Band 6 Specialist Pharmacy Technician - Gastroenterology

Job responsibilities

1. CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

In conjunction with the other members of the gastroenterology pharmacy team, the post holder will be expected to provide a full and comprehensive pharmacy service to inpatients and outpatients under the gastroenterology services. They should ensure maximum efficiency, safety and economic drug use through adherence to local policies and to demonstrate professional accountability to enhance patient care.

Ensuring essential information relating to medicines on the Electronic Patient Record (EPR) are completed e.g. allergy information

Liaising with the ward pharmacists to ensure all prescriptions are clinically optimised, raising awareness of prescription changes and reconciliation concerns

To deliver and maintain an efficient ward-based service to ensure the accurate and timely supply of medicines. This service will include:

o Accurate medicines reconciliation

o Interpretation of medical notes where necessary

o Assessment of patients own drugs

o Identify and refer pharmaceutical issues to the pharmacist.

To support nursing staff in reducing the number of missed doses

To counsel in-patients on their discharge medication. This will involve the interpretation and communication of medical jargon in laymans terms and the use of visual and written aids to ensure patient understanding of their medication. Empathy and sensitivity will be required to do this effectively

To counsel patients and/or carers with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who are initiated on advanced therapies (e.g. biologics/small molecules) as an inpatient, with the aim of promoting their understanding of and compliance with their medication. This will involve taking steps to ensure patients and/or carers fully understand the purpose and use of their medicines, as well as dealing with any practical issues that may prevent the optimal use of their medicines

Promotion of high-quality cost-effective prescribing

o Manage commissioning processes (e.g. Blueteq) for high-cost drugs in conjunction with the IBD team to ensure funding approval for biologic/small molecules in line with local and national guidelines

o Support and lead the switching of biosimilar biologics in line with MHRA and local guidance, including patient consent, patient monitoring, stock management and collaboration with high-cost drugs team

o Ensuring the hospital formulary is adhered to and offer advice and solutions when non-formulary drugs are prescribed

o Ensuring adherence to the Trusts antimicrobial policy

o Prescribing in line with available local and national guidelines within gastroenterology e.g. NCL IBD pathways

To communicate effectively with the multidisciplinary healthcare team on a range of medicine-related issues e.g. stock shortages and formulary updates

To remain current as an accredited checking pharmacy technician (ACPT) and ensure minimum 8 hours a month of checking is conducted in line with the requirements of the accreditor

Provision of a comprehensive pharmaceutical advice and information to other health care professionals.

Actively participate in the IBD MDT, including advising commissioning and pathway adherence

Devise, set up, deliver and evaluate systems to facilitate medicines management, drug monitoring and medicines optimisation

Review of weekly TCI lists for IBD patients attending the same day infusion unit (PITU) for biologic therapies, ensuring both clinical appropriateness and commissioning are in line with the NCL IBD pathways. Liasing with the gastroenterology pharmacy team, IBD specialist clinical team and PITU pharmacy/admin team where necessary to resolve any identified issues

Monitoring and review of bloods results for complex medications (e.g. azathioprine and infliximab) with appropriate referral to the specialist team when required, in both the inpatient and outpatient setting

To undertake the 3 monthly Controlled Drugs audit and resolve any discrepancies with the ward manger/nurse in charge and communicating any issues to the Principal Pharmacist

To undertake the monthly medicines management CQC audit, resolving any issues and liaising with the ward manager and the gastroenterology pharmacy team. This will include looking at ways on how to improve medicines management and liaising with the multidisciplinary ward team

Be accountable for own professional actions and demonstrate professional accountability to patients

2. RESPONSIBILITY FOR PATIENTS

The post-holder must maintain their clinical responsibilities to ensure a patient focused approach including:

To accurately prepare and check prescriptions in a timely manner to expedite the TTA discharge process.

To liaise with primary care healthcare professionals to ensure continuity of care for patients on discharge.

To lead technical support and facilitate the smooth running of the near patient/ one stop dispensing for patients admitted on the wards.

To manage and co-ordinate responses to drug alerts, shortages and recalls

To support the provision of patient focused activities whereby patients are provided with timely, accurate and understandable information about their medicines during their hospital stay, taking into account the patients needs e.g patients initiated on biologic or small molecule therapies

To act as an Accredited Checking Technician (ACT)

To ensure that an adequate range and amount of stock for gastroenterology patients is kept in the inpatient and outpatient Pharmacys, taking into account changes in prescribing practice, pathways and drugs newly approved on the hospital formulary

3. RESPONSIBILITY FOR POLICY AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT

The post-holder will support and contribute to any initiatives both within the pharmacy and the Trust aimed at reviewing and developing policies and services. Responsibilities include:

Producing and implementing strategies to improve and develop the gastroenterology service, requiring a high level of initiative

Service development of the clinical pharmacy technician role, to include consideration for a technician-led drug monitoring and counselling clinics within gastroenterology

To undertake and co-ordinate audit projects and publish or present these findings; including current service provisions within gastroenterology and within pharmacy and to assist other members of the pharmacy team in audit projects

In conjunction with the Principal Pharmacist, to develop, implement and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) relating to technical elements of the gastroenterology service and to contribute to other policies for gastroenterology

To assist in implementing UK-wide medicines management and prescribing recommendations e.g. NICE

To ensure that all activities, procedures, and documentation within gastroenterology meet the requirements of current legislation, including CQC requirements

To assist with identifying the risks of medicines within gastroenterology and to devise and implement strategies to reduce the risk

To support the implementation of Trust pharmacy strategies by participating in Trust and divisional initiatives to develop clinical pharmacy practice

To share learning from incidents (reported on the Trust DATIX system) in conjunction with the Principal Pharmacist

4. RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL AND PHYSICAL RESOURCES

The post-holder will be expected to ensure the cost-effective use of medicines within the Trust in line with local procedures, policies, and initiatives including:

To assist in the production of monthly drug expenditure reports for evaluation by financial and operational leads for gastroenterology and specifically high-cost drugs used within IBD

To accurately input information into the JAC computer system to ensure drugs are costed to the correct consultant /specialty cost centers

To assist with the procurement of medicines within gastroenterology and deal with shortages promptly, through seeking alternative treatment options where appropriate/necessary

To lead on identifying and evaluating drug wastage within gastroenterology and implement workable cost-saving solutions and overseeing any unused drug returns according to the local returns policy

Assist the Principal Pharmacist in monitoring of the high-cost drugs within gastroenterology (specifically IBD), including those prescribed in outpatients, ensuring adherence to available commissioning pathways e.g. NCL IBD pathways

To participate in any pharmacy and gastroenterology cost efficiency programs

Communicate and support saving plans through monthly reporting or audit, with the specialist pharmacists as required

To manage drug shortages and drug recalls within gastroenterology in conjunction with the principal pharmacist and/or their deputy.

To be responsible for regular controlled drug checks, stock audit checks and medicine management checks on relevant wards.

SSee Job description for full range of duties.

This vacancy has been advertised in accordance with the new NHS pay rate which will take effect from autumn 2024. Please note if your employment starts before the 24/25 pay scales are implemented you will be paid under the 23/24 pay scales and any backpay will be adjusted accordingly. Further information can be found at https://www.nhsemployers.org/articles/pay-scales-202425.

Royal Free World Class Values

Essential

• Royal Free World Class Values

Education & professional Qualifications

Essential

• BTEC in Pharmaceutical Sciences (NVQ Pharmacy services Level 3) or equivalent
• CPPE or equivalent ACPT qualification
• Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)

Desirable

• NVQ A1 workplace assessor award or Educational Supervisor
• Medicines Management qualification or equivalent

Experience

Essential

• Significant post qualification hospital pharmacy experience
• Broad technical pharmaceutical knowledge relating to promotion of high quality, efficient and cost-effective use of medicines
• Previous experience working as a ward based technician
• Experience of medicines reconciliation
• Experience of undertaking audits
• Experience of writing SOPs
• Experience of training and supervision

Desirable

• Experience of working in a gastroenterology setting
• Experience of expenditure reporting
• Previous assessable experience/understanding of JAC Pharmacy Computer System (or equivalent)
• Experience of project management
• Evidence of work in an operational management capacity
• Experience of managing change and leading development

Skills and aptitudes

Essential

• Broad understanding of the current issues in the NHS, especially in relation to pharmacy
• Demonstrate ability to plan, organise own workload
• Demonstrate ability to deal with conflict and complaints (with patients and staff of all levels)
• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills (with patients and staff of all levels)
• Numerate
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team
• Accredited to perform a final accuracy check on clinically screened prescriptions and requisitions
• Demonstrate proven ability to dispense accurately
• Demonstrate attention to detail
• Demonstrate proven ability to counsel and give advice to patients/carers on medications
• Excellent understanding of computerised systems of stock control management
• Demonstrate ability to work towards set procedures
• Demonstrate ability to assess and train staff.
• Methodical methods of working and good decision-making skills
• Demonstrate ability to cope under pressure and handle several tasks at once
• Demonstrate initiative particularly in relation to problem solving and ability to implement new initiatives/changes whilst maintaining departmental standards
• Understanding of clinical risk and clinical governance
• Understanding of how to undertake medicines reconciliation
• Ability to identify & manage risk and implement best practice
• Understanding of stock control
• Good negotiation skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with the multidisciplinary team
• Ability to communicate tactfully but firmly with staff at all levels including senior consultants to ensure completion of projects and change in practice
• Knowledge of Information technology

Desirable

• Understanding of gastroenterology therapeutics and current issues
• Demonstrated understanding of medicines management in relation to gastroenterology
• Demonstrate ability to meet and set deadlines.
• Computer literate
• Ability to contribute to business plans, policies and clinical protocols

Personal Qualities & attributes

Essential

• Hard-working
• Ability to work in a stressful environment
• Well motivated
• Identifies own training needs, actively seeks training opportunities and maintains a practice portfolio

Others

Essential

• Ability to work late duties, weekends and Bank Holidays as per rota
• Computer literate

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).