Job Description

Job summary
We are looking to recruit a motivated and patient-focused Pharmacy Technician to join our Care Home Team, supporting medicines optimisation across care homes within the Worcester City Primary Care Network.

This is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of integrated care, improving the safety, quality and effectiveness of medicines use for care home residents. You will work closely with GPs, pharmacists, care home staff and the wider multidisciplinary team to ensure residents receive the right medicines, at the right time, in the safest way possible.

The role offers variety, autonomy and strong professional support, with a clear focus on medicines safety, governance and resident-centred care. You will play a key role in reducing medicines-related risk, supporting safe systems within care homes, and contributing to improved outcomes for some of our most vulnerable patients.

We welcome applications from registered Pharmacy Technicians who are passionate about improving care for older people, enjoy collaborative working, and are keen to develop their skills within a supportive PCN environment

Main duties of the job

The post holder will support medicines optimisation for residents living in care homes across the PCN. Key duties include working with care homes, GP practices and pharmacists to support safe prescribing systems, medicines reconciliation for new residents and following hospital discharge, and synchronisation of medicines to reduce waste and risk.

You will assist with medicines reviews, support audits and quality improvement activity related to medicines safety, and help implement national and local prescribing guidance within care home settings. The role involves liaising closely with care home staff to resolve medicines-related queries, improve administration processes and support best practice.

You will also contribute to antimicrobial stewardship, support structured medication reviews where appropriate, and help identify and escalate clinical or governance concerns to the supervising pharmacist. Accurate record-keeping, use of GP clinical systems, and effective communication with patients, carers and professionals are essential elements of the role.

About us - About Vertis Health -

We are a federation of GP surgeries and PCNs in Worcestershire, serving over 600,000 NHS patients through a variety of local services. Our community of GPs are our stakeholders, meaning we are powered by the community we have created - and our goal is to find ways to make it easier for them to spend less time and money on administrative workload, and more time with their patients.

Our GP surgeries remain independent, while keeping the benefits of being part of a larger organisation - and we exist to protect the interests of our members through advocacy, business support, and revenue generation.

We are ambitious about growth in our network - and so, our diversified services help our PCNs to reinvest in vital local healthcare initiatives.

Equal Opportunities:

At Vertis Health we want to build a diverse workplace, and so we encourage women, people of colour, LGBTQIA individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign born residents, older members of society, and others from minority groups and diverse backgrounds to apply.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, colour, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. All Vertis employees and contractors are responsible for maintaining a work culture free from discrimination and harassment by treating others with kindness and respect.

Website -https://www.vertishealth.org.uk/

Job Purpose

To support the Primary Care Network in maximising clinical outcomes for care home residents through safe, effective and person-centred medicines optimisation. The post holder will play a key role in improving medicines safety, governance and quality of prescribing within care homes, working closely with GPs, pharmacists, care home staff and the wider multidisciplinary team.

The role supports delivery of the Medicines Optimisation in Care Homes (MOCH) contract and contributes to improved patient safety, reduced medicines waste and better use of NHS resources.

Key Responsibilities

Care Home Medicines Optimisation

Support medicines reconciliation for care home residents, including new admissions and following hospital discharge. Work with care homes and GP practices to synchronise medicines and improve ordering, administration and storage processes. Support medication reviews for care home residents in collaboration with pharmacists and GPs. Identify, resolve and escalate medicines-related issues affecting resident safety. Support antimicrobial stewardship initiatives within care homes.

Clinical Support

Undertake patient-facing and care-homefacing activity to support effective use of medicines. Provide advice to care home staff on medicines queries within scope of practice. Support audits, quality improvement work and implementation of national and local prescribing guidance. Assist with structured medication reviews where appropriate under supervision

Technical and Administrative Responsibilities

Support efficient prescribing systems, including repeat prescribing and medicines ordering processes. Use GP clinical systems (e.g. EMIS Web) to maintain accurate, contemporaneous records. Support reduction of medicines waste and promote cost-effective prescribing. Contribute to audits, reporting and data collection related to care home medicines safety.

Communication and Team Working

Work collaboratively with care home staff, GPs, pharmacists, community pharmacy teams and other professionals. Communicate effectively with residents, families and carers where appropriate. Escalate clinical, safeguarding or governance concerns promptly.

Governance, Quality and Safety

Work within clinical governance frameworks at all times. Maintain confidentiality and comply with information governance requirements. Support incident reporting, learning and quality improvement activity. Adhere to infection prevention, health and safety, and safeguarding policies.

Professional Development

Maintain registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council. Undertake continuing professional development in line with role requirements. Participate in appraisal, supervision and training activities.

Equality and Diversity

Vertis Health is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and promote a working environment free from discrimination, harassment and victimisation.

Additional Information

This job description may be reviewed and amended in line with service needs. The post holder may be required to undertake additional duties appropriate to the role.

Person Specification -

Experience Essential

Experience working as a qualified, registered Pharmacy Technician. Experience maintaining accurate medicines-related or clinical records. Experience working collaboratively with healthcare professionals. Experience supporting medicines reconciliation, particularly post-hospital discharge. Experience managing or supporting repeat prescribing or medicines administration processes.

Desirable

Experience working in primary care and/or care home settings Experience working with older people or frail patients Experience supporting medicines optimisation activities

Qualifications Essential

Registered Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council BTEC/NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services (or equivalent) Evidence of continued professional development relevant to pharmacy technician practice

Desirable

Additional training related to medicines optimisation, primary care or care homes Completion of CPPE Primary Care Pharmacy Education Pathway (or equivalent)

Skills and Abilities - Essential

Sound understanding of medicines safety, governance and error prevention. Good understanding of medicines management processes, including repeat prescribing and administration systems. Strong verbal and written communication skills, including with non-clinical staff. Ability to work independently, prioritise workload and manage competing demands. High level of accuracy and attention to detail. Confident use of IT systems and digital records. Understanding of confidentiality, information governance and safeguarding. Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.

Desirable

Experience using GP clinical systems (e.g. EMIS Web) Experience supporting audits, service development or quality improvement Knowledge of medicines optimisation principles in care home settings

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 -

Vertis Health

Address-

Henwick Halt Medical Centre, 1 Ingles Drive, Worcester, WR2 5HL

Employer's website

- https://www.vertishealth.org.uk/

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: In person