PCN Pharmacy Technician

Job summary

As we expandour well established PCN team we are looking for a pharmacy technician to joinus and help the PCN support our community and improve the health and wellbeingof our patients.

We recognise the opportunity that additional health professional skillscan offer within Primary Care and are seeking to expand our establishedpharmacy team to improve the quality and sustainability of the care we offer. Pharmacy is an important part of this plan toensure all patients have access to medicines experts to help keep them safe andwell, reducing the demands on general practice and hospitals.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for a full-time pharmacy technician whowill be responsible for Grayshott and Chiddingfold surgery within the West ofWaverley PCN. The post holder will haveclinical, technical, and administrative responsibilities whilst havingsupervision from an experienced clinical pharmacist.

The purpose of the role is to improve patient safetyoutcomes and promote good practice of repeat prescribing by developing andworking to protocols and being actively involved within multidisciplinary teamsincluding those from different health care providers.

The post holder will have to be a registered pharmacytechnician with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) with the appropriatequalifications recognised by the GPhC.Additional training will be supplied via Centre for PharmacyPostgraduate Education (CPPE) unless already undertaking or qualified from anapproved training pathway eg Primary Care Pharmacy Educational Pathway orMedicines Optimisation in Care Homes.

About us

West Waverley Primary CareNetwork comprises four like-minded practices in the beautiful countryside ofSouth West Surrey covering a population of just under 50,000 patients includinga non-affiliated single-handed practice. Our population has a highersocio-economic and age demographic thanaverage.

Our practices are innovative andwell organised and perform highly for patient quality in surveys and in QualityClinical Markers. Our Primary Care Network meetings are attended by patientrepresentatives from each practice.

Our Primary Care Network workswith three other PCNs as part of the Guilford & Waverley Health and CareAlliance, supported by the Procare GP Federation. Procare is the employer for all ouradditional roles who are then seconded to work directly with our practices forthe duration of their contract. Thesuccessful candidate will join our existing team which includes two seniorclinical pharmacists, a pharmacy technician, a foundation trainee pharmacistand a care homes pharmacy team.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Jobresponsibilities

Patient facing supporting roles to ensureeffective medicine use

Review patients need for ongoing medication supportaids.

Support patients to take their medication safely andeffectively.

Carry out medicines optimisation tasks

To reconcile medicinesfrom clinical letters and discharge summaries from secondary care settings.

Report back to CCG/secondarycare pharmacy teams queries around requests for prescribing non formularyitems.

Work with the practice toaction MHRA drug alerts.

Work with the PCN pharmacist to action CCG medicinesmanagement incentive schemes.

Design and review medicineaudits and protocols.

Support pharmacists to undertake structured medicationreviews by organising necessary monitoring.

Take a central role in clinical aspects ofshared care protocols

Work with the practices toensure patients have up to date monitoring required as part of the shared careprotocol.

Report back to CCG/secondary care pharmacy teamsqueries around requests for inappropriate shared care prescribing requests.

MedicinesSafety

Supportinitiatives/projects relating to medication safety, with the support of thepractice clinical pharmacist.

Conductaudits to review repeat prescribing of antibiotics

Support initiatives forantimicrobial stewardship to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing.

Support the implementation of nationalprescribing policies and guidance within GP practices

Work to improving Qualityand Outcomes Framework (QOF) within each practice.

Work on addressing publichealth and social care needs of the patient by referring appropriate patientsto social prescribers, smoking cessation clinics and weight managementprogrammes etc.

Work with the practice to help with (CQC) requirements.

Repeat prescribing

Process repeatprescription requests in line with surgery protocols.

Dispense prescriptions inline with surgery protocols (dispensing practices only).

Accurately checkprescriptions in line with surgery protocols (dispensing practices only).

Review and adjust repeatprescribing protocols to improve patient safety and reduce medicine wastage.

Support practices andprovide training for electronic prescription service (EPS) and repeatdispensing.

To review out of stock medications and suggestappropriate alternatives to prescribe.

Workingwithin a multidisciplinary team

Develop relationships withother pharmacy technicians and pharmacists including those in primary care,secondary care, community pharmacy, mental health, and social care teams.

Person Specification

Attributes

Essential

Self-motivated and proactive Continued commitment to improve skills and ability in new areas of work Demonstrate ability to work in a busy environment; ability to deal with both urgent and important tasks to prioritise effectively whilst also supporting others Able to work across several sites and travel to meet with stakeholders Works effectively independently and as part of a team Excellent time keeping

Qualifications

Essential

Current professional registration with GPhC and working within requirements for annual revalidation BTEC/NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in pharmaceutical sciences At least 2 years working as a qualified, registered pharmacy technician

Desirable

Evidence of continued professional development (CPD) Demonstrate ability to influence and persuade partners and stakeholders of the respective merits of different options, innovations, new opportunities, and challenges

Experience

Desirable

Experience of working within primary care setting

Skills and Competencies

Essential

Sound computer skills, proficient with MS Office Has attention to detail, able to work accurately, identifying errors quickly and easily Able to undertake the demands of the post with reasonable adjustments if required Able to observe code of confidentiality Excellent communication skills, verbal and written with the ability to adjust communication style and content to suit the audience Has a planned and organised approach with an ability to prioritise their own workload to meet strict deadlines

Desirable

Familiar with GP clinical systems EMIS and Docman Able to analyse and interpret prescribing data

Knowledge and Understanding

Essential

Knowledge and understanding of pharmacy laws and ethics and current legislation Good clinical pharmaceutical knowledge including terminology An excellent understanding of data protection and confidentiality issues

Desirable

Awareness of GP budget management and funding systems to assist delivery PCN/NHS priorities and requirements for financial balance and quality

Other

Essential

Meets DBS reference standards Able to work across several sites and travel to meet with stakeholders

Desirable

Holds a full, current UK driving licence

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