Apprentice Pharmacy Services Assistant

Summary

The Holbrook & Shotley Practice are 2 GP Surgeries. One is situated in the village of Holbrook, and the Larger Site is in Shotley. We provide NHS Care to our approx.. 8000 patients, dispense medication at both sites. We are currently looking for an apprentice Pharmacy Services Assistant to join our team.

Annual wage: £9,984 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course: Pharmacy services assistant (level 2)
Hours: Monday - Friday, hours of work will be between from 08.00 - 19.00 across the Practices, the apprentice will be required to work across both sites with a mixture of shifts.
30 hours a week
Possible start date: Monday 7 October
Duration: 1 Year
Positions available: 1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

Counter Assistant Duties:

Hand out prescriptions and pre-dispensed items and collect payment as necessary. Payment needs to be recorded into the till and the correct change given. Some items need to be recorded in a separate book. Controlled Drugs will be given out with a second dispenser.
Deal with queries relating to prescriptions as necessary. This may mean liaising with another dispenser or with other members of staff or GPs.
Respond to needs of doctors and nurses during surgery.
Ensure refrigerated items are stored correctly and maintain temperature control record book.
Ensure incoming stock is dealt with promptly and stock is rotated to avoid out of date items.
Maintain high standards of cleanliness on shelves and work surfaces.
Ensure dispensary equipment is kept clean and in good working order

General:

Input and extract information from Practice computer system – this may be needed to answer a query from a patient or to find information about a drug.
Communications. Dispensary meetings are usually at lunch time or early afternoon and you may swap hours if these fall outside your contracted hours. All staff receive a monthly newsletter and it is essential that you read this to keep up to date with current information. The Practice computer system also has a message facility and you should check at least once daily for messages. You will also be issued with a secure email address, which should be checked at least daily.
Undertake any training necessary to ensure continued safe and efficient performance.
Observe health and safety guidelines at all times.
Participate in washing up Apprenticeship duties – working towards.
Ensure dispensing procedures are carried out adhering to Standard Operating Procedures including (but not limited to): correct labelling, appropriate cautions and warnings, FP10 completed and claims made correctly.
Participate in weekly monitored dose system orders.
Ensure outstanding queries are explained and handed over to next shift as necessary.
Ensure drug alerts are dealt with promptly.

The Dispensary provides a vital service to our patients and you will be supported by qualified dispensers and also work alongside Doctors, Nurses, receptionists and the wider practice staff. There is an opportunity to learn many aspects of working in a NHS Primary Care environment.

Working within NHS Primary care can be challenged but enormously rewarding, it is a fast paced sometimes demanding environment. It is a great opportunity to experience working in a close team who pride themselves on delivering the best possible services to our patients within a supportive and nurturing environment.

Where you’ll work

Holbrook Surgery, The Street, Holbrook

Ipswich

IP9 2QS

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

WEST SUFFOLK COLLEGE

Your training course

Pharmacy services assistant (level 2)

Equal to GCSE

Course contents

receive and log prescriptions

assemble prescribed items, undertake an in-process accuracy check and issue prescribed items

work according to legislative requirements, and organisational policies

order, receive, maintain and issue pharmaceutical stock

provide appropriate advice when authorised on supplied medicines and products, their storage and disposal

work within the parameters of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of the pharmacy

act in accordance with systems and organisational governance

recognise and act within the pharmacy regulatory, legal and ethical standards

support the team in the development of others

maintain and further develop your own skills and knowledge through development activities; maintain evidence of your personal development and actively prepare for and participate in appraisal

communicate effectively with the public, carers and other health and social care professionals using a range of techniques to determine their needs, and keep information confidential

handle information (record, report and store information) related to individuals and/or patients in line with local and national policies

use pharmacy IT systems and other IT resources according to legislative requirements and organisational policies

demonstrate person centred care and support within a pharmacy setting

make pharmacy patients and patient safety your first concern

use judgement and refer service user as appropriate to another member of the team, GP, healthcare worker, manufacturer etc

maintain the interests of patients and the health of the public

promote and advocate equality, diversity and inclusion

promote healthy lifestyles to customers

work safely within the parameters of your role using Standard Operating Procedures

apply policies which relate to health and safety at work

act appropriately in situations to prevent harm to yourself and others

Your training plan

The learner will be studying the Pharmacy Services Assistant Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard qualification.
Functional skills will be studied if equivalent qualifications are not held.
Training schedule has yet to be agreed. Details will be made available at a later date.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

5 subjects, including Maths and English (grade 4-9)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Team working

Other requirements

The Holbrook and Shotley Practice are 2 Rural GP Practices situated in little villages outside Ipswich. Public transport could be difficult as there is no regular bus service to suit our opening hours.

About this company

The Holbrook & Shotley Practice are 2 GP Surgeries. One is situated in the village of Holbrook, and the Larger Site is in Shotley. We provide NHS Care to our approx 8000 patients, dispense medication at both sites.

After this apprenticeship

As well as ensuring a foundation level of competence as a Pharmacy Assistant, this apprenticeship provides the potential progression into a Pharmacy Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship, or alternative qualification.

Ask a question

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