Pharmacy Technician

Job summary

This new role is being introduced to help support the delivery of a newly commissioned project around hypertension and lipid management across our PCN.

We will be working jointly with our neighbouring PCN, Deans & Central Brighton, but this role will be solely based with East & Central Brighton PCN.

Our PCN is large and covers some of the most deprived communities in our city so we are committed to addressing health inequalities and thinking of creative ways to do this. This is a great opportunity to contribute to this and to the ongoing work of the wider PCN.

Main duties of the job

Thesuccessful candidate will be carrying out a variety of tasks focused initiallyon the hypertension project, for the PCN & will work as an integral part of the PCN pharmacyteam to deliver this. The post holder will drive medicines reconciliation andoptimisation through undertaking tasks such as, but not limited to:

Workwith the PCN pharmacy team to identify:

oClinical areas of priority around identifying & managing known and unknown hypertension across the city

oAssisting the Lead Pharmacists and PCN PharmacyTechnicians to identify people requiring lipid management

oAppropriate ways to optimise these patient'smedications

oCreate & complete audits around patient safety withinthe hypertension project alongside the Lead Pharmacist/s in the prescribing ofmedication and present the information

Supportingpractices via training and improving existing processes to:

oImprove the safe transfer of care from secondaryand tertiary settings for those who have had complications related tosub-managed hypertension

oPromote and manage repeat dispensing (includingeRD) and online ordering with the aim of reducing medicines harm and wastagethrough safe and cost-effective prescribing.

Thepost-holder will be given opportunities to shadow other healthcareprofessionals, including our practice teams. They will be supported to develop & advance the role within the PCN pharmacy team working both autonomously & in collaboration with themultidisciplinary team.

About us

East & Central Brighton PCN is currently based in offices just opposite Brighton Dome in a great city centre location.

We work with nine GP practices across the city centre and out to Whitehawk and Woodingdean serving a population of over 70000 people.

Our PCN team comprises Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, Social Prescribers, a Patient Engagement Team, Administration support and a PCN Team Lead who supports the PCN roles. We have two Clinical Directors who are both local GPs.

As well as being committed to the wellbeing of our community we want to look after our staff: we offer fortnightly lunchtime yoga in the office which is well attended.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Provide medicines optimisation to PCN patient population related to hypertension and lipid management

Work across the PCN as required to ensure a consistent approach with regards to medicines optimisation and safe, effective, high quality patient care around hypertension and lipid management.

To support, train and supervise the administrative staff involved in the preparation of repeat prescriptions in order to ensure high quality streamlined, safe and timely repeat prescribing.

To support, train and supervise the administration staff with medicines reconciliation with regards to hypertension and lipid management.

To contribute to the review and development of repeat prescribing protocols /Standard Operating Procedures to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of repeat prescribing systems.

Support Structured Medication Reviews (SMRs)

Support pharmacists by identifying and referring eligible patients for SMRs, based on the appropriate population cohorts as stipulated in the Network Contract DES (including patients with multimorbidity and/or prescribed inappropriate polypharmacy).

Medicine information to practice staff and patients

Assist pharmacists with provision of medication information for practice teams and patients within scope of competence with regards to hypertension and lipid management.

Discuss medication issues with patients, centred on shared decision making.

Primary and secondary care interface

Develop relationships with other pharmacy technicians, pharmacists and members of the multi-disciplinary team to support integration of the pharmacy team across health and social care including primary care, community pharmacy, secondary care, and mental health, in order to ensure safe transfers of care and to proactively manage patients at high risk of medicine related harm to ensure continuity of care.

Signposting

Ensure that patients are referred to a healthcare professional for the right care where appropriate

Liaise with Social Prescribers, Patient Engagement Team with regards to lifestyle and wellbeing and supporting people to make positive changes

Repeat prescribing

Work across the PCN as required to ensure a consistent approach with regards to repeat prescribing ( eRD).

Clinical Areas of Priority for the PCN

Support clinical pharmacists / practices in identifying and supporting patients in the identified cohorts with their medication and refer for SMRs.

Be able to develop competence in building and running searches specific to the defined cohorts

Medicines safety

Respond to MHRA alerts, set up searches to identify affected patients on the practice clinical systems and participate in actioning the alerts.

Assist in the delivery of medicines optimisation and management incentive schemes, patient safety audits and medicines optimisation projects, disseminating the outcomes and results locally and nationally.

To support, train & supervise the safe and effective repeat prescribing of high-risk medicines ensuring that regular monitoring as per local/shared care guidance is taking place

Take a central role in ensuring the clinical aspects of shared care protocols are in place, and where relevant liaise with clinical pharmacists/practices / specialists to ensure continuation of safe practice within primary care setting.

Implementation of local and national guidelines and formulary recommendations

Work with local MMT, primary and secondary care colleagues to implement local and national guidelines where appropriate.

Support the implementation of local and national prescribing policies and guidance within GP practices by undertaking clinical audits, supporting quality improvement measures and contributing to the QOF and enhanced services.

Education and Training

Provide education and training to primary healthcare team and healthcare students regarding medicines management of hypertension within scope of practice.

Contribute to practice team meetings, clinical meetings and case reviews.

To take a proactive approach to the safe handling of prescriptions, including assessment of risk and making recommendations for improvement.

The post-holder will be given opportunities to shadow other healthcare professionals and supported to develop and advance the role within the PCN pharmacy team, working both autonomously and in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team.

Care Quality Commission (CQC)

Work with the PCN team to ensure the protocols and professional practice are compliant with CQC standards where medicines are involved.

Ensure compliance with medicines legislation.

Public health

Support public health campaigns, Antimicrobial Stewardship and vaccination services.

Provide specialist expertise, where competent, to address both the public health and social care needs of patients, including lifestyle advice, service information, and help in tackling local health inequalities.

Person Specification

Knowledge and skills

Essential

Registered with GPhC Good organisational skills Excellent communication skills Effective time management Recognises priorities when problem solving and identifies when to refer to pharmacists Able to work under pressure and to meet deadlines Produce timely and informative reports Work effectively independently and as a team member Demonstrates accountability for delivering professional expertise and direct service provision Self-motivated & Innovative Adaptable

Desirable

Handling conflict Able to analyse and interpret prescribing data Management of recall systems Knowledge of Information Governance and Data Quality At least one years experience in medicines reconciliation Completed ACT course Working towards National Competency Framework for Primary Care Pharmacy Technician Membership with APTUK

Experience

Essential

Experience of working as a qualified, registered pharmacy technician in primary care, community or hospital pharmacy Experience of communicating with people about their general wellbeing

Desirable

Experience of working in a GP practice

Qualifications

Essential

Good level of general education Qualified to NVQ Level 3

Desirable

Qualified in phlebotomy

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