ARRS PCN Pharmacy Technician

Job summary

Clinical Pharmacy in General Practice is partof an exciting programme of transformation to develop a new model of care whichaddresses our ambition to deliver person-centred, coordinated care across thedistrict. To better utilise the role of pharmacy within primary care topro-actively help patients stay safe, well and help to reduce the demands ongeneral practice.

Pharmacy technicians play an important role,complementing clinical pharmacists, community pharmacists and other members ofthe PCN multi-disciplinary team.

To lead on maximising safe and cost-effective best practice in prescribing to improve the quality of patientcare. To help patients get the best from their medicines by reviewing, and switchingmedications where required, in-line with agreed and approved protocols. To improve repeat prescribingprocesses in General Practice, including promotion of repeat dispensing andonline ordering, minimising clinical risk and aiming to reduce wastedmedicines.

In addition, the post holder will beresponsible for encouraging the development of better understanding of theprinciples of medicines optimisation throughout the practice teams andpromoting good practice in line with therapeutic developments. This willinvolve assisting the PCN in achieving national requirements, NICE guidance implementation and utilisation of medicines optimisation initiatives.

Main duties of the job

To undertake medicines and reconciliation in accordance with practice protocols and update patients medical records accordingly. Support in the delivery of Clinical Pharmacy services, including processing discharge/clinic letters from secondary care. To support the achievement DES/Qof targets. Working with practices to contribute to the review and development of repeat prescribing protocols. To provide advice to medical staff, administrative staff and patients in changes to prescribing ensuring safety, quality and cost effectiveness. To participate in and interpret medication audits. To assist in the appropriate monitoring and management of prescribing budgets and to liaise with the medicines management team. To prepare evidence-based resources and information to support the implementation of rational cost-effective prescribing. To support the practices in providing medication reviews, patient information leaflets, medicine awareness; and to undertake community visits as appropriate. To support all practices in implementing effective procedures and policies in relation to medicines management including the management and monitoring of shared care medication and MHRA Alerts. Medicines adherence. Take a proactive approach to promote the safe and secure handling of medicines. Any other ad hoc duties as required todo so by the Senior Management team, that are commensurate with the grade andresponsibilities of the post.

About us

Lincolnshire and District Medical Services (LADMS) is a private limited company providing primary care services throughout Lincolnshire. LADMS is a well-known provider who is commissioned to manage various contracts on behalf of NHS England.

The successful candidate would be primarily employed by LADMS on behalf of Meridian Medical Primary Care Network (PCN).

Meridian Medical PCN is a group of GP Practices collaborating to share experience, workforce and services, with the aim of improving access and meeting the needs of local patients and communities. In doing this, we can provide better quality services, closer to where patients live and are varied to meet their needs. Meridian Medical PCN comprises of the following practices: East Lindsey Medical Group - Louth & Tetford. James Street Family Practice - Louth. Tasburgh Lodge Surgery - Woodhall Spa and Marsh Medical Practice - North Somercotes and Manby - with a total PCN patient population of approx. 38,000 patients.

As a PCN we build on existing primary care services and enable greater provision of proactive, personalised, coordinated and more integrated health and social care for our patients. This is a change from reactively providing appointments to proactively caring for the people and communities we serve.

There's a greater understanding of the ways you want to work and the support you need to achieve your individual aspirations. Supporting your personal development and career long learning.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Pharmacy Technicians' core responsibilities will cover clinical, technical, and administrative categories. It is an important role, complementing clinical pharmacists, community pharmacists and other members of the PCN multi-disciplinary team.

The purpose of the 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.

In addition, the post holder will be responsible for encouraging the development of better understanding of the principles 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 medicines optimisation initiatives. The post holder must:

a. be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).

b. meets the specific qualification and training requirements as specified by the GPhC criteria to register as a Pharmacy Technician.

c. be enrolled in, undertaking, or qualified from an approved training pathway. the Primary Care Pharmacy Educational Pathway (PCPEP). Enrolled in or qualified from an approved training programme, Primary care pharmacy education pathway (PCPEP) or equivalent or courses approved by the Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK (APTUK) as meeting the requirements of the UK-wide APTIK/PCPA National Competency Framework for Primary Care Pharmacy Technicians; and work under appropriate clinical supervision to ensure safe, effective, and efficient use of medicines.

This role will focus on:

Ensuring safe, accurate and timely supply of prescribed medications for patients. The postholder will have the opportunity to lead on improvements in this area, providing technical and administrative support.

Supporting the delivery of good care, helping patients to get the best outcomes from taking their medicines.

Being the main contact for non-clinical medication related queries from pharmacies, nursing homes and other health care professionals, to improve the accuracy of patient medication records.

Supporting implementation of medication changes under guidance of prescribing clinicians.

Supporting with audit work in relation to safe prescribing and general quality improvement.

Working closely with practice administration staff, GPs, and pharmacists to answer any queries and take forward any work streams identified providing technical and administrative support.

JOB ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

To undertake medicines and reconciliation in accordance with practice protocols and to update patients medical records accordingly. To support the achievement of practices QoF targets. Working with practices to contribute to the review and development of repeat prescribing protocols to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of prescribing systems. To provide advice to GPs, staff, and patients in changes to prescribing to support the improvement of prescribing safety, quality, and cost effectiveness. To participate in and interpret medication audits. To assist in the appropriate monitoring and management of prescribing budgets and to liaise with medicines management team at the ICB. To prepare evidence-based resources and information to support the implementation of rational cost-effective prescribing. To support the clinical pharmacist team to provide medication reviews, patient information leaflets, medicine awareness; and to undertake community visits as appropriate. To support all practices to implement effective procedures and policies in relation to medicines management including the management and monitoring of shared care medication and MHRA Alerts. To promote medicines adherence including checking inhaler techniques where appropriate To take a proactive approach to promote the safe and secure handling of medicines including assessment of risk and making recommendations for improvement. To respond to medication queries from patients and staff in a professional manner referring to the appropriate GP in accordance with practice protocols. To advise on the sourcing and safe management of medicines as appropriate. Be responsible for the organisation and planning of your own workload meeting set deadlines. Administration duties in line with the role and responsibilities. Such as data entry/collation/processing.

Responsibilities underpinning the Role.

To play a role in the delivery of high-quality primary health care services. Provide support to individuals, their families, and carers to take control of their health and wellbeing, live independently and improve their outcomes, as a key member of the PCN Multi-disciplinary Team. Working under supervision of the core network member practices taking referrals. To make and maintain contact with local health and wellbeing service providers and build a network and knowledge of referral routes to and from service providers, keeping a Directory of Services updated. Refer people and/or introduce them to appropriate organisations in Lincolnshire and nationally (where appropriate) voluntary, statutory (local authority) and local NHS organisations. To present the PCN in cross organisation meetings when agreed locality/ICB meetings. Collate feedback/analysis data on behalf of the PCN to report to the board. Maintaining a positive, supportive, and patient focused culture across the wider team. Any other duties commensurate with this position.

This is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities, and the post holder may be required to undertake other duties thatfall within their role.

Key working relationships

Local care homes

LADMS EHCH MDT

Local Neighbourhood Team

GP Practices within the PCN

Practice Leaders (Partners and Practice Managers & PCN Manager)

PCN Social Prescribers

PCN Clinical Pharmacist

PCN Clinical Directors and Board

ICB and NHSE

Community Health Teams both physical and mental health

Local Authority

CONFIDENTIALITY

In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately.

In the performance of the duties outlined in this job description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the PCN as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential.

EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY

The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, careers, and colleagues, to include:

Acting in a way that recognises the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with PCN and the member practices procedures and policies, and current legislation.

Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers, and colleagues.

Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgemental and respects their circumstances, feelings, priorities, and rights.

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The post-holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the PCN as part of this employment, with such training to include:

Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of their own personal and/or professional development.

Participation in the PCN mandatory training programme

Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance, demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work.

QUALITY

The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the PCN and will:

Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk.

Assess own performance and take accountability for their own actions, either directly or under supervision

Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance.

Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients needs.

Effectively manage own time, workload, and resources

COMMUNICATION

The post-holder should recognise the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to:

Communicate effectively with patients and carers.

Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly.

Communicate effectively with other team members.

If you are enthusiastic, dedicated, and passionate about changing peoples lives for the better, wed love to hear from you.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Current GPhC Registration - Qualified and registered with GPhC as a Pharmacy Technician. Evidence of CPD. Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. Ability to work as part of a Team. Proficient in the use of IT eg MS Office Outlook, Excel working with spreadsheets and databases. Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Trust Values. Able to provide safe, caring, and effective services. Knowledge of audit and research. Understanding of clinical governance and risk management. Good organisational skills. Ability to work under pressure in a busy environment. Time management skills. Ability to plan, prioritise and organise workload. Values and behaviours that reflect the PCN values of Care, Respect and Responsibility. Commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that is free from discrimination and where people feel they belong and their contribution is valued. Understanding of clinical governance and risk management. Ability to work flexibly with the ability to travel between sites. Clean/valid driving licence.

Desirable

Previous experience of working in a primary care (General Practice). Experience of prescribing /clinical systems - SystmOne. Awareness of Medicines Management agenda. Continued commitment to improve skills and ability in new areas of work. Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. Good organisational skills. Ability to work under pressure in a busy environment. Motivational & negotiation skills. Self-motivated, able to work collaboratively and independently. People management. Ability to make decisions. Ability to work as part of a team. Punctual and flexible across hours of work when required. Ability to work flexibly with the ability to travel between sites. Tactful/diplomatic. Pragmatic can do attitude. Knowledge of audit and research. Good organisational skills. Ability to work under pressure in a busy environment. Time management skills. Ability to plan, prioritise and organise workload.

Qualifications

Essential

The post holder must: Be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). Meets the specific qualification and training requirements as specified by the GPhC criteria to register as a Pharmacy Technician. Be enrolled in, undertaking, or qualified from, an approved training pathway. For example, the Primary Care Pharmacy Educational Pathway (PCPEP). Enrolled in or qualified from an approved training programme, care pharmacy education pathway (PCPEP) or equivalent or courses approved by the Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK (APTUK) as meeting the requirements of the UK-wide APTUK/PCPA National Competency Framework for Primary Care Pharmacy Technicians; and Work under appropriate clinical supervision to ensure safe, effective, and efficient use of medicines. Equivalent of four GCSEs at Grade C and above, including mathematics, English language, science and one other subject. Previous experience of working in General Practice, ARRS, Community or Hospital pharmacy is essential Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written Ability to work as part of a team Proficient in the use of IT MS Office Outlook, Excel working with spread sheets and databases.

Desirable

Previous experience of working in a primary care role (General Practice). Experience of prescribing/clinical systems - SystmOne. Previous experience working within a patient facing role. Primary Care Pharmacy Educational Pathway (PCPEP). Medicines reconciliation Certificate or equivalent.

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