Job summary We have an exciting opportunity for a registered or soon-to-be registered Pharmacy Technician to join the department on a full-time, permanent basis, to join our well established, friendly Pharmacy team based at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital. In doing so you will also be supporting a number of teams within Pharmacy, including the dispensary, medicines management ward technicians and aseptics. This developmental role starting as a band 4 Technician will support you through a guided programme to complete competencies over a 12-month period in order to move to a band 5 position. This will include Final Accuracy checking, Medicines Management skills as well as other leadership and development competencies. Full support and training will be given to allow you to progress within the desired time frame. We are an experienced team that are here for you, and we want to you develop to your full potential. Main duties of the job Band 4 Pharmacy Technicians participate in rotations in dispensary, controlled drug dispensing, ward drug safety checks, aseptics and supporting the homecare technician in homecare prescription management. Band 5 Pharmacy Technicians - in addition to band 4 duties - participate in rotations in dispensary, ward based duties including medicines reconciliation, patient counselling, and TTO teach back. Ward based duties cover wards at LHCH and SLA sites. Both Band 4 and 5 pharmacy technicians based in the dispensary are required to dispense and check prescriptions. Checking is dependant on the checking qualification held and additional training and/or competencies might be required to meet the standards of the BTEC The General working pattern is 37.5 hours per week over a 7 day period, with usual working hours 8:45am-5pm Monday to Friday and that will include weekend and bank holiday working, About us As the largest single site specialist heart and chest hospital in the UK, we, at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, have a clear vision 'to be the best cardiothoracic integrated healthcare organisation'. We provide specialist services in cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, respiratory medicine both in the hospital and out in the community. We serve a catchment area of 2.8 million people, spanning Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and the Isle of Man, and increasingly we receive referrals from outside these areas for highly specialised services such as aortics. Our reputation for strong performance is important in delivering the best care for our patients and high quality clinical services. This is underpinned by a culture of research and innovation, delivered in modern estate and our encouragement of flexible working in a variety of forms. Please visit our website - https://www.lhch.nhs.uk/ Please follow this link for a tour of our site - https://bit.ly/36ylsoq Date posted 07 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 4 Salary £26,530 to £36,483 a year Per annum (banding based on experience) Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 410-CLIN-6986771 Job locations Liverpool Heart and Chester hospital Thomas Lane Liverpool L14 3PE Job description Job responsibilities JOB SUMMARY To co-operate in the provision of patient focused pharmaceutical care with emphasis on the technical aspects of ordering, dispensing, issuing, distribution and stock control of medicines. Band 4 Pharmacy Technicians participate in rotations in dispensary, controlled drug dispensing, ward drug safety checks, aseptics and supporting the homecare technician in homecare prescription management. Band 5 Pharmacy Technicians in addition to band 4 duties - participate in rotations in dispensary, ward based duties including medicines reconciliation, patient counselling, and TTO teach back. Ward based duties cover wards at LHCH and SLA sites. Both Band 4 and 5 pharmacy technicians based in the dispensary are required to dispense and check prescriptions. Checking is dependant on the checking qualification held and additional training and/or competencies might be required to meet the standards of the BTEC Professional Diploma in Dispensing Checking. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES CLINICAL To dispense medicines from the dispensary to a diverse range of patients in correctly labelled and appropriate containers in a timely manner according to the standard operating procedures and the Medicines Act 1968. To raise, amend and send orders to suppliers and receive stock into the department and then to enter the appropriate records into the computer and ensure the goods are stored correctly. To communicate with nursing staff and other health professionals within the training and experience of a technician referring to a pharmacist if necessary. To communicate with patients on wards and in the department providing advice on their medication, ensuring confidentiality at all times. Under the supervision of a pharmacist, advise and recommend products to customers wishing to purchase over the counter medication, following completion of training package and competency assessment To assist medical and nursing staff with drug information queries acknowledging the limitations of ones training and expertise. To check for prescribing errors within the limits compatible with technician training and to bring to the attention of the supervising pharmacist. To carry out, monitor and check the ordering, dispensing, issuing, distribution and stock control of medicines on designated wards and departments within the Trust in accordance with the standard operating procedures. To participate in practise Research and Clinical Audit projects. To participate in out of hours, bank holidays and weekend provision of a pharmaceutical service. To participate in Clinical Trial dispensing, following the procedure for each trial and maintaining appropriate records. To participate in the issuing, receipt and stock control of Controlled Drugs in accordance with the departmental standard operating procedures and the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. To dispense, order and maintain records for unlicensed drugs according to departmental procedures and to liaise with Regional Quality Control to determine suitability for use when necessary. To ensure that procedures are carried out in accordance with safe systems of work in Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital and those regulations in respect of the Health and Safety at Work Act, COSHH and other legislation are complied with. To participate in ensuring the emergency cupboard and emergency arrest boxes are fully stocked according to current departmental procedures. To participate in collecting prescription charges from patients and issuing receipts/invoices where necessary, liaising with finance when necessary in order to balance the cash from the pharmacy till. To participate in organising the transport of drugs to patients at home and to clarify the urgency of the delivery. To use current technology correctly to make appropriate records and to undertake extra training as required. To maintain and develop the pharmacy computer system in conjunction with the computer systems managers. To participate and contribute in pharmacy meetings and to support the Pharmacy Business Plan. To carry out appropriate actions in response to drug alerts issued by the MHRA and the National CAS system. To participate in the management of returned pharmaceuticals, to dispose of safely when not fit for return and to complete stock checks in accordance with departmental procedures. To participate in the aseptic preparation of products which includes: o Prepare aseptic products in an isolator using aseptic technique. Set out ready for checking by pharmacist o To keep up to date with broth tests which requires liaison with quality control o To keep up to date with knowledge of GMP by attending monthly meetings o To complete sessional/daily/weekly monitoring using settle plates, swabs and contact plates to ensure products are free from microbial contamination, o Carry out sessional/daily/weekly/monthly monitoring of equipment i.e.: isolator/leak tests o Carry out cleaning duties o Order consumables for use in the unit. i.e. needles, syringes, gloves, swabs Process registration documents, prescriptions, orders & invoices for homecare services to ensure that patients receive their medicines in a timely manner. Maintain a database of prescriptions sent to homecare providers. Support colleagues within the Trust to produce legal and timely prescriptions for homecare medicines. Band 5 Duties (in addition to band 4 duties) To carry out a ward based pharmaceutical technician service to designated ward areas (both LHCH and SLA wards) which will include the following: o Ensuring patients own drugs are suitable for use, including checking that the labelling is suitable, the correct drug is present, the container is appropriate and that the drugs are still within their expiry date. o Monitor and develop systems of dispensing to wards. o Ensure sufficient supplies are present on the ward and re-supply if necessary. o Alert pharmacist to any potential prescribing errors or problems relating to patients own drugs. o Reviewing patients EPR/case notes if necessary or checking GP records to clarify patients drug history, including performing and documenting medicines reconciliation. o Removing unwanted or discontinued medicines from the wards and disposing of appropriately in line with the standard operating procedures and COSHH. o Providing advice on safe administration and monitoring of Amiodarone/Warfarin/DOACs to patients who have been newly prescribed Amiodarone/Warfarin and DOACs. o To perform TTO teach back with patients being discharged from hospital. To produce reports for use by pharmacy staff MANAGERIAL/LEADERSHIP To help co-ordinate junior technical staff, student technicians and ATOs as necessary. To identify problems during the ordering process and bring these to the attention of a more senior member of staff. To cover for Assistant Technical Officers during periods of absence as necessary. To distribute and monitor controlled stationery, including the stock control of such. Band 5 duties To deputise for certain aspects of the work of the Senior Technicians during periods of absence EDUCATION AND TRAINING o To participate in student technician, trainee pharmacist, new pharmacist and new technician training as required. o Participate in the counselling of patients on the use of their drugs and any devices required to deliver those drugs in order to improve drug compliance. To keep up to date with all mandatory training. Job description Job responsibilities JOB SUMMARY To co-operate in the provision of patient focused pharmaceutical care with emphasis on the technical aspects of ordering, dispensing, issuing, distribution and stock control of medicines. Band 4 Pharmacy Technicians participate in rotations in dispensary, controlled drug dispensing, ward drug safety checks, aseptics and supporting the homecare technician in homecare prescription management. Band 5 Pharmacy Technicians in addition to band 4 duties - participate in rotations in dispensary, ward based duties including medicines reconciliation, patient counselling, and TTO teach back. Ward based duties cover wards at LHCH and SLA sites. Both Band 4 and 5 pharmacy technicians based in the dispensary are required to dispense and check prescriptions. Checking is dependant on the checking qualification held and additional training and/or competencies might be required to meet the standards of the BTEC Professional Diploma in Dispensing Checking. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES CLINICAL To dispense medicines from the dispensary to a diverse range of patients in correctly labelled and appropriate containers in a timely manner according to the standard operating procedures and the Medicines Act 1968. To raise, amend and send orders to suppliers and receive stock into the department and then to enter the appropriate records into the computer and ensure the goods are stored correctly. To communicate with nursing staff and other health professionals within the training and experience of a technician referring to a pharmacist if necessary. To communicate with patients on wards and in the department providing advice on their medication, ensuring confidentiality at all times. Under the supervision of a pharmacist, advise and recommend products to customers wishing to purchase over the counter medication, following completion of training package and competency assessment To assist medical and nursing staff with drug information queries acknowledging the limitations of ones training and expertise. To check for prescribing errors within the limits compatible with technician training and to bring to the attention of the supervising pharmacist. To carry out, monitor and check the ordering, dispensing, issuing, distribution and stock control of medicines on designated wards and departments within the Trust in accordance with the standard operating procedures. To participate in practise Research and Clinical Audit projects. To participate in out of hours, bank holidays and weekend provision of a pharmaceutical service. To participate in Clinical Trial dispensing, following the procedure for each trial and maintaining appropriate records. To participate in the issuing, receipt and stock control of Controlled Drugs in accordance with the departmental standard operating procedures and the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. To dispense, order and maintain records for unlicensed drugs according to departmental procedures and to liaise with Regional Quality Control to determine suitability for use when necessary. To ensure that procedures are carried out in accordance with safe systems of work in Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital and those regulations in respect of the Health and Safety at Work Act, COSHH and other legislation are complied with. To participate in ensuring the emergency cupboard and emergency arrest boxes are fully stocked according to current departmental procedures. To participate in collecting prescription charges from patients and issuing receipts/invoices where necessary, liaising with finance when necessary in order to balance the cash from the pharmacy till. To participate in organising the transport of drugs to patients at home and to clarify the urgency of the delivery. To use current technology correctly to make appropriate records and to undertake extra training as required. To maintain and develop the pharmacy computer system in conjunction with the computer systems managers. To participate and contribute in pharmacy meetings and to support the Pharmacy Business Plan. To carry out appropriate actions in response to drug alerts issued by the MHRA and the National CAS system. To participate in the management of returned pharmaceuticals, to dispose of safely when not fit for return and to complete stock checks in accordance with departmental procedures. To participate in the aseptic preparation of products which includes: o Prepare aseptic products in an isolator using aseptic technique. Set out ready for checking by pharmacist o To keep up to date with broth tests which requires liaison with quality control o To keep up to date with knowledge of GMP by attending monthly meetings o To complete sessional/daily/weekly monitoring using settle plates, swabs and contact plates to ensure products are free from microbial contamination, o Carry out sessional/daily/weekly/monthly monitoring of equipment i.e.: isolator/leak tests o Carry out cleaning duties o Order consumables for use in the unit. i.e. needles, syringes, gloves, swabs Process registration documents, prescriptions, orders & invoices for homecare services to ensure that patients receive their medicines in a timely manner. Maintain a database of prescriptions sent to homecare providers. Support colleagues within the Trust to produce legal and timely prescriptions for homecare medicines. Band 5 Duties (in addition to band 4 duties) To carry out a ward based pharmaceutical technician service to designated ward areas (both LHCH and SLA wards) which will include the following: o Ensuring patients own drugs are suitable for use, including checking that the labelling is suitable, the correct drug is present, the container is appropriate and that the drugs are still within their expiry date. o Monitor and develop systems of dispensing to wards. o Ensure sufficient supplies are present on the ward and re-supply if necessary. o Alert pharmacist to any potential prescribing errors or problems relating to patients own drugs. o Reviewing patients EPR/case notes if necessary or checking GP records to clarify patients drug history, including performing and documenting medicines reconciliation. o Removing unwanted or discontinued medicines from the wards and disposing of appropriately in line with the standard operating procedures and COSHH. o Providing advice on safe administration and monitoring of Amiodarone/Warfarin/DOACs to patients who have been newly prescribed Amiodarone/Warfarin and DOACs. o To perform TTO teach back with patients being discharged from hospital. To produce reports for use by pharmacy staff MANAGERIAL/LEADERSHIP To help co-ordinate junior technical staff, student technicians and ATOs as necessary. To identify problems during the ordering process and bring these to the attention of a more senior member of staff. To cover for Assistant Technical Officers during periods of absence as necessary. To distribute and monitor controlled stationery, including the stock control of such. Band 5 duties To deputise for certain aspects of the work of the Senior Technicians during periods of absence EDUCATION AND TRAINING o To participate in student technician, trainee pharmacist, new pharmacist and new technician training as required. o Participate in the counselling of patients on the use of their drugs and any devices required to deliver those drugs in order to improve drug compliance. To keep up to date with all mandatory training. Person Specification Knowledge & Experience Essential Previous experience in hospital pharmacy Ward work experience (e.g. Medicines Reconciliation, checking Patients Own Drugs) Desirable Ward work experience (e.g. checking Patients Own Drugs) Experience of counselling patients on anticoagulant therapy and Amiodarone Qualifications Essential BTEC (Pharmaceutical Sciences) and NVQ level 3 or BTEC Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians Services BTEC checking qualification or BTEC Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians Services with additional in-house checking competencies Desirable Registered as a Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council Skills & Abilities Essential Good Communication and computer skills Able to organise time Desirable Can demonstrate initiative Values & Behaviours Essential Able to work on own initiative and as part of a team Projections professional image Available to work of a weekend and to participate in Bank Holiday working Person Specification Knowledge & Experience Essential Previous experience in hospital pharmacy Ward work experience (e.g. Medicines Reconciliation, checking Patients Own Drugs) Desirable Ward work experience (e.g. checking Patients Own Drugs) Experience of counselling patients on anticoagulant therapy and Amiodarone Qualifications Essential BTEC (Pharmaceutical Sciences) and NVQ level 3 or BTEC Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians Services BTEC checking qualification or BTEC Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians Services with additional in-house checking competencies Desirable Registered as a Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council Skills & Abilities Essential Good Communication and computer skills Able to organise time Desirable Can demonstrate initiative Values & Behaviours Essential Able to work on own initiative and as part of a team Projections professional image Available to work of a weekend and to participate in Bank Holiday working 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). 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 Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital Address Liverpool Heart and Chester hospital Thomas Lane Liverpool L14 3PE Employer's website https://www.lhch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)