In CDDFT Pharmacy, we pride ourselves in working at the leading edge of clinical pharmacy practice and medicines management with our teams achieving national recognition for innovative, high-quality patient care.
We have an exciting development opportunity for a number of Pharmacy Technicians to join our team.
You must be registered, or in the process of being registered, with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and hold a Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians or an equivalent, recognised GPhC qualification.
These posts provide an opportunity to progress from a Band 4 Technician to a Band 5 Technician, after completing a training and competency framework over a maximum period of 2 years. For the 2 year training period, you will be paid 70% of the top of the Band 5 pay scale in year one and 75% of the top of Band 5 pay scale in year two. On successful completion of the training, the pay reverts to the bottom of the Band 5 pay scale and you will work through the pay grades as normal.
There is also an opportunity to transfer directly onto the Band 5 pay scale for those applicants with the relevant qualifications, experience, and competencies.
Main duties of the job
The successful post holders will be based at Darlington Memorial Hospital but will be expected to cover roles at the other hospitals, as and when the need arises, on a rotational basis. You will also participate in the provision of our 7 days service.
You will work under the management of the Lead Pharmacy Technicians to ensure a safe and efficient service is maintained across our operational services, including dispensary, ward services, stores, aseptic services, procurement, and medicine safety.
After relevant training or depending on experience, you will work at ward/pharmacy level to deliver a patient-focused, high-quality service including:
1. Medicine history and reconciliation, providing medicines advice to patients, as well as other healthcare professionals and preparation of discharge prescriptions.
2. Acting as an Accuracy Checking Technician and being responsible for the final check of prescriptions that have been professionally checked by a pharmacist as outlined in departmental SOPs.
3. Participating in the monthly coordinating rota.
These posts require good communication and organisational skills.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield, and Weardale as well as over 80 other community-based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.
From April 1, 2024, we are unable to offer sponsorship for healthcare roles that do not meet the minimum salary. If you are in the UK on a VISA, please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Band 4 Training Technician Role includes:
1. Participation in rotational training to demonstrate competencies against a CDDFT Training Framework in:
* Dispensary services
* Aseptic services
* Procurement services
* Ward based services
* Medicines safety
1. Commencement and completion of an Accredited Accuracy Checking Training Programme.
2. Undertaking the day-to-day supervision of pharmacy assistants, student technicians and work experience students and participate in training and induction of these staff, where required.
Band 5 Senior Technician Role includes:
1. Provision of a medicines reconciliation service to designated wards and community hospitals. This will include compiling medication histories by checking with patients, patients' GPs (including the Summary Care Record), patients' notes, and other appropriate sources of information.
2. Providing a medicines management service to designated wards, including the ordering and issue of relevant drugs. This includes the responsibility for the assessment of prescriptions or inpatient medicines charts for completeness and legality, highlighting any problems to the pharmacist or medical staff.
3. Supporting the nursing and ward staff in the delivery of an effective and efficient medicines management service and participating actively in ward and multidisciplinary team meetings.
4. Assessing patients' own drugs (PODs) for re-use in accordance with Trust criteria.
5. Working alongside the ward pharmacists in planning and prioritising workload to ensure a timely and efficient medicines management service is provided.
6. Providing advice to patients on the use of the medications and to ensure they understand why they are taking their medication to aid compliance.
7. Undertaking six monthly stock reviews and controlled drug audits with senior nursing staff to ensure that stock levels are at an appropriate level and ensure safe and secure handling of medicines.
8. Acting as an Accredited Accuracy Checking Technician. The post holder will be responsible for the final check of prescriptions, that have been professionally checked by a pharmacist as outlined in departmental SOPs. They will have a duty of care and professional responsibility to refer back to the pharmacist any prescription that requires clarification.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
* Band 4 - experience of working in the health sector. Band 5 - experience as a registered pharmacy technician in a hospital environment.
Desirable
* Band 4 Experience in the following:
* - hospital pharmacy environment
* - Aseptic services
* Band 5 Experience in the following:
* - Medicines reconciliation
* - Project or development work
* - Problem solving
* - Policy and procedure writing
* - Aseptic services
* - Change management
Qualifications
Essential
* Band 4 Essential Requirements:
* Hold or be currently working towards Level 3 Diploma in The Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians to allow registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) or equivalent qualifications as recognised by the GPhC. Must be willing to commence an Accredited Accuracy Checking Pharmacy Technician Programme within 12 months.
* Band 5 Essential Requirements: The post holder must be registered with the GPhC and hold an Accredited/Approved Checking Technician qualification. Expected to commence an Accredited/Approved Medicines Management qualification within 12 months of employment.
Desirable
* Educational Supervisor
* Supervisory / management qualifications or training.
Statutory Registration
Essential
* Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) or eligible to be registered with the GPhC in 2025/6.
Special Requirements
Essential
* Team player
* Able to demonstrate own initiative, motivated and enthusiastic, able to work under pressure
* Good communication and organisational skills and good time management.
Desirable
* Evidence of involvement with service improvements.
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
* Meets GPhC requirements for CPD
* IT Literate
* Good knowledge of MS Excel and Word
* Pharmacy dispensing software
* Excellent customer care skills.
Desirable
* Patient counselling
* Good clinical practice
* Knowledge of:
* - Medicines management
* - Principles of safe and secure handling of medicines
* - Hospital pharmacy computer systems including Emis, Isoft and EPR.
Employer details
Employer name
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust
Hollyhurst Road
Darlington
County Durham
DL3 6HX
Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.
C9439-25-0090
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