JOB DESCRIPTION JOB DETAILS Job Title: SENIOR PHARMACY ASSISTANT TECHNICAL OFFICER Aseptic Services Band: Band 3 Department / Ward: Pharmacy Department Division: Clinical Support Your normal place of work is TRUSTWIDE or such other location within The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust or its associated sites where you may reasonably be required to work for the proper performance and exercise of your duties. ORGANISATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS Accountable to: 1. Ultimately accountable to the Chief Pharmacist via the Chief Technician, Aseptic Services. 2. Supervised on a daily basis by the Senior Pharmacy Technician. 3. Reports to the Senior/Chief Technician Other Accountabilities: Responsible for: Professionally accountable to the Chief Pharmacist. No other posts report directly to the post holder. JOB SUMMARY: Undertakes duties in support of the Pharmacists and other Technical Staff. Assists in the provision of a safe and effective pharmaceutical service in order to meet department and corporate objectives. Correctly undertakes tasks that have been delegated. Maintains and carries out all duties in compliance with Rules and Guidance to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and departmental SOPS. Liaise with the Pharmacy Technicians to ensure that sufficient preparation has been completed for the start of the next production session. Ensure that environmental monitoring schedules are complied following SOPS. Is able to prepare a wide range of complex aseptic products with the use of syringes, needles and other consumables with a high level of accuracy utilising appropriate techniques.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Aseptic Services 1.1 Assists in the provision of a high quality aseptic pharmaceutical dispensing service to all users of the service including the complex compounding of all aseptic products including:- Intravenous additives Parenteral Nutrition Cytotoxic Chemotherapy Special Delivery Systems Clinical trials This will require working in the clean rooms. 1.2 Contributes to the daily organisation and operation of the aseptic unit. 1.3 Accurately follows all trust and departmental policies and procedures. 1.4 Assembles ingredients, completes documentation then disinfects them through the transfer process into the aseptic unit. 1.5 Affixes labels to all types of products. 1.7 Packs products into final distribution containers, including protective bags for chemotherapy. 1.8 Issues pre-prepared products through the pharmacy computer system. 1.9 Assist in the maintenance of patient treatment records, ensuring accurate and complete data entry. 1.10 Contacts wards by telephone to assess requirements for pre-prepared aseptic items. 1.11 Answers the telephone, assesses the significance of the caller / content and then take appropriate actions. 1.12 Sorts, packs and disposes of hazardous waste, including sharps and chemotherapy residues with contaminated consumables, according to current guidance. 1.13 Participates in the maintenance and monitoring of environmental standards of the unit and undertakes regular assessments of personal quality standards to ensure compliance with national, regional and local standards. 1.14 Safely packs monitoring plates and swabs to ensure protection against contamination. Prepares environmental monitoring samples and documentation for dispatch to quality control. 1.15 Assists in the completion of all monitoring logs and records and reports all variances to senior staff in a timely manner. 1.16 Assists in the cleaning and disinfection of the clean rooms and Isolators.
1.17 Contributes to the general housekeeping within the unit re-stocking, tidying, and filing. 1.18 Participates actively in CPD and keeps up to date records to reflect this. 1.19 Works under the regulations set out by the Health and Safety at Work Act, C.O.S.H.H. The Medicines Act, the Misuse of Drugs Act and local procedures. 1.20 Participates in the stock management of medicines, consumables, clothing and other items used by the aseptic unit. 1.21 Receives deliveries, checks for accuracy against the order details / delivery note, record batch numbers and expiry dates as appropriate and ensures stock rotation, then completes the records in consumables log. Takes appropriate action for nondeliveries / wrong deliveries. 1.22 Participates in the quality assurance programme including undertaking of audit of services and procedures. 1.23 Records workload statistics. 1.24 To take the lead in the aseptic unit as and when is necessary in the absence of the Pharmacy Technicians. 1.25 Assists the Senior Technician in reviewing and drafting relevant aseptic SOPs and training packages. 1.26 Such other duties which may be required by the Chief Technician Aseptic Services or the Pharmacy Site Manager which are consistent with the post. 2. General Duties 2.1 Supervises and directs Band 2 ATOs and Student Technicians working in the Aseptic Services Unit. 2.2 Maintains adequate supplies of aseptic consumables required for the preparation process. 2.3 Uses and cleans equipment and apparatus e.g. Pharmaceutical Isolators. 2.4 Participates in weekend, bank holiday and late working rotas. 2.5 Participates in general clerical and housekeeping duties. 2.6 Undertakes manual handling up to maximum of 20Kg per item regularly each day. For heavier items, this will involve the use of appropriate equipment. 2.7 Assists in training of ATOs, Student Pharmacy Technicians, Pharmacy Technicians and Hospital Cleaning Staff. 2.8 Undertakes initial and ongoing training in all relevant aspects of the pharmacy service and GMP. 2.9 Delivers medicines and messages within the hospital as required by senior staff.
2.10 Transfers goods to the correct storage location and rotates stock to ensure that shorter dated stock is used first to avoid unnecessary wastage. 2.11 Carries out reception duties within the department. This includes: a) Answers the telephone and assesses the nature of the query, responds to the enquiry and refers to appropriate members of staff as necessary. b) Receives prescriptions / orders from patients and/or hospital staff, logs information from prescriptions / orders onto the manual or computer recording system and transfers to the appropriate working area for the prescriptions / orders to be supplied. c) Evaluates prescriptions to determine if patient is liable to pay prescription charges, receives charges or checks proof of payment or issues invoices as appropriate. Ensures that documentation is completed for patients that are exempt from payment or are unable to pay. Documents allergies to medicines. d) Ensures that patient details are recorded on prescriptions and liaises with medical and nursing staff to provide this information if necessary. e) Issues pharmaceutical products* being collected by hospital staff. 2.12 Participates in the preparation, packaging, labeling and dispensing of pharmaceutical products in response to prescriptions or orders in accordance with local procedures using the pharmacy computer system. 2.13 Participates in maintaining and replenishing the resuscitation boxes and emergency trays in accordance with local procedures. (*Pharmaceutical products include all types and forms of medicines, ingredients, dressings and other similar items). The above indicates the main duties of the post which may be reviewed in the light of experience and developments within the service. Any review will be undertaken in conjunction with the post holder. RISK MANAGEMENT It is a standard element of the role and responsibility of all staff of the Trust that they fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards. RECORDS MANAGEMENT / DATA PROTECTION ACT As an employee of the Trust, you have a legal responsibility for all records (including patient health, financial, personal and administrative) that you gather or use as part of your work within the Trust. The records may be paper, electronic, microfiche, audio or videotapes, x- ray images. You must consult your manager if you have any doubt as to the correct management of the records with which you work. Misuse of or failure to properly safeguard confidential data will be regarded as a disciplinary offence.
HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS All employees of the Trust have a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions. Employees are required to co-operate with management to enable the Trust to meet its own legal duties and to report any circumstances that may compromise the health, safety and welfare of those affected by the Trust undertakings. CONFIDENTIALITY AND INFORMATION SECURITY As a Trust employee you are required to uphold the confidentiality of all records held by the Trust, whether patient records or trust information. This duty lasts indefinitely and will continue after you leave the trust employment. All information which identifies individuals in whatever form (paper/pictures, electronic data/images or voice) is covered by the 1998 Data Protection Act and should be managed in accordance with this legislation. EQUAL OPPORTUNTIES The Trust provides a range of services and employment opportunities for a diverse population. As a Trust employee you are expected to treat all patients/customers and work colleagues with dignity and respect, irrespective of their background. TRUST POLICIES/TRUST VALUES The Trust operates a range of policies, e.g. Human Resources, Clinical Practice (available on the Trust intranet). All Trust employees must observe and adhere to the provisions outlined in these policies. As a trust employee you are expected to work in accordance with the Trust s values. RESEARCH The Trust managers all research in accordance with the requirements of the Research Governance Framework. As an employee of the Trust, you must comply with all reporting requirements, systems and duties of action put in place by the Trust to deliver research governance. SAFEGUARDING VULNERABLE PEOPLE (CHILDREN/ADULTS) All employees have a responsibility to protect and safeguard vulnerable people (children and adults). They must be aware of child and adult protection procedures and who to contact within the Trust for further guidance. All employees are required to attend safeguarding awareness training and to undertake additional training appropriate to their role. PROTECTION OF VULNERABLE ADULTS/CHILDREN (DBS) DBS Disclosure checks are carried out for all new appointments who have access to children or vulnerable adults or other positions of trust which are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Disclosures are also requested for existing staff who voluntarily apply for a different job within the Trust, which is subject to DBS checks, and are successful.
INFECTION PREVENTION Protection of patients from healthcare associated infection (such as MRSA and Clostridium Difficile) is everyone s business. All healthcare workers have a duty to provide clean, safe care by observing basic hygiene i.e. washing hands (soap & water; alcohol gel) before and after contact with the patient and the clinical environment. Clinical staff additionally must practice Aseptic No Touch Techniques for invasive procedures and aftercare. COMPLAINTS The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust offers an accessible and impartial complaints service, which is accountable, confidential and effective. The service will be responsive, simple and speedy, whilst remaining thorough. All staff should regard complaints as natural, positive suggestions on services that the Trust provides. Staff should be sensitive to the wishes, hopes and anxieties of patients, relatives, friends and the community generally. Where staff find it is not possible to provide the required information, explanation or reassurance, then the issue may be passed to the Patient Advice and Liaison (PALS) Officer. CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT Those staff who are in professions where registration with one of the regulatory bodies is mandatory in order to practice, have a responsibility to abide by their professional code of conduct. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action being taken which may result in the termination of your contract of employment. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT As an employee of Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, you are part of our pledge committed to the reduction of the Trust s carbon footprint. Every employee can play a vital part and contribute to our social responsibility to use resources in a more sustainable way. You have a duty to ensure you participate in the Trust s recycling programmes, energy saving plans, travel reduction strategies and new green initiatives that will be introduced to work towards a sustainable future. GENERAL COMPETENCY ON DATA QUALITY All staff are personally responsible for the quality of data entered by themselves, or on their behalf, on the Trust s computerised systems or manual records (paper records) and must ensure that such data is entered accurately to NHS data standards, in a timely manner to ensure high standards of data quality in accordance with the Trust s Information Quality and Clinical Record Keeping policies. Date Prepared: MAY 2013 Prepared By: Agreed By: Employee s Name and Signature: Manager s Name and Signature: Date: Date:
Date Reviewed: Job Title: Senior Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officer - Aseptic Services Reviewed By:
PERSON SPECIFICATION ESSENTIAL The qualities without which a post holder could not be appointed DESIRABLE Extra qualities which can be used to choose between candidates who meet all the essential criteria METHOD OF ASSESSMENT QUALIFICATIONS NVQ Level 2 or equivalent in Pharmacy Services OR Minimum of 4 GCSEs at Grade C or above. 2 of which must include Maths and English. Attendance of Primary Level Aseptic Services Training. Appropriate certificates EXPERIENCE Evidence of good performance in previous posts, where relevant. General Housekeeping Reception or Customer Service Duties. Aseptic Services experience Stock control and rotation Mentoring/training experience Supervisory Experience Interview SKILLS Good verbal and written communication, including by telephone. Numerical accuracy Skilled in computer keyboard and applications. Interview Tests References KNOWLEDGE Awareness of the range of duties involved in the post. Basic knowledge of COSHH and Health & Safety Legislation Use of Ascribe Manufacturing Module Knowledge of requirements of GMP Knowledge of stock control systems. Interview
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES Able to work quickly and accurately under pressure Fit and able to move around the hospital Neat, tidy and well groomed Able to lift and handle pharmaceutical items Co-operates and gets on well with others Steady and dependable but willing to accept change readily Trustworthy with a strong sense of responsibility Willingness to follow instructions Good timekeeper Work Health Assessment if required Attendance in line with Trust Sickness and Absence Policy DBS Check Self-reliant Problem Solving Able to organise Able to use initiative Attention to detail Ability to prioritise tasks based on need Willingness to undertake flexible working patterns Interview Tests References Document Check Date Prepared: Agreed by: Employee Date Agreed: Date Reviewed: Prepared By: Agreed By: Manager Date Agreed: Reviewed by: