PCN Pharmacy Technician

Job summary

The purpose of this role is to lead improvements to maximise safe, cost-effective best practice in prescribing to improve the quality of patient care. The post holder will help patients to get the best from their medicines by switching medications to agreed and approved protocols, improving repeat prescribing processes in General Practice, including promotion of repeat dispensing and online ordering, minimising clinical risk, and aiming to reduce wasted medicines.

Thisis a part time post working 15 hours per week. The post holder may be requiredto work flexibly to meet the needs of the service.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be responsible for encouraging the development of better understanding of the principals of medicines optimisation throughout the practice teams and promoting good practice in line with therapeutic developments. This will involve assisting the PCN in achieving national requirements, NICE implementation, and utilisation of medicine optimisation initiatives.

The post holder will need to liaise withhospital pharmacy teams, GP practices, local community pharmacists, socialservices, and care agencies to ensure any continuing medicine management issuesare addressed and managed throughout the patients care pathway , fromhospital stay through to discharge home.The post holder will provide relevant information to patients/carers andstaff on matters relating to medication.The post holder will counsel patients on how to take their medicines andidentify any barriers to them taking their medication, referring to apharmacist as needed. The post holderwill undertake face to face and person-centred consultations with the emphasison shared decision making.

About us

Purbeck PCN is made up of 6 member practices and works closely with the wider locality to improve and enhance patient care. Purbeck PCN is committed to delivering an integrated neighbourhood team approach within the community and works to improve patient access to local services, by working with many sectors including the voluntary sector, mental health services, Help & Care, and Dorset Mind.

Job description

Job responsibilities

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

Conduct detailed medicines reconciliation including an assessment of patients adherence to treatments prescribed- where appropriate. Any discrepancies should be evaluated and discussed with the relevant prescriber and referred to the Clinical Pharmacist for further advice or clarification. Resolve where appropriate medication adherence issues (, changing administration times) under supervision. As determined by the PCN, support medication reviews and medicines reconciliation for new care home patients and synchronising medicines for patient transfers between care settings, linking with local community pharmacies. Support the Clinical Pharmacist in Structure Medication Reviews (SMR) , organise necessary monitoring tests prior to SMR. Provide expertise to address both the public health and social care needs of patients, including lifestyle advice, service information and help in tackling local health inequalities. Manage shared care protocols and liaise with Clinical Pharmacists for more complex patients. To provide pharmaceutical support and deal with medication queries to integrated services including rest homes as appropriate. To contribute to patient care by providing professional advice within competence. This may involve advising on complex situations where there are a range of options/solutions. Advice may be related to the legal framework for the management of medicines, or it may be clinical relating to medicines optimisation to ensure patient compliance with their medication. Counsel patients and their relatives/carers on how to manage their medicines, identify administration or adherence problems and provide supportive information to promote concordance, where appropriate. Support initiatives for antimicrobial stewardship to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing locally. Record all significant interventions (where there is a risk of harm to patients) via the Ulysses system. Discuss interventions with prescribers and the multi-disciplinary team as appropriate and follow up outcomes with relevant clinical staff. To attend MDT meetings and contribute to admission avoidance work. To support care home service managers with medicines optimisation for care home residents. Carry out home visits to support patients and their Carers with managing medication.

Please see the attached document for the full job description.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Recent experience of Medicines Management within a hospital or general practice setting. Basic IT skills, normally obtained through practice or practical training.

Desirable

Recent experience in a similar role. Familiarity with the workings of multiple care settings. Recent experience of developing and implementing pharmaceutical care initiatives. Evidence of involvement in education and training of other professionals. Knowledge of SystmOne.

Qualifications

Essential

Holds a Pharmacy Technician qualification recognised by the GPhC. Registered as a Pharmacy Technician with the GPhC. Recognised, current Medicines Management Qualification or equivalent relevant experience. Evidenced continuous professional development record.

Desirable

Recognised, current Accredited checking Technician qualification.

Personal Skills & Qualities

Essential

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with individuals from all agencies and at all levels including service users, carers, and professionals. Demonstrated ability in having excellent communication and organisational skills. Self-motivated and able to work with limited direction. Demonstrated ability to work methodically and accurately. Demonstrated ability to support colleagues and check own or colleagues work as appropriate. Ability to work independently without direct supervision. Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English, adequate to enable the post holder to carry out the role effectively. Car driver or otherwise independently mobile.

Desirable

Ability and commitment to engage with and empower service users and carers. Excellent written and oral presentation skills. Demonstrated ability in training.

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