Medicines Management Technician-Dermatology, Immunology

Job summary

Nottingham University Hospitals is one of the UK's largest and busiest acute teaching hospital Trusts and has a national and international reputation for many of its specialist services and expertise.

An exciting and fantastic opportunity has arisen for a Senior Pharmacy Medicines Management Technician to work within our Ambulatory Care Division.

This post offers an outstanding developmental opportunity to expand your clinical knowledge and skills in a range of highly specialist areas by working closely with the Rheumatology, Dermatology, Clinical Immunology & Allergy and Ophthalmology outpatient Services at the Treatment Centre.

This role provides a novel opportunity to be involved in Pharmacist -led drug allergy/adverse reaction clinics.

We are looking for a enthusiastic, highly motivated and committed technician with excellent communication skills to join our team.

The role will be an integral part of the multidisciplinary team working alongside specialist pharmacists, nursing and medical staff by participating in the provision of a high quality, professional and effective medicine management service to Elective Surgical patients admitted to the Treatment Centre Site.

Previous experience within a hospital environment is desirable but not essential as full developmental support and training will be provided by our specialist Pharmacists.

Main duties of the job

This role will work as part of the Ambulatory Clinical Pharmacy Team to improve and support the quality of pharmaceutical care to patients on admission and at discharge in clinical areas; including providing a clinical service to a Surgical Short Day Unit.

To support the Specialist Dermatology, Immunology & Allergy Pharmacist and Rheumatology Clinical Pharmacist with Outpatient clinical activities - working under their supervision. To support provide support with robust medicines governance, drug challenge clinic provision and Immunology homecare provision.

Medicine reconciliation and facilitating a smooth transfer of medication related issues across the interface at admission, discharge and transfer.

Managing medication at ward level, checking and assessing patients own medications on admission and at discharge, collating medicine information for accurate medicine reconciliation, patient counselling , dispensing and self-checking of pre-labelled medication at discharge

Deliver Medicine Management Teaching to nursing colleagues within the division.

Involvement in ward and department projects, clinical audits/data collection, staff management

The successful candidate must be approachable, hardworking, a team player, have good attention to detail, be self-motivated and have a patient -centred attitude.

As a senior Medicine Management Technician you will have excellent communication skills and be able to use your initiative, manage your own time and meet deadlines.

About us

Nottingham University Hospitals is in one of the UK's largest and busiest acute teaching hospital Trusts and has a national and international reputation for many of its specialist services and expertise.

The pharmacy department is thriving under a new leadership team, is forward thinking and constantly implementing innovative ways of working to deliver the best possible patient care.

The Ambulatory Care Divisionis responsible for delivering a range of specialist services: Clinical Allergy and Immunity, Dermatology, Diabetes and Endocrinology, Ophthalmology, Rheumatology and Chronic Pain. As a relatively newly formed division it provides numerous exciting opportunities for Pharmacy to become an integral part of the pathways.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the job description and person specification attached to the advert for the full details of the vacancy.

The post holder will provide a professional and effective medicines management service, with emphasis, on accurate and meticulous drug histories, thorough patient counselling, the re-use and assessment of patients own medications, timely preparation of discharge prescriptions, one stop dispensing and authorised self-checking.

Drug History Taking This will include compiling medication histories by checking with patients, their own medication, patients notes, electronic summaries of medications provided by patient by their GP, liaising with relevant community care providers, and any other appropriate sources of information. To ensure that the medication history is obtained; documented appropriately and any discrepancies are annotated on the drug administration chart as per pharmacy procedure and communicated to the relevant pharmacist and / or, where appropriate, the clinical team.

Communicating effectively, clearly and concisely complex or sensitive information to a wide range of staff, healthcare professionals and patients where there may be barriers to understanding.

Checking patients own medicines for suitability for use on admission and at discharge

Checking the transcription of medication for discharge on the etto before the Pharmacist has seen the discharge prescription.

To carry out final accuracy checks of discharge prescriptions against contents of patients own drugs locker

To maintain up to date handovers on NerveCentre.

To be responsible for the supply of items for one-stop dispensing (and self- administration where introduced) checking the patient locker to see what supplies are still available on the ward.

Liaise with ward and pharmacy staff to resolve any technical queries or problems with the patients, refers clinical queries to the pharmacist for resolution.

To provide support to the Ophthalmology Wards working under the supervision of the specialist Ophthalmology Pharmacist. To counsel patients of the correct use and technique of eye drop to improve patient compliance and outcomes.

When required to provide support to other clinical areas within the Trust as requested by the Divisional Lead Pharmacist Ambulatory Care.

To highlight the need of any additional compliance aids and supply if necessary to assist with medication compliance.

To liaise with GPs, community pharmacies and other primary care professionals to ensure safe use of medicines and continuity of care is maintained.

To participate in the full programme of validated checking and training schemes in accordance with agreed protocols.

To collect and transfer patients medication between wards and departments.

In liaison with pharmacy stores, maintain and review drug supply issues relevant to the clinical area to ensure an effective and safe system of drug supply, through effective communication with relevant pharmacy and ward staff.

Representing the Pharmacy Department when working in ward, clinic or other departmental environments and upholding the standards expected.

To participate in the controlled drug retrieval of patients own medication from wards, and expired or unused ward stock. To check CD register balances and balance transfers to new CD registers. To help support the quarterly CD audits.

To be responsible for the local implementation of standards relating to medicines storage and security including:

Ambient and fridge temperature monitoring

Security of medicines storage in treatment rooms, drug trolleys, fridges, emergency trolleys and boxes, controlled drugs cupboards.

Whilst this post is commissioned to be full time ( hours per week) the service would welcome applications from those wanting a better work life balance. If you would like to consider this post but on less than full time hours please still apply and outline this on your application form or please contact us for further discussion.

Person Specification

Communication and relationship skills

Essential

To communicate information relevant to medicine management back to patients, staff and colleagues Good interpersonal skills with the ability to liaise with a wide range of staff and patients

Desirable

Identify compliance issues and action appropriately

Experience

Essential

Receiving, dispensing and accuracy checking prescriptions Pharmacy labelling systems for labelling and stock management Stock management Able to work in a productive team Able to work safely as an individual

Desirable

Substantial knowledge of medicine management procedures and policies Experience in the admission/discharge processes within hospital pharmacy Experience of management and coordination of staff within hospital pharmacy Proven knowledge and experience in using computer labelling and stock control systems within hospital pharmacy

Qualifications

Essential

BTEC / NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent and are registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council Accuracy Checking Pharmacy Technician (Accredited or proof of in-house training )

Desirable

Medicine Management Assessments or Validations (Accredited or proof of in-house training

Analytical and Judgement skill

Essential

Proven evidence of judgement and prioritization skills with regards to targets, deadlines and stock management. Proven experience in problem solving Accurate with good attention to detail Good time management

Desirable

Experience in data collection, activities and analysis Ability to delegate and problem solve Evidence of project work or Audits

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

Essential

Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's "We are here for you" behavioural standards Approachable Team player Polite and respectful Caring and helpful Safe and vigilant Accountable and reliable Informative and compassionate Communicate and listen

Other requirements specific to the role ( be able to drive or work shifts

Essential

Flexibility will be required to participate in rostered 7 day shifted working Bank holiday working Must have the ability to wear appropriate PPE required for the role Commitment to support the Trusts values, behaviours and principles.

Desirable

Good keyboard skills Good knowledge and computer skills

Planning and organisation skills

Essential

Experience in organising workload to meet pharmacy services and patients' needs Self-motivated and able to motivate others Persuasive Use own initiative and manage own time and deadlines Demonstrate ability to multitask

Physical skills

Essential

Physical Effort: During a shift the post holder will be required to exert light physical effort and may sit for long periods of time using IT equipment. When in the dispensaries, standing for long periods of time may occur. There may also be occasions where the post holder is expected to exert moderate physical effort, lifting, bending and stretching. This may occur frequently on a daily basis. There will be face to face contact with patients within this role which on occasion may be stressful and difficult During a shift the post holder may experience unpredictable workload, extreme busy periods and lots of background noise /distractions. Constant concentration is required for accurate work

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