PCN Pharmacy Technician

Job summary

We are looking torecruit an enthusiastic pharmacy technician to join our pharmacy team in DidcotPrimary Care Network. You will work as part of the pharmacy team alongsideother practice staff to ensure the timely, safe and accurate prescribing ofmedication within the Network.

The PharmacyTechnician will play an important role within the PCN and complement the moreclinical work of the PCN Pharmacists, through the utilisation of theirtechnical skillset. General tasks will include important audits, dischargemanagement, prescription issuing, and other work generated by the PCN Practicesand Pharmacists.

The post holder willbe supported by Clinical Pharmacists working for the other Practices within thePCN.

The successfulcandidate should have a passion and drive for providing high quality andpersonalised care. General Practice experience is desirable but not essential.The postholder will be required to enrol on the General Practice PharmacyTechnician Training Pathway from CPPE if not already completed.

Main duties of the job

The role will includemedication reconciliation of hospital discharge summaries, support for therepeat prescribing processes within practices, and project-based qualityimprovement work as well as liaising with patients, nursing homes, carers,hospital and community pharmacies to respond to medication queries and updatemedical records. You would be well supported within the team and helped toprogress through the CPPE primary care pharmacy education pathway.

About us

Didcot PCN comprisesof 3 GP Practices in the expanding town of Didcot which serves a population ofaround 45,000. The 3 practices have a close working relationship which has beenstrengthened by working together on the Covid vaccination programme. You willjoin our current pharmacy team of 3 clinical pharmacists and a pharmacytechnician in supporting and working across the 3 practices.

Job description

Job responsibilities

JobResponsibilities:

Providesupport and training to existing prescription teams to facilitate patient management and repeatprescriptions.

Respondto prescription requests from community patients, nursing/care home staff,pharmacy staff and GPs.

Processmonthly prescriptions for nursing/care homes, checking for changes andadherence/over-ordering issues.

Usepractice and CCG templates to record near patient monitoring for high riskdrugs.

Identifyblood tests, recalls and reviews using established protocols and forward theseto the appropriate clinician.

Supportand respond to medicines related queries from medical and nursing colleaguesand from patients and relatives both face to face, via phone or via email.

Reviewhospital discharge notifications and outpatient hospital letters and reconcilemedication against current repeat prescriptions.

Promotesafe use of medication, report medicine- related incidents and pro-activelyprevent safeguarding incidents.

Useknowledge of GP computer prescribing systems and community pharmacy dispensingsystems to advise on solving problems related to prescribing

Supportthe review of care home procedures, making recommendations for potentialimprovements.

Observethe principles of clinical governance when developing policies, protocols,guidelines, SOPs and procedures.

Supportpractice prescribing budgets by on-going monitoring, audit and analysis of druguse and support practices in reviewing, developing and enhancing cost-effectiveprescribing. This includes staying aware of latest QIPP and other cost targets.

Helpreview medication with the pharmacists and make recommendations for prescribingchanges to improve outcome and ensure prescribing of the most cost-effectiveproduct.

Communication:

Utiliseand demonstrate sensitive communication styles, to ensure patients are fullyinformed and consent to treatment.

Recognisethe need for alternative methods of communication to overcome different levelsof understanding, cultural background and preferred ways of communicating.

Delivering aquality service:

Prioritise,organise and manage own workload in a manner that maintains and promotesquality, including participating in shared learning across the PCN and widerorganisation.

Workas part of the team to seek feedback, continually improve the service andcontribute to business planning.

ManagingInformation:

Usetechnology, read codes and appropriate software as an aid to planning,implementing and monitoring care, communicating information and reviewing andprocessing data for audit purposes.

Learning anddevelopment:

Takeresponsibility for own learning and performance through continuous professionaldevelopment, including participating in clinical supervision, acting as apositive role model and assessing own learning needs.

Activelypromote the workplace as a learning environment, encouraging everyone to learnfrom each other and from external good practice.

Disseminatelearning and information gained to other team members in order to share goodpractice and inform others about current and future developments ( coursesand conferences).

Equality anddiversity:

Supportthe equality and diversity of patients, carers and colleagues by recognisingthe importance of peoples rights and interpreting them in a way that isconsistent with policy, procedures and current legislation.

Respectingthe privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues bybehaving in a manner which is welcoming, non-judgmental and respects theircircumstances, feelings priorities and rights.

Professionaldevelopment:

Participatein an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility formaintaining a record of own professional development

Workas an effective and responsible team member, supporting others and exploringthe mechanisms to develop new ways of working

Workwith your line manager to undertake continual personal and professionaldevelopment, access regular supervision and take an active part in reviewingand developing the roles and responsibilities.

Miscellaneous:

Undertakeany tasks consistent with the level of the post and the scope of the role,ensuring that work is delivered in a timely and effective manner.

Dutiesmay vary from time to time, without changing the general character of the postor the level of responsibility.

Thisjob description is not meant to be exhaustive. It describes the main duties andresponsibilities of the post.

The post holder wouldbe expected to undertake any other duties commensurate with the role as agreedwith the PCN.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

- BTEC/NVQ level 3 or equivalent in pharmaceutical sciences - Professional registration with GPhC. - Evidence of continued professional development.

Desirable

- Already undertaken the CPPE pathway - Understand the aims of PCN's and General Practice

Experience

Essential

- Experience of working as a qualified, registered pharmacy technician in primary care, community or hospital pharmacy. - Knowledge of Primary Care Networks , General Practice and Primary Care Prescribing. - Computer literate and ability to use Microsoft Office and GP Clinical Systems.

Desirable

- Working with EMIS

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