Job summary An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Pharmacy Technician to join our established Pharmacy Team in the Wokingham North Primary Care Network. You will be primarily based at Wargrave Surgery, although you may be occasionally asked to work flexibly across our two other Practices, Woodley Centre Surgery and Parkside Surgery. You will work alongside our committed and supportive team of Clinical Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians and be part of a local Pharmacy Network. Main duties of the job We are looking for a motivated and forward-thinking Technician.You will provide specialist medicines management advice to GPs and other health professionals to promote the safe, cost-effective, and high-quality use of medicines in all prescribing decisions. You will be a first point of contact for patients with medication queries. The role also focuses on improving the repeat-prescribing process and relieving clinical workload pressures. Clinical supervision and mentorship will be provided. We are looking for candidates who are enthusiastic and adaptable to change, with excellent clinical skills and a good level of competence in use of I.T. Candidates should exhibit good organisational skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of healthcare professionals, patients, families, and carers. About us Wokingham North PCN comprises 3 GP surgeries with a total population of 38,000 patients and we aspire to be a progressive and innovative team, working collaboratively to share best practice and to delivery excellent clinical pharmacy services to our patients. Date posted 16 January 2025 Pay scheme Other Salary Depending on experience Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Part-time Reference number A5622-25-0002 Job locations The Surgery Victoria Road Wargrave Reading RG10 8BP Job description Job responsibilities Reconcile the medications of patients whose care is transferred back to primary care in a timely and effective manner liaising with patients and other providers to ensure patients receive appropriate medication on discharge Proactively engage with patients whose care has been transferred to reduce potential readmission including identifying and rectifying unexplained variation Work with pharmacy service team to develop safe, effective and efficient systems for the repeat prescribing of medication at scale across multiple GP sites Work with pharmacy service team to develop and implement systems to ensure the effective and continuous supply of medication to high risk patients Work with pharmacy service team to develop and implement systems to ensure safe and effective management of high risk medication Work with pharmacy service team to develop and implement changes to medicines in line with MHRA alerts, product withdrawal and other local or national guidance Provide feedback and seek advice from pharmacist for patients where the post holder has clinical concerns around competence to safely manage their medications Manage requests to prescribe medication from specialists in line with Berkshire West formulary and locally agreed guidelines Update patient medication records in line with incoming clinical correspondence Refer patients to their community pharmacist for support with using their medicines To provide advice to GPs, staff and patients in changes to prescribing to support the improvement of prescribing safety, quality and cost effectiveness. To respond to medication queries from patients and staff in a professional manner referring to the appropriate clinician in accordance with protocols and personal and professional boundaries. Provide support to patients to maximise the benefit from their medication Provide telephone support for patients with medication queries Provide professional telephone and written advice and support to patients and their carers To maintain full and complete records of all patient contacts using appropriate clinical templates and coding Audit and risk stratification Participate in audit activities to optimise medicines safety and the use of prescribing resource Feedback results of clinical audit activities in areas agreed with GP practice and PCN teams Make recommendations based on the outcomes of audit and shared learning activities Operational Performance Work collaboratively to help develop and promote a positive working culture, including involvement in developing, improving and promoting the pharmacy service Ensure adherence to efficient administrative processes within the pharmacy service Personal Contribution Maintain productive relationships encouraging the giving and receiving of regular feedback to create and maintain a culture of constantly seeking to refine and improve the service and learn together Engagement with patients, internal and external stakeholders Engage with users of the service to understand peoples experience of the service and to measure levels of satisfaction Responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development Responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work Quality Effectively manage own time, workload and resources Support training and development of administrative staff to support pharmacy service in line with protocols and procedures Work within risk management and health and safety policies and procedures within GP practices and other providers Adhere to a robust process for recording learning events, complaints, accidents and significant events To provide support to assist with the development and management of any changes or new processes and systems that need implementing. To carry out any other appropriate duties as determined by the organisation. Confidentiality and Data Protection You may gain knowledge of a highly confidential nature relating to the private affairs, diagnosis and treatment of patients, information affecting members of the public, matters concerning staff and details of items. Under no circumstances should such information be divulged or passed to any unauthorized person. This includes holding conversations with colleagues concerning patients or staff in situations where the conversation may be overheard. All patient identifiable information must be handled in a way that is compliant with the law and respects patients right to privacy and confidentiality at all times. Breaches of confidence will result in disciplinary action which may involve dismissal. Equal Opportunities Our policies and practices are designed to ensure equality of opportunity in employment and service delivery. All staff are expected to comply with these policies and practices including but not limited to supporting the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues; acting in a way that recognizes the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with practice procedures and policies, and current legislation; respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues and behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings, priorities and rights Use of new technology We will make use of computer technology. Staff should expect to use automated information systems in their work in order to improve quality and co-ordination of services, and to enable faster and more accurate communication within and outside of the organisation. Health and Safety All staff have a responsibility to perform their duties in such a way that accidents to themselves and to others are avoided, and to cooperate in maintaining their place of work in a tidy and safe condition, thereby minimising risk. Employees will, therefore, refer any matters of concern through their respective teams. Similarly, it is each persons responsibility to ensure a secure environment and bring any breaches of security to the attention of their managers. All staff are required to abide by all health and safety matters and keep up to date on Health and Safety Regulations and legislation. Training and Development All employees have a responsibility to undertake statutory and mandatory training. In accordance with the Training and Development Policy staff are expected to actively participate in the appraisal system and using this process to develop a Personal Development Plan. Job description Job responsibilities Reconcile the medications of patients whose care is transferred back to primary care in a timely and effective manner liaising with patients and other providers to ensure patients receive appropriate medication on discharge Proactively engage with patients whose care has been transferred to reduce potential readmission including identifying and rectifying unexplained variation Work with pharmacy service team to develop safe, effective and efficient systems for the repeat prescribing of medication at scale across multiple GP sites Work with pharmacy service team to develop and implement systems to ensure the effective and continuous supply of medication to high risk patients Work with pharmacy service team to develop and implement systems to ensure safe and effective management of high risk medication Work with pharmacy service team to develop and implement changes to medicines in line with MHRA alerts, product withdrawal and other local or national guidance Provide feedback and seek advice from pharmacist for patients where the post holder has clinical concerns around competence to safely manage their medications Manage requests to prescribe medication from specialists in line with Berkshire West formulary and locally agreed guidelines Update patient medication records in line with incoming clinical correspondence Refer patients to their community pharmacist for support with using their medicines To provide advice to GPs, staff and patients in changes to prescribing to support the improvement of prescribing safety, quality and cost effectiveness. To respond to medication queries from patients and staff in a professional manner referring to the appropriate clinician in accordance with protocols and personal and professional boundaries. Provide support to patients to maximise the benefit from their medication Provide telephone support for patients with medication queries Provide professional telephone and written advice and support to patients and their carers To maintain full and complete records of all patient contacts using appropriate clinical templates and coding Audit and risk stratification Participate in audit activities to optimise medicines safety and the use of prescribing resource Feedback results of clinical audit activities in areas agreed with GP practice and PCN teams Make recommendations based on the outcomes of audit and shared learning activities Operational Performance Work collaboratively to help develop and promote a positive working culture, including involvement in developing, improving and promoting the pharmacy service Ensure adherence to efficient administrative processes within the pharmacy service Personal Contribution Maintain productive relationships encouraging the giving and receiving of regular feedback to create and maintain a culture of constantly seeking to refine and improve the service and learn together Engagement with patients, internal and external stakeholders Engage with users of the service to understand peoples experience of the service and to measure levels of satisfaction Responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development Responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work Quality Effectively manage own time, workload and resources Support training and development of administrative staff to support pharmacy service in line with protocols and procedures Work within risk management and health and safety policies and procedures within GP practices and other providers Adhere to a robust process for recording learning events, complaints, accidents and significant events To provide support to assist with the development and management of any changes or new processes and systems that need implementing. To carry out any other appropriate duties as determined by the organisation. Confidentiality and Data Protection You may gain knowledge of a highly confidential nature relating to the private affairs, diagnosis and treatment of patients, information affecting members of the public, matters concerning staff and details of items. Under no circumstances should such information be divulged or passed to any unauthorized person. This includes holding conversations with colleagues concerning patients or staff in situations where the conversation may be overheard. All patient identifiable information must be handled in a way that is compliant with the law and respects patients right to privacy and confidentiality at all times. Breaches of confidence will result in disciplinary action which may involve dismissal. Equal Opportunities Our policies and practices are designed to ensure equality of opportunity in employment and service delivery. All staff are expected to comply with these policies and practices including but not limited to supporting the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues; acting in a way that recognizes the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with practice procedures and policies, and current legislation; respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues and behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings, priorities and rights Use of new technology We will make use of computer technology. Staff should expect to use automated information systems in their work in order to improve quality and co-ordination of services, and to enable faster and more accurate communication within and outside of the organisation. Health and Safety All staff have a responsibility to perform their duties in such a way that accidents to themselves and to others are avoided, and to cooperate in maintaining their place of work in a tidy and safe condition, thereby minimising risk. Employees will, therefore, refer any matters of concern through their respective teams. Similarly, it is each persons responsibility to ensure a secure environment and bring any breaches of security to the attention of their managers. All staff are required to abide by all health and safety matters and keep up to date on Health and Safety Regulations and legislation. Training and Development All employees have a responsibility to undertake statutory and mandatory training. In accordance with the Training and Development Policy staff are expected to actively participate in the appraisal system and using this process to develop a Personal Development Plan. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Qualifications and Experience Professional registration with GPhC BTEC/NVQ level 3 or equivalent in pharmaceutical sciences Experience of working as a qualified, registered pharmacy technician in primary care, community or hospital pharmacy Demonstrate ability to influence and persuade partners and stakeholders of the respective merits of different options, innovations, new opportunities and challenges Relevant theoretical and practical knowledge of Primary Care Networks, General Practice and evidence-based medicine Understanding of NHS long term plan and priorities relevant to primary care Awareness of systems to support management of patients in a primary care setting, delivering pharmaceutical input and support in the context of pathways of care and the business of the organisation(s) Awareness of funding systems to enable GP clinical pharmacist services to assist delivery of PCN and NHS priorities and requirements for financial balance and quality Good clinical pharmacy knowledge including terminology An appreciation of the nature of primary care prescribing, concepts of rational prescribing and strategies for the improvement of prescribing Knowledge and understanding of pharmacy law, ethics and current legislation Able to maintain confidentiality Ability to use own initiative, discretion and sensitivity Desirable Evidence of continued professional development Experience Essential Computer literate with an ability to use the required GP clinical systems Able to analyse and interpret prescribing data Has attention to detail, able to work accurately, identifying errors quickly and easily Able to effectively manage allocated resources Able to think analytically; anticipating obstacles and thinking ahead; using analytical techniques to draw logical solutions to problems Excellent verbal and written communication skills with team members, patients, carers, and other healthcare professionals, whilst recognising peoples needs for alternative methods of communication An excellent understanding of data protection and confidentiality issues Works effectively independently and as a member of a team Flexible approach to meet service needs and ensure a stakeholder focused response 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 Desirable Excellent time keeping and prioritisation skills Ability to work under pressure Leadership qualities Person Specification Qualifications Essential Qualifications and Experience Professional registration with GPhC BTEC/NVQ level 3 or equivalent in pharmaceutical sciences Experience of working as a qualified, registered pharmacy technician in primary care, community or hospital pharmacy Demonstrate ability to influence and persuade partners and stakeholders of the respective merits of different options, innovations, new opportunities and challenges Relevant theoretical and practical knowledge of Primary Care Networks, General Practice and evidence-based medicine Understanding of NHS long term plan and priorities relevant to primary care Awareness of systems to support management of patients in a primary care setting, delivering pharmaceutical input and support in the context of pathways of care and the business of the organisation(s) Awareness of funding systems to enable GP clinical pharmacist services to assist delivery of PCN and NHS priorities and requirements for financial balance and quality Good clinical pharmacy knowledge including terminology An appreciation of the nature of primary care prescribing, concepts of rational prescribing and strategies for the improvement of prescribing Knowledge and understanding of pharmacy law, ethics and current legislation Able to maintain confidentiality Ability to use own initiative, discretion and sensitivity Desirable Evidence of continued professional development Experience Essential Computer literate with an ability to use the required GP clinical systems Able to analyse and interpret prescribing data Has attention to detail, able to work accurately, identifying errors quickly and easily Able to effectively manage allocated resources Able to think analytically; anticipating obstacles and thinking ahead; using analytical techniques to draw logical solutions to problems Excellent verbal and written communication skills with team members, patients, carers, and other healthcare professionals, whilst recognising peoples needs for alternative methods of communication An excellent understanding of data protection and confidentiality issues Works effectively independently and as a member of a team Flexible approach to meet service needs and ensure a stakeholder focused response 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 Desirable Excellent time keeping and prioritisation skills Ability to work under pressure Leadership qualities 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 Wokingham North PCN Address The Surgery Victoria Road Wargrave Reading RG10 8BP Employer's website https://wnpcn.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)