Band 4/5 Medicines Optimisation Pharmacy Technician - Bristol

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust; Bristol; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Bristol is seeking a Pharmacy Technician to undertake prescription checks and conduct controlled drug audits. The ideal candidate must be registered with GPhC and possess strong communication skills. Experience in a hospital pharmacy or mental health setting is desirable. Applicants should be prepared to ensure safe medication supply and participate in training of staff.

Qualifications

• Essential: Registered with GPhC as a Pharmacy Technician.
• Willingness to complete Accuracy Checking Technician qualification.
• Willingness to complete Medicines Optimisation qualification.

Responsibilities

• Undertake prescription chart checks.
• Conduct controlled drug audits.
• Maintain safe systems of medication supply.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Excellent time management skills

IT literate, including Microsoft Office

Education

Registered with GPhC as a Pharmacy Technician

Accuracy Checking Technician qualification

Medicines Optimisation qualification

Job description

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Undertake prescription chart checks in line with SOPs and refer interventions or discrepancies to the clinical pharmacist or healthcare professional when necessary and appropriate.

Conduct controlled drug audits on a three monthly basis and report results to ward or team manager, clinical pharmacist and Accountable Officer.

Develop, coordinate and participate in audits and identify future audit topics and quality improvement.

Maintain safe systems of medication supply to wards and teams.

Responsible for the supply of medicines.

Complete medicines reconciliation in line with departmental SOPs.

Assess suitability, quality and identity of patient’s own medicines (PODs) for extended use on wards and as discharge medicines in line with departmental SOPs.

Monitor stock control and storage of medicines on the wards and at team bases to ensure timely availability whilst minimising waste.

Undertake routine statutory storage checks of medicines on wards.

Liaise with wards/teams, pharmacy staff and clinical pharmacists to ensure stock lists are up to date and reflect current and emergency usage in line with trust guidelines.

Facilitate discharge through liaison with GP practices, community teams and community pharmacies to ensure seamless transfer of care and continuity of supply, (e.g. clozapine collection) and ensure appropriate use of compliance aids.

Responsible for dispensing short term leave and discharge prescriptions on site where appropriate and in line with departmental SOPs.

Order routine stock for wards and teams in line with departmental SOPs.

Identify and address compliance issues liaising with health and social care professionals and carers where necessary.

Provide information and counselling on the use of medicines to selected patients and or carers taking into account their level of understanding, competence and behaviour.

Help develop and deliver training to ward and team staff to ensure they are able to undertake their roles in medication optimisation.

Identify, undertake and report on projects aimed at improving safe and effective medicines optimisation.

Responsible for resolving problems, responding to queries and providing advice at ward or team level, reporting back or referring where appropriate.

Note: Specific to dispensary duties:

Provide dispensing services to inpatients and outpatients within departmental SOPs, coordinating orders with transport schedules to ensure timely and efficient supply of medicines.

Act as an Accuracy Checking Technician.

Assist in the provision of training and supervision for staff within the dispensary.

Follow up discrepancies and queries with clinical staff, referring to the pharmacist where appropriate.

Respond to queries from wards and teams, referring to the pharmacist where appropriate.

Work weekend and bank holidays on a rota basis.

General:

Access and utilise clinical and pharmacy IT systems in line with Trust and departmental SOPs in order to undertake their role and ensure correct records are maintained and that medicines are used and supplied in a safe and timely fashion.

Maintain a portfolio of CPD.

Act as a role model for junior members of staff.

Undertake training and development.

Undertake other duties that may be required by their manager and Chief Pharmacist.

To undertake an Accuracy Checking Pharmacy Technician qualification and a Medicines Optimisation Training Programme, if not already completed.

Person specification

Knowledge, skills and experience

Essential criteria

• Registered with GPhC as a Pharmacy Technician
• Recognised, current Accuracy Checking Technician qualification or willingness to complete within one year of course induction day
• Recognised, current Medicines Optimisation qualification or willingness to complete within one year of course induction day
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Car driver or to be mobile with the facility to move quickly across a geographically dispersed area with limited access to public transport
• Excellent time management skills
• IT literate, including Microsoft Office

Desirable criteria

• Experience in a hospital pharmacy or equivalent position
• Experience of working in a mental health setting
• Knowledge of specific requirements for mental health medicines, e.g. clozapine