As our Medicines Coordinator/Pharmacy Technician, you will work within the multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, based within our GP practice, and support the delivery of safe, effective and efficient systems for medicines optimisation, repeat prescribing, reducing medicine waste and maximising patient outcomes.
Main duties of the job
* Contributing to the provision of safe and effective services.
* Undertaking medicines reconciliation in line with practice protocols and standard operating procedures to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of prescriptions and repeat prescriptions.
* Responding to patients prescription queries; referring problems or queries to the pharmacist.
* Participating in patient reviews and updating of patient records.
* Checking the accuracy of medicines for prescriptions.
* Participating in medication audits.
* Providing advice and information to GPs, staff and patients to support the improvement of prescribing safety, quality, cost-effectiveness and the appropriate use of medicines to get the best outcomes for patients.
* Assisting in the monitoring and management of prescribing budgets and the preparation of evidence‑based resources and information that support cost‑effective prescribing.
* Taking responsibility for contributing to all aspects of the day‑to‑day management of the working environment including communication, data accuracy and management, keeping practice areas tidy and helping to achieve a supportive, positive culture across the practice team.
* To support and promote a safe working environment in accordance with Health & Safety and Infection Control policies.
* To respect and protect patient confidentiality and information.
* Keeping up to date with professional responsibilities and CPD requirements.
About us
North Preston Medical Practice is a large family friendly, high achieving practice, with a dedicated team of caring staff. You will be a member of a very dedicated team which includes 5 GP Partners, 3 Salaried GPs, 3 Practice Nurses, 1 Nursing Associate, 2 HCA's, 1 Clinical Pharmacist, a dedicated Pharmacy Technician Team and a robust management / clerical team.
In May 2023 we were rated as number 2 in a Lancashire Evening Post review of GP Practices in and around Preston, North Preston Medical Practice are proud of the care we give our Patients. We are active members of the Greater Preston Primary Care Network and a long and well established training practice and a silver partner with Manchester University.
Job responsibilities
The post holder will take a central role in reviewing, improving and implementing the practice repeat prescribing policies to ensure all staff are aware of the correct procedures to run a safe, cost effective, efficient, and patient friendly, repeat prescription system.
The post holder will be responsible for helping the practice and the medicines management team to deliver the agreed changes required to meet the prescribing targets set for the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) prescribing schemes.
The post holder will be the main contact point for non‑clinical medication related queries from pharmacies, nursing homes, and other health care professionals, to improve the accuracy of patient medication records.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
General
1. To identify and work closely with all healthcare professionals involved in medicines management in the practice.
2. To reduce waste, minimise risk and improve the repeat prescribing process.
3. To improve prescription security by introducing best practice guidelines.
4. To be responsible for ensuring recall systems are in place, and working, for the correct monitoring of amber drugs and those included in the enhanced services of the GMS/PMS contract.
5. To undertake practice based ICB project work under the direction of the Medicines Co‑ordinators Scheme Lead to ensure cost savings on the prescribing budget.
6. To undertake proactive housekeeping management of the repeat prescribing process in accordance with practice and ICB protocols.
7. To deal with non‑routine, non‑clinical medication queries that requires follow up and problem solving techniques.
8. To help the Medicines Management Team with any searches, data collection and letter production required for prescribing changes.
9. Identify patients who would be suitable for repeat dispensing / Structured Medication Reviews (SMRs).
10. To ensure information from SMR's is acted upon as appropriate.
11. Develop and implement medicines management initiatives through the work of the practice e.g. repeat dispensing.
Communication
1. Act as the first point of contact both within the practices and for outside agencies, including secondary care, community pharmacists, nursing home staff and other healthcare professionals who have queries relating to prescriptions.
2. To work collaboratively with the Medicines Co‑ordinators Scheme Lead, the ICB Medicines Management Team and other practices to spread good practice and share experience.
3. Liaise with patients to receive prescription requests, address their queries and provide medicines management advice.
4. Ensure all information regarding medicine management is distributed to all health care professionals within the practice.
5. To maintain comprehensive and accurate records of work undertaken for the Medicines Management projects and activities.
6. To be able to use MS Office programmes necessary for the role.
7. To be able to use the searching and administrative capabilities of the GP clinical system.
8. To collect and submit monthly audit data to monitor improvements in line with Medicines Management objectives and CCG targets.
9. To manage time effectively to ensure all targets are met.
10. To carry out any other associated tasks required to develop this role in the future as requested by the Medicines Co‑ordinators Scheme Lead.
Training and Education
1. To supervise and train practice staff undertaking generation of repeat prescriptions and to explain and inform them of any prescribing changes being carried out.
2. To attend training events for Medicines Co‑ordinators organised by the Medicines Co‑ordinators Scheme Lead.
3. To attend regular networking meetings with the Medicines Co‑ordinators Scheme Lead.
Research, Development and Audit
1. To organisethe data collection and searches required for all audits being carried out for medicines management priorities (any prescribing incentive schemes and ICB projects) and ensure they are submitted on time.
2. Collate and interpret results from audits undertaken via the practice medicines co‑ordinators scheme and prepare regular reports on progress to the practice.
* Attends the monthly Medicines Co‑ordinator training sessions, facilitated by the Medicines Co‑ordinator Scheme Lead. There are 10 sessions annually. There will be no meetings in August and December due to summer holidays and the Christmas period. Medicines Co‑ordinators must attend a minimum 7 out of the 10 sessions for the financial year.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* 4 GCSEs at grades A* to C in English, Maths, Science and one other subject.
* Hold an Accredited Checking Technician (ACT) qualification.
* Registered with the GPhC.
Experience
* Previous experience in general practice is desired.
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.
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