Job Description

Are you an experienced, innovative and motivated Pharmacy Technician looking to progress your career? We are looking for an enthusiastic and passionate Pharmacy Technician to support the delivery of high-quality medicines optimisation services. If this is you, AWP are looking for a Community Clinical Pharmacy Technician to join our growing Clinical Pharmacy team.



The main focus of this role is the use of specialist knowledge of pharmacological treatment options as well as utilising clinical prioritisation skills to support the delivery of effective and safe treatment for service users within the community, supporting shared decision making and the recovery journey.



The AWP Pharmacy Service has a strong focus on developing staff to their full potential, and applicants that do not have a background in mental health will be supported to access the training required to do so. We also support staff to access leadership programmes, such as CPPE Leading for Change and NHS Leadership Academy programmes.



This post is open to GPhC-registered Pharmacy Technicians only.



1. Identifying service users who may require a higher level of input and monitoring with respect to their prescribed medicines.



2. Development and implementation of pharmacy standard operating procedures, Trust procedures and guidelines.



3. Participate in relevant pharmacy meetings.



4. To support with recruitment and undertake line management responsibilities of pharmacy technicians/assistants where appropriate.



5. To provide mentoring for apprentice pharmacy technicians, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy assistants to enable them to achieve competency and knowledge in medicines used to treat mental health disorders.



6. Training and education of other healthcare professionals.



7. Ensure service user involvement in the development of pharmacy services and improve access for service users to pharmacy staff.



For more details please review attached.



We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust): a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.



We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.



Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.



AWP is committed to support and create a positive research and evidence-based environment and culture, which can have a beneficial impact on everyone who works for the organisation and the care we provide to those who use our services.



At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.



Medicines Optimisation

1. Prioritise AWP community service users appropriately, identifying those receiving high-risk medicines, and those with adherence issues, to support them to obtain the best possible outcomes from their medicines.

2. To lead the technical development of medicines optimisation to CMHTs.

3. Follow the Trust procedure on medicines reconciliation when service users change care settings to ensure a smooth and safe transition, without inadvertent changes in medication.

4. Liaise with other parts of the service, GPs and non-NHS organisations, wherever applicable, to enhance service user care.

5. Support discharge planning in collaboration with inpatient pharmacy colleagues to provide a smooth and safe transition of care.

6. Provide advice and information to service users and carers about medicines to help them understand their choices, with due consideration of the appropriate legal framework.

7. Counsel service users to ensure they understand how to take their medicines correctly, advising on likely benefits and potential common side effects.

8. Carry out regular review of service user consent to treatment (CTT) documentation.

9. Monitor stock control and storage of medicines on the wards and at team bases to ensure timely availability, whilst minimising waste. Monitor use of high-cost medicines.

10. Undertake routine statutory storage and controlled drug checks of medicines on wards and in teams.

11. Undertake prescription chart checks in line with SOPs, and refer interventions or discrepancies to the clinical pharmacist or healthcare professional when necessary and appropriate.

12. Work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team within designated team/s.

13. To undertake and oversee medicine audits within designated team/s.

14. To support investigation of incidents, identify and implement learning within designated team/s.

15. Contribute to quality improvement projects within designated team/s and the Trust.

16. Support the medicines supply chain to the relevant teams. Where acute problems are identified assist in the resolution through liaison with the relevant dispensary and/or locality pharmacy staff.

17. To develop a positive working relationship with appropriate external organisations, including the Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), Primary Care Networks (PCNs) and local community pharmacies.

18. Where it is recognised that the service user's needs are outside your own clinical and professional experience, take responsibility to make referrals to a doctor or other appropriate clinician.

19. Contribute to provision of a clinical pharmacy service to inpatient teams, when needed.

20. Review use of MCAs and other adherence aids.



For more details please review attached.