Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To undertake and assist in the organisation, supervision and delivery of the  ‘specials’ service and it's future development

To plan and organise own work and that of the ‘specials’ assistants in their role in order to ensure that patients receive medicines in the most timely manner possible.

To  safely and accurately carry out and monitor the dispensing and issuing of prescriptions, including in-patients, outpatients, discharge, unlicensed and controlled drugs in accordance with the safe systems of work procedures within the department.

To carry out the final accuracy check of clinically screened complex paediatric prescriptions dispensed by others in accordance with safe systems of work practice   ensuring the maintenance of records and information.

To use the pharmacy computer system to dispense and label pharmaceuticals, produce stock reports, extemporaneous worksheets and audit trails in accordance with the level of training provided

To supervise  and participate in the maintenance of stock control systems within the dispensary dealing with any discrepancies, reporting these accordingly.

To assist in the provision of service quality and cost effectiveness of medicines identifying any improvements to senior pharmacy staff.

To organise and supervise the day to day workload and problems that may arise within the designated area of work ensuring the implementation of department rotas and planning and referring any issues to relevant senior pharmacy staff.

To supervise and  participate in the assembly and preparation of extemporaneous products demonstrating Good Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Practice and adhering to Health and Safety and COSHH requirements. 

To support the training of student pharmacy technicians, pharmacy technicians, Pre - registration pharmacists and pharmacy assistants in accordance with departmental training 
packages.

To dispense clinical trials in accordance with the dispensing protocol, ensuring the 
maintenance of records and information.

To accurately carry out formula and measurement checks on extemporaneous  products following set procedures to ensure quality and safety standards are met.

To  support  the replacement of and accurately check the dispensing of the Hospital Emergency Drug Boxes to ensure a safe and effective service.

To carry out label checks for Accident and Emergency out of hour dispensing packs, ensuring information is clear and correct and that item is labelled appropriately.

 To provide support to all areas of the pharmacy department as and when required.
To answer queries of a complex technical nature from a wide range of staff groups, either in the pharmacy or on the ward. To answer queries from the public referring appropriate queries to a senior member of the pharmacy team.

To undertake patient counselling, providing clear and concise information to patients/carers regarding the safe and effective use of their medication to ensure understanding and compliance. This will include providing information of a more complex nature and providing demonstrations where applicable, both in the dispensary and on the wards.

To participate in the ‘Near Patient Pharmacy’ scheme on assigned wards. This will include daily patient medication reviews, medicines reconciliation, assessment of patients own drugs (PODS), discussing any clinical problems with the ward pharmacist and arranging for appropriate supplies of medications.

To undertake Continuing Professional Development in order to keep pharmaceutical clinical and technical knowledge current, ensure best practice and comply with requirements for entry on the pharmacy technician register.