Bank Senior Prison Services Technician - HMP Rochester

Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust; City Of London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in London is seeking a Pharmacy Technician to manage medicines within a prison setting. Responsibilities include overseeing prescription management, advising patients on medication, and ensuring compliance with health policies. Candidates must hold NVQ level 3 in Pharmacy Services and be registered with GPhC, with previous pharmacy experience. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential for fostering patient adherence and compliance. This role includes supervising other technicians and ensuring the highest standards of pharmacy practice.

Qualifications

• Previous experience of working in a pharmacy.
• Minimum of 4 years prison or hospital pharmacy experience (desirable).
• Management experience (desirable).
• 2 years mental health experience (desirable).

Responsibilities

• Provide a medicines management service in prison.
• Oversee the ordering/supply of repeat prescriptions.
• Administer medicines safely and promptly.
• Manage the entire medicines management process.

Skills

Good knowledge of working within a set of SOPs

Good oral and written communication skills

Good interpersonal skills

Education

NVQ level 3 Pharmacy Services or equivalent

Registration with GPhC as a pharmacy technician

Job description

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Key Task and Responsibilities

• Provide a medicines management service to the allocated prison(s) on a daily basis with the professional support of a prison services pharmacist.
• Oversee the ordering/supply of repeat prescriptions.
• Utilise stock supplies and out of hours supplies when patients' own medication is not available.
• Hold accreditation as a checking technician and/or medicines optimizer.
• Ensure high standards of work and that Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are read and adhered to.
• Facilitate the medication supply on repeat prescriptions (using System1), including tasking GP's/NMP's to generate repeat prescriptions, ensuring they are signed and given to pharmacy promptly within the Repeat Prescription management process.
• Supervise and assist primary care staff to ensure prompt medicine administration times are adhered to.
• Be competent in advising patients in all aspects of their medication to ensure adherence and compliance (e.g., inhaler technique, interaction, mechanism of drug action/normal doses regimen, side effects).
• Ensure high standards of work in Primary Care and that all SOPs, Oxleas and Oxleas Prison Services Policies including Standards of Medicine Management, IP Policy, Homely Remedies Policy are read, understood, and adhered to.
• Have, or work towards, an awareness/knowledge of medicines information to support adherence and compliance using BNF, BNF-e, e‑MC, Medicines information line and other recognized sources of information.
• Escalate any concerns about patients and their medication – including non‑compliance – to appropriate staff within confidentiality guidelines, including concerns of patients who need support from the Mental Health Team, Substance mis‑use team or Prison staff.
• Controlled Drugs – order, monitor and maintain all legal paperwork concerning medication patients with controlled drugs in accordance with local policy.
• Cool chain management and administration of fridge line medication – ensure daily fridge temperature checks are completed and recorded and any breaches of the cold chain are escalated according to SOP/Policy.
• Use System1 to document any information about patients and their medication – non‑compliance/non‑attendance (intentional and unintentional), allergies and raise concerns with appropriate staff/teams.
• Use System1 to create ledgers and call up lists for patients to attend Healthcare/Houseblock treatment rooms to facilitate medicines administration daily.
• Record keeping – ensure all policies and protocols are adhered to and documented on System1 as well as keeping meticulous paper records.
• Administer medicines to offenders against a valid prescription on the house blocks/Healthcare safely and promptly whilst adhering to all policies and SOP's using System1 to facilitate this.
• Use Datix to report any incidents or concerns.
• Have knowledge of the Critical medication List – administer critical medication when required and report any concerns/non‑compliance to appropriate teams/staff.

Management responsibilities

1. Manage the entire medicines management process at dedicated prison.
2. Manage and coordinate repeat prescriptions.
3. Supervise Band 5 MM technicians and complete Supervisions and PDR appraisals and objectives with them with guidance from senior pharmacy managers.
4. Be involved in the development and implementation of SOPs that impact the area of work.
5. Review and share lessons learned from Datix reports.
6. Organise delivery of training including supporting new staff with inductions.
7. Liaison with the admin team for Cardea ordering.

Leadership

1. Assist with annual appraisals of the Band 5 Medicine Management Technicians and assist and support primary care team members with training.
2. Mentor and train medicines optimisation staff using specialist knowledge and experience, to ensure all staff are working to high standards.
3. Develop personal development planning for junior staff including managing performance issues and ensuring mandatory training is completed.

Clinical

To provide 1. Medication Administration services as allocated for the prison. a) Participate in monthly clinical visits to the allocated prison(s), under the professional supervision of a pharmacist. Undertake a stock top‑up service for all areas in which medicines are stored.

b) Review the expiry dates and storage facilities for all such medicines and report any deficiencies to the prison service pharmacist for that prison.

c) Assist the prison service pharmacist to provide advice to prisoners and staff about the appropriate use of medicines.

d) Undertake 3‑monthly controlled drugs stock checks, when necessary and report any issues to the Lead Pharmacy Technician and Lead Pharmacist under the supervision of Oxleas Prisons Pharmacy (OPS). Undertake monthly medicines management audits using AIM electronic system, when necessary under the supervision of Oxleas Prisons Services (OPS).

Promote healthy lifestyles for offenders in line with local and national guidelines or promotions.

Administer medicines to offenders against a valid prescription on the house blocks. Recognise clinical signs of withdrawal, under the influence, overdose, being aware of needs of medication omitting for clinical reasons.

Complete in possession risk assessment (IPRA) and be aware of policies and procedures in place to monitor.

Adhere to ACCT (Assessment in Care and Custody Team Working) policies and procedures and attend review meetings.

Deliver accurate and timely record keeping with basics keyboard skills using System1 templates and processes.

To demonstrate ongoing continual professional development (CPD) and be responsible for self‑development and learning within the field of pharmacy or other specialty where appropriate.

Support junior staff in a leadership role with any clinical issues or concerns.

Share lesson learned from any incidents.

To develop and maintain analytical skills and professional judgment supporting junior colleagues and enhancing own skill.

Research

• Participate in clinical audits and departmental audits as required.
• Participate in any quality improvement projects.
• Develop and lead on any implementation of new ideas and updates to SOPs.

On Call/Unsocial Hours

This post does not require on call hours.

Custodial Responsibilities

1. Assume personal responsibility for the security of issued keys.
2. Understand and comply with prison orders, procedures, and instructions in your area of work.
3. Comply with all security requirements.
4. Respond to any situation or circumstance that might indicate a threat to security of the establishment or to the safety of an individual, completing Incident, Security, Injury, or other reports as appropriate.
5. Report breaches of order and discipline including reporting and recording untoward incidents according to local protocol.
6. Contribute to effective risk assessment and management procedures.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• NVQ level 3 Pharmacy Services or equivalent
• Registration with GPhC as a pharmacy technician
• Evidence of CPD

Desirable criteria

• Accredited Medication Optimisation
• NVQ A1 assessors award

Experience

Essential criteria

• Previous experience of working in a pharmacy

Desirable criteria

• Minimum of 4 years prison or hospital pharmacy experience
• Management experience
• 2 years mental health experience

Skills

Essential criteria

• Good knowledge of working within a set of SOPs
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that welcomes and supports individuals of all abilities. Remember, if you meet the minimum criteria for this role and you have a disability, you can be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme – Please ensure you select this on your application form. We would encourage you to be open about your needs so we can work with you to design a comfortable and accessible interview experience. Any information you provide regarding a disability or a need for adjustments will be treated in confidence and will only be shared with colleagues who are supporting this request.

If you require any adjustments to participate fully in the interview process, please let us know by adding the relevant details when scheduling your preferred interview date and time. Please feel free to contact the appointing manager to discuss your needs.

We encourage applicants to contact the hiring manager before their interview, if they have any questions about the role or the process. This is a great way to get clarity and prepare effectively for the interview.

If you have declared you are part of the armed forces community, you may be asked to provide evidence during the recruitment process. If you misrepresent this information, your offer may be withdrawn. For Armed Forces specific support, see our webpage: https://oxleas.nhs.uk/armed-forces-community/

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

If you choose to use AI or other tools to assist in writing your application, it's essential to personalise this information, particularly your supporting information section. While AI can help streamline the writing process, these tools cannot fully grasp the context or requirements of the job you're applying for. There is also a risk that it can generate false or misleading information. AI‑generated job applications can often be generic, impersonal and may not accurately reflect your qualifications, knowledge, skills and experiences. It is crucial that you personalise your supporting statement by articulating these in your unique voice. Relying solely on AI to write your application or supporting information section is not advocated by Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust and could negatively impact your chances of success in the application process.

We monitor applications for any behaviour that could create an unfair advantage, and we check all references carefully. You are likely to be tested on your experience at interview, so be honest and make sure all the information in your application is correct. Please note that the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is prohibited during the interview process.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

• Senior Prison Services Technician (PDF, 296.4KB)
• Important Additional Information For Candidates (please read carefully) (PDF, 160.6KB)
• Privacy Notice for Staff (PDF, 268.6KB)
• Staff Benefits (PDF, 2.5MB)