Job summary We are excited to be involved in the development of the Virtual Ward programme, which aims to care for patients safely at the place they call home. In line with National NHSE ambitions we are rolling out our virtual ward model. We are seeking a motivated and innovative pharmacy technician with a strong background across multiple specialties to join our team at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust to work in the virtual ward clinical pharmacy service as part of the wider MDT. In addition to excellent communication and leadership skills, you will have previous experience of working within a clinical environment. You will need to be comfortable collaborating with clinicians, managers, nurses and others to ensure that pharmaceutical care of virtual ward patients with a range of clinical conditions is safe and optimised. You will have the opportunity to provide pharmaceutical care to a wide range of patients and/or patient populations based on the evidence-base and/or best practice. You will be registered as a pharmacy technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council, a Foundation degree in Medicines Management & Pharmacy services or equivalent would be advantageous You will have excellent team working skills and Evidence of multi-disciplinary teamwork would be advantageous. Main duties of the job Virtual wards allow patients to receive the care they need at home safely and conveniently rather than being in hospital, using technology & digital platforms for us to monitor our patients across a range of clinical specialities. The postholder will be part of the Community Healthcare Division clinical pharmacy service available to patients across the Calderdale and Huddersfield Foundation Trust (CHFT) footprint in their own homes in the Calderdale area. This may be as part of the CHFT Virtual Ward (VW) /Urgent Community Response Team (UCR) or the wider Community Healthcare Division. This will require enthusiasm, self-motivation and commitment to forge excellent communication between primary and secondary care teams and drive the pharmacy team forward.The post holder will work with other health and social care organisations across Calderdale to implement and co-ordinate medicines optimisation principles to support patients in the safe and effective use of medicines in their own homes. To work independently and without direct supervision across the CHFT footprint ensuring adherence to Medicines Optimisation protocols and guidance this will include domiciliary visits. About us Calderdale & Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT) is a dynamic and successful organisation with a strong organisational and personal development focus. With over 5,500 employees and a turnover of £310 million, the Trust provides a comprehensive range of secondary care services to the people of Calderdale and Huddersfield and has an exceptional reputation for service delivery. The Foundation Trust aims to design and implement services, policies and measures that meet the diverse needs of our service, population and workforce, ensuring that none are placed at a disadvantage over others. Date posted 31 October 2024 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 5 Salary £29,970 to £36,483 a year per annum, pro rata Contract Fixed term Duration 12 months Working pattern Full-time, Flexible working Reference number 372-COM2351-A Job locations Calderdale Royal Hospital Salterhebble Halifax HX3 0PW Job description Job responsibilities Communicate complex and sometimes sensitive medicines-related information to patients, carers and other healthcare professionals including Consultants, Pharmacists, ACPs, GPs, Practice Nurses and Practice Pharmacists. The post holder may have to adjust their communication style and content. Completion of Medication Administration Records for the Community Teams To analyse, interpret and compare medicines-related information to provide highly specialised advice concerning care of individual patients on the virtual ward or other Community Healthcare Division services. This may include providing information/communicating common drug dosage and use, issues relating to medication regimens and changes to prescribing guidance, drug history taking, medicines reconciliation, patient or carer counselling on medicaiton; In conjunction with other team members, plan, organise and implement prescribing support services to the VW to promote cost efficiencies and medicines safety in prescribing. This may include reacting promptly to changes in medicines use, availability or guidance to support member practices; To carry out clinical and cost savings audits in practice against agreed protocols, policies or guidance or specifically agreed work plans and record the subsequent activity and outcomes. This will include obtaining the authorisation to complete such work from clinical leads To work in a collaborative manner across all health and social care interfaces to support patient-centred care; To propose and implement policy or service changes that impact within and beyond the post holders own role, including work within GP practices, community pharmacies and by community nurses. This includes the development of prescribing / medicines optimisation guidelines and protocols; To be able to prioritise work effectively for the benefit of patients To plan and organise the post holders own workload, including audit and project work and training sessions for members of the Community Healthcare Division team, MDT team, VW/UCR team, patients, carers, etc; To supervise, and train less experienced Medicines Optimisation Technicians. This may include formal and informal training of Medicines Optimisation Technician(s) and support of other staff including Trainees/Student/Apprentices; Handle function specific information, which may be sensitive, complex or confidential and appropriately record, transfer and/or co-ordinate such information in accordance with the Data Protection Act and the subsequent legislation including that of the General Data Protection Regulations; Use and maintain information systems and databases relevant to specific functions or projects; To maintain professional registration as a Pharmacy Technician with the GPhC and comply with appropriate professional codes of conduct. Complete CPD in line with registration requirements and to participate in the CHFT appraisal process; To undertake any other duties commensurate with the post holders grade as agreed with the post holders line manager. Act as an advocate for patients and colleagues. This role may involve the transport of medication in line with legislation and Trust Policy. Participates in weekend, public holiday, out of hours and extended hours provision of pharmacy services Updates and maintains contemporaneous and accurate patient medication records on the clinical computer systems, including advice given and action taken, including medication reconciliation, reviews and medicines optimisation advice as well as discharge medication information to the patients registered GP. All practices are on EMIS or SystmOne and the Acute Trust uses Cerner. Uses the PharmOutcomes electronic referral system to transfer discharge information to the patients usual pharmacy on discharge from the VW service. Job description Job responsibilities Communicate complex and sometimes sensitive medicines-related information to patients, carers and other healthcare professionals including Consultants, Pharmacists, ACPs, GPs, Practice Nurses and Practice Pharmacists. The post holder may have to adjust their communication style and content. Completion of Medication Administration Records for the Community Teams To analyse, interpret and compare medicines-related information to provide highly specialised advice concerning care of individual patients on the virtual ward or other Community Healthcare Division services. This may include providing information/communicating common drug dosage and use, issues relating to medication regimens and changes to prescribing guidance, drug history taking, medicines reconciliation, patient or carer counselling on medicaiton; In conjunction with other team members, plan, organise and implement prescribing support services to the VW to promote cost efficiencies and medicines safety in prescribing. This may include reacting promptly to changes in medicines use, availability or guidance to support member practices; To carry out clinical and cost savings audits in practice against agreed protocols, policies or guidance or specifically agreed work plans and record the subsequent activity and outcomes. This will include obtaining the authorisation to complete such work from clinical leads To work in a collaborative manner across all health and social care interfaces to support patient-centred care; To propose and implement policy or service changes that impact within and beyond the post holders own role, including work within GP practices, community pharmacies and by community nurses. This includes the development of prescribing / medicines optimisation guidelines and protocols; To be able to prioritise work effectively for the benefit of patients To plan and organise the post holders own workload, including audit and project work and training sessions for members of the Community Healthcare Division team, MDT team, VW/UCR team, patients, carers, etc; To supervise, and train less experienced Medicines Optimisation Technicians. This may include formal and informal training of Medicines Optimisation Technician(s) and support of other staff including Trainees/Student/Apprentices; Handle function specific information, which may be sensitive, complex or confidential and appropriately record, transfer and/or co-ordinate such information in accordance with the Data Protection Act and the subsequent legislation including that of the General Data Protection Regulations; Use and maintain information systems and databases relevant to specific functions or projects; To maintain professional registration as a Pharmacy Technician with the GPhC and comply with appropriate professional codes of conduct. Complete CPD in line with registration requirements and to participate in the CHFT appraisal process; To undertake any other duties commensurate with the post holders grade as agreed with the post holders line manager. Act as an advocate for patients and colleagues. This role may involve the transport of medication in line with legislation and Trust Policy. Participates in weekend, public holiday, out of hours and extended hours provision of pharmacy services Updates and maintains contemporaneous and accurate patient medication records on the clinical computer systems, including advice given and action taken, including medication reconciliation, reviews and medicines optimisation advice as well as discharge medication information to the patients registered GP. All practices are on EMIS or SystmOne and the Acute Trust uses Cerner. Uses the PharmOutcomes electronic referral system to transfer discharge information to the patients usual pharmacy on discharge from the VW service. Person Specification QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING Essential BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science and an NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Pharmacy Service Skills or equivalent plus additional knowledge or experience to degree level or equivalent. Professional registration with General Pharmaceutical Council Desirable Foundation Degree Medicines Management & Pharmacy Services or equivalent. KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE Essential Post-qualification experience of pharmacy Evidence of continued professional development Working knowledge of the function within a large and complex organisation Experience of participation in multi-disciplinary meetings Evidence of patient facing experience. Experience of working to and achieving tight deadlines Experience of influencing others Experience of change management Working knowledge of the NHS and healthcare settings including the importance of maintaining confidentiality Knowledge of medicines optimisation including legislation and policy Desirable Experience of working in Medicines Optimisation Understanding and knowledge of the workings of the NHS, the challenges it faces and of the reform agenda Working in the NHS, including community pharmacy and the acute trusts. Experience of analysing prescribing data and using this to effect change. COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS (INCLUDING MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES) Essential Competent in using major computer programmes e.g. Word, Powerpoint, Outlook, Excel. Data analysis and interpretation skills Has a planned and organised approach with an ability to prioritise their own workload in order to meet strict deadlines Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, verbal and written, with the ability to adjust their communication style and content to suit the audience. Able to 'think on their feet' when dealing with issues and problems Evidence of personal and professional development. Willingness to undertake training Attention to details, able to work accurately, identify errors quickly and easily, medicines reconciliation skills Presentation skills Ability to recognise own limitations Respectful and supportive of others and challenges disrespectful behaviour Trustworthy and able to inspire confidence in others Shows an interest in others views and acts upon these in a positive manner Adjusts communication techniques accordingly Presents a positive respectable image to all stakeholders Understands how the role impacts on healthcare and patient experience Is committed to understand the wider network of the CCG and working in partnership for the benefit of the patient May transport medicines in line with legislation and Trust policy Desirable Ability to use Pharmoutcomes to communicate discharge information to Community pharmacy Experience of GP clinical systems e.g. SystmOne, EMIS or a willingness to undertake training Report writing skills Understanding of budget setting and importance of financial monitoring within the NHS. Person Specification QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING Essential BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science and an NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Pharmacy Service Skills or equivalent plus additional knowledge or experience to degree level or equivalent. Professional registration with General Pharmaceutical Council Desirable Foundation Degree Medicines Management & Pharmacy Services or equivalent. KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE Essential Post-qualification experience of pharmacy Evidence of continued professional development Working knowledge of the function within a large and complex organisation Experience of participation in multi-disciplinary meetings Evidence of patient facing experience. Experience of working to and achieving tight deadlines Experience of influencing others Experience of change management Working knowledge of the NHS and healthcare settings including the importance of maintaining confidentiality Knowledge of medicines optimisation including legislation and policy Desirable Experience of working in Medicines Optimisation Understanding and knowledge of the workings of the NHS, the challenges it faces and of the reform agenda Working in the NHS, including community pharmacy and the acute trusts. Experience of analysing prescribing data and using this to effect change. COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS (INCLUDING MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES) Essential Competent in using major computer programmes e.g. Word, Powerpoint, Outlook, Excel. Data analysis and interpretation skills Has a planned and organised approach with an ability to prioritise their own workload in order to meet strict deadlines Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, verbal and written, with the ability to adjust their communication style and content to suit the audience. Able to 'think on their feet' when dealing with issues and problems Evidence of personal and professional development. Willingness to undertake training Attention to details, able to work accurately, identify errors quickly and easily, medicines reconciliation skills Presentation skills Ability to recognise own limitations Respectful and supportive of others and challenges disrespectful behaviour Trustworthy and able to inspire confidence in others Shows an interest in others views and acts upon these in a positive manner Adjusts communication techniques accordingly Presents a positive respectable image to all stakeholders Understands how the role impacts on healthcare and patient experience Is committed to understand the wider network of the CCG and working in partnership for the benefit of the patient May transport medicines in line with legislation and Trust policy Desirable Ability to use Pharmoutcomes to communicate discharge information to Community pharmacy Experience of GP clinical systems e.g. SystmOne, EMIS or a willingness to undertake training Report writing skills Understanding of budget setting and importance of financial monitoring within the NHS. 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 Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust Address Calderdale Royal Hospital Salterhebble Halifax HX3 0PW Employer's website https://www.cht.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)