Job summary
Specialist Pharmacy Technician - Discharge Hub
Department: Pharmacy
Band 6 £35,392 - £42,618 per annum, pro rata if part time
Hours: 37.5 hours per week plus on-call, weekends & bank holiday rota
Note: all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
The Pharmacy at Milton Keynes University Hospital has seen exceptional growth and investment over recent years, both in staff and facilities. As a result we are excited to be able to offer a new speciality role.
As the Specialist Pharmacy Technician - Discharge Hubs, you will work closely with the Principal Pharmacists to providing pharmacy input in the form of comprehensive medication reviews, into a multidisciplinary team (MDT) including a Consultant Geriatrician, Community Matrons and Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs) and others.
The Discharge Hubs will care for patients with an acute medical episode, in their own homes who require further health and social care support from the MDT, to avoid inappropriate admission to hospital. You will also work as part of a MDT across health and social care, in leading, developing promoting and implementing the high quality, evidence based and cost effective use of medicines in primary care in a way that maximises the benefits and minimises the risks of medicines to patients and service users.
If you would like to find out more, please contact Jill McDonald (Associate Director of Pharmacy - Clinical Services) on jill.mcdonald@mkuh.nhs.uk for an informal discussion.
Interview: 18.12.23
Main duties of the job
We are looking for an outstanding Pharmacy Technician who is enthusiastic, self-motivated and committed to forging excellent communication between primary and secondary care teams and drive the pharmacy team forward. You will be passionate about helping patients get the best from their medicines, and keen to use your initiative and drive to take opportunities to create an outstanding service and demonstrate leadership around optimal and safe medication use within the MDTs.
About us
You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:
- Free on-site parking
- Free tea and coffee
- Great flexible workingopportunities
- Discounted gym membership
- Lease car scheme
- Generous annual leave and pension scheme
- On site nursery (chargeable)
- Extensive staff health and well-being programme
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices. We promote an inclusive workforce and encourage applications from applicants from all backgrounds.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To co-ordinate medicines optimisation services for patients within the Discharge Hub to improve quality of care, personalise care and patient experience.
- To optimise the input of other Pharmacy professionals within MKPlace into the care of patients within the discharge hub.
- To take part in the implementation of medicines optimisation initiatives, objectives and complex changes to bring about quality improvements and better outcomes for patients including reducing patient harm & improving medication safety.
- Lead the development & implementation of new medicines optimisation initiatives and services within your scope of practice.
- Work autonomously, with significant discretion and work collaboratively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
- To assist pharmacists in completing in-depth, clinical medication review services to patient cohorts in line with organisational vision and objectives including community care bed residents, care home residents, frailty, polypharmacy, and domiciliary reviews, ensuring the best outcomes and safe & effective care in line with best available evidence.
- To analyse and interpret complex information and communicate this information using a variety of methods to patients, carers and other health professionals to promote the safe, high quality & cost-effective use of medicines in all prescribing decisions.
Please refer to the attached Job Description for more details on the role and responsibilities.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To co-ordinate medicines optimisation services for patients within the Discharge Hub to improve quality of care, personalise care and patient experience.
- To optimise the input of other Pharmacy professionals within MKPlace into the care of patients within the discharge hub.
- To take part in the implementation of medicines optimisation initiatives, objectives and complex changes to bring about quality improvements and better outcomes for patients including reducing patient harm & improving medication safety.
- Lead the development & implementation of new medicines optimisation initiatives and services within your scope of practice.
- Work autonomously, with significant discretion and work collaboratively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
- To assist pharmacists in completing in-depth, clinical medication review services to patient cohorts in line with organisational vision and objectives including community care bed residents, care home residents, frailty, polypharmacy, and domiciliary reviews, ensuring the best outcomes and safe & effective care in line with best available evidence.
- To analyse and interpret complex information and communicate this information using a variety of methods to patients, carers and other health professionals to promote the safe, high quality & cost-effective use of medicines in all prescribing decisions.
Please refer to the attached Job Description for more details on the role and responsibilities.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science and an NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Pharmacy Service Skills or equivalent plus additional knowledge or experience to degree level or equivalent
- Professional registration with General Pharmaceutical Council
Desirable
- Foundation Degree Medicines Management & Pharmacy Services or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Post-qualification experience of pharmacy
- Evidence of continued professional development
- Working knowledge of the function within a large and complex organisation
- Experience of participation in multi-disciplinary meetings
- Evidence of patient facing experience
- Experience of working to and achieving tight deadlines
- Experience of influencing others
- Experience of change management
- Working knowledge of the NHS and healthcare settings including the importance of maintaining confidentiality
- Knowledge of medicines optimisation including legislation and policy
- Experience of working in Primary Care/Medicines Optimisation
- Understanding and knowledge of the workings of the NHS, the challenges it faces and of the reform agenda
Desirable
- Working in the NHS, including community pharmacy and the acute trusts
- Experience of analysing prescribing data and using this to effect change
Skills
Essential
- Computer literate with an ability to use major computer programmes e.g. Word, Powerpoint, Outlook, Excel
- Has a planned and organised approach with an ability to prioritise their own workload in order to meet strict deadlines
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, verbal and written, with the ability to adjust their communication style and content to suit the audience
- Able to 'think on their feet' when dealing with issues and problems
- Evidence of personal and professional development
- Willingness to undertake training
- Attention to details, able to work accurately, identify errors quickly and easily, medicines reconciliation skills
- Presentation skills
- Ability to recognise own limitations
- Independently mobile in order to work across a number of sites and travel between ICB premises, practices, pharmacies and patients' homes on a daily basis
- Hold a full, clean driving license and have access to own transport
Desirable
- Data analysis and interpretation skills
- Experience of GP clinical systems e.g. SystmOne, EMIS or a willingness to undertake training
- Report writing skills
- Understanding of budget setting and importance of financial monitoring within the NHS
Personal and people development
Essential
- Evidence of significant personal development, professionally and managerially
- Continued commitment to improve skills and ability in new areas of work
Communication
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to influence others
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
- Positive and enthusiastic approach
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
- Able to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and ensure a stakeholder focussed response
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science and an NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Pharmacy Service Skills or equivalent plus additional knowledge or experience to degree level or equivalent
- Professional registration with General Pharmaceutical Council
Desirable
- Foundation Degree Medicines Management & Pharmacy Services or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Post-qualification experience of pharmacy
- Evidence of continued professional development
- Working knowledge of the function within a large and complex organisation
- Experience of participation in multi-disciplinary meetings
- Evidence of patient facing experience
- Experience of working to and achieving tight deadlines
- Experience of influencing others
- Experience of change management
- Working knowledge of the NHS and healthcare settings including the importance of maintaining confidentiality
- Knowledge of medicines optimisation including legislation and policy
- Experience of working in Primary Care/Medicines Optimisation
- Understanding and knowledge of the workings of the NHS, the challenges it faces and of the reform agenda
Desirable
- Working in the NHS, including community pharmacy and the acute trusts
- Experience of analysing prescribing data and using this to effect change
Skills
Essential
- Computer literate with an ability to use major computer programmes e.g. Word, Powerpoint, Outlook, Excel
- Has a planned and organised approach with an ability to prioritise their own workload in order to meet strict deadlines
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, verbal and written, with the ability to adjust their communication style and content to suit the audience
- Able to 'think on their feet' when dealing with issues and problems
- Evidence of personal and professional development
- Willingness to undertake training
- Attention to details, able to work accurately, identify errors quickly and easily, medicines reconciliation skills
- Presentation skills
- Ability to recognise own limitations
- Independently mobile in order to work across a number of sites and travel between ICB premises, practices, pharmacies and patients' homes on a daily basis
- Hold a full, clean driving license and have access to own transport
Desirable
- Data analysis and interpretation skills
- Experience of GP clinical systems e.g. SystmOne, EMIS or a willingness to undertake training
- Report writing skills
- Understanding of budget setting and importance of financial monitoring within the NHS
Personal and people development
Essential
- Evidence of significant personal development, professionally and managerially
- Continued commitment to improve skills and ability in new areas of work
Communication
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to influence others
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
- Positive and enthusiastic approach
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
- Able to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and ensure a stakeholder focussed response
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).
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
