Job Description

Brighton North & Central PCN Pharmacy Technician

and Person Specification

Job title:

Primary Care Network (PCN) Pharmacy Technician

Base location:

Work equally across GP practices within PCN

Salary:

Recommended salary AFC Band 5 or above equivalent. Salary dependent on experience

Length of contract:

Permanent

Hours:

Full Time

Position responsible and accountable to:

Lead PCN Pharmacist and lead Practice Manager

Position line managed by:

Lead PCN Pharmacist

Job Summary:

This is an exciting time to be working in general practice and shaping the future for primary care. We are seeking an experienced, motivated and forward thinking Pharmacy Technician to join our pharmacy team for North and Central Brighton PCN. We are a network of five GP practices working collaboratively for our local population of approximately 50,000 patients within Brighton. We are a dynamic and supportive PCN, covering a diverse cohort of patients with different demographics with each GP practice, including a student population.

The successful candidate will be joining a well-established innovative PCN pharmacy team, consists of three clinical pharmacists and a pharmacy technician, supported by a lead PCN pharmacist.

The post-holder will be carrying out a variety of tasks and roles for the PCN and will drive medicines reconciliation and optimisation through undertaking tasks such as, but not limited to: the safe transfer of care from secondary and tertiary settings, promote and manage repeat dispensing and online ordering with the aim of reducing medicines wastage through safe and cost-effective prescribing. The post-holder will also be involved in answering medication queries from various clinicians, colleagues and patients within scope of practice and competency, referring to clinical pharmacists when appropriate. The post-holder would also have the opportunity to look after patients with chronic conditions and take an active role in the management of their medication.

The post-holder will be given opportunities to shadow other healthcare professionals and supported to develop and advance the role within the PCN pharmacy team, working both autonomously and in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team. The successful candidate will be expected to enrol onto the 18-month CPPE Primary Care Pharmacy Education Pathway to further support education and development.

Primary Duties and Areas of Responsibility

Provide medicines optimisation to PCN patient population

Work across the PCN as required to ensure a consistent approach with regards to medicines optimisation and safe, effective, high quality patient care.

Support Structured Medication Reviews (SMRs)

Support pharmacists by identifying and referring eligible patients for SMR, based on the appropriate population cohorts as stipulated in the Network Contract DES (including patients with multi?morbidity and/or prescribed inappropriate polypharmacy).

Medicine information to practice staff and patients

Assist pharmacists with provision of medication information for all of the practice team and patients within scope of competence (possible alternatives, i.e. around out of stocks).

Primary and secondary care interface

Work in partnership with colleagues across the interface to ensure safe transfers of care and to proactively manage patients at high risk of medicine related harm to ensure continuity of care.

Work within scope of practice, refer to clinical pharmacists where needed, but where appropriate reconcile medicines following discharge from hospital, intermediate care and/or into care homes, liaise with patients and community pharmacists to ensure patients receive the medicines they need post discharge.

Refer to clinical pharmacists complex discharge summaries

Signposting

Ensure that patients are referred to a healthcare professional for the right care where appropriate.

Repeat prescribing

Provide support when required for the repeat prescribing process within the practices and streamline complex prescribing.

Identify patients that are overdue required monitoring and refer to the appropriate clinicians.

Frailty

Support clinical pharmacists in the contractual requirements to identify and support frail patients with their medication (i.e. patients with problematic polypharmacy) and refer for SMRs.

Medicines safety

Respond to MHRA alerts, set up searches to identify affected patients on the practice clinical systems and participate in actioning the alerts.

Ensure shared care protocols are in place where relevant and liaise with clinical pharmacists to ensure continuation of safe practice within primary care setting.

Manage systems to ensure continuity of medicines supply to high-risk groups of patients with appropriate referral to clinical pharmacist

Conduct audits and medicine optimisation projects involving the multidisciplinary team when appropriate, disseminating the outcomes and results locally and nationally.

Implementation of local and national guidelines and formulary recommendations

Work with local MMT, primary and secondary care colleagues to implement local and national guidelines where appropriate.

Implement medication changes in line with local and national guidelines and in agreement with practice protocols.

Support and encourage reduction in prescribing of medicines available over the counter, low value and low priority treatments for self-care.

Education and Training

Provide education and training to primary healthcare team and healthcare students regarding medicines management within scope of practice.

Contribute to practice team meetings, clinical meetings and case reviews.

Care Quality Commission (CQC)

Work with the PCN team to ensure the protocols and professional practice are compliant with CQC standards where medicines are involved. Ensure compliance with medicines legislation.

Public health

Support public health campaigns, Antimicrobial Stewardship and vaccination services.

Role may evolve to include

Patient facing domiciliary/home visits

Interact with patients where appropriate to ensure safe and secure medicine usage, and manage appropriate monitoring requirements where necessary.

Refer patients to the pharmacy team for multidisciplinary team discussions and attend if appropriate. Support the pharmacy team in the formulation and implementation of care plans where appropriate.

Medicines Quality Improvement Programme

Work with colleagues, identify and provide leadership on areas of prescribing and medicines optimisation where appropriate.

Contribute to national and local research initiatives.

Person specification Clinical Pharmacist

Criteria

Description

Essential

Desirable

Method of Assessment

Professional Registration and Memberships

Mandatory registration with General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) Membership of APTUK Member of the RPS

E

D

D

A

A

A

Qualifications

NVQ at level 3 Evidence of post-NVQ further learning ACT course completion Working towards completion of National Competency Framework for Primary Care Pharmacy Technician

E

D

D

D

A

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Minimum of 2 years working at a higher level of pharmacy technician practice In-depth knowledge of pharmacy practice and an understanding of the principles of evidence?based healthcare An appreciation of the nature of GPs and general practices An appreciation of the nature of primary care prescribing, concepts of rational prescribing and strategies for improving prescribing Excellent interpersonal, influencing and negotiating skills Excellent written and verbal communication skills Demonstrate the ability to communicate complex and sensitive information in an understandable form to a variety of audiences (e.g. patients) Is able to plan, manage, monitor, advise and review general medicine optimisation issues in core areas for long term conditions within scope of competence Good IT skills Able to obtain and analyse complex technical information Recognises priorities when problem solving and identifies deviations from the normal pattern and is able to refer to pharmacists when appropriate Able to work under pressure and to meet deadlines Produce timely and informative reports/audits Work effectively both independently and as a team member Demonstrates accountability for delivering professional expertise and direct service provision

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

A

A

I

I

I

I

I

I

A

I

I

I

I

I

I

Other

Self-motivated & Innovative Adaptable Full driving licence

E

E

D

I

I

A

*Assessment will take place with reference to the following information

A - Application form I - Interview T - Test C - Certificate

Special Working Conditions

The post holder is required to travel independently between practice sites and to attend meetings etc. hosted by other agencies.

Health Clearance

Health clearance is required for this appointment. Applicants must complete an Occupational Health questionnaire and if required attend for a consultation prior to appointment.

Disclosure and Barring Service Checks

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and disclosure will be required before appointment for all posts with access to children or vulnerable adults or where the post holder has access to patient information.

Confidentiality and Disclosure of Information

In the course of your normal work you will come into possession of confidential information concerning patients and practice staff. This information should always be treated according to the each practices' confidentially policy. Any inappropriate disclosure may be subject to disciplinary procedures.

Raising concerns

Staff may on occasion have genuine concerns about healthcare matters. These must be highlighted in a responsible and appropriate manner, and in accordance with the Raising Concerns at Work Policy.

Data Quality/Security

The post holder is responsible for ensuring that he/she maintains the integrity and quality of both computerised and manual data.

Acceptance of Gifts and Hospitality

The conduct of staff in the PCN should be scrupulously impartial and honest and in this context any offers of gifts or hospitality should be discussed with your manger, prior to acceptance.

Codes of conduct and professional standards

All staff must adhere to any codes of conduct or professional standards set out by the regulatory bodies with whom they are registered or by professional bodies of which they are a member. It is the post holder's responsibility to ensure they are familiar with these requirements and maintain their professional membership to the relevant body.

Risk (managerial and supervisory staff only)

Managers are responsible for implementing and monitoring any identified and appropriate risk management control measures within their designated area(s) and scope of responsibility. Full details are set out in the PCN's Risk Management Policy.

Health and Safety

All staff are advised that, under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and associated legislations, it is the duty of every employee to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of other people who may be affected by their activities at work, and also to co-operate fully with the PCN and others in connection with any arrangements to satisfy the statutory duties and responsibilities under the Act, including undertaking appropriate mandatory and health and safety training.

Infection Control

All staff must at all times be aware of their responsibilities for ensuring infection control and to maintain hygiene standards in accordance with infection control policies and instructions.

Personal Property

The PCN is unable to accept responsibility for articles of personal property lost or damaged in any of the GP premises whether by burglary, fire, theft or otherwise and staff are advised to insure against all risks.

Equal Opportunities

Equality of opportunity is an integral part of the PCN's recruitment and selection process and recruiting managers must ensure that they comply fully with each practices' Equality & Diversity Policy. The PCN aims to ensure equality of opportunity for all irrespective of their age, colour, creed, ethnic or national origin, marital status, nationality, physical or mental disability, race, religious belief, sex or sexual orientation.

No Smoking/Vaping

Smoking or vaping by staff, patients and visitors, will not be permitted anywhere on any of the practices' premises.

Security

Staff must wear their identity badge at all times to assist in maintaining the security of the organisation; be observant and not afraid to enquire of people as to their business in the practice premise. Any suspicious behaviour must be reported to your line manager.

Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults

The PCN as an employer is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk of harm and expects all employees to share this commitment. If the post is one that involves access to children and vulnerable adults during the course of their normal duties, an enhanced DBS check will be required. All employees have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.

Training and development

The successful candidate will be expected to be responsible for his/her continuing professional development (CPD) and to take a proactive approach to maintaining personal and professional effectiveness in an evolving role.

Agreement

This job description is intended to provide an outline of the key tasks and responsibilities only. There may be other duties required of the post-holder commensurate with the position. This description will be open to regular review and may be amended to take into account development within the PCN. All members of staff should be prepared to take on additional duties or relinquish existing duties in order to maintain the efficient running of the PCN.

This job description is not a definite or exhaustive list of responsibilities but identifies the key responsibilities and tasks of the post holder. The specific objectives of the post holder will be subject to regular review and amendment as necessary in consultation with the post holder.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent

Pay: 29,970.00-36,483.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Work from home
Schedule:

Flexitime Monday to Friday
Ability to commute/relocate:

Brighton: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:

Pharmacy: 2 years (required)
Work Location: In person