Job summary The Pharmacy Technician occupies an important role to assist patients, doctors and administrative staff in providing an efficient, effective and safe prescribing system. This is facilitated in a number of different ways. As the Pharmacy Technician is a non-prescriber, all prescription issue responsibility resides with the prescriber (usually a GP) who signs a particular prescription. The Pharmacy Technician is to be supported by the GP Prescribing Lead. It is a requirement of the role to be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Society and have a BTEC/NVQ level 3 or equivalent in pharmaceutical sciences. The successful candidate would preferably have some experience of working as a qualified, registered Pharmacy Technician. Primary care experience would be an advantage but is not essential. Teamwork, flexibility, enthusiasm and the ability to prioritise tasks effectively are essential skills. Main duties of the job The Pharmacy Technician will be a point of contact for patients enquiries regarding their prescriptions. The post holder will help patients to get the best from their medicines through effective medicines reconciliation after discharge and on other transfers of care, providing assistance in the monitoring of high-risk and high-cost drugs, and handling of prescription queries within the areas of competence. Contribute to quality improvement and clinical audit, as well as supporting aspects of the Quality and Outcomes Framework, medicines safety and antibiotic stewardship. You will also be required to contribute towards practice financial stability through medicines optimisation and related targets in QOF. The role will include training and development of practice based administrative staff that process repeat prescriptions to support improved co-ordination and effective pharmacy administration within general practice. Will also review clinic letters and hospital discharge summaries for changes to medication, either new medication added, or medication discontinued. 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 Will be responsible for actioning alerts from the MHRA or other relevant bodies. About us We are a hugely supportive and friendly practice covering 9000 patients in the Northwich (Cheshire) area. We encourage all our staff to develop their own goals for a rewarding workplace. We have a wide variety within our team: 4 GP Partners, 2 Practice Nurses, a Healthcare Assistant, Trainee Pharmacy Technician, a Senior Care Coordinator, 2 Care Coordinators, an Business Manager, a Senior Administrator, a Finance Manager and Practice Manager and 9 administrators with various specialities (secretarial, prescribing admin, clerical). We can offer a competitive salary, generous holiday allowances, and training and development opportunities, both in-house and externally. We enjoy close links with other local practices through Northwich Primary Care Network (PCN), linking in closely with other service providers, such as CWP, CCICP, local Schools, Town Council etc. Date posted 13 February 2025 Pay scheme Other Salary Depending on experience Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working Reference number A0547-25-0000 Job locations Broadway Barnton Northwich Cheshire CW8 4LF Job description Job responsibilities Duties and Responsibilities 1.Undertake patient facing and patient supporting roles to ensure effective medicines use, through shared-decision making conversations with patients. 2.Carry out medicines optimisation tasks including effective medicine administration (e.g. checking inhaler technique), supporting medication reviews, and medicines reconciliation. Where required, utilise consultation skills to work in partnership with patients to ensure they use their medicines effectively 3,Support medication reviews and medicines reconciliation for new care home patients and synchronising medicines for patient transfers between care settings and linking with local community pharmacists. 4.Provide specialist expertise, where competent, to address both the public health and social care needs of patients, including lifestyle advice, service information, and help in tackling local health inequalities. 5.Take a central role in the clinical aspects of shared care protocols and liaising with specialist pharmacists for more complex patients 6. Support initiatives for antimicrobial stewardship to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing. 7.Assist in the delivery of medicines optimisation and management incentive schemes and patient safety audits. 8.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. 9.Work with the PCN multi-disciplinary team to ensure efficient medicines optimisation, including implementing efficient ordering and return processes, and reducing wastage. 10.Support the admin team in sorting and streaming general prescription requests, so as to allow GPs to review the more clinically complex requests. 11.Review patient workflow as appropriate and action as required, following local and Practice guidelines. Arranging blood tests, follow ups, appointments and reviews, including appropriate coding where necessary. 12. Being a point of contact for community/hospital pharmacy queries and updates 13.Provide leadership for medicines optimisation systems across PCNs, supporting practices 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, and electronic repeat dispensing optimisation. 14.Provide training and support on the legal, safe and secure handling of medicines, including the implementation of the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS). 15.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. 16. Deputise for the Lead GP in attending meetings and feeding back relevant information and actions for the Practice. 17.Develop Practice SOPs and Guidelines under the instruction and support of the Lead GP. Job description Job responsibilities Duties and Responsibilities 1.Undertake patient facing and patient supporting roles to ensure effective medicines use, through shared-decision making conversations with patients. 2.Carry out medicines optimisation tasks including effective medicine administration (e.g. checking inhaler technique), supporting medication reviews, and medicines reconciliation. Where required, utilise consultation skills to work in partnership with patients to ensure they use their medicines effectively 3,Support medication reviews and medicines reconciliation for new care home patients and synchronising medicines for patient transfers between care settings and linking with local community pharmacists. 4.Provide specialist expertise, where competent, to address both the public health and social care needs of patients, including lifestyle advice, service information, and help in tackling local health inequalities. 5.Take a central role in the clinical aspects of shared care protocols and liaising with specialist pharmacists for more complex patients 6. Support initiatives for antimicrobial stewardship to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing. 7.Assist in the delivery of medicines optimisation and management incentive schemes and patient safety audits. 8.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. 9.Work with the PCN multi-disciplinary team to ensure efficient medicines optimisation, including implementing efficient ordering and return processes, and reducing wastage. 10.Support the admin team in sorting and streaming general prescription requests, so as to allow GPs to review the more clinically complex requests. 11.Review patient workflow as appropriate and action as required, following local and Practice guidelines. Arranging blood tests, follow ups, appointments and reviews, including appropriate coding where necessary. 12. Being a point of contact for community/hospital pharmacy queries and updates 13.Provide leadership for medicines optimisation systems across PCNs, supporting practices 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, and electronic repeat dispensing optimisation. 14.Provide training and support on the legal, safe and secure handling of medicines, including the implementation of the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS). 15.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. 16. Deputise for the Lead GP in attending meetings and feeding back relevant information and actions for the Practice. 17.Develop Practice SOPs and Guidelines under the instruction and support of the Lead GP. Person Specification Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Essential Ability to communicate effectively in the written and oral form to develop and maintain constructive relationships with a variety of audiences. Ability to be self motivated and work co-operatively as part of a team. Managing ones own time with a minimum of supervision to meet agreed objectives and deadlines. Extensive experience of using information technology for a range of different purposes. To demonstrate creativity and original thinking, whilst developing practical solutions to problems. Demonstrate a commitment to Continuous Professional Development. Demonstrate a commitment to respecting and valuing Patients perspectives and choices. Motivated to work towards creating a safe, open and trusting environment. Awareness of the issues around working with vulnerable groups and the boundaries of professional relationships. Desirable Experience of working on EMIS Clinical System Knowledge of current medicines management issues Qualifications Essential NVQ Level 3 in Pharmaceutical Science Professional Registration with GPhC CPPE and NHS England Primary Care Pharmacy Education Pathway or a willingness to work towards within an agreed timeframe Experience Essential Experience of working as a Pharmacy Technician Desirable Experience of working within the NHS / GP Practice Experience of liaising with a wide range of health care professionals Experience of data collection and analysis Person Specification Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Essential Ability to communicate effectively in the written and oral form to develop and maintain constructive relationships with a variety of audiences. Ability to be self motivated and work co-operatively as part of a team. Managing ones own time with a minimum of supervision to meet agreed objectives and deadlines. Extensive experience of using information technology for a range of different purposes. To demonstrate creativity and original thinking, whilst developing practical solutions to problems. Demonstrate a commitment to Continuous Professional Development. Demonstrate a commitment to respecting and valuing Patients perspectives and choices. Motivated to work towards creating a safe, open and trusting environment. Awareness of the issues around working with vulnerable groups and the boundaries of professional relationships. Desirable Experience of working on EMIS Clinical System Knowledge of current medicines management issues Qualifications Essential NVQ Level 3 in Pharmaceutical Science Professional Registration with GPhC CPPE and NHS England Primary Care Pharmacy Education Pathway or a willingness to work towards within an agreed timeframe Experience Essential Experience of working as a Pharmacy Technician Desirable Experience of working within the NHS / GP Practice Experience of liaising with a wide range of health care professionals Experience of data collection and analysis Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Oakwood Medical Centre Address Broadway Barnton Northwich Cheshire CW8 4LF Employer's website https://www.oakwoodmedicalcentrebarnton.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)