Job summary
The Pharmacy Technicianplays a crucial role in the Clinical Pharmacy in General Practice model, whichis pivotal to transforming patient care and enhancing medication managementwithin the practice. This innovative model aligns with national policies suchas the Five Year Forward View and GP Forward View, which emphasize theintegration of pharmacy skills to improve patient outcomes and reduce hospitaladmissions. The Pharmacy Technician works under the supervision of the SeniorClinical Pharmacist and is instrumental in implementing best practices inprescribing and medication management to ensure safety, efficacy, and role will be based within our Organisational Pharmacy Team at Stirling road Medical Centre, but will be working for Coleridge Medical Centre which is also part of the Fuller and Forbes Healthcare Group.
Main duties of the job
Pharmacy Technicians arekey to supporting the multi-disciplinary team within the Primary Care Network(PCN) by helping patients get the most from their medicines. They handle taskssuch as switching medications to approved protocols, optimizing repeat prescribingprocesses including promoting repeat dispensing and online ordering, andminimizing clinical risks. The role involves significant responsibilities inmedicines optimisation, including supporting the implementation of NICEguidelines and national healthcare initiatives. The post holder will alsocontribute to educating the practice team on the principles of medicinesoptimisation and promoting therapeutic best practices to enhance the quality ofcare provided to patients.
About us
Recently acquired by the Fuller and Forbes partnership, Coleridge Medical Centre, located in Ottery St. Mary, is a 17,000 patient practice across 2 sites. The wider organisation operates a Healthcare Group across the UK, providing healthcare to 120,000 patients in North Devon, Plymouth, Burnley, Leeds and Gateshead.
As a group, our vision is to enable patients to live longer and healthier lives that are full, active and meaningful. We aim to do this by developing a sustainable primary healthcare service. Our service is undertaken by our vast multidisciplinary team of GPs, Advanced Clinical Practitioners, Pharmacists, Paramedics and Nursing teams, as well as our PCN staff.
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. Work with Clinicians in accordance with agreed practice prescribing standard operating procedures
2. Process repeat medication requests under supervision, including the conversion of acute requests to repeat medicines, changing quantities of medicines, syncing patient medications, ERD and arranging compliance aids
3. Requesting to issue prescriptions in line with agreed clinical protocols, under clinician supervision and within your competency, directing queries to appropriate clinician
4. Provide advice and guidance to patients regarding medication optimisation and lifestyle, inhaler techniques
5. To provide medication review services to patients via telephone clinics in practices / remotely and to deliver pharmaceutical care plans that maximise cost-effective prescribing and improve the quality of patient care
6. To support the achievement of the practices IIF prescribing Quality and Outcomes Framework targets and other medication management targets
7. Dealing with medication queries from patients and queries from clinicians in line with agreed protocols
8. To update and maintain accurate patient medication records on the practice clinical computer system, including advice given and action taken
9. Liaise with secondary and primary care colleagues to ensure correct medicines are continued following the transfer of care
10. To assist with the development and review of medicine audits
11. Conduct medication reconciliation following discharge from hospital, clinic visits and other transfers of care (, new patients), to ensure that medication changes are safely implemented in a timely fashion
12. To link with hospital and community pharmacy colleagues to address discrepancies, supply issues and queries within competency
13. Liaise with the wider health care team including primary care staff, community nurses and with medication queries
14. To support the safe and effective repeat prescribing of high-risk medicines ensuring that regular monitoring as per local/shared care guidance is taking place
15. To document interventions made to patients medications in their health care records to ensure there is a clear audit trail and changes are clearly accounted for
16. To promote cost effective, safe, evidence-based prescribing in accordance with local formulary, medication optimisation strategy and national guidance
17. Link/liaise with local strategic groups to ensure work is aligned with local health and wellbeing priorities
18. Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment
19. To use highly developed knowledge and skills to provide high standards of patient centred care
20. To maintain accurate contemporaneous records on all aspects of the care process and patient contact
21. Contribute to the development of the service,, developing service pathways, paperwork and sharing good practice
22. Awareness of, and compliance with, all relevant local/clinical policies and guidelines
23. Participate in and be responsible for monitoring progress against key performance targets
24. To attend and participate in practice clinical meetings and other multi-disciplinary meetings where necessary
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
25. Proven experience as a Pharmacy Technician within a primary care setting demonstrating familiarity with clinical pharmacy operations and medication management protocols.
26. Experience in medication reconciliation and prescription handling and supporting clinical audits and reviews.
Desirable
27. Primary care experience
28. SystmOne
Qualifications
Essential
29. Vocational qualification in Pharmacy Technology. NVQ Level 3 in Pharmaceutical Sciences or equivalent is essential.
30. Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) or equivalent regulatory body as a Pharmacy Technician (if available).