Senior Pharmacy Technician Education

Job summary

This is a permanent cross site Band 6 Pharmacy Technician position within the Education and Training team at Worthing and St Richard's Hospital. This will be a senior role with the key responsibility of the co-ordination of the Pharmacy Assistant formal qualifications across these 2 sites at UHSussex.

Main duties of the job

To Lead on the growth and development of our Pharmacy Assistants overseeing the completion of their Leve 2 NVQ Qualification To support the growth and development of other Pharmacy professionals, with future expansion of trainee numbers across UHSussex Line Manage one PTPT/IPTPT and act as the Expert Witness for the Pharmacy Technician qualification To undertake the NVQ Assessor A1 qualification

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a

buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex

Job description

Job responsibilities

Communication

Develop effective working relationships with service leads, college providers, Practice Supervisors and Educational Supervisors to ensure effective communication and support of supervisors and students in practice. To work closely with the Supply Services team to coordinate training and ensure adequate support is in place for trainees. To provide constructive feedback to all trainee groups and identify solutions to overcome difficulties. To provide accurate and constructive feedback to trainees on progress made and if necessary, solutions to overcome difficulties. To listen, to be empathetic/sympathetic to trainees who are struggling either at work or at home. To support trainees and either identify possible solutions to problems or to signpost to other departments (Occupational Health, Staff counselling). To develop tailor made training/support packages to support individuals. To escalate concerns to the Lead Pharmacy Technician and Lead Pharmacist, Education and Training, to ensure more comprehensive support available for trainees where necessary. To attend education and training departmental meetings to discuss key educational issues and updates. Liaise with other senior pharmacy staff regarding service provision and education. Maintain a good working relationship with the academic partners, professional bodies and other external organisations. Develop professional networks across education and practice. Provide professional advice and support to staff in the team and across the Trust. To co-chair (chair when the need arises) the Technician, Assistant and Apprentice Accreditation Meeting (TAAAM). When necessary work with the office manager in the preparation of the official agenda and minutes. To attend and support the Lead Education and Training Pharmacy Technician at the PTPT LFG meeting when necessary.

Service Delivery and Improvement

Clinical

Work clinically where appropriate to maintain own knowledge, skills and clinical credibility, developing and demonstrating high standards of practice and clinical expertise, in the delivery of pharmaceutical services. Perform the final accuracy check on dispensed items, from clinically screened prescriptions, on completion of National Accreditation Accredited Checking Technician course. Participate in ward medicines optimisation service to maintain skills. Be a visible role model, working alongside staff in clinical practice depending on the scope of the agreed clinical and operational commitments.

Education and Training

To evaluate the quality of training provided for Pharmacy Assistants on an ongoing basis, including PTPTs/IPTPTs and Pharmacy Technicians where appropriate, and implement changes to the training programme as necessary. To report on this, as necessary, to the Local Faculty Group (LFG) and Technician, Assistant and Apprentice Accreditation Meeting (TAAAM). Review and maintain educational strategies for the cohorts of Pharmacy Assistants in liaison with relevant senior Pharmacy staff. Initially the role will have a predominant focus on the support and development of Pharmacy Assistants, the role can evolve to supporting the delivery of PTPT programmes and Pharmacy Technician accreditation. To support the evolving recruitment process for Pharmacy Assistants in line with the Trust Apprenticeship team. To liaise and communicate with the Education and Training team within Aseptic Services with regards to provision of new Aseptic services qualifications. To contribute to maintaining an updated Pharmacy Department Education and Development Strategy. Develop and maintain Departmental Education and Training policies and procedures, consulting with all appropriate professionals during the development, approval and review processes. Advise senior educational colleagues on teaching and training programme development and identify opportunities for increased multi-disciplinary and technology-enhanced learning. Comment on trust, local and regional policies and newly developed regional training programmes, to include ideas on how study days and events can be improved to comply with Trust and National Agenda. To undertake the NVQ assessor qualification and to support End Point Assessments for accreditations. To determine pass or fail following local and national criteria, as well as providing appropriate constructive feedback to candidates where candidates have failed to meet required criteria. To be responsible in the creation, updating and review educational policies. To support the Lead Education and Training Pharmacy Technician in updating key module handbook content and paperwork for in house accreditation and modules.

People Management and Development

To be responsible for the delivery of NVQ training programmes for the Pharmacy assistants within the departments in conjunction with the qualification provider. To work cohesively across all sites of UHSussex to ensure equal opportunities and standards of training for Pharmacy Assistants. To support the recruitment of Pharmacy Assistants newly starting within the trust. To be responsible for supporting the qualification induction of new level 2 trainees alongside the qualification provider. For individuals that you become a line manager for, to manage online Healthroster system and ensure leave and sickness records and maintained correctly. Act as a lead and liaise with the underpinning knowledge provider(s) and provide support and feedback to students undertaking this qualification. To be able to support trainees with neurodiversity. To explore with them as to previous experiences from school or previous employment. To discuss their needs and develop supportive planning to enable them to develop and thrive. Ensure that all pharmacy staff have appropriate support staff whilst undertaking training. If there are any concerns regarding lack of support, then to liaise with appropriate managers. To be the point of contact for staff that provide training and respond to queries and need for support for trainees. To work with departmental leads in the review and updating of departmental training packs. Bearing in mind changes in departmental changes in SOPs and other legal requirements and best practice. Undertake the role of Educational Supervisor (ES), Practice Supervisor (PS) and Expert Witness (EW) for PTPTs/IPTPTs and other staff as needed. To support and oversee Educational Supervisors/Practice Supervisors of assistants and other trainees within the Pharmacy department. To be responsible for the creation of educational opportunities for Pharmacy Assistants, including underpinning knowledge, work-based skills training and additional training opportunities relevant and appropriate to the requirements of the trainee group. To identify when an assistant is falling behind with departmental training, alongside their educational supervisor and practice supervisors. In conjunction with the trainee to identify possible reasons for difficulties and identify options to overcome difficulties and objective set accordingly. To amend educational plans as necessary, ensuring the smooth delivery of education and training. To have constant communication with departmental leads in identifying where there are difficulties in staffing/work pressures and identify solutions that is impacting on education and training. To amend educational plans as necessary, ensuring the smooth delivery of education and training. Ensure that requirements for providing assessment are met; provide advice and support to qualified and trainee workplace assessors and verifiers. To support the organisation and allocation of ES to trainees within the department. To lead on the preparation for the level 2 EPA for the practical assessments. To support the assessment process and act as an invigilator during these assessments where required. To support as an EPA assessor or invigilator as required for departmental Medicine Optimisation or ACPT assessments where required. To support the induction process and provision of training sessions for Pharmacy professionals including Trainee Pharmacists, PTPTs and newly qualified member of staff. To demonstrate a personal commitment to continuing professional development and maintain an up-to-date portfolio of evidence to meet GPhC requirements.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Inclusion and respect are core values at UHSussex, and we are committed to diversity and equality. This means treating colleagues and patients with professionalism, ensuring everyone feels welcome and included, valuing different backgrounds and experiences, and challenging inequalities.

Having all our staff feel safe, supported, included and valued will lead to better care and outcomes for our patients our True North Objective.

All staff have a duty to report any behaviours which contravene this to their managers.

Please see Job Description and Person Specification for full details.

General information for applicants

As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a

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