ARRS PCN Pharmacy Technician - Maternity Cover
LINCOLNSHIRE AND DISTRICT MEDICAL SERVICES (LADMS) IS A PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANY PROVIDING PRIMARY CARE SERVICES THROUGHOUT LINCOLNSHIRE. LADMS IS A WELL-KNOWN PROVIDER COMMISSIONED TO MANAGE VARIOUS CONTRACTS ON BEHALF OF NHS ENGLAND.
Clinical pharmacy in general practice is part of an exciting programme of transformation to develop a new model of care which addresses our ambition to deliver person-centred, coordinated care across the district. To better utilise the role of pharmacy within primary care to proactively help patients stay safe, well and help to reduce the demands on general practice.
Pharmacy technicians play an important role, complementing clinical pharmacists, community pharmacists and other members of the PCN multi-disciplinary team.
To lead on maximising safe and cost-effective best practice in prescribing to improve the quality of patient care. To help patients get the best from their medicines by reviewing and switching medications where required, in line with agreed and approved protocols. To improve repeat prescribing processes in General Practice, including promotion of repeat dispensing and online ordering, minimising clinical risk and aiming to reduce wasted medicines.
In addition, the post holder will be responsible for encouraging the development of better understanding of the principles of medicines optimisation throughout the practice teams and promoting good practice in line with therapeutic developments. This will involve assisting the PCN in achieving national requirements, NICE guidance implementation and utilisation of medicines optimisation initiatives.
Main Duties of the Job:
- To undertake medicines reconciliation in accordance with practice protocols and update patients' medical records accordingly.
- Support in the delivery of Clinical Pharmacy services, including processing discharge/clinic letters from secondary care.
- To support the achievement of DES/QOF targets.
- Working with practices to contribute to the review and development of repeat prescribing protocols.
- To provide advice to medical staff, administrative staff and patients in changes to prescribing ensuring safety, quality and cost-effectiveness.
- To participate in and interpret medication audits.
- To assist in the appropriate monitoring and management of prescribing budgets and to liaise with the medicines management team.
- To prepare evidence-based resources and information to support the implementation of rational cost-effective prescribing.
- To support practices in providing medication reviews, patient information leaflets, medicine awareness; and to undertake community visits as appropriate.
- To support all practices in implementing effective procedures and policies in relation to medicines management including the management and monitoring of shared care medication and MHRA Alerts.
- Medicines adherence.
- Take a proactive approach to promote the safe and secure handling of medicines.
- Any other ad hoc duties as required by the Senior Management team, that are commensurate with the grade and responsibilities of the post.
About Us:
LINCOLNSHIRE AND DISTRICT MEDICAL SERVICES (LADMS) IS A PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANY PROVIDING PRIMARY CARE SERVICES THROUGHOUT LINCOLNSHIRE. LADMS IS A WELL-KNOWN PROVIDER COMMISSIONED TO MANAGE VARIOUS CONTRACTS ON BEHALF OF NHS ENGLAND.
The successful candidate would be primarily employed by LADMS on behalf of Meridian Medical Primary Care Network (PCN).
MERIDIAN MEDICAL PCN IS A GROUP OF GP PRACTICES COLLABORATING TO SHARE EXPERIENCE, WORKFORCE, AND SERVICES, WITH THE AIM OF IMPROVING ACCESS AND MEETING THE NEEDS OF LOCAL PATIENTS AND COMMUNITIES.
This is a change from reactively providing appointments to proactively caring for the people and communities we serve.
Job Responsibilities:
PHARMACY TECHNICIANS' CORE RESPONSIBILITIES WILL COVER CLINICAL, TECHNICAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE CATEGORIES. IT IS AN IMPORTANT ROLE, COMPLEMENTING CLINICAL PHARMACISTS, COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS, AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PCN MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM.
The purpose of the role is to lead improvements to maximise safe, cost-effective best practice in prescribing to improve the quality of patient care. The post holder will help patients to get the best from their medicines by switching medications to agreed and approved protocols, improving repeat prescribing processes in General Practice, including promotion of repeat dispensing and online ordering, minimising clinical risk, and aiming to reduce wasted medicines.
In addition, the post holder will be responsible for encouraging the development of better understanding of the principles of medicines optimisation throughout the practice teams and promoting good practice in line with therapeutic developments. This will involve assisting the PCN in achieving national requirements, NICE implementation, and utilisation of medicines optimisation initiatives. The post holder must:
1. Be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
2. Meet the specific qualification and training requirements as specified by the GPhC criteria to register as a Pharmacy Technician.
3. Be enrolled in, undertaking, or qualified from an approved training pathway, e.g., the Primary Care Pharmacy Educational Pathway (PCPEP), or equivalent or courses approved by the Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK (APTUK) as meeting the requirements of the UK-wide APTUK/PCPA National Competency Framework for Primary Care Pharmacy Technicians; and work under appropriate clinical supervision to ensure safe, effective, and efficient use of medicines.
This role will focus on:
- Ensuring safe, accurate and timely supply of prescribed medications for patients.
- Supporting the delivery of good care, helping patients to get the best outcomes from taking their medicines.
- Being the main contact for non-clinical medication related queries from pharmacies, nursing homes, and other health care professionals, to improve the accuracy of patient medication records.
- Supporting implementation of medication changes under guidance of prescribing clinicians.
- Supporting with audit work in relation to safe prescribing and general quality improvement.
- Working closely with practice administration staff, GPs, and pharmacists to answer any queries and take forward any work streams identified providing technical and administrative support.
Key Working Relationships:
- LADMS EHCH MDT
- Local Neighbourhood Team
- GP Practices within the PCN
- Practice Leaders (Partners and Practice Managers & PCN Manager)
- PCN Social Prescribers
- PCN Clinical Directors and Board
- ICB and NHSE
- Community Health Teams both physical and mental health
- Local Authority
Confidentiality:
In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with or allow us to gather sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately.
In the performance of the duties outlined in this job description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the PCN as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential.
Equality and Diversity:
The post-holder will support the equality, diversity, and rights of patients, carers, and colleagues, to include:
- Acting in a way that recognises the importance of people's rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with PCN and the member practices procedures and policies, and current legislation.
- Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs, and beliefs of patients, carers, and colleagues.
- Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgemental and respects their circumstances, feelings, priorities, and rights.
Person Specification:
- Current GPhC Registration - Qualified and registered with GPhC as a Pharmacy Technician.
- Evidence of CPD.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Ability to work as part of a Team.
- Proficient in the use of IT eg MS Office Outlook, Excel working with spreadsheets and databases.
- Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Trust Values.
- Able to provide safe, caring, and effective services.
- Knowledge of audit and research.
- Understanding of clinical governance and risk management.
- Good organisational skills.
- Ability to work under pressure in a busy environment.
- Time management skills. Ability to plan, prioritise and organise workload.
- Values and behaviours that reflect the PCN values of Care, Respect and Responsibility.
- Commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that is free from discrimination and where people feel they belong and their contribution is valued.
- Understanding of clinical governance and risk management.
- Ability to work flexibly with the ability to travel between sites.
- Clean/valid driving licence.
- Previous experience of working in a primary care (General Practice).
- Experience of prescribing/clinical systems - SystmOne.
- Awareness of Medicines Management agenda.
- Continued commitment to improve skills and ability in new areas of work.
- Self-motivated, able to work collaboratively and independently.
- Ability to make decisions.
- Punctual and flexible across hours of work when required.
- Tactful/diplomatic.
- Pragmatic can do attitude.
Qualifications:
- The post holder must:
- Be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
- Meet the specific qualification and training requirements as specified by the GPhC criteria to register as a Pharmacy Technician.
- Be enrolled in, undertaking, or qualified from, an approved training pathway, e.g., the Primary Care Pharmacy Educational Pathway (PCPEP).
- Work under appropriate clinical supervision to ensure safe, effective, and efficient use of medicines.
- Equivalent of four GCSEs at Grade C and above, including mathematics, English language, science and one other subject.
- Previous experience of working in General Practice, ARRS, Community or Hospital pharmacy is essential.
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.
SALARY: £25,000 - £30,000 per annum