Pharmacy Technician

Job summary

Join us as a key member of our friendly team dedicated to ensuring the safe and efficient supply of chemotherapy and supportive medicines for patients in the Primrose Oncology Unit and Day Treatment Unit.

An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic qualified pharmacy technician who is committed to contributing to the best pharmacy experience for our cancer patients.

Once set criteria has been met and reviewed, the post holder will progress to a senior pharmacy technician, undertaking a leadership role including line management responsibilities.

An ACPT qualification is an advantage, but a successful candidate without the ACPT will be required to undertake accreditation.

Main duties of the job

To carry out technical pharmaceutical duties and provide organisational support to senior colleagues within Pharmacy Aseptics Assist in the supervision and organisation of the technical aspects of chemotherapy supply to hospital departments to ensure the provision of high quality pharmaceutical products. Support the provision and implementation of effective training for technicians and assistants working in Aseptics. Contribute to developmental/operational proposals for service improvement to maintain a safe, effective, high quality service. To work as an accredited checking pharmacy technician (ACPT) once qualified.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.

We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.

Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To assist in the delivery of the safe, effective and efficient supply of aseptically prepared chemotherapy and other medicinal products in accordance with work instructions. To prepare documentation and labels for supply of ready-made aseptically prepared products. To accurately dispense outsourced parenteral chemotherapy treatment, ensuring product is fit for purpose and the batch number and expiry dates are recorded accurately. To dispense oral chemotherapy and supportive medicines on electronic prescriptions from the Oncology and Haematology department, according to specific drug requirements. To ensure materials are stored appropriately according to manufacturers requirements; to monitor expiry dates optimising drug usage. To organise and maintain documentation and records, archiving according to legal requirements. To report to Senior/Lead Aseptic staff any incidents and procedural deficiencies which require corrective and preventative actions. To work with Senior Aseptic Technicians to ensure all required chemotherapy is ordered and allocated to patients and the relevant databases updated. To assist with ordering of patient-specific chemotherapy doses from external aseptic compounding companies, communicating and problem solving issues regarding dose changes and cancellations. To be responsible for receipting chemotherapy doses for patients, allocating doses appropriately using the in-house ordering database and highlighting defective products all in accordance with the MHRAs GDP. To deliver checked and released patient specific chemotherapy to the Oncology day unit at start of day, relaying back to senior colleagues any queries from nursing staff regarding that days chemotherapy. To monitor expired drug stock and minimise wastage; to help maintain the stock wastage database. To relabel outsourced adult Parenteral Nutrition (PN) infusion bags in an accurate and safe manner, if required by the PN team Pharmacist To contribute to the Quality Assurance of all products and supplies by using approved systems of work and participating in audit. To undertake continued professional development and training as necessary to ensure a high level of competency in carrying out the tasks required and to enable further appropriate development. To participate in the Final Accuracy Checking Pharmacy Technician (ACPT) Scheme. To be an ACPT and complete final accuracy checks on Chemotherapy and supportive medicines, against clinically screened prescriptions. To regularly attend and actively participate in discussions at Aseptic Services staff meetings. To obtain GCP qualification and maintain Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and annual updates regarding Clinical Trials. To accurately dispense clinical trial prescriptions to Pharmacy Aseptics standards after completing documented trial specific training for each trial after appropriate training and competency assessment/achievement of Pharmacy Aseptics dispensing standards. To train and participate in statutory temperature monitoring of clinical trial drugs and all other drugs held for chemotherapy and haematology use. To ensure the disposal and recycling of chemotherapy and other medicinal products is carried out in a safe and efficient manner within the Aseptics Unit in accordance with Health & Safety (H & S), COSHH regulations and departmental work instructions. If requested, to be part of the Health & Safety Team for Pharmacy and take part in Health & Safety assessments to ensure a safe environment for working.

The list of responsibilities above, are key primary requirements for the role, however, additional duties may be required to ensure patient and employee safety is met.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES ONCE 4 TO 5 PROGRESSION CRITERIA ARE COMPLETE

In addition to the above duties, the post holder will be expected to:

Participate in the day to day operation and supervision in pharmacy Aseptics including updating the daily list of chemotherapy patients to reflect pending status and the ordering, cancellation and receipt of ready-made cytotoxic doses for individual patients. Communicate and liaise with Oncology and Haematology staff on a day to day basis with regard to patient treatment. Responding to queries in an efficient manner, referring to a Pharmacist, Senior/Lead Pharmacy Technician or relevant healthcare professional when necessary. To co-ordinate and monitor the handling, storage, dispensing of outsourced aseptically prepared products to ensure this is done in a safe, efficient and cost effective manner, recognising the high cost of many of these products. Ensure availability of stock whilst minimising waste through effective use of databases & stock rotation. This includes organising safe destruction of drug waste and investigating stock levels and problem solving. Assist in the development and review of Standard Operating Procedures (Aseptic Work Instructions) within Pharmacy Aseptics to ensure that agreed standards are met and provide a safe, high quality, effective service. Participate in the training of Technicians & Assistants under the supervision and guidance of the Pharmacy Aseptics co-ordinator. Act as a professional role model and mentor for all technicians, assistants and trainee staff working in Pharmacy Aseptics, actively demonstrating integrity, ownership and leadership in all aspects of the role. Assist in the development of systems and service to enhance the efficiency within pharmacy Aseptics Undertake line management responsibilities to review staff performance on regular basis and provide appropriate feedback. To manage a specific member of the aseptic team and complete yearly appraisals. Assist the Aseptics management in collating information and investigating Aseptics related incident reports (near-miss and trust wide) To co-ordinate the in-house pre-packing and emergency box packing procedures alongside other Senior Aseptics technical staff. To organise the packing and checking of emergency boxes for the Trust ensuring continuity of supply. To work with other senior pharmacy technicians to determine and forward plan requirements for medicine pre-packs for wards and departments which need to be completed in-house. Deputise for the Pharmacy Aseptics co-ordinator as and when required. Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) BTEC or NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent qualification Evidence of commitment to CPD

Desirable

Accredited Checking Pharmacy Technician Leadership qualification Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)

Experience

Essential

Good dispensing practice Working within a Team Recognises own limitation

Desirable

Previous experience of working in Aseptic production or oncology Participation in training staff Experience of supporting junior staff Procedure writing Supervisory skills Participation in audits

Knowledge

Essential

Working knowledge of chemotherapy treatments Demonstrate ability to perform calculations Accurate dispensing skills

Desirable

Understanding of the running of a dispensary service Understanding of Health & Safety requirements Knowledge of JAC computer system Knowledge of chemotherapy prescribing systems - iQemo

Personal Skills

Essential

Excellent communication skills both verbal and written Methodical with attention to detail Ability to work under pressure whilst maintain accuracy

Desirable

Ability to seek advice appropriately from senior staff Ability to cascade information to pharmacy staff accurately and timely

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