Senior Clinical Pharmacy Technician

Job summary

Are you a Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician due to qualify and register or a registered Pharmacy Technician? We would welcome applications and would offer a band 4 to band 5 progression post until competencies and accuracy checking qualifications are complete. Are you confident, forward-thinking, and looking for a new challenge? Why not consider joining our clinical pharmacy team? You will be front and centre, talking with patients across our wards/departments, giving you a great opportunity to be a part of the delivery of treatments in oncology.

We are currently looking to recruit highly motivated, enthusiastic pharmacy technicians to join our Trust pharmacy team to work alongside a multi-disciplinary team in providing a high-quality service to patients and colleagues.

You will make an impact, be challenged to think differently, be bold and help innovate to keep improving services. Everything we do centres around patient care which means your role is pivotal and something really to be proud of. If you are keen to make a positive contribution to the care of our patients, are enthusiastic, self- motivated and willing to learn new skills, we would like to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

You will work closely with other members of our multi-disciplinary teams to ensure that Christie patients have access to the very latest developments in oncology and haematology medicines. You will be responsible for pharmacy technician clinical pharmacy services on designated wards, working within our innovative clinical pharmacy team to ensure a high quality, patient-focused clinical pharmacy and medicines supply service to oncology patients which will help you to enhance your skills, knowledge, and experience to support your future career development. You will support the satellite dispensary when required, including dispensing and accuracy checking of medication and facilitating medication requirements for chemotherapy patients on Oak Road Treatment Centre and haematology day case units. Other responsibilities within this role include controlled drug returns, monitoring and replenishment of pharmacy resuscitation boxes and support within the Homecare service.

You will be a strong team player with effective interpersonal, communication and organisational skills as well as a keen interest and enthusiasm for patient focussed services and continual improvement.

The post holder will be based at the Christie Withington site, however, may be required to undertake roles and responsibilities at the Christie at Macclesfield site.

About us

Working with us gives you the knowledge and sense of pride that every activity you do genuinely does make a difference to support our patients and staff, ensuring we keep thriving and delivering outstanding healthcare right across the organisation.

You will have access to varied development opportunities, learn new skills, meet wonderful people, and do things you may never have done. You will learn about working in a hospital environment, interacting with people from all different roles to build skills and enhance your career path. We are focused on your future, working together to make the clinical pharmacy team the best place to work.

Job description

Job responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To participate, and be responsible for, pharmacy technician based clinical pharmacy services on designated wards in partnership with the ward pharmacist to ensure a high quality, patientfocused clinical pharmacy and medicines supply service to oncology patients is delivered.

o To contribute to the service delivery within the day case units including oncology solid tumours, haematology, and ambulatory care initiatives.

o To ensure each patient is assessed on admission regarding medicines management, taking a complete and accurate medication history.

o Rotation onto the Acute Assessment Unit providing a medicines optimisation role.

o To participate in the assessment of patients for the self-medication scheme in accordance with local policy.

o To provide a weekly top up service for patients on designated wards to ensure continuous supply of medication.

o To be responsible and assist the ward pharmacist in ensuring and organising the efficient supply of medication during the patients stay in hospital and on discharge from the hospital including assessing suitability of medication for discharge.

o To be proactive in the discharge planning process and liaise with the ward pharmacist and other healthcare professionals to ensure prescriptions are processed and delivered to the patients in a timely manner.

o To counsel patients and their carers to ensure greater understanding of their medication including its safe use and side effects.

To undertake all clinical duties in accordance with standard operating procedure and all local, Trust and national guidelines.

Ensure good team working and communication between pharmacy staff, ward pharmacist, ward staff and medical staff on behalf of the patients.

To deal with queries from patients and all healthcare professionals in a friendly and courteous manner.

To assist in maintaining optimal stock levels of medication on all ward areas.

To participate in the training and supervision of pharmacy assistants in the ordering, maintenance, and delivery of stock for wards and departments within the Trust.

To assist in the training, induction and supervision of staff involved in ward-based technician services including pre-registration trainee pharmacy technicians, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy assistants, pre-registration pharmacists and new members of staff.

To complete yearly Personal Development Reviews for staff including pre-registration trainee pharmacy technicians, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy assistants.

To provide pharmacy technician cover at Christie @ sites as required.

To contribute to the regular review and development of the clinical service.

To demonstrate awareness and commitment to the Trusts Clinical & Research Governance agenda and to implement agreed clinical & research governance initiatives.

To participate in departmental, Trust and National risk management schemes such as error reporting systems and intervention monitoring.

To assist in clinical audit or practice research as required.

To provide annual leave/absence cover for other clinical pharmacy technicians in their duties.

To undertake general dispensary duties in accordance with standard operating procedures in line with the clinical needs of ward patients.

To participate in the development of the satellite pharmacy service on Oak Road Treatment Centre.

To support the satellite dispensary when required and facilitate the medication requirements for chemotherapy patients.

To provide dispensing and accuracy checking duties within the satellite pharmacy.

To coordinate medication requirements for haematology and ambulatory care day case units.

To support the monitoring and replenishment of the resuscitation boxes within the Trust.

To support the cyclical medication and homecare services when required.

To support the Christie at Home service when required.

To assess, record and return expired ward controlled drug stock and patients own controlled drugs for destruction to the dispensary.

To contribute to any investigation at ward level regarding anomalies or discrepancies with controlled drug stock or patients own controlled drugs, stored on the ward/department or any other medication related incidents as appropriate.

To liaise with the Chief Clinical Pharmacy Technician when further investigation is required regarding controlled drug incidents or any other medication related incidents if the initial investigation is not resolved.

To be an accredited accuracy checking technician and to support the satellite dispensary as required.

To be fully aware of the COSHH regulations particularly regarding the safe storage and handling of pharmaceutical products.

To participate in Continuing Professional Development ensuring relevant knowledge and skills are up to date, meeting the professional requirements of the General Pharmaceutical Council. To participate in mandatory training in line with Trust and departmental requirements.

To participate in all department rotas including the extended opening hours of the department rota, weekend service and Bank Holiday working as requested.

To always behave in a manner that is in accordance with the professional standards set by the General Pharmaceutical Council.

Undertake all other related duties which may be required in accordance with the changing needs and practices of the department and organisation.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science /NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent recognised pharmacy technician qualification BTEC Level 4 Professional Diploma in Dispensing Accuracy Checking or equivalent recognised accuracy checking qualification - or be willing to work towards the qualification Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

BTEC Level 4 Professional Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy Services or equivalent Management qualification Member of APTUK Member of BOPA

Experience

Essential

Relevant post qualification experience

Desirable

Experience of working in ward pharmacy and clinical services Experience within the oncology setting Experience of working within hospital pharmacy

Skills

Essential

Excellent communication skills both verbal and written Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team Self-motivating Good organisation and time management skills Ability to work under pressure, highly organised, work to deadlines Ability to manage and implement change IT literate Ability to recognise own limitations

Desirable

Ability to influence and negotiate with medical, nursing and pharmacy staff Experience in supervision of other staff

Knowledge

Essential

Good working knowledge of medicine optimisation Good knowledge of clinical use of medicines Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

Experience of drug use in oncology setting

VALUES

Essential

Able to deal with varied situations with tact and diplomacy To show empathy and understanding staff and patients To treat people with dignity and respect Professional approach Ability to adapt to change and to develop services and system to meet changing need Equality and diversity

OTHER

Essential

Flexible approach to work Ability to work in a busy environment and deal with several on-going commitments and tasks at the same time Positive 'can-do' attitude Motivated and willing to learn new skills Able to contribute constructively to a team-working environment Able to follow general processes and procedures and working using own initiative without direct supervision Weekend working (Saturdays & Sundays) Bank holiday working Flexible working hours as required

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