Pharmacy Technician - PCN

Job summary

Summary

The Portsmouth South Coast Primary Care Network (PCN) is a PCN that comprises of 2 GP Practices based in the south of Portsmouth City. Trafalgar Medical Group Practice is the lead Practice for the PCN. Its patient lists are located within a shared catchment area. The role of PCN Pharmacy Technician is an exciting new opportunity and forms part of an evolving multi-disciplinary team which will support patients from both Practices.

Purpose of the role

The post holder is a pharmacy technician and is an integral part of the general practice team, working within their professional boundaries in each practice within the Primary Care Network (PCN).

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

They will provide technical and administrative support to the clinical pharmacist and clinicians.

The pharmacy technician will support the PCN and practice clinical team with queries around medication from patients.

The pharmacy technician will complete audits around patient safety in the prescribing of medication and present the information for sharing with the clinical team.

Main duties of the job

Primary duties will include but are not limited to:

To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team whilst in a supporting function to the clinical pharmacist and other clinicians and within agreed prescribing standard operating procedures

To support the clinical pharmacist as the PCN point of contact for all medicines related matters

To process repeat medication requests, including the conversion of acute requests to repeat medicines, changing quantities of medicines

To issue prescriptions in line with agreed clinical protocols and within your competency

To encourage cost-effective prescribing throughout the PCN

To undertake medicines reconciliation post discharge and on other transfers of care

To update and maintain accurate and timely patient medication records on each practice clinical system, including advice given and action taken

To participate 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

To actively signpost patients to the correct healthcare professional

To undertake all mandatory training and induction programmes

To contribute to and embrace the spectrum of clinical governance

About us

Portsmouth South Coast Primary Care Network consists of 2 GP Practices in Southsea covering a total practice population of approximately 38,250. The PCN was successfully formed in July 2019 and has already reaped success through collaborative working. The next stage in its development is an expansion in the workforce that works across the PCN.

Due to expansion of the team we are now looking for a Pharmacy Technician to join our medicines management team. The post holder will be an integral part of the general practice team, working within their professional boundaries in each practice within the Primary Care Network (PCN).

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

They will provide technical and administrative support to the clinical pharmacist and clinicians.

The pharmacy technician will support the PCN and practice clinical team with queries around medication from patients.

The pharmacy technician will complete audits around patient safety in the prescribing of medication and present the information for sharing with the clinical team.

The PCN are looking forward to welcoming you to the team, where you will have a pivotal role in helping us to deliver high quality care to our patients.

For further information you may speak informally Kerry Budd via email [email protected]

Job responsibilities

Purpose of the role

The post holder is a pharmacy technician and is an integral part of the general practice team, working within their professional boundaries in each practice within the Primary Care Network (PCN).

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

They will provide technical and administrative support to the clinical pharmacist and clinicians.

The pharmacy technician will support the PCN and practice clinical team with queries around medication from patients.

The pharmacy technician will complete audits around patient safety in the prescribing of medication and present the information for sharing with the clinical team.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The following are the core responsibilities of the PCN pharmacy technician. There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks. This will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels:

Primary

To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team whilst in a supporting function to the clinical pharmacist and other clinicians and within agreed prescribing standard operating procedures

To support the clinical pharmacist as the PCN point of contact for all medicines related matters

To process repeat medication requests, including the conversion of acute requests to repeat medicines, changing quantities of medicines

To issue prescriptions in line with agreed clinical protocols and within your competency

To encourage cost-effective prescribing throughout the PCN

To undertake medicines reconciliation post discharge and on other transfers of care

To update and maintain accurate and timely patient medication records on each practice clinical system, including advice given and action taken

To liaise with secondary and primary care colleagues to ensure correct medicines are continued following the transfer of care

To monitor practice adherence to the prescribing policy

To support virtual and remote models of consultation and support including e-consultations, telehealth and telemedicine

To liaise with practices and implement and embed a robust repeat prescribing system for use across all practices

To support the clinical pharmacist in improving the quality and effectiveness of prescribing through clinical audit and education to improve performance against NICE standards, and clinical and prescribing guidance

To support the clinical pharmacist in producing a prescribing newsletter or bulletin on a quarterly basis

To ensure appropriate supervision of safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs

To apply infection-control measures within the practice according to local and national guidelines

To identify and be proactive in your training needs and development and as agreed with the Clinical Pharmacist.

To support in the delivery of enhanced services and other service requirements on behalf of the PCN

To participate 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

To actively signpost patients to the correct healthcare professional

To undertake all mandatory training and induction programmes

To contribute to and embrace the spectrum of clinical governance

To 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

To contribute to public health campaigns (e.g. flu clinics) through advice or direct care

To maintain a clean, tidy, effective working area at all times

Secondary

In addition to the primary responsibilities, the pharmacy technician may be requested to:

• a. Support delivery of QOF, incentive schemes, CQUIN and other quality or cost effectiveness initiatives
• b. Undertake any tasks consistent with the level of the post and the scope of the role, ensuring that work is delivered in a timely and effective manner
• c. Duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the post or the level of responsibility.

Health and Safety

The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security and:

• Use personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines;
• Identify the risks involved in work activities and undertake such activities in a way that manages those risks;
• Make effective use of training to update knowledge and skills;
• Use appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way, free from hazards;
• Report potential risks identified

Equality and Diversity

The post holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues and:

Act in a way that recognises the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with practice procedures and policies, and current legislation;

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

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• GSCE in Maths, English and science or equivalent.
• NVQ level 2 in pharmacy services or equivalent.

Desirable

• NVQ level 3 (or working towards) in pharmacy services or equivalent

Experience

Essential

• Evidence of working autonomously or as part of a team

Desirable

• Experience 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 relationships between individual practices, PCNs and the commissioners
• Good clinical system IT knowledge, preferably SystmOne

Skills

Essential

• Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information effectively with people at all levels by telephone, email and face to face
• Knowledge of IT systems, including ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet to create simple plans and reports
• Good personal organisational skills
• Effective time management
• Demonstrate personal accountability, emotional resilience and work well under pressure

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Ability to follow legal, ethical, professional and organisational 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 use own initiative, discretion and sensitivity
• Flexible and cooperative
• Ability to identify risk and assess/manage risk when working with individuals
• Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
• Able to finish work tasks
• Problem solving and analytical skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Knowledge of and ability to work to policies and procedures, including confidentiality, safeguarding, lone working, information governance, and health and safety

Other requirements

Essential

• Flexibility to work outside of core office hours
• Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check