Acute Medicines Optimisation Pharmacy Technician Band 4 - 5 Progression

As a member of the Pharmacy technician team you will provide safe and effective pharmacy support to the dispensary and adult wards within UHBW. You will develop your existing professional, technical and clinical skills through your own continuing professional development to provide and service of excellence to both patients and staff alike. This role includes a 4 day a week commitment to dispensing and checking of medicines within the dispensary and 1 day a week embedded in one of the ward based adult clinical teams: medicine, surgery, cardiac services and critical care.

The post holder will be required to work shifts including late duties, weekends and Bank Holidays on a rota basis.

Main duties of the job

• To dispense prescriptions for inpatients, outpatients, day patients and patients waiting for discharge.
• Receiving a prescription and checking that it is clear and legible with the correct patient details and ward and ensuring that a clinical check has been completed where appropriate.
• Contacting the ward pharmacists, prescriber or ward to clarify any queries or missing details.
• Logging the prescription accurately on to the pharmacy computer system.
• Accurately producing a label for each item of medication.
• Dispensing broken bulk and original pack items, checking the prescription and label for accuracy.
• Ensuring each item has a Patient Information Leaflet.
• To dispense controlled drugs to wards and patients, ensuring that balances are calculated and checked daily and that safety mechanisms are in place and adhered to. Ensure that adequate stock levels are maintained. Follow Policies and Procedures regarding the safe storage and handling of controlled drugs.
• To arrange with the Senior Technician the regular destruction of controlled drugs with a representative from the Trust Board present.
• To be responsible for the efficient outpatient dispensing process.
• Collect prescription charges as necessary and advise patients where items prescribed can be bought over the counter at a price below the current prescription charge.
• Advise patients on where to obtain further supplies of their medication and if necessary how outstanding items will be dispatched.
• Ensure that the right prescription is being given to the correct patient – making sure the patient confirms their name, address and date of birth.
• Check the patient details and go through the medicines with the patient.
• Ensure the patient understands storage conditions, expiry dates and order of medicine administration.
• Positively encourage patients to read the information leaflets provided with their medication.