Medication Safety Technician

Job responsibilities

Support the Controlled Drugs Accountable Officer (CDAO) with all aspects of legal requirements, investigation and oversight of losses and all other governance of controlled drugs (CDs) and support the maintenance of the wider medicines policies held at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust.

Key Responsibilities:

Clinical and Professional

• Support the Pharmacy and Service Line Leads in identification of trends or discrepancies relating to CD use or management and relevant actions and investigations required
• Produce CD assurance reports internally and for external organisations such as (Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Controlled Drugs Local Intelligence Network (CDLIN)
• Support the compilation of all data required for successful Home Office Licence renewal and assist with renewal documentation submission
• Review and implement policies, procedures and processes relating to controlled drugs to ensure adherence and continued relevance
• Support the Trust-wide Pharmacy team with the required 6-monthly CD audits
• Contribute to controlled drug checks for areas identified by Controlled Drugs Accountable Officer and the Medication Safety Officer
• Actively contribute to and participate in all activities of the Pharmacy department, including provision of medicines, audit and training. Provide pharmacy technician service in the dispensary or on the wards as required when requested
• Ensure safe working systems are adopted and adhered to.

Communication

• Work collaboratively with the Patient Safety team, Ward Accreditation Leads, clinical services, frontline staff and managers to identify opportunities for improving controlled drugs and medicines management compliance across the organisation
• Act as a source of expert specialist advice for members of the pharmacy department and Trust
• Deliver reports that inform the Trusts executive team of compliance, strengths and weaknesses in the areas reviewed

Administrative

• Supervise the maintenance of the CD stock list database and co-ordination of requests for changes to stock lists, in collaboration with the Pharmacy Leads, the Medication Safety Officer and CDAO
• Monitor the update and maintenance of CD stock lists
• Manage the AdioS Controlled Drug Monitoring system, compile and share relevant reports from the system supporting the Accountable Officer to ensure any actions required are delivered
• Support medicines management staff to use and report through the system
• Establish and maintain an effective system and infrastructure for conducting spot-check assurance and compliance audits across the Trust on a periodic basis

Knowledge, Education and Training

• To develop training materials and deliver training in the underpinning knowledge of controlled drug management to relevant non-pharmacy staff within the Trust.
• To be responsible for training on investigation techniques to all pharmacy staff
• To be responsible for the roll-out of AdioS training and implementation to all relevant pharmacy staff
• To contribute to the development of CD training material in liaison with colleagues.
• To contribute to training programmes for staff from within and outside of Pharmacy through development and delivery of training material by various methods (lectures, workshops and written format).
• To keep abreast of new developments by a regular commitment to continuing education
• Undertake trust and departmental mandatory and essential training.

Management and Leadership

The post holder will lead on:

• Operational management of controlled drug (CD) incidents on Datix across the Trust.
• Developing policies; procedures; guidelines; infrastructures; and processes which will ensure the organisation meets statutory, regulatory and NHS compliance requirements in relation to CDs
• Implementation and maintenance of said systems and processes to assure the quality and safety of clinical work.
• Timely completion of investigations of incidents associated with CDs.

Quality and Service Improvement

• Identifies situations of clinical risk and takes appropriate action to ensure a safe environment for patients/clients/families and staff.
• Contributes to evidence-based practice in speciality areas.
• Demonstrates commitment to quality improvements, risk management and resource utilisation participating in monitoring and evaluation activities including audit and research activities
• Provides input into clinical standards/protocols and policies and undertakes clinical audits as required.
• Evaluates the effectiveness, efficiency and safety of clinical practice contributing to service improvement initiatives.
• Participates in the implementation of models of care appropriate to patient/client population needs.
• Contributes to and participates in PHU policy development providing own expertise where relevant and feedback on proposed polices based on relevant experience and expertise where applicable.
• Participates in case review and debriefing activities as required.
• Participates in group/unit discussions that review current practice.
• Contributes to the development of programmes of care/care packages providing specialist advice where relevant.
• Promote patient and public involvement in activities designed to inform service improvement
• Actively participate in clinical audit and service improvement activity to improve patient care and patient outcomes (privacy, dignity, and duty of candour).

Health and Safety, Security and Equality

• Works in accordance with the relevant Health and Safety Trust policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Contribute to development of service.
• Attends organisational mandatory training as required by the Trust and relevant to your role.
• Actively participates in and enables others to carry out risk assessments within the working environment.
• Ensures self and colleagues are trained and competent to use equipment safely.
• Ensures incident reporting is expedited promptly and appropriate action plans completed.
• Identifies potential health, safety and security issues and collaborates with others to promote and maintain an environment that supports infection prevention and control policies and procedures.
• Supports and promotes a positive approach to diversity and equality of opportunity, to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage in service delivery and employment, and to manage, support or comply through the implementation of the Trusts Equal Opportunities Policy.
• Promotes a culture which respects and values diversity, and support patients, visitors and staff in exercising their rights.
• Ensures care within areas of practice and adheres to the 5 principles of the Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice (2005).
• Recognises and reports behaviour which undermines equality and diversity in accordance with organisational policies and current legislation.

Personal Qualities

Essential

• We are looking for someone who:
• Puts patient care first.
• Will apply good clinical knowledge.
• Has strong team working and communication skills.
• Has good problem solving and prioritisation skills.
• Has a strong commitment to learning and development of themselves and others.
• Is adaptable and resilient.
• Is able to work legally in the UK.
• Is able to work with children and vulnerable adults.
• For posts which require a professional registration, post holders hold a valid up to date registration with their professional body.

Desirable

• Experience of supporting the Controlled Drugs Accountable Officer (CDAO) with all aspects of legal requirements.
• Experience of investigating medication related errors and giving feedback to staff involved sensitively.
• Experience of dealing with HR issues.
• Experience of using patient safety databases (e.g. Datix and ADIoS).

Qualifications

Essential

• 5 GCSEs including English and Maths grade C or above.
• BTEC in Pharmacy services or equivalent.
• Qualified Pharmacy technician with NVQ level 3.

Experience

Essential

• At least 1 year working at a Pharmacy Technician band 5 level or above.
• Proven experience of working in Hospital Pharmacy.
• Experience working with Microsoft Office Suite of Programmes.
• Experience of working flexibly, under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Experience analysing situations and problem-solving solutions.
• Experience of writing and implementing policies and procedures.
• Experience in supporting Medicines Management.
• Proven experience to assess, mentor junior staff and give feedback.
• Experience of the appropriate handling of sensitive and confidential information.

Skill and Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of medicines and controlled drugs legislation, medical terminology, and clinical medicine use.
• Ability to engage with people and groups across units.
• Ability to attend to detail whilst working at pace.
• Ability to prioritise workload as appropriate.
• Able to contribute to writing procedures and training packages
• Systematic & logical in processes and problem solving.
• Ability to work as an integral part of a team or independently with minimum supervision.
• Able to use initiative whilst knowing when to refer.
• Excellent presentation skills both verbal and written.

Desirable

• Ability to identify and act upon opportunities to improve & innovate.
• Knowledge of NHS Information systems, data models and the current NHS performance management structure.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).