Job summary
To be part of the Respiratory team in providing pharmaceutical support in the out-patient setting.
Support the adult cystic fibrosis team to provide homecare, modulator therapies and other treatments including antifungals and mucolytics.
Undertake audits of medicine; evaluate results and produce and present progress reports to the CF team.
To be involved with the planning and development of pharmaceutical services within the cystic fibrosis out-patient setting.
To support the Pharmacy Homecare Team by leading on the CF homecare services covering service reviews, prescription management, invoice payment and complaint and incident management.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
Main duties of the job
Organise homecare prescriptions for CF patients and where required build or authorise PSOs on the EMIS system.
Send prescriptions to the appropriate Homecare provider.
Pay homecare invoices for the CF patient cohort and support query management.
Maintain databases to support prescription and query management.
Hold regular review meetings with the CF Homecare provider and escalate any problems/concerns to the Senior Pharmacy Technician - Homecare.
Manage incident reporting for the CF cohort.
To provide support with setting up OPAT patients and the payment of OPAT invoices.
To educate and assess respiratory patients on appropriate use of their medications to support adherence and answer medication queries within responsibility level.
Assist in the preparation for medication review visits.
Implement actions resulting from annual reviews and Consultant appointments.
Assist in implementing changes to improve the quality of prescribing and meet national and local prescribing targets.
Undertake Medicines reconciliation, checking medicines dispensed and administered against clinic letters and GP practice records.
To utilise available tools to monitor and analyse prescribing patterns.
Present complex prescribing data in a suitable format for target audience and implement changes where appropriate.
Update patient medication letters and arrange medication lists.
Support the discharge process for CF patients.
About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Homecare
1. In conjunction with the CF Co-ordinator and CSHCD Homecare team manage and track homecare prescriptions.
2. Build/authorise PSOs on the EMIS system.
3. Send prescriptions to the appropriate homecare provider.
4. To pay homecare invoices for the CF cohort and support query management.
5. In conjunction with the CF Co-ordinator deal with prescription queries.
6. Maintain databases to support prescription and query management.
7. Manage incident reporting on Datix for the CF cohort, ensuring all issues are logged and escalated to the Senior Pharmacy Technician Homecare for contract escalation.
8. Hold regular review meetings with the CF Homecare provider and escalate any problems/concerns to the Senior Pharmacy Technician Homecare.
9. To provide support with setting up OPAT patients and the payment of OPAT invoices.
In conjunction with the CF Co-ordinator manage the Genetic modifiers database to support repeat prescription management and bloods.
In conjunction with the CF Co-ordinator manage the Nebs Database and support queries and liaise with the homecare company.
Outpatients
To educate respiratory patients on appropriate use of their medications, supported by information leaflets.
10. Patient counselling to support adherence and answer medication queries within responsibility level.
Implement actions resulting from annual reviews and Consultant appointments for example communicating agreed treatment changes to homecare providers, arranging follow up blood tests and ensuring review process is fully documented and recorded.
Communicate and update electronic records.
To ensure continuity of supply/discontinuation of supply of medication to patients by accurately maintaining appropriate recording systems.
Assist practices and individual prescribers in implementing changes to improve the quality of prescribing and meet national and local prescribing targets.
11. Assist in the preparation for medication review visits, for example arranging appropriate blood tests to be undertaken and collating information on medicines ordering,
12. Implement actions resulting from Consultation reviews for example communicating agreed treatment changes to home care providers and arranging follow up blood tests and ensuring review process is fully documented and recorded.
13. Undertake Medicines reconciliation, checking medicines dispensed and administered against clinic letters and GP practice records.
14. Where appropriate, assess patients ability to take medicines as prescribed, checking inhaler technique etc and making recommendations to the MDT to address any issues identified (including the need for full medication review).
15. To utilise available tools ( ePACT, GP clinical systems) to monitor & analyse prescribing patterns.
16. Present complex prescribing data in a suitable format for target audience and implement changes where appropriate.
CF Health Hub (CFHH)
17. Update Prescriptions monthly
18. Check with patient alternating dates and document ( 28 day or 1st month)
Patient Medication Letter Management
19. In conjunction with the CF Co-ordinator support the provision of updating patient medication letters and medication lists.
Medicines Optimisation
20. Monitor and follow up with patients after discharge
21. Support patient questionnaires and write up responses to share with MDT.
Ward Based Support
22. To work in conjunction with the ward based technicians to support the discharge of CF patients.
23. To work in conjunction with the ward based technicians to complete medication reviews with patients to assess their patients own drugs (PODs) and to determine what further supplies are at home for endorsement on the TTA prior to dispensing through the dispensary.
Other duties
24. Attend MDT when needed.
To assist the Lead Pharmacist for High Cost Drugs in the investigation of incident reports or medication related incidents, and changes to working practice as a result of such investigations.
25. To form professional relationships with the CF Team and Consultants to ensure effective two way communication.
To participate in departmental and Trust-wide medication audits.
To document and audit financial drug savings and returns specific to the respiratory directorate, and to produce reports.
To demonstrate strong interpersonal skills in order to effectively support communicate with patients and relatives during difficult personal circumstances.
26. To be familiar with all aspects of the dispensary computer and automated systems.
Organise own workload including running several pieces of work concurrently
27. To maintain confidentiality of information at all times in accordance with the Data Protection Act and Caldicott guidance.
28. Refer to the Lead pharmacist for High Cost drugs for support and queries outside of limitations of role including interventions.
29. Any other reasonable duties as requested.
GENERAL DUTIES
30. To ensure that safe and efficient systems of work are followed in accordance with relevant legislation, Medicines Act, Control of Substance Hazardous to Health and Standard Operating Procedures.
31. To assist in the provision of general supply duties, in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures and the legal framework for the supply of medicines;
32. Labelling - generate accurate medication labels.
33. Dispensing - accurately dispense inpatient, outpatient and discharge prescriptions, including clinical trials, cytotoxic drugs and controlled drugs.
34. Checking - perform a final accuracy check on items dispensed by other members of staff (after completion of National Technician Checking Accreditation).
35. Issue drugs - to patients and carers, counselling as appropriate, including giving sensitive information on drug therapies.
36. Issue drugs - to healthcare professionals, giving advice when necessary.
37. To follow safe and efficient systems of work in accordance with relevant legislation egg. Medicines Act, Good Manufacturing Practice, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health and Standard Operating Procedures.
38. To use the pharmacy computer system efficiently and to maximum benefit.
39. To participate in departmental audits.
40. To report all dispensing errors using the supply error reporting scheme and in line with Trust policy
41. To undertake CPD and maintain a portfolio of personal and professional development.
42. To attend such study days and updating courses as are deemed necessary for the advancement of the service.
43. To undertake any other reasonable duties deemed necessary by the Director of Pharmacy.
COMMUNICATION & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
44. Liaise with senior pharmacy staff: Pharmacoeconomics pharmacist, General Manager, Lead Pharmacist for High Cost Drugs, CSHCD Managers, CSHCD team and all Pharmacists.
45. Liaise with nursing staff, medical staff and patients.
Person Specification
Knowledge & Attributes
Essential
46. Current proven evidence of CPD
47. Recent demonstrable experience / practice within pharmacy.
48. Demonstrable experience in the use of Microsoft office.
49. Ability to develop and maintain databases.
50. Able to use information technology video conferencing, Internet and email.
51. Proven communication and interpersonal skills including dealing with patients and carers.
Desirable
52. Able to prepare and present reports
53. Audit experience
54. Demonstrable experience in a respiratory setting.
55. Demonstrable post qualification experience in hospital pharmacy.
56. An understanding of hospital pharmacy services.
Qualifications
Essential
57. City & Guilds, BTEC or NVQ level 3 in pharmacy services.
58. Registered pharmacy technician (with The General Pharmaceutical Council)
Desirable
59. European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) or proven equivalent level of knowledge
60. Accredited medicines management technician (Training will be given)
61. Accredited final accuracy checking qualification. (Training will be given)
Aptitude & Abilities
Essential
62. Good communication skills, written and verbal, with ability to demonstrate fluency, clarity and effectiveness at all levels.
63. Attention to detail.
64. Ability to prioritise workload
65. Ability to meet deadlines
66. Ability to handle sensitive and confidential data
67. Able to plan and work independently and manage competing priorities
68. Ability to identify and manage problems
Disposition, Attitude & Motivation
Essential
69. Ability to accept responsibility
70. Able to work in a busy working environment
71. Ability to get on well with others and work as a team player
72. Ability to recognise own limitations
73. Ability to reflect on own performance
74. Ability to work as an individual
Desirable
75. Methodical and accurate
76. An interest in developing pharmacy services