Vacancy: PCN Pharmacy Technician

Job title: PCN Pharmacy Technician
Reports to: PCN Manager
Accountable to: PCN Clinical Director, Head of Additional PCN Staff
Work Location: Practice Based
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full-time 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £28,000 - £37,000
Closing Date: 9th December 2024

About us

The Confederation, Hillingdon CIC works with general practice and other healthcare providers in Hillingdon to deliver high quality clinical services to patients. Our aim is to improve care for patients by working collaboratively across primary care and our partners as part of the Integrated Care Partnership.

The Confederation team also work to develop and support individual GP practices, PCNs and Neighbourhoods and their changing needs. We are ‘of the NHS’ but independent, innovative and transformational.

General capacity across primary care is being expanded rapidly. The Confederation is determined to develop as an attractive place to work that provides rewarding roles and opportunities to grow in order to attract and retain great staff that in turn provides the highest quality care.

 

Job summary

An exciting opportunity for a forward thinking motivated Clinical Pharmacy Technician to join the expanding team working within Primary Care Networks across the borough of Hillingdon. 

The successful candidate will work across a number of practices developing this new and exciting role closely supported by the GPs, Our Clinical pharmacist managers, our existing Clinical Pharmacists and the wider clinical team.

The post holder will help patients to get the best from their medicines through various aspects of the role.

The role will suit a forward-thinking, innovative and enthusiastic clinical pharmacy technician who is able to work collaboratively across the team. If you are adaptable, self-motivated and organised, possessing the necessary qualities and skills for this post, we look forward to hearing from you. 

Applicants on the pre-registration Technician pathway due to qualify are also welcome to apply.

To apply, please upload your Covering Letter and CV via this form. 

 

Primary Responsibilities:

  • To undertake medicines reconciliation in accordance with practice protocols and to update patients medical records / prescribing accordingly.
  • To support the achievement of the practices prescribing Quality and Outcomes Framework targets.
  • Working with the Practices to contribute to the review and development of repeat prescribing protocols / Standard Operating Procedures to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of repeat prescribing systems.
  • To provide advice to GPs, staff and patients in changes to prescribing to support the improvement of prescribing safety, quality and cost effectiveness.
  • To participate in clinical audits.
  • To assist in the appropriate monitoring and management of prescribing budgets and to liaise with the medicines management team at the CCG.
  • To prepare evidence based resources and information to support the implementation of rational cost-effective prescribing.
  • To support the Practices to provide medication reviews, patient information leaflets, medicine awareness; and to undertake community visits as appropriate.
  • To take a proactive approach to the safe handling of prescriptions, including assessment of risk and making recommendations for improvement.
  • To respond to medication queries from patients and staff in a professional manner referring to the appropriate GP in accordance with practice protocols.
  • To advise on the sourcing and safe management of medicines as appropriate.
  • Be responsible for the organisation, planning and of own workload to meet set deadlines.

Responsibility for Administration

Other duties and responsibilities to be undertaken may include any or all the items in the following list:

  • Taking messages and passing on information as appropriate.
  • Computer data entry/data allocation and collation, processing and recording information in accordance with practice procedures.
  • Initiating contact with and responding to requests from patients, other team members and associated healthcare professionals and providers.
  • Helping to maintain a positive, patient focussed culture.
  • Helping to maintain a positive, supportive culture across the whole of the practice team.
  • Any other duties commensurate with this position.
  • Duties will vary from time to time under the direction of the Partners / Practice Managers dependent on current and evolving practice workload and staffing levels.
  • Patient services
  • To provide medication review services to patients in the practice, domiciliary visits and in residential and nursing homes, and to deliver pharmaceutical care plans that maximise cost-effective prescribing and improve the quality of patient care.
  • Assist Partners with the appropriate monitoring and management of their prescribing budgets.
  • To prepare evidence based resources and information to support the medicine management team and all other relevant health professionals in the implementation of rational cost-effective prescribing.
  • To help plan, develop and support the introduction of new working processes within the practice to optimise the quality of prescribing.
  • Recognise people’s needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly.

Collaborative Working Relationships

  • Foster and maintain strong links with all services across the PCN and neighbouring networks. 
  • Explores the potential for collaborative working and takes opportunities to initiate and sustain such relationships.
  • Demonstrates use of appropriate communication to gain the co-operation of relevant stakeholders (including patients, senior and peer colleagues, and other professionals, other NHS/private organisations e.g. CCGs).
  • Can recognise personal limitations and refer to more appropriate colleague(s) when necessary.

Liaises with other stakeholders as needed for the collective benefit of patients including but not limited to: 

  • Patients and their representatives. 
  • GP, nurses and other practice staff. 
  • Other healthcare professionals including community pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, social prescribers, first contact physiotherapists, physicians associate and paramedics.
  • Community pharmacists and support staff 
  • Other members of the medicines management (MM) team including pharmacists, technicians and dieticians 
  • Locality/GP prescribing lead 
  • Community nurses and other allied health professionals 
  • Hospital staff with responsibilities for prescribing and medicines optimization 
  • Community nurses and other allied health professionals 

Essential Criteria

  • Registered with the GPhC
  • BTEC/NVQ level 3 or equivalent in pharmaceutical sciences
  • Evidence of CPD
  • Recent/ previous experience within comparable role in General Practice (hospital / community)
  • Previous experience working within a patient facing role
  • Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team
  • Immunisation status - Hep B / MMR

Desirable Criteria

  • Medicines reconciliation Certificate or equivalent​​​​​​​