About this role
Job summary
Join our Rheumatology Pharmacy Team and make a real impact on patient care.
As our Clinical Pharmacy Technician, you'll work closely with the Lead Pharmacist for Rheumatology to support patients on complex DMARD therapy, help run safe and efficient monitoring systems, and be a key point of contact for both patients and clinical teams.
This is a fantastic opportunity to grow specialist skills, use your ACT expertise, and play a central role in delivering high-quality, patient-focused medicines management within a friendly, supportive multidisciplinary team. If you're motivated, organised and ready for a rewarding challenge, we'd love to have you on board.
Main duties of the job
To support the Lead Pharmacist for Rheumatology in delivering safe and effective clinical pharmacy and medicines management services within the rheumatology department. To provide technical support to the rheumatology team in the management of patients prescribed disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and assist with the shared care process. To assist in maintaining systems for monitoring blood tests for patients prescribed DMARDs, ensuring results are reviewed and escalated appropriately. To contact patients to discuss medication-related queries and provide information within scope of practice, referring to a pharmacist when required. To liaise with primary care colleagues to support continuity of care between primary and secondary care. To contribute to audits, data collection and service improvement projects under the super vision of the Lead Pharmacist for Rheumatology. To act as an 'Accredited Checking Technician' in accordance with national frameworks, maintaining competency and accuracy. To support the training and supervision of student pharmacy technicians, pharmacy support workers, and trainees as appropriate. To work with pharmacists and the multidisciplinary team to support the delivery of a safe and effective medicines management service across the Trust.
About us
The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic NHS Trust (RJAH)is one of the leading orthopaedic hospitals in the country, with some of the highest levels of staff and patient satisfaction, as well as a strong reputation for research and innovation.
In the National Staff Survey, 74% of our staff would recommend the Trust as a place to work and 92% would recommend the hospital to a friend or relative for treatment.
Joining RJAH is more than just a job - we want our people to have the best opportunities to thrive in their role.We have a range of fantastic staff benefits on offer to everyone who joins RJAH and you'll have access to outstanding professional development opportunities and state-of-the-art facilities.
RJAH has strong links with a range of universities including Staffordshire, Keele, Glyndwr, Chester and Birmingham.The hospital is located on a site outside Oswestry in Oswestry, just off the A5. The nearest train station is in Gobowen, approximately two miles from the hospital. The station is part of the Chester to Birmingham line.We are based in North Shropshire, close to the border with North and Mid Wales. It is one of the most attractive parts of the country, with a rich historic culture and excellent transport links. It offers outstanding opportunities for anyone who enjoys an outdoor lifestyle or is looking to raise a family.
Job description Job responsibilities
Support the rheumatology nursing team in maintaining records of patients prescribed DMARDs, including those where shared care has not been accepted by primary care. Provide patient counselling on the safe and effective use of medicines within defines competencies, referring to a pharmacist when required. Obtain accurate medication histories using electronic patient records, summary care records, and other sources. Liaise with prescribers to clarify routine prescription queries, escalating complex issues to a pharmacist. Provide technical pharmaceutical information to clinical staff within scope of practice. Support adherence to Trust Medicines Management and Pharmacy policies by providing routine advice and signposting staff to relevant guidance. Communicate updates regarding rheumatology medicines, including supply issues, to the wider team. Participate in the delivery of a high-quality dispensing service, using knowledge and skills gained through training and experience. Act as a role model for junior technical staff, supporting consistent standards of practice in line with local procedures. Receive and validate prescriptions for legal and procedural accuracy. Accurately dispense a range of pharmaceutical products, including cytotoxic and unlicensed medicines, following appropriate training and standard operating procedures. Provide routine medicines information to patients and staff, referring to a pharmacist when necessary. Respond to urgent queries within competence, seeking support from senior staff when required. Participate in dispensary rotas and provide cover according to service needs. Counsel patients on the safe use of their medicines within scope of practice. Process prescription charges and exemptions in line with Trust procedures. Maintain accurate patient and dispensing records on the pharmacy computer system. Issue high-cost medicines in accordance with local policies under pharmacist supervision. Retrieve prescription information for clinical staff and primary care colleagues as required. Access Electronic Patient Records to obtain information relevant to dispensing. Work as an Accredited Checking Technician (ACT) as part of the checking rota, maintaining accuracy and reporting errors appropriately.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training Essential
Be a qualified pharmacy technician to NVQ level 3 or BTEC in Pharmaceutical Science (or equivalent) with knowledge of pharmaceutical technical procedures relevant to the role. Be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council. Have recent experience working within a hospital pharmacy department as a pharmacy technician. Be able to work independently within standard operating procedures and relevant regulations, seeking support when required. Hold an ACT qualification and have experience in accuracy checking of dispensed prescriptions. Have knowledge of relevant legislation and policies acquired through NVQ3/BTEC training and post-qualification experience.
Desirable
Ability to prioritise and organise own workload to meet service requirements, including responding to ad-hoc requests. Maintain accurate electronic and paper records and ensure SOPs relevant to own work area are followed. Be computer literate (Pharmacy Computer System, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, e-mail and the internet) and have good keyboard skills to ensure accurate data inputting/manipulation. The Post holder will use a computer for most of their normal working day. A requirement for a high level of concentration for long periods of time with frequent interruption and unpredictable workload dictated by service and trust needs.
Experience Essential
Experience Demonstrable recent experience of successfully delivering technical pharmacy services as a qualified technician. Working knowledge of a broad range of medicines and their safety issues. Understanding of the legal responsibilities of the profession. Experience of working with a Pharmacy computer system e.g. CMM or EMIS, and procurement systems such as Powergate. Experience of liaising with patients and healthcare staff.
Desirable
Experience in rheumatology or outpatient services. Recent hospital experience of working as a registered pharmacy technician. Interaction with other departments for provision of pharmaceutical supplies. Experience of dealing with difficult and complex situations, queries and complaints. Experience of negotiating with healthcare staff, suppliers and/or external organisations.
Skills and Competencies Essential
Knowledge of prescribing, dispensing and administration processes in the hospital settings. Computer literate and able to use Windows applications including Microsoft Word and Excel, and internet. Able to interpret highly complex data Ability to communicate with a wide range of people, including members of the public and all levels of healthcare professionals. Good analytical and evaluative skills with the ability to investigate queries solve problems and act if appropriate Methodical with effective organisational skills in the workplace.
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 Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital
Twmpath Lane, Gobowen
Oswestry
SY10 7AG
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.rjah.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)