Job summary Medicines Optimisation Pharmacy Technician - Mental Health, Band 5 (18.75 hours a week) The post holder will work within an established team of specialist pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and assistant technical officers. The team delivers the dispensary and the ward based clinical pharmacy service to Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust (GHC) Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Services. The post holder will perform a range of duties in the pharmacy department including accuracy checking of prescriptions using the ACT qualification. They will also perform a range of activities at ward level including but not limited to medicines optimisation, medicines reconciliation, discharge facilitation and more, using the MMT/MO qualification. The post holder will participate in and run clozapine clinics providing patient consultations to a specific group of clozapine patients; full training will be provided. Main duties of the job - To ensure the provision of high quality patient focused pharmaceutical care. - To perform a wide range of duties in the pharmacy department including accuracy checking of prescriptions using the ACT qualification. - To perform a wide range of activities at ward level including but not limited to medicines optimisation, medicines reconciliation, discharge facilitation and more, using the MMT/MO qualification. - To participate in and run a clozapine clinic providing patient consultations to a specific group of clozapine patients; full training will be provided. - To take on responsibility for personal development and support the development and supervision of others. - Conduct oneself in a professional manner and be a role model to less experienced and new staff at all times. - This post will require travel to wards and units in Gloucestershire. - Be committed to weekend working on a rota basis (approximately one weekend in 12). About us The pharmacy department at Gloucester Royal Hospital provides the clinical pharmacy and dispensing services to Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust (GHC) under a service level agreement (SLA). The mental health pharmacy team is an established team of around 18 specialist pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and senior assistant technical officers. Date posted 21 January 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 5 Salary £29,970 to £36,483 a year pa pro rata Contract Permanent Working pattern Part-time Reference number 318-25-T0045 Job locations Gloucestershire Royal Hospital Gloucester GL1 3NN Job description Job responsibilities Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required - Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). - Evidence of continuing professional development to comply with GPhC requirements. - BTEC / NVQ level 3 in pharmaceutical sciences or equivalent. - Accredited checking technician (ACT) qualification with experience & competence (see above). - Medicines management / optimisation (MMT / MOT) Qualification with experience & competence (see above). - Able to work alone and unsupervised where needed. - Ability to organise and prioritise workload including dealing with interruptions. - Effective oral and written communication with colleagues, nursing and medical staff and patients / service users. - Intermediate competence in standard range of IT programs. - Daily manipulation of materials for the accurate dispensing of prescriptions including preparing aids and demonstrating devices to help patients manage their medicines at home. - Maintain patient dignity and confidentiality at all times. Key Result Areas Clinical Pharmacy - Supporting clinical pharmacy services to inpatient wards and community mental health team bases Managing patient medication non-stock or one stop supplies Medicines reconciliation Discharge facilitation - Liaising with ward staff for any issues relating to medication. - Educate patients on the use of their prescribed medication referring to a pharmacist for advice when necessary. - Encouraging compliance with national protocols, and local guidelines and formularies. - Maintaining appropriate clinical documentation and records, including intervention/contribution monitoring and outcome data - Participating with pharmacists, technicians and assistant technical officers to ensure a smooth, efficient and co-ordinated overall service. Dispensary Duties - Accurately dispense and supply medication as per dispensary standard operating procedures. - Accuracy checking dispensed prescriptions as per dispensary standard operating procedures. - Ensuring supplies are ready to be sent to wards & units in a timely manner. - Accessing the clozapine patient monitoring system and acting accordingly as per process. - Checking discharge medication summaries & uploading them onto the electronic clinical notes. - Weekend working commitment for the acute trust dispensary. Other - Working in or out of the pharmacy department using laptops or desktop computers. - Be part of a team to assist in running the clozapine clinic to work alongside nursing staff to monitor physical health for each client on clozapine give out their medication and counsel patients on clozapine. - Where appropriate, writing procedures / guidelines under direction from line manager. - Dealing with requests for information on wards, having interruptions during the day to answer queries, responding to telephone calls and email queries. - Visiting wards, talking to mental health patients and healthcare professionals. Awareness of mentally ill, sick and dying patients. - Take responsibility for stock control and security of medicines within daily duties. - Undertaking continuing professional development (CPD) as required by the GPhC. - To undertake any other duties as deemed fit by the GHNHSFT management. - Occasional handling of potentially hazardous substances (e.g. cytotoxic medication) in accordance with standard operating procedures and COSHH regulations. - Lifting and moving light packages. Communication and working relationships - Communicate with and provide appropriate advice to Nurses and other health care professionals regarding medication issues within the post holders experience. - Communication with Patients and Carers regarding medication issues. - Communication daily with other members of the pharmacy team. - Develop and share own clinical knowledge with other members of the wider team. - An annual appraisal (development conversation) is implemented for all staff with their line manager. Safe Systems of Work - Accountable for own professional actions and activities, guided by legislation, national and local policies, procedures and protocols. - The post holder will be responsible for ensuring a safe working practice and environment through legislation such as the Health and Safety at Work Act and COSHH regulations, along with local policies and procedures including manual handling Participation in Weekend Working rota - The post holder will be part of the weekend working rota covering the acute trust pharmacy at a frequency of approximately 1 in 12. Improving quality and developing practice - Comply with requirements to register with the GPhC and identify own learning needs and ensuring own professional development is maintained by keeping up to date with practice developments. - Develop and maintain skills and knowledge necessary to deliver the service. - With supervision and assistance take on increased responsibility recognising own limitations and seeking help appropriately - Be competent in the use of all relevant Trust IT systems including the use of electronic patient record, email, and other systems where appropriate - Maintain regular use of emails to keep abreast of information disseminated in the Trust - Undertake all mandatory training - Identify own development needs, aligning these to service requirements and personal aspirations. Proactively develop and improve own practice using all available resource - Openly question and challenge practice in a constructive way so that standards of patient care are continually evaluated and improved. Additional Contact Details Shirin Hassanjee - Lead Pharmacy Technician for Mental Health shirin.hassanjeenhs.net 0300 422 6289 Job description Job responsibilities Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required - Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). - Evidence of continuing professional development to comply with GPhC requirements. - BTEC / NVQ level 3 in pharmaceutical sciences or equivalent. - Accredited checking technician (ACT) qualification with experience & competence (see above). - Medicines management / optimisation (MMT / MOT) Qualification with experience & competence (see above). - Able to work alone and unsupervised where needed. - Ability to organise and prioritise workload including dealing with interruptions. - Effective oral and written communication with colleagues, nursing and medical staff and patients / service users. - Intermediate competence in standard range of IT programs. - Daily manipulation of materials for the accurate dispensing of prescriptions including preparing aids and demonstrating devices to help patients manage their medicines at home. - Maintain patient dignity and confidentiality at all times. Key Result Areas Clinical Pharmacy - Supporting clinical pharmacy services to inpatient wards and community mental health team bases Managing patient medication non-stock or one stop supplies Medicines reconciliation Discharge facilitation - Liaising with ward staff for any issues relating to medication. - Educate patients on the use of their prescribed medication referring to a pharmacist for advice when necessary. - Encouraging compliance with national protocols, and local guidelines and formularies. - Maintaining appropriate clinical documentation and records, including intervention/contribution monitoring and outcome data - Participating with pharmacists, technicians and assistant technical officers to ensure a smooth, efficient and co-ordinated overall service. Dispensary Duties - Accurately dispense and supply medication as per dispensary standard operating procedures. - Accuracy checking dispensed prescriptions as per dispensary standard operating procedures. - Ensuring supplies are ready to be sent to wards & units in a timely manner. - Accessing the clozapine patient monitoring system and acting accordingly as per process. - Checking discharge medication summaries & uploading them onto the electronic clinical notes. - Weekend working commitment for the acute trust dispensary. Other - Working in or out of the pharmacy department using laptops or desktop computers. - Be part of a team to assist in running the clozapine clinic to work alongside nursing staff to monitor physical health for each client on clozapine give out their medication and counsel patients on clozapine. - Where appropriate, writing procedures / guidelines under direction from line manager. - Dealing with requests for information on wards, having interruptions during the day to answer queries, responding to telephone calls and email queries. - Visiting wards, talking to mental health patients and healthcare professionals. Awareness of mentally ill, sick and dying patients. - Take responsibility for stock control and security of medicines within daily duties. - Undertaking continuing professional development (CPD) as required by the GPhC. - To undertake any other duties as deemed fit by the GHNHSFT management. - Occasional handling of potentially hazardous substances (e.g. cytotoxic medication) in accordance with standard operating procedures and COSHH regulations. - Lifting and moving light packages. Communication and working relationships - Communicate with and provide appropriate advice to Nurses and other health care professionals regarding medication issues within the post holders experience. - Communication with Patients and Carers regarding medication issues. - Communication daily with other members of the pharmacy team. - Develop and share own clinical knowledge with other members of the wider team. - An annual appraisal (development conversation) is implemented for all staff with their line manager. Safe Systems of Work - Accountable for own professional actions and activities, guided by legislation, national and local policies, procedures and protocols. - The post holder will be responsible for ensuring a safe working practice and environment through legislation such as the Health and Safety at Work Act and COSHH regulations, along with local policies and procedures including manual handling Participation in Weekend Working rota - The post holder will be part of the weekend working rota covering the acute trust pharmacy at a frequency of approximately 1 in 12. Improving quality and developing practice - Comply with requirements to register with the GPhC and identify own learning needs and ensuring own professional development is maintained by keeping up to date with practice developments. - Develop and maintain skills and knowledge necessary to deliver the service. - With supervision and assistance take on increased responsibility recognising own limitations and seeking help appropriately - Be competent in the use of all relevant Trust IT systems including the use of electronic patient record, email, and other systems where appropriate - Maintain regular use of emails to keep abreast of information disseminated in the Trust - Undertake all mandatory training - Identify own development needs, aligning these to service requirements and personal aspirations. Proactively develop and improve own practice using all available resource - Openly question and challenge practice in a constructive way so that standards of patient care are continually evaluated and improved. Additional Contact Details Shirin Hassanjee - Lead Pharmacy Technician for Mental Health shirin.hassanjeenhs.net 0300 422 6289 Person Specification Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience Essential Accredited Checking Technician qualification or Medicines Optimisation Technician qualification BTEC / NVQ Level 3 in Pharmaceutical sciences or equivalent Active registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council GPhC Evidence of ongoing professional development through revalidation Effective time management skills Effective communication skills Reliable, adaptable and dependable Desirable Accredited Checking Technician qualification or Medicines Optimisation Technician qualification Experience working in hospital pharmacy Experience working in mental health pharmacy Experience of participation in audit Person Specification Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience Essential Accredited Checking Technician qualification or Medicines Optimisation Technician qualification BTEC / NVQ Level 3 in Pharmaceutical sciences or equivalent Active registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council GPhC Evidence of ongoing professional development through revalidation Effective time management skills Effective communication skills Reliable, adaptable and dependable Desirable Accredited Checking Technician qualification or Medicines Optimisation Technician qualification Experience working in hospital pharmacy Experience working in mental health pharmacy Experience of participation in audit 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 Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Address Gloucestershire Royal Hospital Gloucester GL1 3NN Employer's website https://www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)