Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated and enthusiastic Senior Pharmacy Assistant to join the Pharmacy Clinical Governance and Quality Assurance Teams at York Hospital.

Our teams play a key role in ensuring the safe, effective and high-quality delivery of pharmacy services across the Trust. You will support a range of governance and quality assurance activities, including maintenance of the Quality Management System, document control, equipment monitoring, audit support, and regulatory compliance.

We are looking for an organised individual with excellent communication skills who can work independently and as part of a team. You should be proactive, adaptable and keen to develop both yourself and the service.

The post will be appointed at either Band 2 or Band 3 depending on qualifications and experience. Applicants must hold GCSE English and Maths at Grade C/4 or above and meet the essential criteria within the person specification. Candidates not already qualified will be required to work towards a Level 2 qualification in Pharmacy Services, including dispensing competencies.

Previous hospital pharmacy experience is desirable but not essential as full training will be provided. The post is based at York Hospital, with occasional travel to other Trust sites. Hours are Monday to Friday, 08:45 to 17:15, with participation in the weekend rota (1 in 8 weekends), bank holiday rota (approximately 1 per year) and regular dispensary duties.

Main duties of the job
You will help maintain safe and effective pharmacy services across the Trust, in line with legislation, professional standards and medicines management requirements.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting the day-to-day management of the Quality Management System, including document control, ensuring policies and procedures are reviewed, updated and approved in collaboration with authors and approvers.
• Monitoring equipment and assets to ensure validation, calibration and servicing requirements are met.
• Recording and monitoring departmental deviations and supporting the implementation of corrective actions.
• Assisting with medical gas cylinder audits and associated improvement actions.
• Supporting temperature monitoring and cold chain management, including responding to queries from multidisciplinary teams.
• Reporting product defects and following up any resulting actions.
• Assisting with the management of controlled prescription stationery, including prescription processing, reconciliation of accountability records and registration of Non-Medical Prescribers.
• Supporting the management of controlled drugs across the department and wider organisation.
• Participating in audits and supporting the implementation and monitoring of action plans.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong organisational skills, attention to detail and a passion for quality improvement to develop their knowledge of pharmacy governance, medicines safety and regulatory compliance.

About us
If you wish to apply for this post as a Secondment opportunity, please seek permission from your current line manager before applying.

This post may become Permanent at the end of Fixed Term/Secondment.

Trust Information Pack:
https://yorkhospitals.pagetiger.com/hdjgxd

Our benefits
We offer a range of benefits to support our staff including:

• Access to the NHS Pension Scheme, providing generous benefits upon retirement, as well as a lump sum and pension for dependants
• 27 days holiday rising to 33 days (depending on NHS Trust service)
• A variety of different types of paid and unpaid leave covering emergency and planned leave
• Confidential advice and support on personal, work, family and relationship issues, 24/7, from our Employee Assistance Programme
• NHS Car Lease scheme and Cycle to Work scheme
• An extensive range of learning and development opportunities
• Discounts on restaurants, getaways, shopping, motoring, cinema and finance through a range of provider

For further information on the fantastic range of benefits we offer please visit the Trust's dedicated Staff Benefits pages.

Job responsibilities
A full description of the role is available in the attachment: job description.

Please note that if a high number of applications are received this advert may close early. You are advised to submit your application at the earliest opportunity.

Working for the Trust
Across our organisation, people are guided by values that were co-developed with staff: we are kind; we are open; and we pursue excellence.

Our values play into our ambition to develop a more diverse workforce, truly representative of our communities. We welcome applications from everyone, while working with our Staff Networks - including our Race Equality, LGBTQ+, Disability and Carers Networks - to increase the number of applications we receive from different backgrounds. If there is anything we can do to make our application process more accessible to you, please contact:yhs-tr.recruitment@nhs.net

As part of seeking to become more inclusive, we will consider requests for flexible working from the start of your employment. It may not be suitable for every role, but we will try and be supportive where we can. We would encourage you to speak to the recruiting manager named within this advert to discuss any requirements you may have.

Armed Forces Friendly Employer
We are holders of the Gold Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, which is helping actively promote SaBRE - Supporting Britains Reservists and Employers. This means that we have made a statement of intent to support all Defence personnel, including with applications for employment.

Person Specification
Education
Essential

• Educated to GCSE Level or equivalent. Maths and English at C or above - or equivalent qualification/. You must have proof of qualifications.

Desirable

• QCF level 2 qualification in Pharmacy Services - to include units relevant to post. You must have proof of qualifications.

Experience
Essential

• Ability to work to protocols, procedures and SOP's and suggests changes.

Desirable

• Pharmacy experience
• Hospital pharmacy experience

Skills
Essential

• Ability to use a range of computer programmes relevant to the post

Aptitude
Essential

• Appropriate attention to detail
• Effective use of initiative
• Able to work in a team and alone
• Understands the needs of customers, including patients and staff
• Flexible to changing work routines and demands
• Ability to plan & prioritise own workload in the face of changing demands.
• Effective time management and ability to work within time constraints.
• Ability to handle moderate loads
• Good communication & interpersonal skills

Values
Essential

• Ability to demonstrate our organisational values and behaviours: - Kind - Open - Pursue Excellence

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.