Job summary
This is a fantastic opportunity to gain a professional qualification over a two year apprenticeship programme.
After a successful Integrated Training Pilot launched in 2019, Health Education England have decided to continue supporting the Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician scheme. Torentum PCN, together with O'Briens Pharmacy have been successful in being allocated two full time apprenticeships.
We are fully committed to your personal development and will give all the support you need to obtain your professional qualification. We will provide allocated study time every week towards an NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services. However, you must be willing to commit to study in your own time alongside this. The remainder of your week will be on the job experience across Primary Care and Community Pharmacy where you will grow and develop your skills, knowledge and experience.
Applicants will have a minimum of 4 GCSE's grade A-C (or equivalent) including Maths, English and two Science subjects (the double science award is acceptable).
Upon satisfactory completion of the training period you will be eligible to register as a Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
Main duties of the job
Pharmacy Technicians work in a wide range of settings, including (but not exclusively): registered pharmacies, community services, justice (the Prison Service), GP Practices, dispensing doctors practices, care homes and clinical commissioning groups, hospitals, mental health, defence (HM Armed Services) and within the pharmaceutical industry.
Pharmacy technicians manage the supply of medicines and devices in a pharmacy and assist pharmacists with advisory services. The actual work setting will determine the specific areas of activity that the Pharmacy Technician undertakes.
We are seeking an enthusiastic, self-motivated and well organised Apprentice Pharmacy Technician to train alongside our medicines optimisation team in general practice as well as develop skills and knowledge in a community dispensing pharmacy.
This role is pivotal to improving the quality of care and operational efficiencies so requires motivation to deliver an excellent service within general practice and community pharmacy.
A Pharmacy Technician is responsible for carrying out both routine and specialist services, including highly complex activities requiring them to use their professional judgement. They are expected to work both individually and as part of a multi-disciplinary team. They are able to work with minimum supervision, with a high degree of autonomy, taking responsibility for the quality and accuracy of the work that they have undertaken and that of others.
About us
What is a Primary Care Network?
The aim of a Primary Care Network is to enable the provision of proactive, accessible, coordinated and more integrated primary and community care improving outcomes for patients.
They are formed around natural communities based on GP registered lists, serving populations of around 30,000 to 50,000.
The Torentum Primary Care Network
The Torentum Primary Care Network was formed in June 2020, as a collaboration of 3 GP Practices, Cleveleys Group Practice, The Crescent Surgery and The Thornton Practice serving a population of registered patients on our list equating to approximately 33,000 patients.
Networks need to be small enough to provide the personal care valued by both patients and GPs, but large enough to have impact through deeper collaboration between practices and others in the local health (community and primary care) and social care system. We will provide a platform for providers of care to be sustainable into the longer term.
O'Briens Pharmacy Group
The O'Briens pharmacy group is based in Cleveleys but have locations across the Fylde Coast, Burscough and Liverpool and together with Torentum PCN, are hoping to recruit hardworking and determined candidates to work with their team of qualified professionals, as an Apprentice Pharmacy Technician.
Job description
Job responsibilities
We are
seeking an enthusiastic, self-motivated and well organised individuals to appoint
in a training position designed to provide the trainee with the experience,
knowledge, skills and behaviours to be able to qualify and register as a
Pharmacy Technician.
Blended learning is provided throughout both workplace
rotations and distance learning study with the educational provider. Successful individuals will work
alongside and support our PCN medicines optimisation team and learn the role of
pharmacy technicians in community pharmacy settings. You will work as part of a multidisciplinary
team across the Torentum PCN footprint and O'Briens Pharmacies to develop the delivery of safe,
effective and efficient systems for repeat prescribing, medicines optimisation,
and medicines waste reduction. This role is pivotal to improving the quality of
care and operational efficiencies so requires motivation to deliver an
excellent service within general practice and community pharmacy.
Duties & Responsibilities:
The post holder will:
-
Have
a commitment to meeting the General Pharmaceutical Councils Initial Education
Training Standards and Apprenticeship standards. Blended learning is provided
throughout workplace rotations and distance learning and study by the educational provider.
-
Develop the knowledge, skills and competencies
GPhC approved Pharmacy Technician Integrated Apprenticeship in order to
register with the General Pharmaceutical Council as a Pharmacy Technician.
-
Complete competencies in the workplace to
achieve apprenticeship and will complete the learning organised by the training
provider using the allocated weekly study day and study in personal time.
-
Ensure
knowledge, attitudes and behaviour and fitness to practice is in line with the
General Pharmaceutical Councils Standards for Pharmacy Professionals during
Apprenticeship in order that they can seek a declaration of competence within
sectors in order to register.
-
Carry out medicines optimisation tasks including
effective medicine administration, medication reviews, and medicines
reconciliation.
-
Support medication reviews and medicines
reconciliation for new care home patients and synchronising medicines for
patient transfers between care settings and linking with local community
pharmacists.
-
Work under supervision to ensure the safe,
accurate and timely supply of prescribed medication to patients.
-
Provide technical and administrative support to
the pharmacy team.
-
Take a central role in the clinical aspects of
shared care protocols and liaise with specialist pharmacists for more complex
patients.
-
Assist in the delivery of medicines optimisation
and management incentive schemes and patient safety audits.
-
Support the implementation of national
prescribing policies and guidance within GP practices, care homes and other
primary care settings.
-
Support clinical audits and quality improvement
measures, contributing to the Quality and Outcomes Framework and enhanced
services.
-
Provide specialist 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.
-
Work with the PCN multi-disciplinary team to
ensure efficient medicines optimisation, including implementing efficient
ordering and return processes, and reducing wastage.
-
Complete audits around patient safety in the
prescribing of medication and present the information for sharing with the
clinical team.
-
Develop relationships with other pharmacy
technicians, pharmacists and members of the multi-disciplinary team to support
integration of the pharmacy team across health and social care including
primary care, community pharmacy, secondary care, and mental health.
-
Undertake medicines reconciliation in accordance
with PCN protocols and update patients medical records accordingly.
-
Take a proactive approach to the safe handling
of prescriptions, including assessment of risk and making recommendations for
improvement.
-
Support and advise the PCN on the safe and
secure handling of controlled drugs and other medicines, ensuring compliance
with medicines legislation.
-
Provide support with medicines related
complaints and manage medicines related safety alerts.
In Community Pharmacy the post holder will:
-
Carry out the receipt, dispensing and issue of a range of prescriptions
within the dispensaries, plus other dispensary related activities, in the
community pharmacy. This will include communication with patients and other
healthcare staff and dealing with prescription charges and exemptions.
- Process Controlled Drugs, working to legal and departmental
procedures.
- Undertake final accuracy checks of items
dispensed by others.
- Gain experience in the Aseptic Dispensing Service. It will also
involve the use of aseptic technique in laminar flow cabinets to assist with
the specialised dispensing of sterile products.
-
Deal with queries and requests for information in each area of the
Pharmacy and at ward level. This will involve routine communication with
patients and other healthcare staff. The most appropriate senior member of
staff will provide assistance with responses.
- Provide an effective pharmacy service for the customers in all areas
of the Pharmacy, and to learn how the purpose and duties of these areas link
with the activities of the base dispensary.
- Assist with the timely supply of prescriptions, orders, ward stock
issues and general service provision.
- Participate in all aspects of stock control within Pharmacy and at
ward/clinic level, including drug recalls. Promoting efficient use of
pharmaceuticals and resources.
- Accurately input data, patient and prescription details onto the
computer system and assist with the maintenance of records relating to work and
workload statistics.
- Learn about and also cover the duties of the pharmacy assistants
during periods of absence.
- Take part in Health Promotions and campaigns.
- Help maintain a working environment which encourages teamwork, mutual
support and excellence in service delivery.
- Learn about and assist with audit and Pharmacy practice research.
During the apprenticeship, the post holder will:
- Agree
learning objectives, collection of evidence and assessments with the
Education Supervisor according to the training plan.
-
Effectively plan study time and leave with the PCN Clinical Lead, taking
into account the need for efficient service provision
-
Adhere at all times to the Learning Agreement.
- Take
responsibility to develop yourself in becoming competent in the required
knowledge, skills and behaviours.
- Build
your portfolio using e-portfolio, using time efficiently in work and in
own time.
- Complete
regular reviews, appraisals and assessments with Tutor, workplace
supervisor and Educational Supervisor as planned.
-
Ensure portfolio and e-learning
are completed as agreed.
-
Ensure workplace standards and
procedures are followed, ensuring a high standard and quality of work.
-
Be a workplace representative for
your cohort of students.
-
Complete all required feedback
surveys from the workplace, provider and HEE.
-
Be committed to your own
professional development and participate fully in all development opportunities
provided as part of your course.
-
Abide by the Standards for the Initial Education and
Training of Pharmacy Technicians available on
the General Pharmaceutical Councils website.
-
Participate in regular supervision.
-
Attend all mandatory training.
-
Participate annually identifying, developing
and agreeing your own development plan with the PCN Clinical Lead in line with
Torentum PCNs appraisals policy.
-
Comply with all employer and pharmacy
policies, procedures and protocols.
-
Carry out duties with due regard to the Equal
Opportunity Policies.
-
Seek advice and support from PCN Clinical Lead
whenever necessary.
-
Maintain professional conduct including
appearance at all times.
Duties will vary
from time to time under the direction of the clinical directors and network
management leads, in agreement with the post holder, dependent on current and
evolving practice workload and staffing levels.
All
staff have an individual responsibility to comply with the organisations
policies and practices.
Job description
Job responsibilities
We are
seeking an enthusiastic, self-motivated and well organised individuals to appoint
in a training position designed to provide the trainee with the experience,
knowledge, skills and behaviours to be able to qualify and register as a
Pharmacy Technician.
Blended learning is provided throughout both workplace
rotations and distance learning study with the educational provider. Successful individuals will work
alongside and support our PCN medicines optimisation team and learn the role of
pharmacy technicians in community pharmacy settings. You will work as part of a multidisciplinary
team across the Torentum PCN footprint and O'Briens Pharmacies to develop the delivery of safe,
effective and efficient systems for repeat prescribing, medicines optimisation,
and medicines waste reduction. This role is pivotal to improving the quality of
care and operational efficiencies so requires motivation to deliver an
excellent service within general practice and community pharmacy.
Duties & Responsibilities:
The post holder will:
-
Have
a commitment to meeting the General Pharmaceutical Councils Initial Education
Training Standards and Apprenticeship standards. Blended learning is provided
throughout workplace rotations and distance learning and study by the educational provider.
-
Develop the knowledge, skills and competencies
GPhC approved Pharmacy Technician Integrated Apprenticeship in order to
register with the General Pharmaceutical Council as a Pharmacy Technician.
-
Complete competencies in the workplace to
achieve apprenticeship and will complete the learning organised by the training
provider using the allocated weekly study day and study in personal time.
-
Ensure
knowledge, attitudes and behaviour and fitness to practice is in line with the
General Pharmaceutical Councils Standards for Pharmacy Professionals during
Apprenticeship in order that they can seek a declaration of competence within
sectors in order to register.
-
Carry out medicines optimisation tasks including
effective medicine administration, medication reviews, and medicines
reconciliation.
-
Support medication reviews and medicines
reconciliation for new care home patients and synchronising medicines for
patient transfers between care settings and linking with local community
pharmacists.
-
Work under supervision to ensure the safe,
accurate and timely supply of prescribed medication to patients.
-
Provide technical and administrative support to
the pharmacy team.
-
Take a central role in the clinical aspects of
shared care protocols and liaise with specialist pharmacists for more complex
patients.
-
Assist in the delivery of medicines optimisation
and management incentive schemes and patient safety audits.
-
Support the implementation of national
prescribing policies and guidance within GP practices, care homes and other
primary care settings.
-
Support clinical audits and quality improvement
measures, contributing to the Quality and Outcomes Framework and enhanced
services.
-
Provide specialist 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.
-
Work with the PCN multi-disciplinary team to
ensure efficient medicines optimisation, including implementing efficient
ordering and return processes, and reducing wastage.
-
Complete audits around patient safety in the
prescribing of medication and present the information for sharing with the
clinical team.
-
Develop relationships with other pharmacy
technicians, pharmacists and members of the multi-disciplinary team to support
integration of the pharmacy team across health and social care including
primary care, community pharmacy, secondary care, and mental health.
-
Undertake medicines reconciliation in accordance
with PCN protocols and update patients medical records accordingly.
-
Take a proactive approach to the safe handling
of prescriptions, including assessment of risk and making recommendations for
improvement.
-
Support and advise the PCN on the safe and
secure handling of controlled drugs and other medicines, ensuring compliance
with medicines legislation.
-
Provide support with medicines related
complaints and manage medicines related safety alerts.
In Community Pharmacy the post holder will:
-
Carry out the receipt, dispensing and issue of a range of prescriptions
within the dispensaries, plus other dispensary related activities, in the
community pharmacy. This will include communication with patients and other
healthcare staff and dealing with prescription charges and exemptions.
- Process Controlled Drugs, working to legal and departmental
procedures.
- Undertake final accuracy checks of items
dispensed by others.
- Gain experience in the Aseptic Dispensing Service. It will also
involve the use of aseptic technique in laminar flow cabinets to assist with
the specialised dispensing of sterile products.
-
Deal with queries and requests for information in each area of the
Pharmacy and at ward level. This will involve routine communication with
patients and other healthcare staff. The most appropriate senior member of
staff will provide assistance with responses.
- Provide an effective pharmacy service for the customers in all areas
of the Pharmacy, and to learn how the purpose and duties of these areas link
with the activities of the base dispensary.
- Assist with the timely supply of prescriptions, orders, ward stock
issues and general service provision.
- Participate in all aspects of stock control within Pharmacy and at
ward/clinic level, including drug recalls. Promoting efficient use of
pharmaceuticals and resources.
- Accurately input data, patient and prescription details onto the
computer system and assist with the maintenance of records relating to work and
workload statistics.
- Learn about and also cover the duties of the pharmacy assistants
during periods of absence.
- Take part in Health Promotions and campaigns.
- Help maintain a working environment which encourages teamwork, mutual
support and excellence in service delivery.
- Learn about and assist with audit and Pharmacy practice research.
During the apprenticeship, the post holder will:
- Agree
learning objectives, collection of evidence and assessments with the
Education Supervisor according to the training plan.
-
Effectively plan study time and leave with the PCN Clinical Lead, taking
into account the need for efficient service provision
-
Adhere at all times to the Learning Agreement.
- Take
responsibility to develop yourself in becoming competent in the required
knowledge, skills and behaviours.
- Build
your portfolio using e-portfolio, using time efficiently in work and in
own time.
- Complete
regular reviews, appraisals and assessments with Tutor, workplace
supervisor and Educational Supervisor as planned.
-
Ensure portfolio and e-learning
are completed as agreed.
-
Ensure workplace standards and
procedures are followed, ensuring a high standard and quality of work.
-
Be a workplace representative for
your cohort of students.
-
Complete all required feedback
surveys from the workplace, provider and HEE.
-
Be committed to your own
professional development and participate fully in all development opportunities
provided as part of your course.
-
Abide by the Standards for the Initial Education and
Training of Pharmacy Technicians available on
the General Pharmaceutical Councils website.
-
Participate in regular supervision.
-
Attend all mandatory training.
-
Participate annually identifying, developing
and agreeing your own development plan with the PCN Clinical Lead in line with
Torentum PCNs appraisals policy.
-
Comply with all employer and pharmacy
policies, procedures and protocols.
-
Carry out duties with due regard to the Equal
Opportunity Policies.
-
Seek advice and support from PCN Clinical Lead
whenever necessary.
-
Maintain professional conduct including
appearance at all times.
Duties will vary
from time to time under the direction of the clinical directors and network
management leads, in agreement with the post holder, dependent on current and
evolving practice workload and staffing levels.
All
staff have an individual responsibility to comply with the organisations
policies and practices.
Person Specification
Personal Qualities
Essential
- High levels of integrity and loyalty
- Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
- Ability to work under pressure
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of people.
- Ability to work as part of a team and autonomously
- Knowledge of IT systems, including ability to use word processing skills to create simple plans and reports
- Excellent written and verbal communication
Desirable
- Knowledge of audit and research
- Good time management skills, able to prioritise and organise workload for best effect
- Ability to promote best practice regarding all pharmaceutical matters
- Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and discretion at all times
- Problem solving & analytical skills
- Ability to follow policy and procedure
Experience
Essential
- Evidence to demonstrate enthusiasm, determination and drive as well as being compassionate and caring.
Desirable
- Experience of dealing with the public and/or patients
- Pharmacy Assistant Experience
- Dispensary experience
- Experience of computer based clinical systems, EMIS Web
Qualifications
Essential
- A minimum of 5 GCSE's Grade 4/C or above which must include Maths, English and at least 2 Sciences (includes Double Award).
- Be prepared to undertake a training programme that leads to registration with the GPhC as a Pharmacy Technician
Other Requirements
Essential
- Enhanced DBS disclosure
- Must be eligible to work in the UK
- Ability to work in various locations throughout the network of services provided by Torentum PCN and OBriens Community Pharmacy.
Desirable
- Hold a current driving licence
Person Specification
Personal Qualities
Essential
- High levels of integrity and loyalty
- Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
- Ability to work under pressure
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of people.
- Ability to work as part of a team and autonomously
- Knowledge of IT systems, including ability to use word processing skills to create simple plans and reports
- Excellent written and verbal communication
Desirable
- Knowledge of audit and research
- Good time management skills, able to prioritise and organise workload for best effect
- Ability to promote best practice regarding all pharmaceutical matters
- Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and discretion at all times
- Problem solving & analytical skills
- Ability to follow policy and procedure
Experience
Essential
- Evidence to demonstrate enthusiasm, determination and drive as well as being compassionate and caring.
Desirable
- Experience of dealing with the public and/or patients
- Pharmacy Assistant Experience
- Dispensary experience
- Experience of computer based clinical systems, EMIS Web
Qualifications
Essential
- A minimum of 5 GCSE's Grade 4/C or above which must include Maths, English and at least 2 Sciences (includes Double Award).
- Be prepared to undertake a training programme that leads to registration with the GPhC as a Pharmacy Technician
Other Requirements
Essential
- Enhanced DBS disclosure
- Must be eligible to work in the UK
- Ability to work in various locations throughout the network of services provided by Torentum PCN and OBriens Community Pharmacy.
Desirable
- Hold a current driving licence
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
