Pharmacy Technician - PCN

NHS Jobs; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

NHS Jobs in Portsmouth is seeking a pharmacy technician to join the Primary Care Network and work under the supervision of the clinical pharmacist to ensure the safe, accurate and timely supply of prescribed medication to patients.

You will provide technical and administrative support to the clinical pharmacist and clinicians, handling queries about medicines and participating in audits to improve patient safety and prescribing quality.

Responsibilities

• Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team supporting the clinical pharmacist and other clinicians within agreed prescribing SOPs.
• Support the PCN as the medicines-related point of contact for all medicines matters.
• Process repeat medication requests, including converting acute requests to repeats and changing quantities.
• Issue prescriptions in line with agreed clinical protocols within your competency.
• Encourage cost-effective prescribing throughout the PCN.
• Undertake medicines reconciliation post-discharge and on transfers of care.
• Update and maintain accurate patient medication records on each practice system, including advice given and actions taken.
• Liaise with secondary and primary care colleagues to ensure medicines are continued after transfer of care.

Job description

Purpose of the role

The post holder is a pharmacy technician and is an integral part of the general practice team, working within their professional boundaries in each practice within the Primary Care Network (PCN). This role will work under the supervision of the clinical pharmacist to ensure the safe, accurate and timely supply of prescribed medication to patients. They will provide technical and administrative support to the clinical pharmacist and clinicians. The pharmacy technician will support the PCN and practice clinical team with queries around medication from patients. The pharmacy technician will complete audits around patient safety in the prescribing of medication and present the information for sharing with the clinical team.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Key Duties and Responsibilities The following are the core responsibilities of the PCN pharmacy technician. There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks. This will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels:

Primary

• To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team whilst in a supporting function to the clinical pharmacist and other clinicians and within agreed prescribing standard operating procedures
• To support the clinical pharmacist as the PCN point of contact for all medicines related matters
• To process repeat medication requests, including the conversion of acute requests to repeat medicines, changing quantities of medicines
• To issue prescriptions in line with agreed clinical protocols and within your competency
• To encourage cost-effective prescribing throughout the PCN
• To undertake medicines reconciliation post discharge and on other transfers of care
• To update and maintain accurate and timely patient medication records on each practice clinical system, including advice given and action taken
• To liaise with secondary and primary care colleagues to ensure correct medicines are continued following the transfer of care
• To monitor practice adherence to the prescribing policy
• To support virtual and remote models of consultation and support including e-consultations, telehealth and telemedicine
• To liaise with practices and implement and embed a robust repeat prescribing system for use across all practices
• To support the clinical pharmacist in improving the quality and effectiveness of prescribing through clinical audit and education to improve performance against NICE standards, and clinical and prescribing guidance
• To support the clinical pharmacist in producing a prescribing newsletter or bulletin on a quarterly basis
• To ensure appropriate supervision of safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs
• To apply infection-control measures within the practice according to local and national guidelines
• To identify and be proactive in your training needs and development and as agreed with the Clinical Pharmacist.
• To support in the delivery of enhanced services and other service requirements on behalf of the PCN
• To participate in the management of patient complaints when requested to do so and participate in the identification of any necessary learning brought about through incidents and near-miss events
• To actively signpost patients to the correct healthcare professional
• To undertake all mandatory training and induction programmes
• To contribute to and embrace the spectrum of clinical governance
• To attend a formal appraisal with their manager at least every 12 months. Once a performance/training objective has been set, progress will be reviewed on a regular basis so that new objectives can be agreed
• To contribute to public health campaigns (e.g. flu clinics) through advice or direct care
• To maintain a clean, tidy, effective working area at all times

Secondary

• a. Support delivery of QOF, incentive schemes, CQUIN and other quality or cost effectiveness initiatives
• b. Undertake any tasks consistent with the level of the post and the scope of the role, ensuring that work is delivered in a timely and effective manner
• c. Duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the post or the level of responsibility.

Health and Safety

Health and Safety The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security and:

• Use personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines
• Identify the risks involved in work activities and undertake such activities in a way that manages those risks
• Make effective use of training to update knowledge and skills
• Use appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way, free from hazards
• Report potential risks identified

Equality and Diversity

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

• Act in a way that recognises the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with practice procedures and policies, and current legislation
• Respect the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues.