About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated registered Pharmacy Technician to join the Medicines Management Team at The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
The post holder will provide a comprehensive, patient-centred medicines management service to designated clinical areas, supporting the safe, effective and economical use of medicines throughout the patient journey. Working as an integral member of the multidisciplinary team, the Medicines Management Pharmacy Technician will contribute to medicines optimisation, patient safety initiatives, discharge facilitation and the delivery of high-quality pharmaceutical care.
The post holder will undertake accredited medicines management activities including medicines reconciliation, medicines transcribing, patient own drugs (POD) assessments and patient counselling. They will work closely with pharmacists, nursing staff, medical staff and other healthcare professionals to support safe prescribing, administration and supply of medicines.
The role will also support dispensary services as required, including the dispensing and accuracy checking of medicines where appropriately accredited, whilst maintaining a strong focus on ward-based pharmaceutical care and medicines optimisation. Responsibilities include medicines reconciliation, patient own drug assessments, transcribing, discharge planning, counselling and medicines management support to inpatient wards.
Main duties of the job
- Undertake accredited medicines reconciliation for newly admitted patients in accordance with Trust procedures.
- Obtain and document accurate medication histories using all available information sources.
- Assess patient own drugs (PODs) for suitability for use during admission and at discharge.
- Undertake medicines transcribing in accordance with Trust policy and competency requirements.
- Assist pharmacists in implementing medicines optimisation strategies.
- Identify discrepancies in medication histories and escalate clinical concerns appropriately.
- Contribute to reducing medication-related risks and preventable harm.
- Support continuity of care across admission, transfer and discharge pathways.
- Promote the safe and effective use of medicines through patient and staff education.
- Actively contribute to reducing medicines wastage and improving cost-effective use of medicines.
- Facilitate the safe transfer of medicines between ward areas and ensure appropriate medicines follow patients during care transfers.
About us
The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the only acute hospital in the London Borough of Hillingdon and offers a wide range of services, including accident and emergency, inpatient care, day surgery, outpatient clinics, and maternity services. The Trust's services at Mount Vernon Hospital include routine day surgery, delivered at a modern treatment centre, a minor injuries unit, and outpatient clinics.
The safety and well-being of our patients and staff is paramount and we are making urgent improvements to address this - particularly in infection prevention and control. We are making progress by working in partnership with local GPs, charities, community services, academic partners, our local authority, neighbouring hospitals, and the wider North West London Integrated care system, and ensuring that we listen and work in partnership with our local population. We are focused on ensuring that our hospitals provide high quality, safe, and compassionate care, while we drive forward with the building of the new Hillingdon Hospital.
We have over 3,500 members of staff that are proud to care for nearly half a million people, with a vision to be an outstanding provider of healthcare through leading health and academic partnerships, transforming services, to provide the best care for the people that we serve.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Undertake accredited medicines reconciliation for newly admitted patients in accordance with Trust procedures.
- Obtain and document accurate medication histories using all available information sources.
- Assess patient own drugs (PODs) for suitability for use during admission and at discharge.
- Undertake medicines transcribing in accordance with Trust policy and competency requirements.
- Assist pharmacists in implementing medicines optimisation strategies.
- Identify discrepancies in medication histories and escalate clinical concerns appropriately.
- Contribute to reducing medication-related risks and preventable harm.
- Support continuity of care across admission, transfer and discharge pathways.
- Promote the safe and effective use of medicines through patient and staff education.
- Actively contribute to reducing medicines wastage and improving cost-effective use of medicines.
- Facilitate the safe transfer of medicines between ward areas and ensure appropriate medicines follow patients during care transfers.
- Assist with management of controlled drug returns and non-stock medicines processes.
- Ensure medicines stored on wards comply with legal and local requirements.
- Participate in medicines storage audits and governance inspections.
- Coordinate the timely supply of discharge medicines to facilitate efficient patient flow.
- Prioritise discharge prescriptions in collaboration with pharmacy and ward teams.
- Communicate effectively with nursing teams regarding medication availability and discharge readiness.
- Counsel patients and carers to ensure understanding of prescribed medicines and changes made during admission.
- Re-label patient own medicines where appropriate and in accordance with Trust procedures.
- Support patients transitioning between care settings by ensuring accurate medicines information is communicated.
- Dispensing on the Ward, Ward topping up, stock and expiry date checking.
- Patient Counsellin
- Participate in dispensary services as required.
- Dispense medicines accurately and efficiently in accordance with departmental procedures and legal requirements.
- Undertake Accredited Checking Pharmacy Technician duties where qualified and authorised.
- Prioritise urgent requests and manage workflow effectively.
- Refer clinical queries outside own competency to a pharmacist.
- Support stock control and medicines supply functions.
- Report medicines incidents, near misses and medication errors using Trust reporting systems.
- Participate in investigations and implementation of corrective actions.
- Contribute to clinical audit programmes and service evaluation projects.
- Support implementation of new policies, procedures and service developments.
- Monitor quality indicators relevant to medicines management services.
- Maintain accurate records and documentation.
- Ensure compliance with medicines legislation, GPhC standards and Trust policies.
- Participate in the induction of new pharmacy and ward staff.
- Assist with training, supervision and development of pharmacy assistants, medicines optimisation assistants and trainee pharmacy technicians.
- Act as a Practice Supervisor or Educational Supervisor for Medicines Optimisation Pharmacy Assistant(s) where appropriately trained.
- Maintain personal competency through continuous professional development.
Person Specification
Shortlisting Criteria (as per Person Specification)
Essential
- Education and Qualifications
- Experience
- Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
- Personal Qualities
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
Employer name
The Hillingdon Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Hillingdon Hospital
Pield Heath Road
Uxbridge
UB8 3NN
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.thh.nhs.uk/index.php (Opens in a new tab)