Pharmacy Technician

**Key Duties and Responsibilities**: Quality of prescribing Support the practice pharmacists with Medication review for all patients on repeat medication and maintenance of the medication review system. Review list of medicines for newly registered patients and add to their medication record as appropriate and ensure patients are entered into any monitoring systems, medication review dates added. Ensure annual monitoring tests are performed and reviewed where appropriate, e.g., ACE-I/A2RA, amiodarone, digoxin, lipid lowering drugs, warfarin, antipsychotics, antiepileptics, antidepressants. Provide medicines reconciliation following discharge from hospital.

Review discharge information and update patients repeat medication list as necessary. Support the practice to improve prescribing quality and performance against national and local targets. Support the provision of prescribing advice to prescribers and clinical staff in the practice regarding changes in drug safety information, discontinued products, changes in licensing etc. Cost-effective use of medicines Support the implementation of QIPP switches that have been agreed.

Support the practice to achieve QOF. Involvement in QOF areas as requested by the practice where medications are concerned Support patients with good Medicines Use, e.g., inhaler technique, use of glucometers. Implement and support Repeat Dispensing. Liaise with local community pharmacists and act as a point of contact (alongside our Medicines Management Co-ordinator) regarding any prescription queries, amendments, or appropriate switches for out-of-stock medicines.

Liaise with local care homes regarding medication requests and queries. Act as a point of contact for prescribers and pharmacies for patients using monitored dosage systems and repeat dispensing relating to any changes in drug treatment. Review out-patient letters which include changes to drug treatment and make changes to patients repeat medication list as appropriate (or query prescribing if not in accordance with Formulary) Review out-patient discharge recommendations and issue prescriptions as requested. Report any secondary care recommendations to prescribe non-formulary or red drugs to the local MM team.

Support queries from reception staff regarding patients making unusual requests for past medication, overuse of medication and refer to GP as necessary. Assist with prescribing audits arising from safety concerns or good prescribing practice. Medicines Optimisation Provide information and guidance to patients to improve adherence with medicines taking. Promote and support the use of shared decision making.

Monitor use of drugs for patients who may be overusing or misusing drugs and alert prescribers as necessary. Respond to queries from GPs and other clinical staff and contact patients where necessary. Respond to queries from receptionists regarding any medicine-related matters and contact patients where necessary. Develop communication systems to ensure effective dissemination of information within the practice.