Detailed job description and main responsibilities

·       To liaise closely with ward and clinical pharmacy teams to maintain an efficient and professional dispensary service responsive to the needs of its users.

·  To ensure dispensary performance e.g. waiting times, dispensing errors/near misses; stock write offs/expired stock, lost drugs, is recorded inputting into our Monthly Performance Review Meeting.

·       Ensuring that DATIX reports are completed appropriately.

·  To support the Lead Pharmacy Technician for Dispensary Services in identifying areas where improvements in the operation of the Dispensary service may be developed and to monitor any actions taken.

·   To maintain an effective skill-mix in dispensary, ensuring that all staff involved in dispensary services undergo adequate induction and training and are competent to work in accordance with agreed protocols and standards of practice. Maintaining training records appropriately and addressing individual competency issues.

·       To co-ordinate and co-operate with other service groups within Pharmacy ensuring that staff are rotated in the needs of the overall service and to meet training objectives, highlighting any areas of concern to the Lead Pharmacy Technician for Dispensary Services.

·       To ensure all dispensing, counselling and information provided to the patient is accurate and meets the needs of the patient.

·       To ensure all enquires and requests from staff, patients, carers and external service users are responded to promptly, politely and in accordance with individual competence, overcoming any communication barriers such as language difficulties, mental or physical disabilities.

·       To ensure all patient medication records and drug files are maintained confidentially and accurately.

·       To ensure dispensary stock, including controlled drugs, unlicensed medicines and clinical trial drugs, are managed safely and effectively with regard to stock levels, storage conditions, record keeping and rotation to reduce wastage. Reporting any discrepancies to senior staff immediately.

·       To participate in the receipt, dispensing, checking and issuing of all prescriptions including controlled drugs, clinical trial, unlicensed medications and cytotoxic drugs as required by the service within own competency.

·       To be responsible for the receipt and safe custody of all money for prescription charges or sales.

·       To ensure that the security of the dispensary, dispensary stock and equipment is maintained at all times.

·       To be an active member of the Pharmacy Dispensary Services team, participating in the organising and planning of operational issues and to be responsible for updating and communicating changes to the dispensary team including updating pharmacy SOPs.

·       To participate in 121 meetings and the Performance review process to fully participate in team meetings and briefings to ensure good two-way communication.

·       To represent the EHKUFT Dispensaries on local and national groups/committees.

·       To support the Pharmacy IT CMM and Robot Specialist Technician in updating of all equipment and IT software used in the dispensary ensuring that it is safely maintained and staff are trained in its effective use.

·       To act as a nominated senior systems user to ensure the efficient operation of all automated dispensary systems and software packages.

·       To ensure any Health and Safety/Manual Handling issues identified are risk assessed and work is carried out to reduce risk and DATIX reports completed as appropriate.

·       To conduct and participate in audits or projects as required by all areas of the Pharmacy service.

·       To ensure that all reference books and medicine information available in the dispensary are updated in conjunction with the Medicines Information department and from approved reference sources.

·       To participate in recruitment and to line manage staff allocated according to Trust policies.

·       To maintain own personal competencies and mandatory training.

·       To participate in Public Health Campaigns.

·       To take part in weekend, bank holiday and late duty Pharmacy services. Daily hours are adjusted to provide for an average of 37.5 hours per week.

·       To work in other hospitals within the Trust, to provide pharmacy services as required.

·       To undertake appropriate mandatory training.

·       To undertake such other duties as may be required by the Director of Pharmacy in the interest of the service, appropriate for grade and agreed with the post holder.