Pharmacy Technician

Job responsibilities

To support, train and oversee the administrative staff involved in the preparation of repeat prescriptions and to participate in the daily preparation of repeat prescriptions to ensure high quality, safe and timely repeat prescribing

To support the Clinical staff with medicines reconciliation in accordance with practice protocols and to update patients medical records / prescribing accordingly

To support the achievement of the practices prescribing Quality and Outcomes Framework targets and any other locally agreed schemes in which the Practice participates

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

To participate in medication audits

To assist in the appropriate monitoring and management of prescribing the budgets and incentive schemes and to liaise with the medicines management team at Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent ICB

To prepare evidence based resources and information to support the implementation of rational cost-effective prescribing

To support the PCN Clinical Pharmacist to provide medication reviews, patient information leaflets, medicine awareness

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 most appropriate clinician in accordance with practice protocols

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

To assist in the control of medicines stocks within the practice and to advise on the safe and secure handling of controlled drugs and other medicines, ensuring compliance with medicines legislation

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

Responsibility for Administration:

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

Taking messages and passing on information as appropriate

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

Initiating contact with and responding to requests from patients, other team members and associated healthcare professionals and providers

Helping to maintain a positive, patient focussed culture

Helping to maintain a positive, supportive culture across the whole of the practice team

Any other duties commensurate with this position

Duties will vary from time to time under the direction of the Partners / Business Partner and clinical pharmacist dependent on current and evolving practice workload and staffing levels.

Staff Management:

To provide supervision, training and professional leadership to the practice administrative staff as required.

Patient Services:

To provide medication review services to patients via clinics in the practice, domiciliary visits and in residential and nursing homes, and to deliver pharmaceutical care plans that maximise cost effective prescribing and improve the quality of patient care.

To present at patient group meetings or other appropriate events to give advice on the appropriate use of medicines.

To produce patient information leaflets and posters and run medicine awareness projects throughout the year.

Assist Partners with the monitoring and management of their prescribing budgets as appropriate.

To prepare evidence based resources and information to support the clinicians and all other relevant health professionals in the implementation of rational cost-effective prescribing.

To assist in planning, development and support the introduction of new working processes within the practice to optimise the quality of prescribing.

Communication:

The post-holder should recognize the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to:

Communicate effectively with other team members

Communicate effectively with patients and carers

Recognize peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly.

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 organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential

Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of the clinical use of drugs
• Understanding of medicine management issues

Skills

Essential

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail
• Good presentation & organisational skills
• Effective time management and the ability to prioritise
• Ability to work on own or as part of a team and liaise with other professionals
• Ability to plan and manage own workload to meet required deadlines
• Good computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Email

Desirable

• Familiar with
• EMIS Web and Docman GP computer
• systems

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Willingness to undertake additional training as appropriate, Including CPPE Primary Care Pharmacy Education Pathway if not already completed
• Neat and professional appearance
• Flexibility in working arrangements
• Adaptable to changes in working environment and practices
• Ability to remain composed and professionally effective in all circumstances

Desirable

• Own transport for attending home visits when required

Qualifications

Essential

• Completion of a GPhC approved Pharmacy technician qualification as outlined at:
• https://www.pharmacyregulation.org/education/approvedproviders-education-and-training/approved-courses-pharmacytechnician
• Registration with General Pharmaceutical Council of GB
• Maintains clinical and professional competence and CPD
• Completion of the CPPE Primary Care Pharmacy Education Pathway

Experience

Essential

• Good understanding of general practice and the wider NHS

Desirable

• Experience of working in a GP Practice or hospital
• Experience to undertake domiciliary home visits as appropriate to undertake medical reviews

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).