of advice to ward staff on the storage and handling of pharmaceuticals.

To check, maintain and replenish the out of hours drug cupboard and resuscitation cupboard.

To undertake audits, which include regular safe handling and storage of medicines audits on wards and in Departments. To work with ward staff to develop action plans on audit outcomes and give advice and support as appropriate.

To participate in stock replenishment procedures in all areas of the pharmacy, understanding the need for appropriate stockholding and the financial implications.

To monitor the continued suitability of pharmaceutical stock on wards and in departments and to arrange the appropriate removal/destruction in accordance with environmental regulations.

To monitor and record drug storage temperatures and to alert section managers of any discrepancies.

To ensure the security of the Pharmacy department, drug stores and out-lying pharmacies at all times during working hours and at the end of the working day by maintaining responsibility for keys and swipe access cards and by the setting of alarms as necessary.

To carry out accurate entry of data into the Pharmacy computer system.

To maintain the Controlled Drug register and to carry out regular stock level checks of Controlled Drugs in line with legal responsibilities.

To participate fully in the provision of a drugs reconstitution service, including aseptic preparation of cytotoxics,  antibiotic injections, and other products.

To manage the buying in of aseptic doses which are not made on site, such as dose banded chemotherapy, and parenteral nutrition.

To undertake disposal of cytotoxic drug waste in accordance with COSHH regulations, and to deal with cytotoxic drugs spillage in accordance with established written procedures.

To undertake quality assurance in the aseptics unit, and validation of products and processes, including environmental monitoring of products, plant, processes, and personnel, interpreting the results of settle plates, and reporting adverse results to the supervisor.

To use networks and other resources to identify opportunities to improve the service.

To assist in the individual and group training of pharmacy assistants (ATOs), senior Assistants, pharmacy technicians, pre-registration pharmacy technicians (trainees), and pre-registration pharmacists to provide the service to the agreed standards.

To assist section managers in the orientation, induction and training of pharmacy staff new to those sections.

To contribute to ideas for improving cost-effectiveness and to assist in their implementation where agreed.

To participate in weekday late night, weekend and Bank Holiday services on rotation.

To undertake other duties at the base hospital and other hospitals in the area as required by the Head of Pharmacy in accordance with this grade of post.

To provide short-term cover for colleagues during periods of leave. To provide cover as necessary for Stores & Distribution.

To ensure that all Trust standards are maintained and monitored to improve the quality of care to all who come into contact with services provided by South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust.

Every employee has a duty to take reasonable care of the health and safety of him/herself and of other persons who may be affected his or her acts or omissions at work and to cooperate with the Trust to ensure that statutory and Trust regulations are complied with.

To participate in appraisals and personal reviews and work to achieve agreed set objectives.

To participate in appropriate service developments, which currently include Lorenzo software for discharge and Outpatient prescribing, and the automation of Pharmacy Stores and Distribution, and the rebuild of Aseptics, and the expansion of Pharmacy services to wards and the community.

To participate in team, professional and personal development activities and promote commitment to continuous development and improvement.

To ensure that all staff consciously review mistakes, complaints and incidents/near misses as well as successes, to improve performance and the level of customer care.