Pharmacy Technician

Integrated Care System; Cramlington; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Cramlington is seeking a Pharmacy Technician to support the multi-disciplinary team in optimizing medicine use and enhancing patient care. The role involves various clinical and administrative tasks, fostering collaboration among healthcare professionals, and contributing to national initiatives. Candidates should have a relevant qualification and experience in a similar setting, with strong communication and organizational skills.

Qualifications

• Experience as a qualified pharmacy technician.
• Knowledge of pharmacy law and ethics.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Support clinical pharmacists in medication reviews.
• Assist in medicines optimisation processes.
• Coordinate with community pharmacies for patient care.

Skills

Clinical pharmacy knowledge

Communication skills

Time management

Computer literacy

Education

BTEC/NVQ level 3 in pharmaceutical sciences

Professional registration with GPhC

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Pharmacy Technician to be part of our existing team of pharmacy professionals supporting the Cramlington & Seaton Valley Primary Care Network (PCN). The PCN recognises that pharmacy technicians will play an important role, complementing our existing clinical pharmacist team, as well as working alongside community pharmacies and other members of the PCN multi-disciplinary team. This is an interesting and varied role, where the pharmacy technicians core responsibilities will cover clinical, technical and administrative categories, to enable greater effective and efficient use of medicine. You will be at the forefront of driving this valuable expansion and collaboration of the primary care services across the three practices in the Network.

Main duties of the job

Working alongside all GP practice staff as an integrated part of the practice teams, undertaking numerous medicines related activities. Contribute to the successful management of medicines and build capacity in the workforce at the right levels. Help patients to get the best from their medicines by switching medications to agreed and approved protocols. Contribute to the review and development of repeat prescribing processes/protocols/SOPs in General Practice, to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of repeat prescribing systems. Including promotion of electronic repeat dispensing (eRD) and online ordering. Contribute to minimising clinical risks and aiming to reduce wasted medicines. Be responsible for encouraging the development of better understanding of the principles of medicines optimisation throughout the practice teams and promoting good practice. Assist the PCN in achieving national requirements, NICE implementation and utilisation of medicines optimisation initiatives.

About us

Cramlington & Seaton Valley PCN are an established network made up of 4 member GP surgeries (The Village Surgery and Forum Family Practice based in Cramlington, and Netherfield House Surgery based in Sehgill, and Woodlands Park based in Wideopen). We work closely together (and with stakeholders) to share expertise, resources and provide services for the NHS and cover 3 care homes across the locality. Daily cover Monday to Friday is required but the daily hours of work are flexible.

Job responsibilities

ClinicalUndertake patient facing and patient supporting roles to ensure effective medicines use, through shared decision-making conversations with patients.Carry out medicines optimisation tasks including effective medicine administration (e.g. checking inhaler technique), supporting medication reviews and medicines reconciliation.Where required, utilise consultation skills to work in partnership with patients to ensure they use their medicines effectively.As determined by the PCN, support medication reviews and medicines reconciliation for care home patients and synchronising medicines for patient transfers between care settings, linking with local community pharmacies.Support the Clinical Pharmacist in Structure Medication Reviews (SMR) i.e. organise necessary monitoring tests prior to SMR. Provide expertise to address both the public health and social care needs of patients, including lifestyle advice, service information, and help in tackling local health inequalities.Manage shared care protocols and liaise with Clinical Pharmacists for more complex patients.Support initiatives for antimicrobial stewardship to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing locally.Technical and AdministrativeSupport the PCN multi-disciplinary team to ensure efficient medicines optimisation processes are being followed.Implement efficient ordering and return processes and reducing medication wastage.Provide training and support on the legal, safe and secure handling of medicines, including the implementation of the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS).Promotion of Electronic Repeat Dispensing (eRD) and online ordering.Develop relationships with other pharmacy professionals and members of the multidisciplinary team to support integration across health and social care including primary care, community pharmacy, secondary care and mental health.Support practice reception teams in streaming general prescription requests, so as to allow GPs and clinical pharmacists to review the more clinically complex requests.Support the implementation of national prescribing policies and guidance within GP practices, care homes and other primary care settings.Support the PCN to deliver on QIPP agenda, QOF and locally commissioned enhanced services.Support the PCN in reviewing and developing practice policies for CQC requirements (This includes reviewing/development of SOPs, recording of MHRA alerts and significant events)

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Qualifications
• Professional registration with GPhC
• BTEC/NVQ level 3 or equivalent in pharmaceutical sciences
• Evidence of continued professional development (CPD)
• Experience
• Experience of working as a qualified, registered pharmacy technician in primary care, community or hospital pharmacy
• Good clinical pharmacy knowledge including terminology
• Knowledge and understanding of pharmacy law and ethics and current legislation
• Computer literate with an ability to use the required GP clinical systems (desirable) and Microsoft office packages (essential)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with team members, patients, carers, and other healthcare professionals. Whilst recognising peoples needs for alternative methods of communication
• Attributes
• Works effectively independently and as a member of a team
• Flexible approach to meet service needs and ensure a stakeholder focused
• Self-motivated and proactive
• Continued commitment to improve skills and ability in new areas of work
• Able to undertake the demands of the post with reasonable adjustments if required
• Independently mobile to be able to work across several sites and travel to meet with stakeholders
• Adaptability, flexibility and ability to cope with uncertainty and change
• Demonstrate ability to work in a busy environment; ability to deal with both urgent and important tasks and to prioritise effectively whilst also supporting others
• Excellent time keeping and prioritisation skills
• 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 name
• Address
• Evidence of continued professional development (CPD)
• Demonstrate ability to influence and persuade partners and stakeholders of the respective merits of different options, innovations, new opportunities and challenges
• Knowledge and understanding of pharmacy law and ethics and current legislation
• An appreciation of the NHS agenda and Government targets
• Awareness of systems to support management of patients in a primary care setting, delivering pharmaceutical input and support in the context of pathways of care and the business of the organisation(s)
• Awareness of GP budget-management and funding systems to enable GP clinical pharmacist services to assist delivery of PCN and NHS priorities and requirements for financial balance and quality
• An appreciation of the nature of primary care prescribing, concepts of rational prescribing and strategies for the improvement of prescribing
• An excellent understanding of data protection and confidentiality issues
• Understand the aims of current healthcare policy within the PCN
• Able to analyse and interpret prescribing data
• Has attention to detail, able to work accurately, identifying errors quickly and easily
• Able to effectively manage allocated resources
• Has a planned and organised approach with an ability to prioritise their own workload to meet strict deadlines
• Able to think analytically; anticipating obstacles and thinking ahead; using analytical techniques to draw logical solutions to problems
• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written, with the ability to adjust communication style and content to suit the audience
• Influencing and negotiating skills

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.

Cramlington and Seaton Valley Management lead