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Pharmacy staff

The Pharmacy department consists of the following type of staff:

Pharmacists

UHB pharmacists possess a pharmacy degree involving four years of University study followed by a one year pre-registration placement. The pharmacy profession is undergoing major change and pharmacists are taking on increasingly specialised roles. The introduction of consultant pharmacist posts within the NHS and the advent of prescribing by pharmacists are two initiatives that are aimed at improving patient care.

Pharmacy technicians

Pharmacy technicians are awarded a BTEC certificate in pharmaceutical services and an NVQ Level 3 in pharmacy services after completing a two year competence based training programme. Pharmacy technicians work under the supervision of a UHB pharmacist and carry out the following tasks:

• dispense prescriptions for inpatients and outpatients
• dispense stock to wards
• advise patients on how to take their medicine
• supervise pharmacy assistants in the dispensary
• manufacture sterile preparations e.g. chemotherapy, TPN, radiopharmaceuticals and gene therapy agents
• manufacture non-sterile preparation e.g. dermatology preparations
• assist pharmacists on wards to fulfil their clinical role
• assist with Medicines Information (MI) enquiries
• assist with clinical trials
• assess pharmacy staff to NVQ Level 3
• organise education and training within the department

Assistant technical officers (ATOs)/pharmacy assistants

ATOs are supervised by pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Pharmacy assistants oversee the following work:

• supply stock to wards
• ensure effective stock rotation within pharmacy
• reception duties
• process prescriptions and drug orders

Support staff

The department also includes administration and clerical staff consisting of secretarial staff, procurement officers and storekeepers who provide an integral role within the department.