Pharmacy Technician

Job summary

The post-holder is a Pharmacy Technician and is an integral part of the general practice team, working within their professional boundaries.

This role will work under the supervision of the Practice Manager to ensure the safe, accurate and timely supply of prescribed medication to patients.

The Pharmacy Technician will provide technical and administrative support to the clinicians.

The Pharmacy Technician will support the practice clinical teams with queries regarding medication from patients.

The Pharmacy Technician will complete audits regarding patient safety in the prescribing of medication and present the information for sharing with the clinical team.

The Pharmacy Technician supports public health and screening programmes including immunisations and vaccination programmes whilst participating in quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient outcomes and reduce health inequalities.

In addition to undertaking the core responsibilities of a General Practice Pharmacy Technician, the postholder will work as an integral member of the dispensary team, supporting the safe, accurate and efficient dispensing of medications to patients and contributing to the day-to-day operation of the dispensing service.

Main duties of the job

• Dispense medications accurately and efficiently in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Support the day-to-day operation of the dispensary service.
• Ensure prescriptions are processed safely and within agreed timescales.
• Assist in dealing with medication queries from patients and staff within own scope of practice.
• Maintain accurate dispensing records and audit trails.
• Support stock control processes, including ordering, receipt, storage, rotation and disposal of medicines.
• Monitor stock levels and report shortages or supply issues.
• Ensure medicines are stored securely and in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Assist with the management of dispensary recalls and safety alerts.
• Contribute to the maintenance and review of dispensary SOPs.
• Support the training and development of dispensary staff where appropriate.
• Participate in dispensary audits and quality improvement initiatives.
• Work flexibly across both pharmacy technician and dispensary functions to meet service needs.

About us

CLICK (Chard, Ilminster and Langport) Primary Care Network (PCN) is located in South Somerset with 5 GP practices and a diverse population spread across town and rural locations. CLICK has a population size of around 50,000 patients.

Currently led under the Clinical Director leadership of Dr Christoph Kollmeier the PCN is made up of:

Langport Surgery

Ariel Healthcare (Chard)

Summervale (Ilminster)

The Meadows (Ilminster)

Churchview (Ilminster)

As a PCN we are forward thinking, innovate and driven to deliver the best patient care for our population. This includes health population management, and this role ties in with supporting that and tracking the improvements we can make to patients lives.

Job responsibilities

• Support medication reviews and medicines reconciliation for new care home patients
• Support initiatives for antimicrobial stewardship to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing
• Assist in the delivery of medicines optimisation and management incentive schemes and patient safety audits
• Support the implementation of national prescribing policies and guidance within GP practices, care homes and other primary care settings. This will be achieved through undertaking clinical audits (e.g., use of antibiotics), supporting quality improvement measures and contributing to the Quality and Outcomes Framework and enhanced services
• Work with the multi-disciplinary team to ensure efficient medicines optimisation, including implementing efficient ordering and return processes, and reducing wastage
• Support practice reception teams in sorting and streaming general prescription requests, so as to allow GP`s and Clinical Pharmacists to review the more clinically complex request
• Support medicines optimisation systems with a range of services to get the best value from medicines by encouraging and implementing electronic prescriptions, safe repeat prescribing systems, and timely monitoring and management of high-risk medicines
• Provide training and support on the legal, safe and secure handling of medicines, including the implementation of the Electronic Prescription Service
• Develop relationships with other pharmacy technicians, pharmacists and members of the multi-disciplinary team to support integration of the pharmacy team across health and social care including primary care, community pharmacy, secondary care, and mental health
• Be aware of duties and responsibilities regarding current legislation and adhere to practice policies and procedures on Safeguarding Adults and Safeguarding Children
• Handle prescription queries and requests directly
• Be an integral part of the general practice team
• Demonstrate initiative and be creative in finding solutions to problems
• Participate in clinical audits and research projects and implements changes as required, including supporting with the development, and updating of practice protocols / guidelines and procedures locally
• Support in the delivery of enhanced services and other service requirements
• Support in the management of patient complaints when requested to do so and participate in the identification of any necessary learning brought about through incidents and near-miss events
• Undertake all mandatory training and induction programmes
• Contribute to and embrace the spectrum of clinical governance
• Attend a formal appraisal with their manager at least every 12 months. Once a performance/training objective has been set, progress will be reviewed on a regular basis so that new objectives can be agreed
• Contribute to public health campaigns (e.g., flu clinics)
• Maintain a clean, tidy, effective working area at all times

There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks, this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Confirmation of registration 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.
• Enrolled in, undertaking or qualified from, an approved training pathway. For example, the Primary Care Pharmacy Educational Pathway (PCPEP) or Medicines Optimisation in Care Homes (MOCH).

Experience

Essential

• Is working under appropriate clinical supervision to ensure safe, effective and efficient use of medicines.

Desirable

• Experience of working in a primary care setting.
• Understanding and knowledge of healthcare provision in GP practices, QOF and enhanced services.
• An appreciation of the new NHS landscape including the relationship between individual organisations, PCNs and the commissioners.

Clinical knowledge and skills

Essential

• Ability to communicate information effectively with people at all levels by telephone, email and face to face.
• Demonstrate personal accountability, emotional resilience and work well under pressure.
• Ability to record accurate clinical notes.
• Understanding of safeguarding adults and children.

Desirable

• Good clinical system IT knowledge.
• Broad knowledge of clinical governance.
• Problem solving and analytical skills.

Other requirements - wider responsibilities

Essential

• Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check.
• Occupational Health clearance.
• Meet the requirements and produce evidence for GPhC revalidation.
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) commensurate with the role.

Personal qualities

Essential

• Effective time management - planning and organising.
• Ability to follow legal, ethical and professional policies/ procedures and codes of conduct.
• Ability to use own initiative, discretion, and sensitivity.
• Able to get along with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity.
• Ability to identify risk and assess/manage risk when working with individuals.
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously.
• Good interpersonal skills and organisational skills.
• Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Knowledge of and ability to work to key policies and procedures.
• Clear, polite telephone manner.

Desirable

• Demonstrate personal accountability, emotional resilience and work well under pressure.
• Knowledge of IT systems including the ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet to create simple plans and reports.
• Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required.
• Effectively utilise resources.