Pharmacy Technician

Northumberland House Surgery

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

Wyre Forest Network of Independent Practices, based at Hume Street Medical Centre in Kidderminster is looking for a proactive, forward-thinking pharmacy technician to join our experienced network team in the Wyre Forest Network of Independent Practices PCN.

The role is for a Full Time Pharmacy Technician, working across the 4 network member practices, in line with the Job Description. You will work with 4 closely aligned practices who provide care for a total population of just over 41 thousand patients.The successful candidate will become part of an established team, which includes clinical pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and trainees. They will work in a dynamic environment where we encourage continual professional development through regular clinical supervision and peer support.

Main duties of the job

The purpose of the role is to support improvements to maximise safe, cost effective best practice in prescribing to improve the quality of patient care. The post holder will help patients to get the best from their medicines by switching medications according to agreed and approved protocols, improving repeat prescribing processes in General Practice, including promotion of repeat dispensing and online ordering, minimising clinical risk and aiming to reduce wasted medicines.

The post holder will be responsible for encouraging the development of better understanding of the principles of medicines optimisation throughout the practice teams and promoting good practice in line with therapeutic developments. This will involve assisting the PCN in achieving national requirements, NICE implementation and utilisation of medicines optimisation initiatives.

The post holder will be supported to develop their role and will be required to enrol on the Primary Care Pharmacy Education Pathway from CPPE.

About us

Wyre Forest Network of Independent Practices (WFNIP) PCN are a Primary Care Network serving a population of 44,000 over 4 practices and consider themselves as a forward thinking, innovative and driven team of professionals meeting the demands of patient care. We have a diversified workforce made up of GPs, ANPs, Nurses, Clinical Pharmacists, First Contact Physiotherapists, Pharmacy Technicians, Health Care Assistants, Social Prescribers, and Care Coordinators.

Date posted

07 March 2024

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

A1947-24-0001

Job locations

Hume Street

Kidderminster

Worcestershire

DY11 6SF


Job description

Job responsibilities

The duties listed are not exhaustive, which options are deployed will be decided by the individual practices within the PCN. Working within their competencies, the post holder will work under the supervision of the clinical pharmacist team to ensure safe and efficient use of medicines. All pharmacy technicians must have professional indemnity for their role.

1. Medicines Optimisation

Carry out medicines optimisation tasks including effective medicine administration and technical medication reviews. Where required, utilise consultation skills to work in partnership with patients to ensure they use their medicines effectively.

Medicines reconciliation of clinical post

Support the PCN multi-disciplinary team to ensure efficient medicines optimisation processes are being followed

Manage shared care protocols and liaise with Clinical Pharmacists for more complex patients

Support initiatives for antimicrobial stewardship to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing locally

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

2. Patient facing medication review and support

Maintain full and complete records of all patient contacts using appropriate clinical templates and coding

Undertake patient facing and patient supporting roles to ensure effective medicines use, through shared decision-making conversations with patients

Support the Clinical Pharmacist to deliver Structure Medication Reviews (SMR) by identifying appropriate patients

Support medication reviews and medicines reconciliation for new care home patients and synchronising medicines for patient transfers between care settings, linking with local community pharmacies

3. Medicines quality improvement

Participate in audit activities to optimise medicines safety and the use of prescribing resource. Feedback results of clinical audit activities in areas agreed with PCN senior pharmacist. Make recommendations based on the outcomes of audit and shared learning activities

4. Repeat prescribing

Work closely with prescription teams in each practice of the PCN to support the implementation of repeat prescribing policy and procedures

Lead on the promotion, implementation and support of electronic repeat prescribing where appropriate.

5. Medicines safety

Work with the clinical pharmacist team and medicines safety leads to implement changes to medicines that result from MHRA alerts, product withdrawal and other local and national guidance.

6. Signposting

Support practice reception and admin teams in streaming general prescription requests, so as to allow GPs and clinical pharmacists to review the more clinically complex requests

Ensure that patients are referred to the appropriate healthcare professional for the appropriate level of care within an appropriate period of time e.g. pathology results, common/minor ailments, acute conditions, long term condition reviews etc.

7. Education and Training

Understand and demonstrate the characteristics of a role model to members in the team and/or service

Demonstrate understanding of the mentorship process

Demonstrate self-development through continuous professional development activity

Demonstrate an understanding of current educational policies relevant to working areas of practice and keeps up to date with relevant clinical practice

8. Care Quality Commission

Support the PCN in reviewing and developing practice policies for CQC requirements

9. Public health

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

Support public health campaigns. Provide specialist knowledge on all public health programmes available to the general public.

COMMUNICATION AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Work collaboratively with their PCN multi-disciplinary team

Liaise with Lead Clinical Pharmacist to access professional support and access training and development opportunities

Liaise with CCG Medicines Commissioning colleagues on prescribing related matters to ensure consistency of patient care and benefit

Engage with clinical pharmacist team for peer support.

Foster and maintain strong links with all services across the PCN and neighbouring networks.

Liaises with other stakeholders as needed for the collective benefit of patients, including but not limited to:

o Patients and their representatives

o GP, nurses and other practice staff

o Social prescribers, first contact physiotherapists, physicians associates and paramedics.

o Community pharmacists and support staff

o Locality Pharmaceutical Committee and Community Pharmacy PCN leads

o Locality / GP prescribing lead

o Locality managers

o Community nurses and other allied health professionals

o Hospital staff with responsibilities for prescribing and medicines optimisation

PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Work with your line manager to undertake continual personal and professional development, taking an active part in reviewing and developing the role and responsibilities.

To attend mandatory training and fire lectures regularly and assist with fire policy/evacuation procedure when necessary.

To keep up to date with and attend training on revisions to information systems or changes in protocols for the inputting of data in the light of Local and national initiatives.

To adhere to agreed protocols at all times.

Adhere to organisational policies and procedures, including confidentiality, safeguarding, lone working, information governance, and health and safety.

Work with your line manager to access regular clinical supervision, to enable you to deal effectively with the difficult issues that people present.

Review yearly progress and develop clear plans to achieve results within priorities set by others. Participate in the delivery of formal education programmes.

Demonstrate an understanding of current educational policies relevant to working areas of practice and keep up to date with relevant clinical practice

CLINICAL GOVERNANCE AND QUALITY ASSURANCE

To realise the importance of confidentiality when dealing with patients and staff, particularly when giving or receiving information over the telephone in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

Maintain the high standards of the service by contributing towards individual, team and service objectives and acting at all times in the best interest of patients.

To accurately collect, collate and input data to Information Systems as required by procedures to ensure that patient database records are up to date and accurate.

To participate in Individual Performance Review and Personal Development plans on an annual basis and to undertake training and development as identified within these discussions and as indicated by the requirements of the post.

INFORMATION GOVERNANCE

The Wyre Forest NIP PCN requires its staff to comply with Information Governance related standards and policies at all times when dealing with confidential information, which includes any information relating to the business of the network and its service users and employees.

All PCN employees are bound by a duty of confidentiality and must conduct their duties in line with the NHS Confidentiality Code of Practice, Data Protection Act and Freedom of information Act.

Post-holders must maintain high standards of quality in corporate and clinical record keeping ensuring information is always recorded accurately and kept up to date. The post-holder must only access information, whether paper, electronic or in other media, which is authorised to them as part of their duties.

All Information obtained or held during the post-holders period of employment that relates to the business of the network and its service users and employees will remain the property of the Wyre Forest NIP PCN. Information may be subject to disclosure under legislation at the Companys discretion and in line with national rules on exemption.

Any breach of confidentiality or computer misuse could lead to disciplinary action, and in serious cases could result in dismissal. Breaches after the post-holders employment has ended could result in the Company taking legal action against them.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

To have responsibility for health, safety and welfare of self and others at work. This includes being conversant with Health & Safety policies and procedures and ensuring incidents, accidents and near misses are reported; taking part in the risk management process and carrying out tasks/using equipment only when competent to do so.

Be responsible for ensuring the general environment is clear of all hazards.

All staff have a responsibility to apprise themselves of how the prevention of the spread of infection relates to their role. They have a responsibility to ensure they are aware of policies and procedures in relation to infection prevention and control, and ensure that they comply with them in fulfilling their role.

This job description may be amended by management through consultation with the post holder in order to reflect changes in, or to, the job.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The duties listed are not exhaustive, which options are deployed will be decided by the individual practices within the PCN. Working within their competencies, the post holder will work under the supervision of the clinical pharmacist team to ensure safe and efficient use of medicines. All pharmacy technicians must have professional indemnity for their role.

1. Medicines Optimisation

Carry out medicines optimisation tasks including effective medicine administration and technical medication reviews. Where required, utilise consultation skills to work in partnership with patients to ensure they use their medicines effectively.

Medicines reconciliation of clinical post

Support the PCN multi-disciplinary team to ensure efficient medicines optimisation processes are being followed

Manage shared care protocols and liaise with Clinical Pharmacists for more complex patients

Support initiatives for antimicrobial stewardship to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing locally

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

2. Patient facing medication review and support

Maintain full and complete records of all patient contacts using appropriate clinical templates and coding

Undertake patient facing and patient supporting roles to ensure effective medicines use, through shared decision-making conversations with patients

Support the Clinical Pharmacist to deliver Structure Medication Reviews (SMR) by identifying appropriate patients

Support medication reviews and medicines reconciliation for new care home patients and synchronising medicines for patient transfers between care settings, linking with local community pharmacies

3. Medicines quality improvement

Participate in audit activities to optimise medicines safety and the use of prescribing resource. Feedback results of clinical audit activities in areas agreed with PCN senior pharmacist. Make recommendations based on the outcomes of audit and shared learning activities

4. Repeat prescribing

Work closely with prescription teams in each practice of the PCN to support the implementation of repeat prescribing policy and procedures

Lead on the promotion, implementation and support of electronic repeat prescribing where appropriate.

5. Medicines safety

Work with the clinical pharmacist team and medicines safety leads to implement changes to medicines that result from MHRA alerts, product withdrawal and other local and national guidance.

6. Signposting

Support practice reception and admin teams in streaming general prescription requests, so as to allow GPs and clinical pharmacists to review the more clinically complex requests

Ensure that patients are referred to the appropriate healthcare professional for the appropriate level of care within an appropriate period of time e.g. pathology results, common/minor ailments, acute conditions, long term condition reviews etc.

7. Education and Training

Understand and demonstrate the characteristics of a role model to members in the team and/or service

Demonstrate understanding of the mentorship process

Demonstrate self-development through continuous professional development activity

Demonstrate an understanding of current educational policies relevant to working areas of practice and keeps up to date with relevant clinical practice

8. Care Quality Commission

Support the PCN in reviewing and developing practice policies for CQC requirements

9. Public health

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

Support public health campaigns. Provide specialist knowledge on all public health programmes available to the general public.

COMMUNICATION AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Work collaboratively with their PCN multi-disciplinary team

Liaise with Lead Clinical Pharmacist to access professional support and access training and development opportunities

Liaise with CCG Medicines Commissioning colleagues on prescribing related matters to ensure consistency of patient care and benefit

Engage with clinical pharmacist team for peer support.

Foster and maintain strong links with all services across the PCN and neighbouring networks.

Liaises with other stakeholders as needed for the collective benefit of patients, including but not limited to:

o Patients and their representatives

o GP, nurses and other practice staff

o Social prescribers, first contact physiotherapists, physicians associates and paramedics.

o Community pharmacists and support staff

o Locality Pharmaceutical Committee and Community Pharmacy PCN leads

o Locality / GP prescribing lead

o Locality managers

o Community nurses and other allied health professionals

o Hospital staff with responsibilities for prescribing and medicines optimisation

PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Work with your line manager to undertake continual personal and professional development, taking an active part in reviewing and developing the role and responsibilities.

To attend mandatory training and fire lectures regularly and assist with fire policy/evacuation procedure when necessary.

To keep up to date with and attend training on revisions to information systems or changes in protocols for the inputting of data in the light of Local and national initiatives.

To adhere to agreed protocols at all times.

Adhere to organisational policies and procedures, including confidentiality, safeguarding, lone working, information governance, and health and safety.

Work with your line manager to access regular clinical supervision, to enable you to deal effectively with the difficult issues that people present.

Review yearly progress and develop clear plans to achieve results within priorities set by others. Participate in the delivery of formal education programmes.

Demonstrate an understanding of current educational policies relevant to working areas of practice and keep up to date with relevant clinical practice

CLINICAL GOVERNANCE AND QUALITY ASSURANCE

To realise the importance of confidentiality when dealing with patients and staff, particularly when giving or receiving information over the telephone in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

Maintain the high standards of the service by contributing towards individual, team and service objectives and acting at all times in the best interest of patients.

To accurately collect, collate and input data to Information Systems as required by procedures to ensure that patient database records are up to date and accurate.

To participate in Individual Performance Review and Personal Development plans on an annual basis and to undertake training and development as identified within these discussions and as indicated by the requirements of the post.

INFORMATION GOVERNANCE

The Wyre Forest NIP PCN requires its staff to comply with Information Governance related standards and policies at all times when dealing with confidential information, which includes any information relating to the business of the network and its service users and employees.

All PCN employees are bound by a duty of confidentiality and must conduct their duties in line with the NHS Confidentiality Code of Practice, Data Protection Act and Freedom of information Act.

Post-holders must maintain high standards of quality in corporate and clinical record keeping ensuring information is always recorded accurately and kept up to date. The post-holder must only access information, whether paper, electronic or in other media, which is authorised to them as part of their duties.

All Information obtained or held during the post-holders period of employment that relates to the business of the network and its service users and employees will remain the property of the Wyre Forest NIP PCN. Information may be subject to disclosure under legislation at the Companys discretion and in line with national rules on exemption.

Any breach of confidentiality or computer misuse could lead to disciplinary action, and in serious cases could result in dismissal. Breaches after the post-holders employment has ended could result in the Company taking legal action against them.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

To have responsibility for health, safety and welfare of self and others at work. This includes being conversant with Health & Safety policies and procedures and ensuring incidents, accidents and near misses are reported; taking part in the risk management process and carrying out tasks/using equipment only when competent to do so.

Be responsible for ensuring the general environment is clear of all hazards.

All staff have a responsibility to apprise themselves of how the prevention of the spread of infection relates to their role. They have a responsibility to ensure they are aware of policies and procedures in relation to infection prevention and control, and ensure that they comply with them in fulfilling their role.

This job description may be amended by management through consultation with the post holder in order to reflect changes in, or to, the job.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE grade A to C in English and Maths
  • Registered Pharmacy Technician with the GPHC
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE grade A to C in English and Maths
  • Registered Pharmacy Technician with the GPHC

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Northumberland House Surgery

Address

Hume Street

Kidderminster

Worcestershire

DY11 6SF


Employer's website

https://www.northumberlandhousesurgery.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Northumberland House Surgery

Address

Hume Street

Kidderminster

Worcestershire

DY11 6SF


Employer's website

https://www.northumberlandhousesurgery.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

For questions about the job, contact:

PCN Manager

Lucia O'Brien

lucia.o'brien@nhs.net

01562757365

Date posted

07 March 2024

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

A1947-24-0001

Job locations

Hume Street

Kidderminster

Worcestershire

DY11 6SF


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