Pharmacy Technician - Higher level

NHS; Worthing; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job description

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

An exciting opportunity for a Pharmacy Technician to join our Clinical Pharmacy team at our Worthing site. We are actively seeking a reliable and self-motivated individual, with a positive attitude, to work as part of the Pharmacy Clinical Team at Worthing Hospital. You will demonstrate self-confidence, have a reliable work history and the ability to communicate effectively with staff and patients.

The Pharmacy Department provides a service to a wide range of patients with diverse needs across a range of specialities. We operate a comprehensive ward based, patient facing clinical service backed by innovative technology. You will be a valued member of the team providing this essential service and in return will receive training and support to facilitate career development.

We have a full and part time post available on our Worthing site.

Our ward-based technician posts rotate between Medicine, Surgery and Emergency Floor participating in medicines reconciliation, counselling, cost improvement projects, audit work and training of nursing and pharmacy staff and includes the line management of trainee pharmacy technicians.

The successful post holder must be:

• Accuracy Checking accredited
• Willing to undertake Educational Supervisor course
• Willing to act as Expert Witness and Line Manager for trainee technicians.

Main duties of the job

To work as part of the clinical pharmacy team, providing medicines optimisation service to wards. To liaise with the pharmacy education department in the training and line management of trainee pharmacy technicians, and the training for trainee pharmacists undertaking medicines reconciliation rotation.

To provide designated time for final accuracy checks of prescriptions within the main dispensary and on Emergency Floor pharmacy hub.

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job responsibilities

Communications and relationship skills:

• Build and maintain good working relationships with other members of the pharmacy clinical team, pharmacy department, ward staff and health care professionals.
• Work as part of the clinical team in delivering clinical services to wards.
• Build and maintain good communication skills with University Hospitals Sussex partners including primary care and other hospitals.
• Effectively deal with pharmacy related queries or refer to the appropriate member of staff.
• Build and maintain good communication skills with patients, their families and carers.

Analytical and Judgemental skills:

• To assist in the delivery of training to pharmacy staff for medicines optimisation processes, including assessing competence of pharmacy staff (Pre-registration student technician, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy assistants and trainee pharmacists).
• To undertake medicines reconciliations for patients, assess patients own drugs, and deliver patient counselling, reporting on identified issues or concerns regarding compliance and adherence as necessary.

Planning and Organisational skills:

• Participate in running the daily reports and organising workload for the clinical technician and assistant team.
• To act as Educational Supervisor for any pharmacy staff undertaking medicines optimisation qualifications, or completing a rotation within the clinical department.
• To liaise with the Pharmacy Education Department and act as Line Manager and Expert Witness for trainee pharmacy technicians during their 2 year qualification.
• To work as part of the clinical pharmacy team, providing medicines optimisation service to wards.
• To work as part of the pharmacy team, providing designated time to perform final accuracy checks on prescriptions within the main pharmacy department and on pharmacy hubs at ward level.
• Liaise with the clinical pharmacy team daily to ensure best prioritisation of work load.
• Protect and maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
• To organise medication arrangements for the most complex patients including medication counselling.
• To link with external organisations as necessary to provide safe ongoing care for patients on admission and on discharge; particularly where medication regimes are complex or have been changed, or for patients on high risk medicines.
• To promote safe practice in the prescribing and administration of medication at ward level.

Policy and Service Development Implementation:

• To comply with and promote all policies, procedures and official directives pertaining to the post and to promote the highest standards of professional practice and safe working procedures.
• To assist in the development, monitoring and maintenance of clinical services provided.

Financial and Physical Development (Inc. equipment, stock etc.):

• To have an awareness of the value of medicinal products and the need for cost-effective.
• To participate as appropriate with projects or initiatives pertaining to Cost Improvement Programmes.
• To encourage use of patients own drugs during admission and document patients own supply at home to minimise unnecessary dispensing and assist in the reduction of medicines waste.

Human Resources (Inc. developing and delivering training):

• To be committed to further education.
• To assist with the in-service education and training of staff within the clinical pharmacy team and with the Trust as a whole.
• To assist in the supervision and direction of students undertaking medicines reconciliation rotations and accreditations or placements.

Information Resources:

• To be competent with the use of the Trusts Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (EPMA) JAC System.
• To maintain appropriate systems of record keeping and retention according to the needs of the service and Trust policy.
• To be competent in using Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Research and Development:

• Participate in the departments strategy deployment projects to improve services and processes within the Trust.
• Participate in audits and surveys to measure the quality and effectiveness of the pharmacy services and patient safety initiatives provided to University Hospitals Sussex.

Professional (not included in any of the above factors):

• To maintain personal and professional development in order to make the optimum contribution to the pharmacy service.
• To maintain current registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council, ensuring professional standards are maintained at all times.
• To participate in local rota arrangements for covering, late clinics, weekend and Bank Holiday duties.
• To undertake any other appropriate duties as may be requested by the Technician Team Leader and Associate Heads of Pharmacy, Clinical Services.
• To attend such courses, study days and meetings that are mandatory for all staff and others considered relevant to the post.

Please see Job Description and Person Specification for full details.

Person Specification

Accreditations

• Registered with GPHC

Accreditation

• Educational Supervisor

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

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.

£29,970 to £36,483 a year per annum pro rata