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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Policy/Service Development

• To ensure the safe, effective and economical use of drugs for all patients in the Trust.
• To be responsible for the implementation of new or revised policies and procedures specific to the dispensary, medicines management or aseptic services that will have an impact within the pharmacy department.
• To contribute to wider policies that have an impact within the pharmacy department and across the Trust
• To be pro-active in the regular review and update of dispensary, medicines management and aseptic policies and procedures.
• To propose changes to working practices and dispensing techniques that will maximise the potential for efficiency and safety
• To participate in the training and supervision of staff working in the dispensary, medicines management or aseptic Service as part of their induction  
• To check Patients’ Own Drugs (PODs) for use during inpatient stay  
• To support the Dispensary Manager, Lead Pharmacy Technician, Clinical Services and the Chief Pharmacy Technician, Aseptics, in the development of the service
• To attend and contribute to any regional and national meetings in relation to pharmacy services and to feedback and recommend any changes and/or improvements to the service as appropriate to the Dispensary Manager, Lead Pharmacy Technician, Clinical Services or Chief Pharmacy Technician, Aseptic Services.
• Be able to provide the final accuracy check on clinically screened dispensed prescriptions in the dispensary and be a validated checker in Aseptics  
• To be able to use Trust EPMA computer systems to order non-stock medication and endorse POD assessments.
• To be able to work independently and follow departmental SOPs and dispense medication accurately and to refer non-routine enquiries and other matters as appropriate to a more senior member of staff
• To be able to use pharmacy computer systems correctly, enter data accurately from transcription sheets, prescription forms and any other prescriptions written by others and ensure that data is stored and archived appropriately in accordance with local and regionally agreed guidelines.

Patient/Client Care

• To deliver a customer-focused service to all patients and to adhere to the highest principles of customer services when dealing with patients, staff and the public.
• Promote pharmaceutical care for all patients.
• To dispense medication and draw-up doses during aseptics rotation.
• Be able to check clinically screened dispensed prescriptions and become a validated In-process accuracy checker in aseptics
• To provide patients with information on common drug dosage and use.
• To assess Patients’ Own Drugs (PODs) for use during inpatient stay
• To provide appropriate and sufficient supplies of medication during admission
• To liaise with ward and pharmacy staff to facilitate the efficient transfer of medication when patients move wards

Financial / Resource Management

• To immediately report any deficiency in equipment and systems to the Dispensary Manager
• To comply with SOPs relating to efficient stock control in the issue, return and recycling or safe disposal (as appropriate) of drugs from wards, departments & clinics

Staff Management / Training

• To assist in the training and day to day supervision of new staff as part of their induction
• To supervise junior staff (less experienced pharmacy technicians, trainee pharmacists pharmacy technicians and ATOs) and recommend changes to working practice in order to ensure correct and safe working practices are utilised.  
• To undertake CPD to ensure that knowledge is continually updated
• To participate in relevant departmental meetings to ensure staff are up to date on current issues with regard to the dispensary, aseptics and medicines management services.

Research & Development

• To publish or present project work carried out in conjunction with colleagues.
• To contribute to the overall audit & analysis of services
• To participate in other departmental audits and projects as required

General

• The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and wellbeing and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.
• To observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations.
• We want to be an organisation where everyone shares a commitment to delivering the very best care and feels like their contribution is valuable and valued.

• At King’s we are a kind, respectful team:

Kind. We show compassion and understanding and bring a positive attitude to our work

Respectful. We promote equality, are inclusive and honest, speaking up when needed

Team. We support each other, communicate openly, and are reassuringly professional

• To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients and staff.
• To be responsible, with management support, for their own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.
• This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review in consultation with the post holder.
• All employees must hold an 'nhs.net' email account which will be the Trust's formal route for email communication.

Safe Guarding

The Trust takes the issues of Safeguarding Children, Adults and addressing Domestic Abuse very seriously. All employees have a responsibility to support the organisation in our duties by;

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• attending mandatory training on safeguarding children and adults
• familiarising themselves with the Trust's processes for reporting concerns 
• reporting any safeguarding child or adult concerns appropriately

Infection Control Statement

The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene procedures and requirements when in clinical areas.

The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to make to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene requirements of this role.

These requirements are set out in the National Code of Practice on Infection Control and in local policies and procedures which will be made clear during your induction and subsequent refresher training.  These standards must be strictly complied with at all times.