Pharmacy Technician

East Wing Surgery; Jarrow; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local GP practice in Jarrow is seeking a Pharmacy Technician to enhance clinical aspects of patient care. The successful candidate will manage medication requests and ensure safe prescribing processes, contributing to improved patient outcomes. Ideal candidates will have a relevant pharmacy qualification and experience in a primary care setting. This role offers an opportunity to work in a supportive healthcare team while promoting best practices in medication management.

Benefits

Support for professional development

Friendly working environment

Qualifications

• Professional registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council
• Evidence of continued professional development
• Experience working as a qualified Pharmacy Technician in primary care

Responsibilities

• Support the Practice in delivering safe prescribing processes
• Manage incoming medication requests and queries from patients
• Promote understanding of medicines optimisation principles

Skills

Team player

Time management

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council

BTEC/NVQ Level 3 in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Postgraduate qualifications relevant to the role

Tools

EMIS clinical system

Microsoft Office

Job description

We are looking to recruit a friendly, enthusiastic and highly motivated individual to join our team. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in clinical aspects of patient care and coordination.

Main duties of the job

Role Purpose

Support the Practice in delivering;

• Safe, effective, and efficient repeat prescribing systems
• Reduction of medicines waste
• Enhanced patient outcomes

Key Responsibilities

• Work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team to support integrated patient care.
• Assist Practice staff in developing and refining safe, effective prescribing processes.
• Manage daily medication requests, ensuring timely and accurate processing.
• Address medication-related queries from patients, staff, and external partners.
• Liaise with patients and community pharmacies to resolve issues and improve continuity of care.

Medicines Optimisation and Education

• Promote understanding of medicines optimisation principles across the Practice team.
• Provide guidance and support to staff on prescribing best practices.

Clinical Alignment and Standards

Ensure prescribing practices align with:

• Current therapeutic advancements
• Evidence-based best practices

Support the Practice in:

• Meeting national healthcare standards
• Implementing NICE guidance
• Applying medicines optimisation initiatives

Skills & Attributes

• Enthusiasm and motivation
• Willingness to contribute innovative ideas to improve service delivery

About us

We are a small friendly GP practice (4000+ patient's) based within Palmer Community Hospital in Jarrow. We have 3 part time GP Partners, 1 full time Practice Nurse and 1 part time Nursing Associate.

We are a member of the South Tyneside West Primary Care Network.

On-site parking is not available at the East Wing Surgery site however the site offers on-street parking.

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The post holder will be responsible for supporting the Practice in delivering safe, effective, and efficient prescribing processes. Key responsibilities include:

• Managing incoming medication requests and queries from patients, pharmacies, care homes, and other healthcare providers.
• Assisting Practice administrative teams with medication-related queries.
• Liaising directly with patients to resolve medication issues and support appropriate use of prescribed treatments.
• Contributing to the improvement of prescribing processes within general practice.
• Promoting the use of electronic repeat dispensing and online ordering systems.
• Conducting housekeeping within patient records, including dose optimisation and medicines synchronisation.
• Utilising and maintaining relevant information systems and databases, including those related to incident reporting, prescribing data, medicines optimisation, cost-saving initiatives, and patient outcomes.
• Handling sensitive, complex, or confidential information in accordance with the Data Protection Act, Caldicott Principles, and the Confidentiality Code of Conduct.
• Conducting prescribing audits using GP clinical systems and supporting the implementation of audit outcomes.
• Participating in Practice meetings, Patient Participation Groups, and other forums to promote the role of the Pharmacy Technician and raise awareness of prescribing and medicines optimisation.
• Organising and managing own workload effectively to meet deadlines and service priorities.
• Undertaking ongoing learning and development to maintain professional knowledge and competencies.
• Performing additional duties appropriate to the post holders skills and grade, in response to evolving service needs.
• Supporting QOF, IIF and LES/DES prescribing related indicators.
• Assisting with medication reviews under supervision of clinical pharmacists/GPs.
• Contributing to audits of high risk medications.

General Responsibilities

Confidentiality

Patients entrust the Practice with sensitive information regarding their health and personal circumstances. It is essential that all staff always respect this confidentiality and act with integrity.

In fulfilling the duties of this role, the post-holder may access confidential information relating to patients, carers, Practice staff, and other healthcare professionals, as well as business-related data. All such information must be treated as strictly confidential and only shared with authorised individuals in accordance with Practice policies, the Data Protection Act, Caldicott Principles, and the Confidentiality Code of Conduct.

Respect for Patient Confidentiality

The post-holder must always uphold patient confidentiality and only disclose information when required and authorised by the role.

Health and Safety

The post-holder is responsible for promoting and maintaining health, safety, and security in accordance with the Practices Health & Safety Policy. This includes:

• Identifying and managing risks in work activities.
• Participating in training to maintain up-to-date knowledge and skills.
• Applying infection control procedures and maintaining a safe, hazard-free work environment.
• Reporting potential risks to the appropriate manager.
• Complying with the Data Protection Act (1984) and the Access to Health Records Act (1990).

Equality and Diversity

The post-holder will support the equality, diversity, and rights of patients, carers, and colleagues by:

• Acting in accordance with relevant legislation, policies, and procedures.
• Respecting the privacy, dignity, and beliefs of others.
• Demonstrating inclusive, non-judgmental behaviour that acknowledges individual circumstances and priorities.

Special Working Conditions

The post-holder may be required to travel independently between Practice site and attend meetings hosted by external agencies.

Personal and Professional Development

The post-holder will actively participate in training programmes and professional development activities, including:

• Taking responsibility for their own learning and performance.
• Supporting and mentoring colleagues undertaking similar roles.

Quality

The post-holder will contribute to the maintenance and improvement of service quality by:

• Identifying and reporting issues related to quality and risk.
• Reflecting on personal performance
• Collaborating with external agencies to meet patient needs.
• Managing time, workload, and resources effectively.

Communication

Effective communication is vital to the role. The post-holder will:

• Communicate clearly and professionally with team members, patients, carers, and external organisations.
• Recognise and respond to the need for alternative communication methods.

Safeguarding

All staff will receive training in Child and Adult Protection, including safeguarding policies and procedures. The post-holder must be able to identify and act upon concerns regarding the welfare of vulnerable individuals.

Contribution to Service Implementation

The post-holder will:

• Apply relevant service policies, standards, and guidelines.
• Collaborate with colleagues to understand the impact of these policies on their work.
• Participate in audits and mandatory training (e.g. Information Governance, IT, Resuscitation).
• Demonstrate flexibility, teamwork, and a positive attitude.

Please note:Completion or enrolment of a training programme with the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE) is a requirement for this role. The practice would support enrolment on appointment.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Professional registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
• BTEC/NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in Pharmaceutical Sciences.
• Evidence of continued professional development (CPD).
• Enrolment or completion in the CPPE Primary Care Pharmacy Education Pathway (PCPEP).
• Postgraduate qualifications relevant to the role (e.g. FdSc in Medicines Management/Pharmacy Services; BTEC Therapeutics).

Personal Specification

• Effective team player and capable of working independently.
• Adaptability and flexibility in response to change.
• Ability to work in a busy environment.
• Flexible approach to meet service needs.
• Self-motivated and proactive.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Excellent time management and prioritisation skills.
• Able to meet the physical demands of the role with reasonable adjustments if required.
• UK work permit (if required).

Skills and Competencies

• Computer literate; proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
• Understanding of current healthcare policy aims.
• Strong influencing and negotiating skills.
• High attention to detail; able to identify and correct errors efficiently.
• Organised and able to prioritise workload to meet deadlines.
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to recognise and act upon own limitations appropriately.
• Familiarity with GP clinical system EMIS.
• Appreciation of the implications of healthcare policy for general practice.
• Ability to analyse and interpret prescribing data.

Experience

• Experience working as a qualified, registered Pharmacy Technician in primary care, community, or hospital pharmacy
• Experience of working in a primary care setting or PCN

Knowledge and Understanding

• Appreciation of the NHS agenda and government targets.
• Awareness of systems supporting patient management in primary care.
• Good clinical pharmacy knowledge, including terminology.
• Understanding of pharmacy law, ethics, and current legislation.
• Excellent understanding of data protection and confidentiality.
• Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of general practice and evidence-based medicine.
• Knowledge/understanding of primary care and/or general practice.
• Knowledge of QOF, IIF and local prescribing incentive schemes.

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.