Job summary
Clinical Pharmacy is a rapidly
evolving and exciting area of General Practice and Charnwood GP Network is
pleased to be able to expand its Clinical Pharmacy team with the addition of 2
Pharmacy Technicians (Band 5 equivalent) to work in either Beacon PCN or Watermead PCN.
The Pharmacy Technicians who join our
team will work alongside our Clinical Pharmacists and will become part of the
wider Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) to develop safe and effective systems within
the PCN practices to promote best practice in repeat prescribing, repeat
dispensing, medicines reconciliation, medicines optimisation, waste reduction,
and patient medicines usage. This may include leading up-skilling work for
Practice Receptionists and Medication clerks to help them achieve more within their
roles.
Provisional Interview Dates are Friday 6th July and Tuesday 10th August 2021.
Main duties of the job
The appointed Candidates must be registered with the GPhC as a
Pharmacy Technician and must be willing to undertake the 18 month Primary Care
Pharmacy Education Pathway (PCPEP)(unless
this or an equivalent qualification is already held or exemption is agreed by
CPPE).
A working knowledge
of primary care and GP clinical systems would be an advantage but training will
be provided as needed.
Each PCN is expected to complete Structured Medication Reviews for their frail and vulnerable patients as well as various other medicines optimisation work as per National Directives and Guidelines. The Clinical Pharmacists will lead this work but the Pharmacy Technicians should expect to be asked to assist with aspects of this work as and when appropriate.
About us
Charnwood GP Network is a GP
Federation which is made up of 4 PCNs (Beacon, Watermead, Carillon and Soar Valley)
across 21 practices in the Charnwood area and in total currently have a team of
9 Clinical Pharmacists and 2 Senior pharmacists across the 4 PCNs. Charnwood GP
network is the employing organisation for all of the Clinical Pharmacy PCN
team.
The PCN team consists of Senior
Pharmacists who work across the 4 PCNs and clinical pharmacists who work within
the PCN Practice sites. We have a high level of support in place from our
Senior Pharmacists and GP lead providing regular Clinical Supervision and
supporting training opportunities. We work hard to promote an open and friendly
team ethos and as a result have a good retention of our pharmacy team.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Specific duties may include but are not limited to:
Clinical Responsibilities
Carry out Medicines Reconciliations for New patients, Care Home patients and patients recently discharged from hospital. To update the patients records accordingly and then raise any queries with a GP or other appropriate prescriber within the practice.
Support the Clinical Pharmacists to carry out Medication Reviews through use of preparatory templates, or by sourcing and providing resources such as patient information leaflets or follow up contacts with the patients or their Community Pharmacy
Understand the Leicestershire Shared Care Protocol system and support the practices within the PCN to work within this and to communicate with Secondary Care colleagues when needed to deal with issues around Shared Care prescribing,
Support work that promotes antimicrobial stewardship and aim to optimise the standard of antibiotic prescribing locally.
Assist Practice medication teams with patient contacts regarding medication changes
Liaise with Community Pharmacies to find alternatives for out of stock items and communicate changes to staff, or to patients when required.
Respond to queries from patients and practice staff regarding acute and repeat prescriptions, and do so in a timely and professional manner, understanding when and how to refer queries to.
Technical and Administrative
Support the PCN practice medication teams to optimise their prescribing processes to ensure efficient repeat ordering, reduce administrative burden for prescribers and reduce medication wastage. Provide on-the-job or scheduled training as appropriate to help these teams develop.
Promote Electronic Repeat Dispensing and encourage online ordering providing support to patients and staff who require assistance.
Develop strong working relationships with the PCN clinical pharmacists, the practice Administrative teams and all the other members of the PCN multidisciplinary teams to promote the work of the PCN and to support its development as a strong collaborative organisation
Highlight national and regional changes in prescribing policy or guidance to the GP practices and support them in making changes to their processes to help implementation as needed
Understand the local Prescribing Quality (QIPP) schemes, QOF targets and all other local enhanced services that affect prescribing policies within the practices and support them to deliver the requirements of these where needed.
Work on prescribing audits or Quality Improvement projects as identified by the practice or the PCN/Federation where appropriate.
Be aware of CQC expectations regarding prescribing policies in Primary Care and support practices in developing the policies required to meet these expectations.
Understand how to use the practice clinical systems to perform prescribing related searches and extract and manipulate this data for use within all of the above work as needed.
Personal development and attitude
- Take responsibility as an adult learner for their own personal development within the role of Pharmacy technician
Seek out and take up opportunities for learning and professional development wherever possible
Support colleagues in their learning and development and foster a culture where sharing good practice is the expected norm.
Regularly attend clinical supervision sessions to discuss and reflect on challenging areas of work or patient issues which have been particularly taxing.
Promote the work of the PCN in all areas of work life and seek opportunities to be involved with developing the strength of the network as a vital organisation in local Primary Care.
Recognise the significant responsibility of having access to sensitive personal information as part of the role and the importance of maintaining patient confidentiality. Be aware of the practice policies regarding Information Governance and how to seek help and advice
Understand that as part of a large MDT in a developing Network the role of Pharmacy Technician within the PCN will change and evolve over time. It will become increasingly important and embedded in local Primary care as the network develops. The right candidate will show a willingness to change and offer flexibility to adapt to differing circumstances.
Act in a manner that supports the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues and promote an atmosphere of trust and collaboration within the PCN.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Specific duties may include but are not limited to:
Clinical Responsibilities
Carry out Medicines Reconciliations for New patients, Care Home patients and patients recently discharged from hospital. To update the patients records accordingly and then raise any queries with a GP or other appropriate prescriber within the practice.
Support the Clinical Pharmacists to carry out Medication Reviews through use of preparatory templates, or by sourcing and providing resources such as patient information leaflets or follow up contacts with the patients or their Community Pharmacy
Understand the Leicestershire Shared Care Protocol system and support the practices within the PCN to work within this and to communicate with Secondary Care colleagues when needed to deal with issues around Shared Care prescribing,
Support work that promotes antimicrobial stewardship and aim to optimise the standard of antibiotic prescribing locally.
Assist Practice medication teams with patient contacts regarding medication changes
Liaise with Community Pharmacies to find alternatives for out of stock items and communicate changes to staff, or to patients when required.
Respond to queries from patients and practice staff regarding acute and repeat prescriptions, and do so in a timely and professional manner, understanding when and how to refer queries to.
Technical and Administrative
Support the PCN practice medication teams to optimise their prescribing processes to ensure efficient repeat ordering, reduce administrative burden for prescribers and reduce medication wastage. Provide on-the-job or scheduled training as appropriate to help these teams develop.
Promote Electronic Repeat Dispensing and encourage online ordering providing support to patients and staff who require assistance.
Develop strong working relationships with the PCN clinical pharmacists, the practice Administrative teams and all the other members of the PCN multidisciplinary teams to promote the work of the PCN and to support its development as a strong collaborative organisation
Highlight national and regional changes in prescribing policy or guidance to the GP practices and support them in making changes to their processes to help implementation as needed
Understand the local Prescribing Quality (QIPP) schemes, QOF targets and all other local enhanced services that affect prescribing policies within the practices and support them to deliver the requirements of these where needed.
Work on prescribing audits or Quality Improvement projects as identified by the practice or the PCN/Federation where appropriate.
Be aware of CQC expectations regarding prescribing policies in Primary Care and support practices in developing the policies required to meet these expectations.
Understand how to use the practice clinical systems to perform prescribing related searches and extract and manipulate this data for use within all of the above work as needed.
Personal development and attitude
- Take responsibility as an adult learner for their own personal development within the role of Pharmacy technician
Seek out and take up opportunities for learning and professional development wherever possible
Support colleagues in their learning and development and foster a culture where sharing good practice is the expected norm.
Regularly attend clinical supervision sessions to discuss and reflect on challenging areas of work or patient issues which have been particularly taxing.
Promote the work of the PCN in all areas of work life and seek opportunities to be involved with developing the strength of the network as a vital organisation in local Primary Care.
Recognise the significant responsibility of having access to sensitive personal information as part of the role and the importance of maintaining patient confidentiality. Be aware of the practice policies regarding Information Governance and how to seek help and advice
Understand that as part of a large MDT in a developing Network the role of Pharmacy Technician within the PCN will change and evolve over time. It will become increasingly important and embedded in local Primary care as the network develops. The right candidate will show a willingness to change and offer flexibility to adapt to differing circumstances.
Act in a manner that supports the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues and promote an atmosphere of trust and collaboration within the PCN.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE or equivalent in both Maths and English at Grade C or above.
- Diploma Level 3 or equivalent in Pharmacy Services.
- Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
- Enthusiasm to continue to learn and develop.
- Must be prepared to complete the CPPE General Practice Pharmacy Technician Training Pathway
Desirable
- Has already completed the CPPE General Practice Pharmacy Technician Training Pathway or an equivalent training scheme
- Further post-qualification training and certification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working on own initiative within professional boundaries and with national/local protocols and legislation.
- Experience of responding directly to enquiries from patients as well as health and social care professionals from various healthcare organisations.
- Using IT systems to record, analyse and communicate information accurately.
- Knowledge of standards of conduct of pharmacy professionals
- Knowledge and understanding of responsibilities related to patient information and confidentiality.
- Awareness of limits of own knowledge and competency
- Awareness of responsibilities regarding health and safety particularly when working without direct supervision
- Understanding of clinical governance and quality measures
Desirable
- Previous experience working within Primary Care.
- Experience of analysing prescribing data
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team.
- Previous experience using the SystmOne clinical system.
- Previous Experience using Excel/Eclipse Vista/Aristotle
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Satisfactory Enhanced DBS check.
- Satisfactory employment references.
- Ability to travel easily in the community when required.
Desirable
- Good fit with the PCN leadership team.
- Absence of referee concerns / complaints.
- Driver with access to vehicle.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE or equivalent in both Maths and English at Grade C or above.
- Diploma Level 3 or equivalent in Pharmacy Services.
- Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
- Enthusiasm to continue to learn and develop.
- Must be prepared to complete the CPPE General Practice Pharmacy Technician Training Pathway
Desirable
- Has already completed the CPPE General Practice Pharmacy Technician Training Pathway or an equivalent training scheme
- Further post-qualification training and certification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working on own initiative within professional boundaries and with national/local protocols and legislation.
- Experience of responding directly to enquiries from patients as well as health and social care professionals from various healthcare organisations.
- Using IT systems to record, analyse and communicate information accurately.
- Knowledge of standards of conduct of pharmacy professionals
- Knowledge and understanding of responsibilities related to patient information and confidentiality.
- Awareness of limits of own knowledge and competency
- Awareness of responsibilities regarding health and safety particularly when working without direct supervision
- Understanding of clinical governance and quality measures
Desirable
- Previous experience working within Primary Care.
- Experience of analysing prescribing data
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team.
- Previous experience using the SystmOne clinical system.
- Previous Experience using Excel/Eclipse Vista/Aristotle
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Satisfactory Enhanced DBS check.
- Satisfactory employment references.
- Ability to travel easily in the community when required.
Desirable
- Good fit with the PCN leadership team.
- Absence of referee concerns / complaints.
- Driver with access to vehicle.
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.
