PCN Pharmacy Technician

North Devon Coastal Primary Care Network

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

The PCN pharmacist technician role has been created to support our growing pharmacy team across North Devon Coastal PCN. The pharmacy technician role is to support the PCN Clinical Pharmacist(s) to ensure the delivery of safe, effective and efficient systems for, medicines optimisation, reducing medicines waste and maximising patient health outcomes from their medication.

PCN pharmacy technicians will be expected to have daily, face-to-face contact with patients to support them to obtain the best outcomes from their medication. This will include supporting patients at the point of discharge, supporting monitoring for high risk medication and responding to patient queries related to their medication.

All PCN pharmacy technicians will be supported through the CPPE Primary Care Pathway which is an essential training programme for this role.

Main duties of the job

The main duties of the role are as follows

- Medicine reconciliation for newly registered patients

- Medicine reconciliation for recently discharged patients to include contacting patients to ensure they understand recent medication changes

-Ensuring patients on high-risk medication have appropriate drug monitoring in place

- Supporting cost-effective prescribing through implementation of Devon Medicine Optimisation Scheme (DMOS)

- Ensure patients have a continued supply of their medication through management of out of stock queries

- Support clinical pharmacist with Structured Medication Reviews through review of patient medication history

- Support patients with questions they may have in relation to their medication

About us

The North Devon Coastal Primary Care Network was formed in June 2019; the partnership comprises Combe Coastal Practice, Caen Medical Centre, South Molton Medical Centre and Lynton Health Centre. The network looks after 45,000 patients across these 4 Practices.

The role will be based across 1 or 2 of the 4 PCN practices and there will be a requirement to work across the different practices within the PCN where additional cover may be needed as service needs dictate, remote access and flexibility to do this making best use of time will be encouraged.

The PCN pharmacy team meet on a weekly basis to provide support for ongoing projects and to share learning. Each PCN pharmacy technician with be allocated a Senior Clinical Pharmacist and GP for support through the CPPE Primary Care Pathway.

Date posted

01 February 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

Depending on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

A4856-24-0000

Job locations

Caen Medical Centre

Caen Street

Braunton

Devon

EX33 1LR


Combe Coastal Practice

St. Brannocks Road

Ilfracombe

Devon

EX34 8EG


Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Summary

To support the PCN Clinical Pharmacist(s) to ensure the delivery of safe, effective and efficient systems for, medicines optimisation, reducing medicines waste and maximising patient health outcomes from their medication.

The role will also include training and development of practice based prescribing teams and administrators to support improved co-ordination and effective pharmacy administration within general practice, especially with relation to repeat prescribing systems.

Job responsibilities

CLINICAL

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

To undertake medicines reconciliation for patients newly registered to the practice or those recently discharged from hospital, in accordance with practice protocols and to update patients medical records / prescribing accordingly.

Working with the Clinical Pharmacist (s) and Prescription Teams to contribute to the review and development of repeat prescribing protocols / Standard Operating Procedures to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of repeat prescribing systems.

To provide advice to GPs, staff and patients in changes to prescribing to support the improvement of prescribing safety, quality and cost effectiveness. This will link with the current medicine optimisation agenda from the Devon integrated care board (ICB).

Support the Clinical Pharmacist(s) in Structured Medication Reviews (SMR) i.e. organise necessary monitoring tests prior to SMR

In line the CQC requirements, to support the Clinical Pharmacist with ensuring safe systems are place with the practice for appropriate patient monitoring for high risk medication and response to MHRA patient safety alerts.

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

To take a proactive approach to the safe handling of prescriptions, including assessment of risk and making recommendations for improvement.

To respond to medication queries from patients and staff in a professional manner referring to the appropriate GP in accordance with practice protocols.

To advise on the sourcing and safe management of medicines as appropriate.

Be responsible for the organisation, planning and of own workload to meet set deadlines.

TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE

Other duties and responsibilities to be undertaken may include any or all the items in the following list:

Computer data entry/data allocation and collation, processing and recording information in accordance with practice procedures.

Support the implementation of national prescribing policies and guidance within GP practices, care homes and other primary care settings.

Promotion of Electronic Repeat Dispensing (eRD) and online ordering.

Develop relationships with other pharmacy professionals and members of the multidisciplinary team to support integration across health and social care including primary care, community pharmacy, secondary care and mental health.

Support the PCN to deliver on QIPP agenda, QOF, IIF and locally commissioned enhanced services.

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

To assist in the appropriate monitoring and management of prescribing budgets and to liaise with the medicines management team at the Devon ICB

To help plan, develop and support the introduction of new working processes within the PCN to optimise the quality of prescribing.

Duties will vary from time to time under the direction of the PCN Clinical Directors dependent on current and evolving PCN workload and staffing levels.

Confidentiality

In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately.

In the performance of the duties outlined in this Job Description, the post holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, Practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the Practice as a business organization. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential.

Health and Safety

The post-holder will implement the full range of health and safety and infection control procedures as defined in the practice Health & Safety policy, the practice Health & Safety manual, and the practice Infection Control policy and published procedures. This will include (but will not be limited to):

Using personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines

Awareness of national standards of infection control and cleanliness and regulatory / contractual / professional requirements, and good practice guidelines

Responsible for the correct and safe management of the specimens process including collection, labelling, handling, use of correct and clean containers, storage and transport arrangements

Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks across clinical and patient process

Safe management of sharps procedures including training, use, storage and disposal

Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy, clean and sterile, and safe way, free from hazards.

Actively identifying, reporting, and correction of health and safety hazards and infection hazards immediately when recognised

Keeping own work areas and general / patient areas generally clean, sterile, identifying issues and hazards / risks in relation to other work areas within the business, and assuming responsibility in the maintenance of general standards of cleanliness across the business in consultation (where appropriate) with other sector managers

Undertaking periodic infection control training

Routine management of own team / team areas, and maintenance of work space standards

Waste management including collection, handling, segregation, container management, storage and collection

Spillage control procedures, management and training

Maintenance of sterile environments

Equality and Diversity

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

Acting in a way that recognizes the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with Practice procedures and policies and current legislation

Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues

Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings, priorities and rights.

Personal and Professional Development

The post holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the Practice as part of this employment, such training to include:

Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development

Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work.

Quality

The post holder will strive to maintain quality within the Practice and will:

Alert other team members of issues of quality and risk

Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision

Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance

Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients needs

Effectively manage own time, workload and resources.

Communication

The post holder should recognise the importance of effective communication within the team and strive to:

Communicate effectively with other team members

Communicate effectively with patients and carers

Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly

Special Working Conditions

The post-holder is required to travel independently between practice sites (where applicable), and to attend meetings etc. hosted by other agencies.

Job Description Agreement

This job description is intended to provide an outline of the key tasks and responsibilities only. There may be other duties required of the post-holder commensurate with the position. This description will be open to regular review and may be amended to take into account development within the Practice. All members of staff should be prepared to take on additional duties or relinquish existing duties in order to maintain the efficient running of the Practice.

This job description is intended as a basic guide to the scope and responsibilities of the post and is not exhaustive. It will be subject to regular review and amendment as necessary in consultation with the post holder.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Summary

To support the PCN Clinical Pharmacist(s) to ensure the delivery of safe, effective and efficient systems for, medicines optimisation, reducing medicines waste and maximising patient health outcomes from their medication.

The role will also include training and development of practice based prescribing teams and administrators to support improved co-ordination and effective pharmacy administration within general practice, especially with relation to repeat prescribing systems.

Job responsibilities

CLINICAL

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

To undertake medicines reconciliation for patients newly registered to the practice or those recently discharged from hospital, in accordance with practice protocols and to update patients medical records / prescribing accordingly.

Working with the Clinical Pharmacist (s) and Prescription Teams to contribute to the review and development of repeat prescribing protocols / Standard Operating Procedures to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of repeat prescribing systems.

To provide advice to GPs, staff and patients in changes to prescribing to support the improvement of prescribing safety, quality and cost effectiveness. This will link with the current medicine optimisation agenda from the Devon integrated care board (ICB).

Support the Clinical Pharmacist(s) in Structured Medication Reviews (SMR) i.e. organise necessary monitoring tests prior to SMR

In line the CQC requirements, to support the Clinical Pharmacist with ensuring safe systems are place with the practice for appropriate patient monitoring for high risk medication and response to MHRA patient safety alerts.

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

To take a proactive approach to the safe handling of prescriptions, including assessment of risk and making recommendations for improvement.

To respond to medication queries from patients and staff in a professional manner referring to the appropriate GP in accordance with practice protocols.

To advise on the sourcing and safe management of medicines as appropriate.

Be responsible for the organisation, planning and of own workload to meet set deadlines.

TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE

Other duties and responsibilities to be undertaken may include any or all the items in the following list:

Computer data entry/data allocation and collation, processing and recording information in accordance with practice procedures.

Support the implementation of national prescribing policies and guidance within GP practices, care homes and other primary care settings.

Promotion of Electronic Repeat Dispensing (eRD) and online ordering.

Develop relationships with other pharmacy professionals and members of the multidisciplinary team to support integration across health and social care including primary care, community pharmacy, secondary care and mental health.

Support the PCN to deliver on QIPP agenda, QOF, IIF and locally commissioned enhanced services.

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

To assist in the appropriate monitoring and management of prescribing budgets and to liaise with the medicines management team at the Devon ICB

To help plan, develop and support the introduction of new working processes within the PCN to optimise the quality of prescribing.

Duties will vary from time to time under the direction of the PCN Clinical Directors dependent on current and evolving PCN workload and staffing levels.

Confidentiality

In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately.

In the performance of the duties outlined in this Job Description, the post holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, Practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the Practice as a business organization. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential.

Health and Safety

The post-holder will implement the full range of health and safety and infection control procedures as defined in the practice Health & Safety policy, the practice Health & Safety manual, and the practice Infection Control policy and published procedures. This will include (but will not be limited to):

Using personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines

Awareness of national standards of infection control and cleanliness and regulatory / contractual / professional requirements, and good practice guidelines

Responsible for the correct and safe management of the specimens process including collection, labelling, handling, use of correct and clean containers, storage and transport arrangements

Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks across clinical and patient process

Safe management of sharps procedures including training, use, storage and disposal

Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy, clean and sterile, and safe way, free from hazards.

Actively identifying, reporting, and correction of health and safety hazards and infection hazards immediately when recognised

Keeping own work areas and general / patient areas generally clean, sterile, identifying issues and hazards / risks in relation to other work areas within the business, and assuming responsibility in the maintenance of general standards of cleanliness across the business in consultation (where appropriate) with other sector managers

Undertaking periodic infection control training

Routine management of own team / team areas, and maintenance of work space standards

Waste management including collection, handling, segregation, container management, storage and collection

Spillage control procedures, management and training

Maintenance of sterile environments

Equality and Diversity

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

Acting in a way that recognizes the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with Practice procedures and policies and current legislation

Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues

Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings, priorities and rights.

Personal and Professional Development

The post holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the Practice as part of this employment, such training to include:

Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development

Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work.

Quality

The post holder will strive to maintain quality within the Practice and will:

Alert other team members of issues of quality and risk

Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision

Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance

Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients needs

Effectively manage own time, workload and resources.

Communication

The post holder should recognise the importance of effective communication within the team and strive to:

Communicate effectively with other team members

Communicate effectively with patients and carers

Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly

Special Working Conditions

The post-holder is required to travel independently between practice sites (where applicable), and to attend meetings etc. hosted by other agencies.

Job Description Agreement

This job description is intended to provide an outline of the key tasks and responsibilities only. There may be other duties required of the post-holder commensurate with the position. This description will be open to regular review and may be amended to take into account development within the Practice. All members of staff should be prepared to take on additional duties or relinquish existing duties in order to maintain the efficient running of the Practice.

This job description is intended as a basic guide to the scope and responsibilities of the post and is not exhaustive. It will be subject to regular review and amendment as necessary in consultation with the post holder.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Experience in providing care directly to patients and members of the public.
  • Experience in working as part of a team.
  • Experience in being responsible for managing your own workload.

Desirable

  • Post registration experience desirable in hospital, community or primary care pharmacy setting.

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered Pharmacy Technician with the GPhC
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Experience in providing care directly to patients and members of the public.
  • Experience in working as part of a team.
  • Experience in being responsible for managing your own workload.

Desirable

  • Post registration experience desirable in hospital, community or primary care pharmacy setting.

Qualifications

Essential

  • 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

North Devon Coastal Primary Care Network

Address

Caen Medical Centre

Caen Street

Braunton

Devon

EX33 1LR


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

North Devon Coastal Primary Care Network

Address

Caen Medical Centre

Caen Street

Braunton

Devon

EX33 1LR


Employer's website

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

For questions about the job, contact:

PCN Clinical Pharmacist

Hayley Carr

hayley.carr@nhs.net

01769573101

Date posted

01 February 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

Depending on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

A4856-24-0000

Job locations

Caen Medical Centre

Caen Street

Braunton

Devon

EX33 1LR


Combe Coastal Practice

St. Brannocks Road

Ilfracombe

Devon

EX34 8EG


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

North Devon Coastal Primary Care Network's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)