Pharmaceutical Technician

Overview
Post Title:
Pharmaceutical Technician
Post Status:
Permanent
Department:
Pharmacy
Location:
Beaumont Hospital & Affiliated Sites
Reports to:
Head of Pharmacy
Salary:
Appointment will be made on Pharmaceutical Technician (€41,495 - €52,889) at a point in line with Government pay policy.
Hours of work:
Full-Time
Closing Date:
12 Noon on 08/10/2025
Please note:
The hospital reserves the right to close the competition early should a substantial number of applications be received.
Overall Purpose of Job
The provision of exceptional patient care in an environment where quality, respect, caring and compassion are at the centre of all we do.
The post holder will participate and support the development and delivery of a high quality Dispensary service, under the management of the Dispensary Services Manager and Head of Pharmacy.
The post holder will rotate between the Dispensary, Aseptic and Clinical Ward services.
Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities and Deliverables
Maintain throughout the Hospital an awareness of the primacy of the patient in relation to all Hospital activities.
Demonstrate behaviour consistent with the Values of the Hospital.
Participate in the pharmaceutical service as part of a punctual, dedicated and professional team
Create, promote and maintain open communications and healthy working relationships
Work with a team of skilled staff
Maintain the principles of equity, accountability and quality in daily work
Participate in departmental mentor/mentee and tutor/tutee programmes
The successful candidate will be subject to direction and supervision of the Dispensary Services Manager, participate in the provision of a comprehensive pharmaceutical service including:
Process orders delivered to the Pharmacy in accordance with procedures and documentation requirements and having regard to special requirements such as maintenance of cold chain and handling of cytotoxic products
Report shortages to the Senior Technician (Purchasing) in a timely manner
Check and document expiry dates of all incoming stock and bring short-dated stock to the attention of the Senior Technician (Purchasing) in a timely manner
Identify stock required for "to-follow" orders and follow departmental policies to ensure that these orders are completed
Ensure that pharmacy shelves are neat, tidy and fully stacked and that stock is rotated
Carry out stock checks, including expiry date checks as required
Carry out drug pre-packaging as required by the Dispensary Service Manager
Assist in the picking and charging of pharmacy top-up lists
Assist with destruction of pharmaceuticals as required
Record and respond to telephone calls and messages
Participate in the training of new Pharmacy staff and the on-going training of self and other staff
Participate in the provision of ward-based top up and stock rotation in line with agreed levels and frequencies in hospital based wards and off site facilities such as St Joseph's Hospital
Ensure that all documentation necessary for the safe and effective operation of pharmacy services is produced in a timely and efficient manner
Participate in the supervised dispensing of individual prescriptions for patients and staff under the direction of the appropriate Pharmacy Service Manager
Participate in the supervised compounding of extemporaneous products
Assist with processing of returns from wards by participating in the sorting, relabelling and revalidation of packages of returned drugs for recycling or destruction
Pre-package bulk products and the assembly of stock and non-stock ward and department orders
Ensure the timely collation and input of all data concerning drug usage in the hospital in line with departmental policy
The performance of all duties and responsibilities in line with all Pharmacy Department procedures and protocols as well as hospital wide procedures
Participate in the supervised Pharmacy Department validation programmes for Top Up, Top Up Assembly, Issuing of Requisitions, Receipt of Goods, pre-packaging, extemporaneous compounding and aseptic compounding of cytotoxic and monoclonal agents and any other function that may be included in the overall project
Ensure that all departmental and hospital wide Health and Safety protocols and procedures are adhered to and all areas of non-compliance are promptly addressed
Performance of such other duties appropriate to the post, including participation in extended opening rosters including weekend opening as may from time to time be assigned by the Head of Pharmacy Services
To liaise and co-operate with other Pharmacy department staff
To liaise and co-operate with other hospital departments, wards and staff with particular reference to medical and nursing staff on hospital wards and off site facilities
To facilitate changes within the service in work, procedures, techniques or technologies
To ensure that the needs of patients and professional staff are being adequately met
To ensure that departmental and organisational policies are adhered to
To facilitate the maintenance and updating of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in line with changing practices locally, nationally and internationally
To ensure that the relevant documentation or electronic files are generated, reviewed and stored in the appropriate manner with regard to technician services in accordance with current standards under the direction of the Dispensary Service Manager
To facilitate the timely collation and input of all data from their service concerning training, education & audit in line with departmental and hospital policies
Performance of such other duties appropriate to the post, including on call and the participation in extended opening rosters including weekend opening as may be assigned by the Head of Pharmacy Services
Administrative
Assist in the essential record keeping and filing of prescriptions and pharmacy orders etc in the pharmacy.
Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the workplace.
Be mindful of cost effectiveness where relevant.
Engage in IT developments as they apply to patients and service administration
Perform such other duties appropriate to the role as may be assigned by the Supervising Pharmacist, or Superintendent Pharmacist.
Finance/Resource Management
To comply with department SOPs in particular those relating to efficient stock control in the issue, return and reuse or safe disposal (as appropriate) of drugs from wards, departments & clinics
Staff Training
To provide training and advice on Pharmacy Department services to ward, nursing and medical staff as directed by the Dispensary Services Manager.
To participate in the induction of new Pharmacy staff as required.
To participate in the training, development of training and supervision of new staff members.
Engage in personal development planning and performance review for self and others as required
Health and Safety
Work within Health & Safety Hospital Policies on all matters related to Health & Safety within the Hospital.
Be aware of the Health and Safety at Work Act and comply with the regulations set down to ensure safety to patients, visitors and colleagues.
Record all accidents and untoward occurrences according to Hospital policy.
Attend fire lectures and fire drills in accordance with the law and to be fully aware of the position of fire alarms, emergency equipment and exits.
Ensure compliance to standards in respect of all legislative requirements, including Manual Handling, Security, Infection Control and Standard Precautions.
Adopt the correct administrative procedures when dealing with complaints from patients/relatives following set policies and procedures.
Infection prevention and control is an essential aspect of patient care.
All post holders must attend mandatory training in infection prevention and control and be compliant with all measures required by the Hospital.
Post holders must be familiar with the Hospital's Infection Control Policies, including those that apply to their duties, such as the Hand Hygiene Policy, the Uniform Policy (where one exists) and Personal Protective Clothing Policy.
Post holders who have clinical responsibilities must incorporate into their clinical activities up-to-date evidence that supports safe infection control practices and procedures, for example the use of aseptic techniques and the safe disposal of sharps
In the course of normal work the post holder will come into possession of confidential information concerning patients and staff.
This information should be treated confidentially and in accordance with the Data Protection Act and European Union regulations.
The post holder is responsible for ensuring that they maintain the integrity and quality of both computerised and manual data
Performance of such other duties appropriate to the post that may be introduced by the Head of Pharmacy Services.
To perform such other duties appropriate to the office as may from time to time be assigned by the Chief Executive or designated Officer.
This job description is not exhaustive and is intended as a basic guide to the scope of duties.
It is subject to regular review and amendment as necessary.
Qualifications
Selection Criteria:
Selection criteria outline the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would need to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post.
Applications will be assessed on the basis of how well candidates satisfy these criteria.
Mandatory:
1. Professional Qualification, Experience, etc
I.
The Pharmaceutical Technicians Diploma awarded by the University of Dublin.
Or
II.
A Pharmacy Technicians qualification at QQI level 6 awarded by the Dublin Institute of Technology, Athlone Institute of Technology, Letterkenny Institute of Technology or Carlow Institute of Technology.
Or
III.
The Pharmacy services certificate (NVQ Level 3) offered by the Irish Pharmaceutical Union.
Or
IV.
Be currently employed as a Pharmacy Technician in the publicly funded Irish health service.
Or
V. A relevant qualification at least equivalent to
(ii) or
(iii) above.
And
VI.
Possess the requisite knowledge and ability for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.
2. Age
Age restriction shall only apply to a candidate where s/he is not classified as a new entrant.
A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age on the first day of the month in which the latest date for receiving completed application forms occurs.
3. Health
Candidates must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties and be in a state of health indicating the ability to render regular and efficient service.
4. Character
Candidates must be of good character.
Further Information for Candidates:
Supplementary information:
The Hospital

Management Unit:

Other (Please specify):
Informal Enquiries ONLY to: (No Applications via Informal Enquiries email)
Name:
Nuala Doyle
Title:
Head of Pharmacy
Email address:
******
Note: If an appointee has previously been employed in the Civil or Public Service and is entitled to or in receipt of a pension, abatement may apply under applicable legislation.
The applicant acknowledges understanding of abatement provisions.
#J-18808-Ljbffr