An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Pharmacy Technician to cover maternity and be part of our existing team of pharmacy professionals supporting the Cramlington & Seaton Valley Primary Care Network (PCN). The PCN recognises that pharmacy technicians will play an important role, complementing our existing clinical pharmacist team, as well as working alongside community pharmacies and other members of the PCN multi-disciplinary team. This is an interesting and varied role, where the pharmacy technician's core responsibilities will cover clinical, technical and administrative categories, to enable greater effective and efficient use of medicine. You will be at the forefront of driving this valuable expansion and collaboration of the primary care services across the three practices in the Network.
Main duties of the job
Working alongside all GP practice staff as an integrated part of the practice teams, undertaking numerous medicines related activities. Contribute to the successful management of medicines and build capacity in the workforce at the right levels. Help patients to get the best from their medicines by switching medications to agreed and approved protocols. Contribute to the review and development of repeat prescribing processes/protocols/SOPs in General Practice, to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of repeat prescribing systems, including promotion of electronic repeat dispensing (eRD) and online ordering. Contribute to minimising clinical risks and aiming to reduce wasted medicines. Be responsible for encouraging the development of better understanding of the principles of medicines optimisation throughout the practice teams and promoting good practice. Assist the PCN in achieving national requirements, NICE implementation and utilisation of medicines optimisation initiatives.
About us
Cramlington & Seaton Valley PCN are an established network made up of 4 member GP surgeries (The Village Surgery and Forum Family Practice based in Cramlington, Netherfield House Surgery based in Sehgill, and Woodlands Park based in Wideopen). We work closely together (and with stakeholders) to share expertise, resources and provide services for the NHS and cover 3 care homes across the locality. Daily cover Monday to Friday is required but the daily hours of work are flexible. Full/Part time hours may be available.
Job responsibilities
Clinical: Undertake patient facing and patient supporting roles to ensure effective medicines use, through shared decision-making conversations with patients. 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. As determined by the PCN, support medication reviews and medicines reconciliation for care home patients and synchronising medicines for patient transfers between care settings, linking with local community pharmacies. Support the Clinical Pharmacist in Structured Medication Reviews (SMR) i.e. organise necessary monitoring tests prior to SMR. Provide expertise to address both the public health and social care needs of patients, including lifestyle advice, service information, and help in tackling local health inequalities. Manage shared care protocols and liaise with Clinical Pharmacists for more complex patients. Support initiatives for antimicrobial stewardship to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing locally.
Technical and Administrative: Support the PCN multi-disciplinary team to ensure efficient medicines optimisation processes are being followed. Implement efficient ordering and return processes and reducing medication wastage. Provide training and support on the legal, safe and secure handling of medicines, including the implementation of the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS). Promote Electronic Repeat Dispensing (eRD) and online ordering. Develop relationships with other pharmacy professionals and members of the multidisciplinary team to support integration across health and social care including primary care, community pharmacy, secondary care and mental health. Support practice reception teams in streaming general prescription requests, so as to allow GPs and clinical pharmacists to review the more clinically complex requests. Support the implementation of national prescribing policies and guidance within GP practices, care homes and other primary care settings. Support the PCN to deliver on QIPP agenda, QOF and locally commissioned enhanced services. Support the PCN in reviewing and developing practice policies for CQC requirements (This includes reviewing/development of SOPs, recording of MHRA alerts and significant events).
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Professional registration with GPhC
* BTEC/NVQ level 3 or equivalent in pharmaceutical sciences
* Evidence of continued professional development (CPD)
Experience
* Experience of working as a qualified, registered pharmacy technician in primary care, community or hospital pharmacy
* Good clinical pharmacy knowledge including terminology
* Knowledge and understanding of pharmacy law and ethics and current legislation
* Computer literate with an ability to use the required GP clinical systems (desirable) and Microsoft office packages (essential)
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills with team members, patients, carers, and other healthcare professionals, whilst recognising people's needs for alternative methods of communication
Attributes
* Works effectively independently and as a member of a team
* Flexible approach to meet service needs and ensure a stakeholder focused
* Self-motivated and proactive
* Continued commitment to improve skills and ability in new areas of work
* Able to undertake the demands of the post with reasonable adjustments if required
* Independently mobile to be able to work across several sites and travel to meet with stakeholders
* Adaptability, flexibility and ability to cope with uncertainty and change
* Demonstrate ability to work in a busy environment; ability to deal with both urgent and important tasks and to prioritise effectively whilst also supporting others
* Excellent time keeping and prioritisation skills
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.
Cramlington and Seaton Valley Management lead
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