Job summary
The Pharmacy Technician
plays a crucial role in the Clinical Pharmacy in General Practice model, which
is pivotal to transforming patient care and enhancing medication management
within the practice. This innovative model aligns with national policies such
as the Five Year Forward View and GP Forward View, which emphasize the
integration of pharmacy skills to improve patient outcomes and reduce hospital
admissions. The Pharmacy Technician works under the supervision of the Senior
Clinical Pharmacist and is instrumental in implementing best practices in
prescribing and medication management to ensure safety, efficacy, and
cost-effectiveness.This role will be based within our Organisational Pharmacy Team at Stirling road Medical Centre, but will be working for Coleridge Medical Centre which is also part of the Fuller and Forbes Healthcare Group.
Main duties of the job
Pharmacy Technicians are
key to supporting the multi-disciplinary team within the Primary Care Network
(PCN) by helping patients get the most from their medicines. They handle tasks
such as switching medications to approved protocols, optimizing repeat prescribing
processes including promoting repeat dispensing and online ordering, and
minimizing clinical risks. The role involves significant responsibilities in
medicines optimisation, including supporting the implementation of NICE
guidelines and national healthcare initiatives. The post holder will also
contribute to educating the practice team on the principles of medicines
optimisation and promoting therapeutic best practices to enhance the quality of
care provided to patients.
About us
Recently acquired by the Fuller and Forbes partnership, Coleridge Medical Centre, located in Ottery St. Mary, is a 17,000 patient practice across 2 sites. The wider organisation operates a Healthcare Group across the UK, providing healthcare to 120,000 patients in North Devon, Plymouth, Burnley, Leeds and Gateshead.
As a group, our vision is to enable patients to live longer and healthier lives that are full, active and meaningful. We aim to do this by developing a sustainable primary healthcare service. Our service is undertaken by our vast multidisciplinary team of GPs, Advanced Clinical Practitioners, Pharmacists, Paramedics and Nursing teams, as well as our PCN staff.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Work with Clinicians in accordance with agreed practice prescribing standard operating procedures
- Process repeat medication requests under supervision, including the conversion of acute requests to repeat medicines, changing quantities of medicines, syncing patient medications, ERD and arranging compliance aids
- Requesting to issue prescriptions in line with agreed clinical protocols, under clinician supervision and within your competency, directing queries to appropriate clinician
Provide advice and guidance to patients regarding medication optimisation and lifestyle e.g., inhaler techniques
- To provide medication review services to patients via telephone clinics in practices / remotely and to deliver pharmaceutical care plans that maximise cost-effective prescribing and improve the quality of patient care
- To support the achievement of the practices IIF prescribing Quality and Outcomes Framework targets and other medication management targets
- Dealing with medication queries from patients and queries from clinicians in line with agreed protocols
- To update and maintain accurate patient medication records on the practice clinical computer system, including advice given and action taken
Liaise with secondary and primary care colleagues to ensure correct medicines are continued following the transfer of care
- To assist with the development and review of medicine audits
- Conduct medication reconciliation following discharge from hospital, clinic visits and other transfers of care (e.g., new patients), to ensure that medication changes are safely implemented in a timely fashion
- To link with hospital and community pharmacy colleagues to address discrepancies, supply issues and queries within competency
- Liaise with the wider health care team including primary care staff, community nurses and with medication queries
To support the safe and effective repeat prescribing of high-risk medicines ensuring that regular monitoring as per local/shared care guidance is taking place
- To document interventions made to patients medications in their health care records to ensure there is a clear audit trail and changes are clearly accounted for
- To promote cost effective, safe, evidence-based prescribing in accordance with local formulary, medication optimisation strategy and national guidance
- Link/liaise with local strategic groups to ensure work is aligned with local health and wellbeing priorities
- Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment
To use highly developed knowledge and skills to provide high standards of patient centred care
- To maintain accurate contemporaneous records on all aspects of the care process and patient contact
- Contribute to the development of the service, e.g., developing service pathways, paperwork and sharing good practice
- Awareness of, and compliance with, all relevant local/clinical policies and guidelines
- Participate in and be responsible for monitoring progress against key performance targets
- To attend and participate in practice clinical meetings and other multi-disciplinary meetings where necessary
Job description
Job responsibilities
Work with Clinicians in accordance with agreed practice prescribing standard operating procedures
- Process repeat medication requests under supervision, including the conversion of acute requests to repeat medicines, changing quantities of medicines, syncing patient medications, ERD and arranging compliance aids
- Requesting to issue prescriptions in line with agreed clinical protocols, under clinician supervision and within your competency, directing queries to appropriate clinician
Provide advice and guidance to patients regarding medication optimisation and lifestyle e.g., inhaler techniques
- To provide medication review services to patients via telephone clinics in practices / remotely and to deliver pharmaceutical care plans that maximise cost-effective prescribing and improve the quality of patient care
- To support the achievement of the practices IIF prescribing Quality and Outcomes Framework targets and other medication management targets
- Dealing with medication queries from patients and queries from clinicians in line with agreed protocols
- To update and maintain accurate patient medication records on the practice clinical computer system, including advice given and action taken
Liaise with secondary and primary care colleagues to ensure correct medicines are continued following the transfer of care
- To assist with the development and review of medicine audits
- Conduct medication reconciliation following discharge from hospital, clinic visits and other transfers of care (e.g., new patients), to ensure that medication changes are safely implemented in a timely fashion
- To link with hospital and community pharmacy colleagues to address discrepancies, supply issues and queries within competency
- Liaise with the wider health care team including primary care staff, community nurses and with medication queries
To support the safe and effective repeat prescribing of high-risk medicines ensuring that regular monitoring as per local/shared care guidance is taking place
- To document interventions made to patients medications in their health care records to ensure there is a clear audit trail and changes are clearly accounted for
- To promote cost effective, safe, evidence-based prescribing in accordance with local formulary, medication optimisation strategy and national guidance
- Link/liaise with local strategic groups to ensure work is aligned with local health and wellbeing priorities
- Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment
To use highly developed knowledge and skills to provide high standards of patient centred care
- To maintain accurate contemporaneous records on all aspects of the care process and patient contact
- Contribute to the development of the service, e.g., developing service pathways, paperwork and sharing good practice
- Awareness of, and compliance with, all relevant local/clinical policies and guidelines
- Participate in and be responsible for monitoring progress against key performance targets
- To attend and participate in practice clinical meetings and other multi-disciplinary meetings where necessary
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Proven experience as a Pharmacy Technician within a primary care setting demonstrating familiarity with clinical pharmacy operations and medication management protocols.
- Experience in medication reconciliation and prescription handling and supporting clinical audits and reviews.
Desirable
- Primary care experience
- SystmOne
Qualifications
Essential
- Vocational qualification in Pharmacy Technology. NVQ Level 3 in Pharmaceutical Sciences or equivalent is essential.
- Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) or equivalent regulatory body as a Pharmacy Technician (if available).
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Proven experience as a Pharmacy Technician within a primary care setting demonstrating familiarity with clinical pharmacy operations and medication management protocols.
- Experience in medication reconciliation and prescription handling and supporting clinical audits and reviews.
Desirable
- Primary care experience
- SystmOne
Qualifications
Essential
- Vocational qualification in Pharmacy Technology. NVQ Level 3 in Pharmaceutical Sciences or equivalent is essential.
- Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) or equivalent regulatory body as a Pharmacy Technician (if available).
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).
