Pharmacy Technician Specialist

Job summary

Are you looking for an opportunity to become a senior presence in a forward-thinking department, with opportunities to develop your career?

Are you looking for a position that has both management and hands on aspects to the role?

If so, then this position could be the one for you.

We are seeking an individual that is ambitious, self-motivated, enthusiastic and committed, to join us and become a key figure at one of the UK's largest Aseptic departments.

You will work as part of a large multi-disciplinary team who make a real contribution to patient care and clinical research by delivering a comprehensive seven-day aseptic service supplying IV Medicines including Chemotherapy, Clinical Trials, Parenteral Nutrition and CIVA products.

You will have line management duties, delving into all aspects of management as well as helping to run a gold standard aseptic service.

If you are ready for a new challenge, have a passion for management and have a interest in Aseptics. Then this is your opportunity to potentially join our dedicated and specialist team.

Expected Shortlisting Date: 15 May 2024

Planned Interview Date: 30 May 2024

Main duties of the job

The core duties of this role are:

- Ensuring the service is running to the highest of standards.

- Line managing a number of staff members.

- Working with projects to improve the service.

- Helping maintain the PQS and its standards.

- Training other members of staff.

We heavily focus on progressing our staff, to help develop careers and knowledge. In return for your effort and commitment we would give you further opportunities to develop your skills, we are committed to on-going development to ensure our staff reach their full potential.

There are many facets to this role. If you display strengths in a particular area, or you have a keen interest in developing a certain aspect within our department, we promote this type of ambition. We would work with you to help you gain the experience and help you develop specialist knowledge.

About us

The Leeds Teaching Hospitals is one of the biggest NHS Trusts in the country, offering a range of both general and specialist hospital services with excellent clinical outcomes for patients. We have an international reputation for excellence in specialist care, research and academic training.

Our vision as a Trust is to be the best for specialist and integrated care. This is underpinned by our values - The Leeds Way. The Leeds Way defines who we are, what we believe and how we will work together to deliver the best outcomes for our patients.

MMPS is nationally recognised as an exemplar service. The CSU responsibilities span the provision and use of medicines across all patient pathways. We offer a range of diverse opportunities to all our staff -

Our vision is Making it easy for people to get the most from their medicines and we are continually innovating to improve our services for patients and staff.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE

To manage and develop the daily delivery of a specialist technical service within a designated section. This will incorporate the pharmacy strategy for medicines management. The post holder will also perform a range of medicine supply functions; these will be predominantly concerned with accuracy checking and management of stock control.

The post holder will be required to work evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays on a rotational basis.

Performs the role of Lead Technician during evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays and is a named member on the Pharmacy MAJAX call out procedure.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Works under guidance of SOPs, GMP and COSHH. Works independently and manages others in the department. Works to agreed objectives with annual appraisal with operational lead. Provides specialist technical service to wards, departments and out-patients.

Maintain high professional standards at all times and ensure compliance with statutory regulations concerning pharmaceuticals and the provision of the Health and Safety at work act are complied with.

Responsible for recruitment and selection of technical staff to assigned area.

Responsible for training and supporting all grades off staff designated to area

Line management and appraisal for staff ensuring opportunities for personal development

Involvement in writing procedures relating to the service in conjunction with other appropriate staff and managers. Delivery and implementation of agreed procedures and monitor compliance with all SOPs

Ensure departmental work is completed within agreed timescales

Manage resources within department

Ensure quality monitoring is carried out and reported appropriately :ie error monitoring ,environmental controls and turnaround times

Provide monthly statistics on workload

Develop and lead a team of staff

Identify training needs of staff and devise individual training plans

Act as Key Trainer for your area ensuring all staff are trained in safe practices

Contribute to service developments ensuring change is managed smoothly

Responsible for stock control and stock management within the department, ensuring rolling stocks are completed and audit requirements are met

Liaise with GPs, community pharmacists, external organisations and colleagues in order to improve the medicines management process

Assist in auditing the service against set targets

Arrange pilot schemes to assess benefits of new ways of working

Develop an induction & training package for area

Participate in accuracy checking training sessions

Develop efficient communication channels with the rest of pharmacy to ensure a good understanding of the service and the roles and responsibilities of staff

To forge links nationally and regionally with other technicians in your area in order to share best practice.

Responsible for ensuring good dispensing/distribution/manufacturing practice

Undertaking technical responsibilities at ward level and in out-patient clinics. This will include reviewing prescriptions, taking drug histories and initiating medicine supplies

Ensure that medicines are stored safely, securely and are in date and suitable for use

Prioritise workload and analyse situations to resolve problems

To participate in labelling, assembly, preparation, dispensing and other dispensing duties should the need arise to ensure service provision.

Ensures accurate documentation and records are maintained within the service area

To coordinate cover for annual leave and lieu time

To manage absence levels of staff and be involved in return to work interviews and adherence to Trust Absence management policy

To deal with initial grievance and disciplinary issues for designated staff. Communicate with Operational Lead at all times and refer issue if unresolved.

Identify and implement risk reduction strategies in your area of work.

Participation in the weekend and bank holiday rotas on a rotational basis

Ensure all staff are briefed on a regular basis

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Experience of working in Pharmacy Experience of supervising staff Experience of working in a hospital environment

Desirable

Experience of working in an aseptic unit Experience of line management

Qualifications

Essential

NVQ Level 3 Pharmacy Services or equivalent. GPhC Registered

Skills & Behaviours

Essential

Must have excellent verbal communication skills. Basic computer skills. Good literacy and numeracy skills. Ability to interpret written instructions. Knowledge of good customer care. Ability to work accurately under pressure and follow Standard Operating Procedures. Ability to supervise and give instruction to other staff members.

Desirable

A desire for career progression within aseptics. An understanding of clean room behaviours. An understanding of Good Manufacturing Practice. Experience of stock control systems.

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