Detailed job description and main responsibilities

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Main Duties and Responsibilities: 

1. To be responsible for the supervision and co-ordination of the activities of other pharmacy assistants and assign tasks as necessary to ensure service needs are met. This may include the production of rotas.

2. To organise, develop and deliver the training of pharmacy assistants using competency based training packages.

3. To develop and routinely review job related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

4. To plan and organise induction training for new members of staff.

5. Accurately dispense prescriptions or other medication orders, including extemporaneous prescriptions, unlicensed drugs, controlled drugs, cytotoxic drugs, clinical trial medication and in-patient and out-patient prescriptions in accordance with the agreed safe systems of work practice in a safe and timely manner.

 6. To carry out agreed local service audits ensuring regular reports are available on request.

 7. To work closely with the Near Patient Pharmacy (NPP) technicians on the wards to ensure an efficient and robust NPP service, observing the relevant guides to good dispensing practice and any other recommendations from the Department of Health or medicines inspectorate.

 8. Assist in maintaining reasonable stock levels, in accordance with current local policies, in the area of the pharmacy in which the post holder is currently employed and to assist in ensuring correct storage, stock rotation and expiry checks to maintain quality and potency. This should also include investigation into stock discrepancies and destruction of drugs within Pharmacy and other areas of the Trust.

 9. To undertake basic non-complex patient counselling in the Outpatient Pharmacy and answer queries on supply, availability and administration of medicines within their competence. 

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

11. To assist in the dispensing and accurate record keeping of Controlled Drugs (CDs) kept in the pharmacy including supplies to wards and departments, outpatient and discharge prescriptions and orders received into the pharmacy. 

12. To be involved in the recruitment of assistants and delivery of Personal Development Reviews (PDRs)

13. To ensure the safe and effective transportation of medicines from the pharmacy department.

14. To assist in the maintenance of the electronic temperature monitoring system (Tutela) to ensure correct drug storage conditions are upheld.

15. To use the pharmacy computer system to issue, label and return medicines in accordance with level of training provided.

16. To supervise and organise the Emergency Box service in the Trust. This should include the delivery of staff training and maintenance of the database.

17. To be responsible for the delivery of the practical manual handling training within the department to all relevant staff.

18.  To participate in the dispensing of clinical trials in accordance with the dispensing protocol, ICH GCP guidelines and European Directive under the direction of the clinical trials technician/pharmacist. 

19. To receive, check and store drug requisition orders from the pharmacy stores and input these into the pharmacy computer system.

20. To answer telephone and face to face queries of a routine or basic technical nature from a wide range of staff groups, either in the pharmacy or on the ward, within their limits of authority, referring appropriate queries to the relevant member of the pharmacy team when necessary.

21. To undertake further training opportunities, as identified through appraisal and performance monitoring systems and attain a high level of expertise and to maintain high standards of work at all times. The post holder will be expected to participate in any appropriate training provided and will be encouraged to take part in any other education, activity or research project which may be offered.

22. To participate in the development and future requirements of the service to provide a flexible, high quality service and improve patient care.

23. To participate in the general cleanliness and tidiness of the department