Senior Pharmacy Assistant - Homecare
Job summary
To be responsible for the efficient processing of homecare prescriptions by creating purchase orders in pharmacy systems and the accurate and efficient onward transmission of the prescription to the homecare providers.
To be responsible for processing invoices received from homecare providers for homecare pharmaceutical products within the pharmacy stock control system and homecare database.
To support the Senior Homecare Pharmacy Technician and Homecare Pharmacist in the co-ordination of the delivery and development of homecare medicines services within LUHFT.
To answer queries received by the homecare team via email and over the phone. Assist colleagues in answering these queries.
Main duties of the job
To be responsible for the efficient processing of homecare prescriptions by creating purchase orders in pharmacy systems and the accurate and efficient onward transmission of the prescription to the homecare providers.
To be responsible for processing invoices received from homecare providers for homecare pharmaceutical products within the pharmacy stock control system and homecare database
To support the Senior Homecare Pharmacy Technician and Homecare Pharmacist in the co-ordination of the delivery and development of homecare medicines services within LUHFT.
To answer queries received by the homecare team via email and over the phone. Assist colleagues in answering these queries.
About us
As the largest single site specialist heart and chest hospital in the UK, we, at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, have a clear vision 'to be the best cardiothoracic integrated healthcare organisation'.
We provide specialist services in cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, respiratory medicine both in the hospital and out in the community.
We serve a catchment area of 2.8 million people, spanning Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and the Isle of Man, and increasingly we receive referrals from outside these areas for highly specialised services such as aortics.
Our reputation for strong performance is important in delivering the best care for our patients and high quality clinical services. This is underpinned by a culture of research and innovation, delivered in modern estate and our encouragement of flexible working in a variety of forms.
Please visit our website - https://www.lhch.nhs.uk/
Please follow this link for a tour of our site - https://bit.ly/36ylsoq
Job description
Job responsibilities
PROCESSING HOMECARE PRESCRIPTIONS
a) Identify and highlight potential problems with homecare prescriptions and seek clarification from the senior pharmacy homecare technician or homecare pharmacist if necessary.
b) Scan completed prescriptions and file accurately to ensure a record of prescriptions sent to homecare providers is kept.
c) Accurately send homecare prescriptions to homecare providers using appropriate secure methods.
d) Ensure new prescriptions are taken to the appropriate clinical team to be signed by a prescriber.
INVOICING OF PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS
a) Check all homecare invoices received for accuracy and investigate any query regarding invoice prices and quantities with the supplier before processing. This is to ensure the correct data is input into the pharmacy stock control computer system.
b) Promptly and accurately process invoices using the relevant programs on the pharmacy stock control computer system and send onto the finance department for payment. This is to ensure compliance with the Public Sector Payments Policy.
c) Reconcile supplier statements to identify outstanding invoices and maintain a system for ensuring that queries on invoices are resolved as quickly as possible to ensure timely and accurate payment. This may involve contacting suppliers to resolve discrepancies.
d) Record reasons for the delay in processing any invoices so that justification for a delay in payment is available.
e) Liaise with homecare providers regarding enquiries concerning the payment of invoices.
f) Liaise with homecare pharmacy staff regarding invoice discrepancies to ensure that the price information on the pharmacy stock control computer system is kept accurate.
g) Enter contract changes and amendments as required by the Senior Homecare Technician or Homecare pharmacist.
h) Act as a point of contact for the Trust finance team to help resolve issues highlighted on financial statements from homecare providers.
QUERY HANDLING
a) Receive queries from patients determining the nature of the query and reporting appropriate information back to the patient when necessary and able to. If the query cannot be answered in the homecare team understand the best person or team to direct the query to and relay the query to them in the most appropriate way.
b) Receive queries from clinical teams in the Trust reporting information to them. If the reply to the query will not completely answer the query, information that is held by the homecare team should be collated and supplied to help the clinical team resolve the query.
c) Receive queries from homecare providers, interpreting the nature of the query, who has been included in the query and who is best placed to deliver an accurate, timely reply to the query. If a query cannot be fully answered by the homecare team, information that is held by the homecare team that could help answer the query should be provided to the best placed person or team to answer the query to assist in handling the query. If queries are of a clinical nature ensure that the most appropriate person or team are included in the query, if they are not included the query should be forwarded to that person or team.
d) Receive queries from the Trust Finance team, providing required information to them when possible.
GENERAL
a) Undertake such reasonable duties as may be required from time to time.
b) The post holder will be expected to adapt to changes that may occur, which may affect the current practices within the Pharmacy Department, such as the introduction of new equipment, procedures, policies and hours of working.
c) Ensure that total confidentiality throughout the Trust is always upheld.
CLINICAL GOVERNANCE/QUALITY
a) Co-operate in providing a comprehensive, high quality and cost-effective pharmaceutical service, adhering to policies and procedures and delivering services in an efficient, courteous and professional manner.
b) Participate in audits.
c) Contribute to clinical governance programmes, including clinical risk, incident management, and investigations as required.
d) Ensure compliance with department, trust and national guidelines.
ORGANISATIONAL (Education & Training)
Deliver induction for new pharmacy staff for pharmacy assistants and other trainees rotating through assigned area.
Participate in, and co-operate fully with, the training of all grades of trainees and staff, and when necessary and appropriate to supervise and check their activities.
Co-operate with objective setting, individual personal assessment, and continuing education & training programs, in order to ensure continuing professional development and competence to practice
Person Specification
Qualifications and Education
- GCSE or equivalent (such as functional skills) grade C or above (must include Maths and English)
- NVQ Level 2 Pharmacy Services or Pharmacy equivalent with 2 years' experience working in pharmacy. OR 2 A levels (pass) + demonstrable relevant experience.
Knowledge and Experience
- Experience of working in a team
- Ability to meet deadlines whilst paying attention to detail
- Ability to work under own initiative and with supervision
- Ability to maintain mental effort for sustained periods
- Demonstrable experience working in a pharmacy environment
- Experience of working in pharmacy with Pharmacy IT systems
- Experience of dispensing prescriptions OR the preparation of aseptic products
- Knowledge of procedures and practices across core pharmacy services
- Knowledge of hospital pharmacy supply and discharge planning
- Knowledge of stock control systems and storage of medication
- Able to relate to all grades of staff within a multidisciplinary team
Skills and Abilities
- Clear and accurate written communication skills
- Clear and accurate verbal communication skills
- Numerate - able to carry out simple calculations
- Literate - able to follow verbal and written instructions accurately
- Able to prioritise tasks and manage own workload
- Can use own initiative and shows attention to detail
- Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines
- Ability to demonstrate that can work in a methodical and accurate manner
- Ability to set routines and implement new working procedures
- Ability to work in a busy, fast paced environment
- Ability to use different IT applications
- Training and mentoring skills
- Ability to adapt to change
Values and Behaviours
- Reliable and flexible to the needs of the service
- Self-motivated and ability to motivate others
- Enthusiasm for the position
- Good interpersonal skills
- Ability to work as per departmental weekend, evening and bank holiday rotas
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.
Employer details
Employer name
Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital
Address
Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital Pharmacy Department
Thomas Lane
Liverpool
L14 3PE
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.lhch.nhs.uk/