Senior Cancer Pharmacy Technician

Job summary

An opportunity has arisen in the Cancer Pharmacy Team for a Pharmacy technician to develop their senior and management skills with a Maternity Cover vacancy to join our team based at the Horton Hospital.

You will be enthusiastic, highly motivated, experienced and proactive Pharmacy Technician, with excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal Skills, to join Oxford Cancer & Haematology Centre.

We provide day case dispensing in our Satellite pharmacy in Oxford and at Horton Hospital in Banbury and have a team of pharmacists and technicians providing clinical pharmacy services.

The postholder will be required to be able to work cross sites to cover work demand.

Main duties of the job

Key roles include:

To deputise for the Advanced Cancer Clinical Pharmacy Technician and Operational provide management alongside the Ward Based Technician Manager and Operational Managers.Delivery and manage the Medicine Management service to adult cancer in-patients, out-patients, and day case patientsMaintain competencies for Accredited Technician Checking (ACT) and Medicine Management training (MMT)Maintenance of the computerised prescribing systemInvolvement for reporting on audits audits and projects taken in the teamManagement and delivery of Pharmacy service to Day Treatment Units in Oxford and Banbury.Dispensary dutiesPatient counsellingOpportunity to learn about Cancer drugs and develop CPDOpportunity for attendance to the Annual British Oncology Pharmacy Association Conference on a rotational basis.

About us

The Oxford Cancer Centre, and its North Oxfordshire pharmacy services provides comprehensive pharmaceutical care for patients with cancer within Oxfordshire and surrounding areas. These services include: Oncology, Clinical Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant unit, In-patient and Outpatient services, Specialist palliative care service, pain relief unit, and a Cancer Research UK Clinical Research unit. The centre is an Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC) and a Biomedical Research Centre (BMRC).

Job description

Job responsibilities

Management role

To assist the WBT Manager and Advanced Cancer Clinical Pharmacy Technician and Operational Manager in maintaining a safe and effective Medicines Management service to all wards and DTUs across the Haematology and Oncology Directorate at Oxford University Hospitals Foundation Trust (OUHFT), coordinating the use of Patients Own Medicines, inpatient medicines and newly dispensed medicines in order to minimise waste and contribute to timely and safe discharge. To contribute to the writing and implementation of comprehensive and consistent pharmacy wide standard Medicines Management policies and procedures, in accordance with the Medicines Policy and in line with national guidelines. To ensure that all ward based technical staff are familiar with and adhere to pharmacy and trust SOPs and policies. To participate in the training and development of ward based technicians, and support them in providing a ward based service. To ensure ward based risks are identified and risk assessed, and ensure appropriate action plans are implemented to avoid or minimise To support the Advanced Cancer Clinical Pharmacy Technician and Operational Manager with Human Resource processes for the ward based technicians including induction, performance and conduct and absence. To be involved in recruitment, induction, training and appraisal of ward based technical staff. To assist in developing and coordinating training programs, incorporating all ward based and patient-facing technical duties, in line with the Clinical Pharmacy SOP and other relevant procedures. To assist in approving records of annual leave and study leave for ward based technicians, in liaison with the site operational managers. To represent the ward based technical service at departmental and Trust meetings, and deputise for the Advanced Cancer Clinical Pharmacy Technician and Operational Manager as appropriate,. To support the Accountable Officer in the management of controlled drugs in all wards and departments including monitoring usage, record keeping, administration, investigation, recording of incidents and regular pharmacy checks through the ward based teams. To assist the WBT Manager and Advanced Cancer Clinical Pharmacy Technician and Operational Manager in the investigation of incident reports and changes to working practice as a result of such investigations.

General role

To be a role model for ward based technical staff and ensure that the team is motivated to provide a ward based service. To be familiar with all aspects of the dispensary computer and automated systems. To maintain expertise, necessary knowledge and skills of the technical aspects of pharmacy and ensure it is recognised as an important part of the pharmacy strategy. To be an accredited checker for dispensed and general products. To be accredited as an assessor for trainee ward based technicians, pharmacy technicians, assistants and apprentices as needed. To be aware of training and competency assessment of pre-registration pharmacist trainees, diploma pharmacists and pre-registration pharmacy technicians, and participate in their training and competency assessment as required. To work as part of the dispensary team to facilitate the efficient and effective discharge of patients from their clinical area out of the hospital environment by participation in the dispensary rotas, including a minimum of 25% of your time providing daily dispensary support. To be accredited to receive intrathecal chemotherapy (according to site). To be an authorized signatory for time sheets and back-up for purchase orders (where applicable). To document and audit financial drug savings and returns, and to produce reports. To participate in early, evening, weekend and bank holiday working according to rota. To act as team leader for a weekend shift and ensure tasks are delegated and completed. Any other reasonable duties as requested.

Ward and Day Treatment based role

To be an accredited technician in Medicines Management. To be an accredited accuracy technician checker. To be part of the Pharmacy team providing a near-patient medicines management service to clinical areas (wards and day treatment units). To assess PODs according to the Trusts criteria, and to implement and maintain the POD scheme according to Trust policies. To train nursing, medical and pharmacy staff regarding the POD scheme. To initiate the supply of non-stock items for one-stop/full pack dispensing. To complete medicines reconciliation using a variety of available sources. To aid discharge planning in conjunction with the clinical pharmacist and ward staff. To undertake patient counselling on selected patients warfarin initiation, inhaler counselling. To work with the clinical pharmacist to counsel patients on their discharge medication. To become accredited to complete controlled drug checks for selected wards within the Directorate. Refer interventions to the Clinical Pharmacist, and to report and investigate incidents where appropriate. Work with the ward team to ensure safe storage of medicines at ward level, including temperature checks and appropriate storage of controlled drugs. To liaise with ward staff over any relevant medicines management issues. To participate in the audit of the medicines management service, as well as departmental and Trust-wide medication audits, as requested by the Clinical Pharmacist Manager or Ward Based Technician Manager. To participate in a reciprocal cover arrangement to maintain the medicines management service. Oncology & Haematology Directorate Role To line manage Cancer Pharmacy Team Technician staff To provide MMT services to Oncology and Haematology Directorate Clinical Areas, including Day Treatment Units. To ensure effective cancer pharmacy satellite management. To liaise with external agencies to ensure safe, timely, and appropriate supply to patients eg Homecare companies where appropriate. To be responsible for ensuring that expiry date and stock level checks are carried out in Cancer Satellite Dispensary and DTU pharmacy trolleys. To supervise the preparation of all rotas for cancer technical and support staff.

Professional Role

To maintain professional registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). To maintain an up to date Continuous Professional Development (CPD) record. To ensure confidentiality is maintained at all times. To be professionally accountable for actions and advice. To follow departmental and Trust policies and procedures. To take part in annual appraisals with the Ward Based Technician Manager. Person Specification

Essential and Desirable

Essential

Qualified Pharmacy Technician with an NVQ3 in Pharmaceutical Science, or equivalent Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) Qualified as an Accredited Checking Technician and Medicines Management Technician Up to date Continuous Professional Development (CPD) record Broad experience of hospital pharmacy in a number of different roles Proven experience of managing staff including leading and encouraging team working, recruitment and appraisal Confidential and considerate to the needs of other staff Proven experience of audit and project work Proven competency in writing, implementing and monitoring procedures Organised, with the ability to prioritise workload, manage own time and direct staff to designated tasks Demonstrable written and verbal communication skills Enthusiastic, adaptable, flexible and able to demonstrate an ability to work independently, and as part of a team, under pressure Willing to travel between sites

Desirable

Experience of managing/co-ordinating a near-patient ward based medicines management service Proven experience of hospital pharmacy computer systems, including robotic dispensing In-depth knowledge of Pharmacy Purchasing and stock control management Experience of conducting Risk Assessments Qualified to formally assess trainee pharmacy technicians and assistants Qualified to perform ward controlled drug checks Back Care Facilitator Previous experience of working in appropriate clinical area (cancer) Membership of British Oncology Pharmacy Association (BOPA) Experience of working with clinical trials Experience of practice research

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