Pharmacy Technician

NHS; Warrington; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Warrington is seeking a qualified Pharmacy Technician to provide technical support to clinical teams and manage patient medications. The role includes supporting medication changes, assisting with vaccination programmes, and conducting audits. Candidates should possess relevant qualifications, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work as part of a team. The salary ranges from £30,172 to £33,007 per year, depending on experience.

Qualifications

• Registered Pharmacy Technician with experience in Primary Care.
• Knowledge of medicines optimisation principles and pharmacy law.
• Ability to analyze prescribing data effectively.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support to clinicians across 7 practices.
• Assist in managing day-to-day medicines issues.
• Support Clinical Pharmacists with complex medication queries.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Teamwork

Flexibility

Education

Current GPhC registration

BTEC/NVQ level 3 in pharmaceutical sciences

Postgraduate qualifications in Medicines Management

Tools

Microsoft Office

GP clinical systems

Job description

Pleasenote previous applicants need not reapply.

Interviews will be held face to face in Warrington on Thursday 18th December.

Salary is Whole Time Equivalent dependent upon PRIMARY CARE experience

Main duties of the job

• Providing technical support to the Practices Clinicians of the 7 CWW PCN Practices
• Supporting the Practices to resolve day to day medicines issues and help patients to get the best from their medicines
• Supporting the Clinical Pharmacists dealing with complex queries around medication from patients, secondary care professionals, community pharmacists and other healthcare professionals
• Implementing medication changes with the support of the Clinical Pharmacists
• Completing audits relating to patient safety in the prescribing medication and present the information for sharing with the clinical team
• Ensuring required changes to medication are made safely and effectively
• Supporting delivery of national vaccination programmes
• Support the PCN with health promotion

About us

• Causeway Medical Centre
• Dallam Lane Medical Centre
• Eric Moore Partnership
• Folly Lane Medical Centre
• Helsby Street Medical Centre
• Penketh Health Centre
• Westbrook Medical Centre

Job responsibilities

• Providing technical support for the 7 Practices of CWW PCN for the Practices Clinicians.
• Supporting the Practices to resolve day to day medicines issues and help patients to get the best from their medicines.
• Supporting the Clinical Pharmacists dealing with complex queries around medication from patients, secondary care professionals, community pharmacists and other healthcare professionals.
• Implementing medication changes with the support of the Clinical Pharmacists.
• Completing audits around patient safety in the prescribing medication and present the information for sharing with the clinical team.
• Ensuring required changes to medication are made safely and effectively.
• Supporting delivery of the COVID 19 vaccination programme and other Primary Care vaccination programmes.
• Support the PCN with health promotion.
• To work as part of the PCN wider team providing support for the Practices teams (both clinical and administrative).
• Work with the Clinical Pharmacists.
• Provide clinical and professional support to GPs and other members of the primary healthcare team.
• Medicines reconciliation post discharge and on other transfers of care, actioning changes where appropriate within competencies.
• Undertake reviews to ensure adherence to monitoring and shared care protocols.
• Phone consultations to offer patients medication advice and medication reviews.
• Day to day handling of prescription queries within area of own competence.
• Carry out housekeeping whilst in patient records e.g., dose optimisation and medicines synchronisation.
• Improve prescribing processes at the practice which may require delivery of training and development to practice based prescribing clerks to support improved co‑ordination and effective administration within the Practice.
• Promotion of electronic repeat dispensing and online ordering.
• Assisting in advising clinicians of alternative meds when notified item(s) are unavailable.
• Assist in practice response to complaints or significant events.
• Liaise with other pharmacy stakeholders e.g., Medicines Management Team, community pharmacy and hospital pharmacy teams.
• Handle function specific information, which may be sensitive, complex or confidential and appropriately recording, transferring and/or coordinating such information in accordance with the Data Protection Act; Caldecott Guidelines; and the Confidentiality Code of Conduct.
• To assist with the development and review of medicines audits utilising the TPP GP practice clinical systems to conduct the audits.
• Ensure that all major MHRA drug alerts, where appropriate and within levels of competence, are acted upon within the practice over an appropriate time frame and to advise on any medication changes that occur as a result.
• Promote cost‑effective, safe, evidence‑based accordance with national and local guidance.
• To undertake training and development, to ensure the required knowledge and skills for practice‑based work.
• Support students and trainees as required.
• Participate in the administrative responsibilities of the practice team.
• Ensure the clinical computer system is maintained with accurate data entered in a timely manner.
• Ensure accurate completion of all necessary documentation associated with patient health care.
• Review and process data using accurate read codes in order to ensure easy and accurate retrieval for monitoring and audit purposes.
• Understand own and other responsibilities to the organisation regarding the freedom of information act.
• Collate, analyse and present clinical data and new guidance to the rest of PHCT for areas of responsibility.
• Ensure e‑learning modules are completed as per agreed timelines.
• Implement and adhere to the practices policies and procedures.
• Adhere to the practice procedures/policies to notify absences and request leave.
• Conduct yourself in a manner which is professional, polite and friendly.
• Present a smart and professional image at all times ensuring that your uniform is kept clean, tidy and in good repair.
• Work as an effective team member, supporting colleagues.
• Wear the name badge provided by the Practice at all times whilst on duty.
• Refrain from wearing jewellery or nail polish whilst on duty.
• The postholder will promote and maintain their own and others health and safety as per practice policy/guidelines.
• Use the personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines.
• Identify the risks involved in work activities and undertake them in a way that reduces the risks, reporting to the Practice Manager as per policy, any shortfalls.
• Make effective use of training to update knowledge and skills when required.
• Maintain mandatory training in CPR and Anaphylaxis as per current procedures.
• Maintain mandatory training of child health/vulnerable adult procedures and statutory local guidance and referral criteria in regard to safeguarding policy.
• Know the health and safety policies and procedures within the workplace, including fire procedures, maintaining documentation, monitoring and maintenance of equipment and furniture within your area of responsibility.
• Use the computer monitor safely.
• Ensure own workstation is adjusted appropriately to ensure own safety/well‑being.
• Ensure all information held at the Practices about patients, whether held electronically or in hard copy is treated as confidential and kept in a secure manner/environment.
• Ensure all other information about the Practices e.g., financial or other business matters is also treated as confidential.
• Ensure confidentiality agreement signed at commencement of post and adhered to at all times.
• The postholder should recognise the importance of good interpersonal skills.
• Communicate effectively with other disciplines across primary, secondary and tertiary care services as and when necessary.
• Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising their needs for alternative methods of communication, responding accordingly to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment.
• Anticipate barriers to communication and take actions to improve communication.
• Report to the Manager issues of quality and risk in the care of patients.
• Recognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct.
• Participate in the maintenance of quality governance systems and processes across the practice.
• Produce accurate, contemporaneous and complete records of patient consultations, consistent with legislation, policies and procedures.
• Practice in accordance with agreed high standards of care.
• Know the practices policies, especially the Freedom to Speak Up policy, available on the practice intranet.
• Understand and apply legal policy that supports the identification of vulnerable and abused children and adults health procedures and local guidance.
• Prioritise and manage your own workloads efficiently in a manner that maintains and promotes quality.
• Assess effectiveness of care delivery through self and peer review and participate in improvements and feedback where required.
• Participate in team activities that create opportunities to improve patient care.
• Work effectively with team members and other agencies to meet patients needs.
• Support and participate in shared learning across the practice and wider organisations.
• Support the practice in implementing evidence‑based guidance including NICE and NSFs.
• Support the practice in its high achievement status.
• Participate in the review, management and identity of any learning points from patient complaints and significant event process.
• Support structures place to ensure the smooth running of the practice.
• Be aware of and, if appropriate, assist in current clinical audit/guidance.
• Have a flexible approach to working hours in order to respond positively to the business needs.
• Maintain professional accountability and development by attending relevant courses were deemed necessary.
• Support the development of others in order to maximise potential.
• Actively promote the workplace as a learning environment, encouraging everyone to learn from each other and from external good practice.
• Take responsibility for own development, learning and performance and participate in the annual appraisal process, acting as a positive role model.
• Participate in required mandatory training by the practice as part of their employment.
• Maintain professional standards and take appropriate action if standards are not met, challenging complacency and actions that are not in the interest of patients or service users.
• Participate in the planning and implementing of changes within the area of care responsibility.
• Participate in planning/engagement of practice‑based commissioning or initiatives.
• Recognise and understand the roles and responsibilities of individuals working within the primary health care team and promote professional development of yourself and other members of the team.
• Understand own role and scope and identify how this may develop over time.
• Ensure awareness of resources of support and guidance available to patients.
• Maintain the requirements for continued professional registration including the completion of the revalidation process in the time specified.
• Be aware of accountability of own role and other PHCT member roles and identify how this may develop over time.
• Be responsible for undertaking your duties within a competency framework; immediately reporting any doubts of own competency to your Line Manager.

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience of working as a qualified, registered Pharmacy Technician in Primary Care, or in hospital or community pharmacy
• Experience of working in a Primary Care environment

Knowledge and understanding

• Relevant advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of general practice and evidence-based medicine
• Knowledge of the principles of medicines optimisation
• An understanding 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
• Good clinical pharmacy knowledge including terminology
• An appreciation of the nature of Primary Care prescribing, concepts of rational prescribing and strategies for the improvement of prescribing
• Knowledge and understanding of pharmacy law and ethics and current legislation

Qualifications

• Current GPhC registration
• BTEC/NVQ level 3 or equivalent in pharmaceutical sciences
• Postgraduate qualifications of a relevant nature. e.g., FdSc in Medicines
• Management/Pharmacy Services; BTEC Therapeutics

Attributes

• Works effectively independently and as a member of a team
• Flexible approach to meet service needs and ensure a stakeholder focused response
• 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
• Self‑motivated, able to work both independently and collaboratively and possess excellent communication and clinical skills
• 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

Skills and competencies

• Computer literate with an ability to use the required Microsoft office packages.
• 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
• An excellent understanding of data protection and confidentiality issues
• Computer literate with an ability to use the required GP clinical system

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.

£30,172 to £33,007 a year Whole Time Equivalent dependent upon primary care experience