Job responsibilities The post holder will be a Pharmacy Technician (NVQ / BTEC level 3 or equivalent) who is currently registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). The post holder will also have completed further training (where required) to achieve accredited checking technician status. Additionally, you should have successfully completed a national accreditation in medicines optimisation, or be prepared to train to achieve this accreditation. The post holder will rotate duties with the other band 5 Pharmacy Technicians to provide the services listed below under the direction and support of the Clinical Director of Pharmacy and the Senior Management Team. To undertake patient-focused Medicines Optimisation pharmacy duties in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures and the legal framework for the supply of medicines. Medication assessment - assess the suitability for the use of medicines brought into the hospital by patients. Supply medicines - ensure and organise the efficient supply of medicines during a patients stay in hospital and for patients taking leave or being discharged. Daily dispensing and checking of medication for inpatient wards and outreach units. Clozapine dispensing service operating from Glenbourne Pharmacy including the checking of blood results and coordination of supplies to inpatients and those in the community. Patient counselling - counsel patients and carers, as appropriate and in conjunction with the clinical pharmacist in order to ensure maximum benefit is gained from their medicines. To undertake medicines optimisation ward services in accordance with standard operating procedures to include: Visiting designated wards/units to check the daily communication book. Checking current ward stock to ensure it is in usable condition and is within its expiry date. Ensuring the appropriate re-use / segregation and / or destruction of unwanted / unsuitable stock. Determining the amount of stock required in liaison with unit managers and ward pharmacist / clinical lead pharmacist. Generating orders for the required amount of stock. Brining to the attention of the ward pharmacist / clinical lead pharmacist any requests from wards for non-formulary items and non-stock items. Informing the ward clinical pharmacist and ward staff of any out of stock, to follow or currently unavailable medicines. Removal and destruction of controlled drugs. Medicines Reconciliation - To participate in Medicines Reconciliation within the relevant care setting. The post holder should have successfully completed an accredited Medicines Reconciliation course and be the holder of a certificate of completion, or be willing to train to do so. This accreditation will allow the post holder within the perimeters of the Medicines Management and Medicines Reconciliation Policy and Procedures to undertake: Level 1 Medicines Reconciliation - accurately complete, verify and record medication histories. Level 2 Medicines Reconciliation - reconcile the verified medication history with the most recent prescription available. Level 3 Medicines Reconciliation - to refer all level 3 to the Clinical Pharmacist. Communicate the outcomes of the level 1 or 2 medicines reconciliation process. Complete all documentation accurately and legibly in accordance to organisational Policy and Procedures. Discharge Facilitation - to participate in Discharge Facilitation within the relevant care setting. The post holder will be expected to: Accurately assemble all necessary information regarding a patients discharge. Communicate and liaise with all relevant parties regarding any issues concerning or delaying the patients discharge, and / or necessary follow up requirements. Inform nursing staff or any controlled drug requirements. Assemble all required documentation and medication in preparation for the patients discharge. Establish patient medication information needs and provide an opportunity for the patient / carer to ask questions. Accurately complete a final locker check of medication, compliance aids, prompt charts, against the discharge prescription offering patient counselling where appropriate. Complete all documentation accurately in accordance to organisational Policy and Procedure. Analytical and Judgemental skills To critically assess prescription charts and discharge prescriptions when dispensing or checking prescriptions to ensure: Prescriptions are legal and conform to the organisations standards as detailed in the Medicines Policy. The whole of the prescription has been screened by a pharmacist. The prescribed medication list is fully reconciled with previous records on admission. Using judgement to decide when to query prescriptions and how urgently this is required. Use of specialist product knowledge to optimise the quality of cost-effectiveness of the dispensing service. Blood test status for patients on Clozapine and dispensed quantity consistent with active test status. To work closely with the pharmacists to resolve discrepancies and make interventions involving patients medication with reference to the prescriber whenever possible. To assess compliance with medication and the patients ability to self-medicate. Where necessary to organise compliance aids for individual patients (medication cards, monitored dose boxes, etc. following formal assessment) to support independence. Planning and Organisational Skills Organising and prioritising own workload in order to respond to urgent and varied requests in a timely manner. Plan the rota for the technical pharmacy team, organising supervision of support staff. Fitting own work schedule within outline staff rotas and being flexible according to the needs of the service. Supervision of junior pharmacy staff in own areas of work to ensure workload is completed in a timely manner. Working under pressure to ensure deadlines are achieved. Scheduling of Clozapine supplies according to blood test status, dosage prescribed and individual factors. Freedom to Act Pharmacy Technicians are expected to work with limited supervision and to act on their own professional judgement within their competence. Support mechanisms exist within the pharmacy team by contacting line managers, clinical leads and the senior management team on a mutually beneficial basis. If studying for a specific qualification a suitable mentor will be available. Line management support is available as required. This role is defined by standard operating procedures which should always be followed. Service Development To actively contribute to the development of ward / unit based pharmaceutical care initiatives e.g. self-medication schemes, use of patients own drugs in hospital, Medicines Management, Medicines Optimisation, Discharge Facilitation, patient and carer counselling. To propose and support the expansion of or changes to Clinical Pharmacy Services. To attend and contribute to Pharmacy Team meetings and participate in discussions on the development of the service. Implement policies and propose changes to practices, procedures for own area / propose policy or service changes that may impact beyond own area. Implement SOPs within Pharmacy Technician teams, implement Medicines Management policies, contribute to wider organisational system policies. Management of Staff To provide day to day supervision; professional / clinical supervision and training of less experienced staff; undertake basic workplace assessments. Training and Development To assist in the training of staff involved in ward based pharmacy services, e.g. Pharmacy Technicians and assistants, Trainee Pharmacists and students, nursing and medical staff. To assist in the training, induction and supervision of new members of staff. To undertake CPD and maintain a portfolio of personal and professional development. To attend such study days and updating courses as are deemed necessary for the advancement of the service. Other Duties To undertake any other reasonable duties necessary by the Clinical Director of Pharmacy or their Deputy. Communications and Relationships Well-developed verbal and written communication skills (including telephone and email) are essential to the role, even when there are communication difficulties. To liaise with all levels of healthcare staff and patients with regard to medication supply issues in all areas of work. To maintain patient and corporate confidentiality at all times. To liaise with the following as necessary: Patients and carers The ward multidisciplinary team Nursing, consultant and junior medical staff GPs, community nurses and community pharmacists to ensure appropriate supply of medicines to facilitate safe transfer of care Other clinical pharmacy service staff and members of the Pharmacy department at UHP Clozapine Patient Monitoring Service (CPMS), Denzapine Monitoring Service (DMS), Combined Labs (Derriford Hospital), Kingspath Clozapine Plasma Level Service. IT systems: SystmOne, PharmOutcomes, Pharmacy Manager, IT systems service desk Other mental health trusts / pharmacy departments for patients recently transferred Ward managers and clinical team leaders Modern Matrons ICB / NHS England Medicines Optimisation advisors To take part in leading huddles and taking minutes for huddles and meetings To be tactful and empathetic when dealing with patients and provide reassurance with respect to medication issues. Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, as well as with Clinical Pharmacy Services team and members of the pharmacy department at UHP. To promote compliance by prescribers and other healthcare staff with the South and West Devon Formulary. Physical Demands of the Job There is a need to travel between units in a timely manner, therefore ability to drive and to use own car is an advantage. Dispensing and checking medication including monitored dose packs.