Senior Pharmacy Technician

Job summary

The Medicines Optimisation team is recruiting for a band 5 full time CCB Pharmacy Technician for a 12 month secondment / fixed term contract for maternity cover. There will be an element of hybrid working, however the majority of the time will be spent supporting CCBs.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, highly motivated registered Pharmacy Technician to join our team and contribute to developing our services. The successful applicant will be a part of a team of Pharmacy Technicians providing medicines support to community care beds across Leeds.

Main duties of the job

This role is to work closely with the Community Care Bed (CCB) sites in the city to improve medication safety for patients in intermediate care as they pass from hospital to CCB and onwards to the next care setting.

There are currently over 120 CCBs in Leeds over 5 sites, linked with 5 GP practices. The post holder will be required to work closely with all healthcare professionals associated with the care of patients in CCBs to promote, implement and deliver safe and effective medicine use in this care setting. This will require enthusiasm and self-motivation alongside good communication skills. The post holder will promote evidence based, cost-effective prescribing to the benefit of patients and in line with local and national guidance and ensure that patient centred care is at the core of all they do.

About us

NHSWest Yorkshire ICB is responsible for improving population health and reducinginequalities to meet the diverse health needs of its population and is part ofthe West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership which includes organisations,local councils, health and care providers and voluntary, community and socialenterprise organisations.

Weare passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and valuesdiversity; we see this as a strength and part of our founding mission, valuesand behaviours. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectivesand backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment thatdelivers patient outcomes.

Weare committed to creating the best place to work, where your contribution isvalued, your wellbeing is supported and all our colleagues can reach their fullpotential. We welcome and encourage applications from all areas of thecommunity, who meet the criteria for the role, regardless of their protectedcharacteristics.

We operatea Carer friendly working environment that is supportive and inclusive. Weactively encourage Carers to self-identify themselves and are offered a workingCarer passport.

As a MindfulEmployer we are positive and enabling towards all employees and job applicantswith a mental health condition.

We are a DisabilityConfident Employer and commit to shortlisting suitable applicants who meet theessential criteria for an informus of any adjustments you may require.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Work closely with the staff in the CCBs, GP practices and hospitals to ensure medication records and information are conveyed correctly between sites of care, and any changes are implemented correctly.

Ensure planned changes in medication are communicated effectively to the next site of care.

Perform medicine reconciliations for patients on arrival in the CCB and prior to leaving.

Support and promote, where suitable, self-medication by residents in the CCB

Review medication ordering systems within CCBs and GP practices to optimise safety and minimise wastage.

To work independently and without direct supervision across the Leeds ICB footprint ensuring adherence to Medicines Optimisation protocols and guidance.

To provide and receive information relating to medicines and medicines optimisation including: clinical information regarding patient care, technical medicines optimisation/therapeutics information and prescribing activity data derived from audit data, ePACT and similar sources;

Communicate complex and sometimes sensitive medicines-related information to patients, carers and other healthcare professionals including but not exclusive of GPs, Practice Nurses, Practice Pharmacists. The post holder may have to adjust their communication style and content to take account of other peoples language difficulties, intellectual abilities or background, for example. The post holder may need to persuade the recipient to the validity/relevance of the information/argument, and negotiate actions;

To analyse, interpret and compare medicines-related information to provide highly specialised advice concerning care of individual patients and groups of patients. This may include providing information/communicating common drug dosage and use, issues relating to medication regimens and changes to prescribing guidance;

To review repeat prescribing systems and ordering processes in CCBs and assist staff in CCBs and GP practices with the implementations of improvements that ensure robust systems are in place; this may include reacting promptly to change in medicines use, availability or guidance;

In conjunction with other team members, plan, organise and implement practice support services to a cohort of practices across the city to promote cost efficiencies and medicines safety in prescribing. This may include reacting promptly to change in medicines use, availability or guidance to support member practices.

To carry out clinical and cost savings audits in practice against agreed protocols, policies or guidance or specifically agreed work plans and record the subsequent activity and outcomes.

To work in a collaborative manner across all health and social care interfaces to support patient-centred care.

To propose and implement policy or service changes that impact within and beyond the post holders own role, including work within GP practices, community pharmacies and by community nurses. This includes the development of prescribing / medicines optimisation guidelines and protocols.

To plan and organise the post holders own workload, including audit and project work and training sessions for members of the clinical pharmacy team, GP practice team, community pharmacy team, community nurse team, patients, carers, etc.

To supervise, and train less experienced medicines optimisation technicians including but not limited to, pre-registration pharmacy technicians and pharmacists, other clinical pharmacy staff.

To deliver or support training to practice staff and primary healthcare teams on medicines optimisation related issues where appropriate.

Handle function specific information, which may be sensitive, complex or confidential and appropriately record, transfer and/or co-ordinate such information in accordance with the Data Protection Act and the subsequent legislation including that of the General Data Protection Regulations.

Use and maintain information systems and databases relevant to specific functions or projects.

Check invoices and documentation as part of specific medicines-related projects.

To maintain professional registration as a Pharmacy Technician with the GPhC and comply with appropriate professional codes of conduct. Complete CPD in line with registration requirements and to participate in the ICB appraisal process.

To undertake any other duties commensurate with the post holders grade as agreed with the post holders line manager.

All staff are expected to work flexibly across all functions according to the skills and requirements for individual roles.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Expertise within specialism underpinned by theory; knowledge of pharmaceutical technical procedures for specialist area to degree or equivalent level acquired though training , NVQ Level 3 in Phar Professional registration as Pharmacy Technician with General Pharmaceutical Council

Desirable

Foundation Degree Medicines Management & Pharmacy Services or equivalent.

Experience

Essential

Evidence of continued professional development Working knowledge of the NHS and healthcare settings including the importance of maintaining confidentiality Experience of working to and achieving tight deadlines

Desirable

Experience of working in Primary Care/Medicines Optimisation Working in the NHS, including community pharmacy and the acute trusts. Evidence of patient facing experience.

Skills & behaviours -

Essential

Has a planned and organised approach with an ability to prioritise their own workload to meet strict deadlines Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, verbal and written, with the ability to adjust their communication style and content to suit the audience. Attention to details, able to work accurately, identify errors quickly and easily Willingness to undertake training

Desirable

Report writing skills

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