Job summary This Pharmacy Technician role is based in Sacriston Surgery, working primarily for Sacriston Surgery, but with the potential for limited working across the other GP Practices within the Chester le Street PCN area. The role is to support the Practice based Clinical Pharmacist to ensure the delivery of safe, effective, and efficient systems for repeat prescribing, medicines optimisation, reducing medicines waste and maximising patient outcomes. The post-holder will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and support all practice staff to develop and improve processes. Innovative ideas are welcomed, and excellent communication skills, enthusiasm and motivation are essential skills for a successful candidate. A key part of the role will be dealing with daily medication requests and queries and communicating with patients and Community Pharmacies. Main duties of the job Manage incoming medication requests, e.g., from Patients, Pharmacies, Care Homes etc. Assisting the practice admin team with medication queries Liaise with patients to resolve queries and support their use of medication Contribute towards improvement of prescribing processes in general practice Promotion of electronic repeat dispensing and online ordering Carry out housekeeping whilst in patient records e.g., dose optimisation and medicines synchronisation Use and maintain information systems and databases relevant to the position including incident reporting, medicines optimisation, prescribing data, cost savings and patient outcomes To utilise GP practice clinical systems to conduct prescribing audits To undertake, participate and share the outcomes of clinical audits to facilitate quality improvement and changes within the practice Support the role of the Clinical Pharmacist on the delivery of the new Primary Care Networks specification model Where applicable, contribute and participate in practice meetings, patient participation groups, and other meetings to improve engagement of the role of pharmacy technician and to promote issues relevant to prescribing and medicines optimisation To be responsible for the organisation and planning of own workload to meet set deadlines About us We are a friendly and welcoming practice team, working from a modern, purpose-built three-storey eco-friendly, sustainable building, with ample free designated car parking in this former mining village, situated outside of Durham City and easily accessible to commuter routes (e.g., Newcastle, Sunderland, the A1). We are an EMIS practice, with a growing patient list of currently ca. 10,700 patients. We have a low home visiting burden, being supported by an innovative Frail & Elderly ANP post. There is also a practice employed prescribing pharmacist and First Contact Physio and Mental Health, as well as aligned PCN staff and community staff. The clinical team is young, experienced and enthusiastic, with a strong and passionate teaching and learning culture and tradition. We aim to provide excellent patient care and support for our patients and are keen to foster the current and future generations of general practice staff. We offer excellent CPD opportunities and mentoring for those newly qualified. Date posted 03 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 5 Salary Depending on experience Contract Fixed term Duration 2 years Working pattern Part-time Reference number A1173-25-0000 Job locations Front Street Sacriston Durham Co Durham DH7 6JW Job description Job responsibilities Manage incoming medication requests, e.g., from Patients, Pharmacies, Care Homes etc. Assisting the practice admin team with medication queries Liaise with patients to resolve queries and support their use of medication Contribute towards improvement of prescribing processes in general practice Promotion of electronic repeat dispensing and online ordering Carry out housekeeping whilst in patient records e.g., dose optimisation and medicines synchronisation Use and maintain information systems and databases relevant to the position including incident reporting, medicines optimisation, prescribing data, cost savings and patient outcomes To utilise GP practice clinical systems to conduct prescribing audits To undertake, participate and share the outcomes of clinical audits to facilitate quality improvement and changes within the practice Support the role of the Clinical Pharmacist on the delivery of the new Primary Care Networks specification model Where applicable, contribute and participate in practice meetings, patient participation groups, and other meetings to improve engagement of the role of pharmacy technician and to promote issues relevant to prescribing and medicines optimisation To be responsible for the organisation and planning of own workload to meet set deadlines To undertake learning and development to maintain the required knowledge and skills for practice-based work Job description Job responsibilities Manage incoming medication requests, e.g., from Patients, Pharmacies, Care Homes etc. Assisting the practice admin team with medication queries Liaise with patients to resolve queries and support their use of medication Contribute towards improvement of prescribing processes in general practice Promotion of electronic repeat dispensing and online ordering Carry out housekeeping whilst in patient records e.g., dose optimisation and medicines synchronisation Use and maintain information systems and databases relevant to the position including incident reporting, medicines optimisation, prescribing data, cost savings and patient outcomes To utilise GP practice clinical systems to conduct prescribing audits To undertake, participate and share the outcomes of clinical audits to facilitate quality improvement and changes within the practice Support the role of the Clinical Pharmacist on the delivery of the new Primary Care Networks specification model Where applicable, contribute and participate in practice meetings, patient participation groups, and other meetings to improve engagement of the role of pharmacy technician and to promote issues relevant to prescribing and medicines optimisation To be responsible for the organisation and planning of own workload to meet set deadlines To undertake learning and development to maintain the required knowledge and skills for practice-based work Person Specification Skills and Competencies Essential Computer literate with an ability to use the Microsoft office packages Understand the aims of current healthcare policy Able to analyse and interpret prescribing data Has attention to detail, able to work accurately, identifying errors quickly and easily Desirable Knowledge of GP clinical systems, EMIS/S1 An appreciation of the implications of healthcare policy for General Practice Influencing and negotiating skills Experience Essential An appreciation of the NHS agenda and government targets 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 Practice(s) Good clinical pharmacy knowledge including terminology Knowledge and understanding of pharmacy law and ethics and current legislation An excellent understanding of data protection and confidentiality issues Desirable Relevant advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of general practice and evidence-based medicine Knowledge/understanding of Primary care and/or General Practice Qualifications Essential Professional registration with GPhC BTEC/NVQ level 3 or equivalent in pharmaceutical sciences Evidence of continued professional development (CPD) 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 Have or be prepared to enroll on the Primary care pharmacy education pathway (PCPEP) Desirable Postgraduate qualifications of a relevant nature. e.g. FdSc in Medicines Management/Pharmacy Services; BTEC Therapeutics Person Specification Skills and Competencies Essential Computer literate with an ability to use the Microsoft office packages Understand the aims of current healthcare policy Able to analyse and interpret prescribing data Has attention to detail, able to work accurately, identifying errors quickly and easily Desirable Knowledge of GP clinical systems, EMIS/S1 An appreciation of the implications of healthcare policy for General Practice Influencing and negotiating skills Experience Essential An appreciation of the NHS agenda and government targets 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 Practice(s) Good clinical pharmacy knowledge including terminology Knowledge and understanding of pharmacy law and ethics and current legislation An excellent understanding of data protection and confidentiality issues Desirable Relevant advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of general practice and evidence-based medicine Knowledge/understanding of Primary care and/or General Practice Qualifications Essential Professional registration with GPhC BTEC/NVQ level 3 or equivalent in pharmaceutical sciences Evidence of continued professional development (CPD) 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 Have or be prepared to enroll on the Primary care pharmacy education pathway (PCPEP) Desirable Postgraduate qualifications of a relevant nature. e.g. FdSc in Medicines Management/Pharmacy Services; BTEC Therapeutics 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 Sacriston Surgery Address Front Street Sacriston Durham Co Durham DH7 6JW Employer's website https://www.sacristonsurgery.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)