ARRS Pharmacy Technician @ Elmham Group of Surgeries

Job summary

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Pharmacy Technician to join our friendly and supportive multidisciplinary team.

Working alongside our GPs, Clinical Pharmacist, Nursing Team and Administrative Staff, the postholder will play an important role in supporting the safe, effective and efficient delivery of medicines management and pharmaceutical services, contributing to high-quality patient care.

We are looking for a proactive and organised individual who is able to work confidently and independently within their scope of practice, while maintaining excellent communication and collaborative working relationships with patients, colleagues and external healthcare professionals.

This post is funded through the Mid Norfolk Primary Care Network Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) and is subject to the applicable requirements of the Network Contract DES.

Main duties of the job

• Support medicines optimisation and medication safety initiatives.
• Process medication requests and undertake medication reconciliation following hospital discharge.
• Assist with prescription queries from patients, community pharmacies and other healthcare professionals.
• Support medication reviews and undertake medicines optimisation activity within professional competence and agreed practice protocols, escalating clinical or prescribing decisions to an appropriately qualified clinician where required.
• Support the management of repeat prescribing systems.
• Carry out audits relating to prescribing and medicines management.
• Support medicines-related QOF, Enhanced Services, medicines optimisation and other locally agreed quality indicators within the Pharmacy Technician's professional scope.
• Maintain accurate clinical records using the practice clinical system.

About us

Were a friendly and well-established dispensing GP practice, caring for around 10,000 patients across our two sites in North Elmham and Swanton Morley.

Behind our practices is a fantastic team of more than 40 clinical and administrative colleagues, all working together with one shared goal: providing great care and a positive experience for our patients.

Were proud of the supportive and welcoming environment we have created. Teamwork really matters to us, and everyone has an important part to play in keeping our practices running smoothly and delivering the best possible service to our patients.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

Medicines Management

• Process and manage repeat prescription requests in accordance with practice protocols.
• Undertake medication reconciliation following hospital discharge and outpatient appointments.
• Support medicines optimisation to improve prescribing quality and patient safety.
• Identify prescribing issues and refer complex clinical matters to the GP or Clinical Pharmacist.
• Assist with medication monitoring programmes and ensure patients receive appropriate reviews.
• Liaise with community pharmacies, hospitals and care homes regarding medication queries.

Prescription Management

• Resolve prescription queries from patients, community pharmacies and other external healthcare professionals.
• Support the management of acute and repeat prescribing systems.
• Monitor high-risk medicines in accordance with practice protocols.
• Monitor medication within TAG Guidelines and Shared Care Guidelines where required.
• Assist in reducing medicines waste and promoting cost-effective prescribing.

Patient Care

• Communicate effectively with patients regarding medication-related queries within the scope of the role.
• Provide advice on medication use where appropriate and refer complex issues to a clinician.
• Support patients in understanding changes to their medication following hospital discharge or clinical review.

Clinical Administration

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date patient records using the clinical system.
• Code clinical information accurately.
• Support the implementation of prescribing alerts, recalls and medication safety initiatives.

Quality Improvement

• Participate in prescribing audits and quality improvement projects.
• Contribute to Significant Event Analysis (SEA) and learning activities where appropriate.
• Assist with achieving Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) and Enhanced Service targets where relevant.

Communication

• Develop effective working relationships with the PCN and practice staff.
• Attend team meetings as required.
• Escalate concerns regarding medication safety promptly to the appropriate clinician.

Information Governance

• Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
• Comply with GDPR, NHS Information Governance requirements and practice policies.
• Ensure accurate documentation within the clinical record.

Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
• Undertake mandatory and role-specific training.
• Maintain Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
• Work within the scope of competence and seek advice where appropriate.
• Comply with all practice policies, procedures and professional standards.

General

• Other duties/holiday cover that may be required appropriate to the level and nature of the post.
• Responsibility for the creation and updating of procedures notes for all tasks within the role.
• Proactively work to review process and implement improvements where possible.
• To be proficient at prioritising and organising workload
• Contribute to own supervision, development, and appraisal systems in line with Practice requirements.
• To undertake any training as deemed as necessary to carry out the full requirements of the post.
• The Partners of the Practice retain the right to amend the Job Description in consultation with the post holder, and any agreed changes will be notified in writing within a month of any agreement.
• To liaise with patients, the public and other professionals as necessary.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
• Recognised Pharmacy Technician qualification.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and maintaining professional competence.

Desirable

• Additional relevant medicines management or primary care qualifications/training

Experience

Essential

• Relevant experience working as a Pharmacy Technician, including experience in patient-facing roles.
• Good understanding of medicines management and medicines optimisation.
• Good knowledge and understanding of NHS policies, procedures and relevant national guidance.
• Experience of contributing to clinical audit and quality improvement activities.
• Experience of identifying opportunities for improvement and implementing best practice.
• Experience of managing and resolving patient queries, concerns or complaints appropriately.
• Professionally accountable for own actions.
• Ability to react confidently to new situations, using own initiative and available resources to complete tasks effectively.

Desirable

• Experience working within general practice or primary care.
• Experience using GP clinical systems such as SystmOne.
• Experience within a GP dispensary.
• Experience of medication reconciliation and repeat prescribing processes.
• Experience of developing or implementing policies, procedures and protocols.

Key Behaviours

Essential

• Accountability
• Purpose
• Continuous improvement
• Communication
• Building know-how

Other

Essential

• Clean driving license
• Car Owner
• Enhanced level DBS disclosure
• The right to work in the UK

Qualities / Attributes

Essential

• Recognises need for sensitive and confidential handling of patient related information.
• Able to cope with emotional demands of patient involvement.
• Ability to concentrate when frequently under pressure and subject to interruptions.
• Able to communicate effectively, professionally and sensitively with patients, colleagues and external professionals
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Able to organise, prioritise and deliver workload effectively
• Maintain confidentiality at all times
• Team player.
• Flexible and adaptability.
• Self-motivation.
• Calmness, reliability.
• Integrity.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Elmham Group of Surgeries

Address

59 Holt Road

North Elmham

Dereham

Norfolk

NR20 5JS

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.elmhamsurgery.com/ (Opens in a new tab)