Job summary
We are looking for a pharmacy technician who would like to develop within their role and has the enthusiasm and drive to assist moving the service forward. This includes a new service which is working with the discharge hub to prioritise complex discharges and improve patient safety.

You should be able to communicate effectively with both staff and patients.

There will be both dispensary and ward based activities and you will be expected to be able to organise and prioritise your own workload and also be part of a large team.

If you think you have the qualities and skills for this role please apply

Main duties of the job
The post holder will carry out a comprehensive range of pharmaceutical activities in the dispensary and at ward level.

You will be expected to have completed or are in the process of completing a National Accredited Accuracy Checking programme.

There is a requirement to be accurate at all times.

• Performs a final 'accuracy check on prescriptions and orders which have previously been clinically checked by a pharmacist and in accordance with Trust procedures and ensures dispensing errors are corrected by the appropriate member of staff. (if appropriate)
• Provides a cost effective 'one stop' dispensing service to designated wards, involving checking suitability of patients own drugs for use on the ward, arranging re-supplies of patient's drugs, liaising with GPs, nursing homes and ward staff, assessing patients concordance and providing patient counselling and education where necessary.
• Interprets and dispenses prescriptions for inpatients, and discharged patients.
• Provides advice to patients with new/ongoing drugs, doses, possible side effects, and benefits of taking medicines/further supplies.
• Liaises with various members of the pharmacy team and ward staff when solving supply problems and ensuring the best service to patients
• Concentrates while dispensing or accuracy checking prescriptions/calculating doses/quantities for supply whilst dealing with occasional interruptions.

About us
We hold a unique position in the Stockport community as the provider of healthcare and we are one of its largest employers.

We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve. We are therefore seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce to make it truly representative of our local population.

We actively encourage applications irrespective of race, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage & civil partnership, or pregnancy or maternity. Recognising those communities that are underrepresented within our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from you.

If you require support with your application please contact a member of the recruitment team, who can discuss alternative application methods.

We recognise that flexible working is important. We take requests for flexible working seriously, consider any request we receive and try to work with you, so we can explore if your request may fit with the needs of the service.

Benefits we offer to you:

• Between 27-33 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
• NHS pension scheme membership
• Salary sacrifice schemes for lease cars, home electronics and more, to make your salary go further
• NHS Staff discounts
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary finance - for loans, savings, budget planning and tips on managing debt
• Stockport Credit Union- for local financial advice

Job responsibilities
The job description gives an overview of the main tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification focuses on the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. These documents are attached on the page and can be downloaded.

The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.

If successful this vacancy will require an enhanced DBS check at a cost of £54.90. This cost will be deducted from your first Trust salary

In addition to this it will be a condition of your employment that you will join the DBS update service and pay the annual subscription fee of £16.

Person Specification
Education and Training
Essential

• Registered or in the process of registering with the GPHc
• To have a BTEC in Pharmaceutical Sciences or NVQ Level III in Pharmacy Services or equivalent or nearly at the end of the course
• To be an accuracy checker or part way through the course to become an accuracy checker

Knowledge
Essential

• Aware of dispensing procedures
• Knowledge of technical procedures at NVQ Level 3 in pharmacy services or equivalent
• Knowledge of Medicine reconciliation
• Awareness of COSHH
• Commitment to continued professional development

Desirable

• Knowledge of medicines management standards and procedures

Experience
Desirable

• Experience working in an NHS hospital environment
• Ascribe/Emis computer experience
• Automated dispensing
• Ward based work

Skills and Abilities
Essential

• Excellent communication skills
• Demonstrates an enthusiastic and motivated approach to work
• Demonstrates accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritise workload
• Can deliver results in a timely manner
• Can be relied upon to complete tasks and objectives to consistently high standards
• Ability to work as part of a large team
• Able to maintain confidentiality

Work Related Circumstances
Essential

• Flexible approach to 7 day working week including Saturdays, Sundays, Evenings and Bank Holidays
• Good timekeeping
• Able to move heavy boxes

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).