Job overview
The pharmacy team at East Lancashire NHS Trust (ELHT) are looking for a highly motivated Pharmacy Technician to join their team.
This is a great opportunity for a Pharmacy Technician who is clinically experienced or a Pharmacy Technician who is just starting out in their career and wanting to enhance their clinical skills, looking to work in patient facing role. It is also a viable opportunity for people looking for some flexibility as our Pharmacy AMU teamwork shift patterns. The current hours (currently 8am – 6pm, 365 days per year) using our proven model of shift working. Team members work a standard 37.5-hour week comprising an average of only between three and five shifts over 7 days (7.5 - 10 hours per shift), some of which qualify for unsocial hours pay. The existing team members do enjoy the flexible working pattern and working as part of a close-knit team.
This is a fast-paced environment, with a consistently high volume of Emergency Department patients and high bed occupancy rates on our AMUs. We are seeking individuals who can work as part of a multidisciplinary team, as our admissions team services are very much embedded in the wider ward teams.
Main duties of the job
We cover extended hours (8am –6pm) using our proven model of shift working. Team members work a standard 37.5-hour week comprising an average of only four shifts per week (7.5 - 10 hours per shift), some of which qualify for unsocial hours pay. The existing team members enjoy the flexible working pattern and working as part of a close-knit team.
Shifts benefits include:
* unsocial hours pay
* rota prepared months in advance enabling swaps and flexibility in working
* 2-4 scheduled days off in each 7-day period
* facility to book annual leave at relatively short notice
* no dispensary cover
* immense opportunities for clinical learning in a fast-paced environment
The post holder will contribute to the delivery of the specialist pharmacy service to the AMU seven days per week. The post is wholly based on the AMUs and involves playing a key role in medicines reconciliation and facilitating rapid discharge by means of our satellite dispensaries.
You will be a qualified pharmacy technician, registered with the GPhC, preferably with previous experience in hospital pharmacy, although community experience is also valuable. A BTEC in accuracy checking, whilst desirable, is not essential, as training will be provided as appropriate.
Excellent communication skills are essential as the post holder will be required to provide counselling, advice and information to patients, nurses and medical staff.
Working for our organisation
East Lancashire Hospitals has a history of innovation and is an exciting place to work. We are currently in the process of rolling out e-prescribing across the Trust, and we were the first Trust in the country to launch Refer-to-Pharmacy. The pharmacy teams utilise ELHT's unique e-patient tracking system to identify and target patients requiring medicines reconciliation, and as an e-pharmaceutical care planning tool.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
See attached Job Description for full details
JOB SUMMARY
* support the Assistant Directors of Pharmacy in providing a high quality, cost effective and efficient patient centred pharmacy service to the Trust
* work in partnership on the Acute Medical Unit (AMU); with the Pharmacy team leader in the provision of a high quality, cost effective and efficient patient centred pharmacy service to the Trust
* maintain and develop the highest standards of patient-focused care in the provision of technical services
* support the governance and medicines risk management agenda locally
* support the development of the technician and assistant teams to complement and facilitate multidisciplinary working
* act as a role model in the field of clinical technician pharmacy practice and provide a consistently high level of pharmaceutical service in line with corporate objectives and government initiatives
* support the agreed policies and procedures for safe medicines use and support mechanisms to promote high quality medicine use, effective risk management, clinical governance and adherence to Trust policies and guidelines concerning medicines use
* contribute to the development of the service
* support the ‘professional development’ of technicians and assistants
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
* Registered with the GPhC - or about to qualify to join the register
* NVQ Level 3 Pharmacy Services or equivalent qualification – approved for registration with General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
Desirable criteria
* BTec Accuracy Checking Technician Qualification
Special Knowledge
Essential criteria
* Understanding of local and national NHS and Pharmaceutical Policy
* Understanding of medicines legislation and guidance i.e. Medicines Act, Misuse of Drugs Act, Safe and Secure Handling of Medicines, Medicine Guidance Notes, MHRA Alerts
* Understanding of clinical and risk management guidance as applied to Medicines Management
Experience
Essential criteria
* Practice in one or more relevant areas
* Ability to deal with clinical issues
* Working within GMP/GDP/GCP guidelines
* Understanding of medicines management procedures
Desirable criteria
* Experience of working in primary or secondary care
* Ability to maintain and report on records and statistics
Judgement
Essential criteria
* Ability to maintain and report on records and statistics
* Reflects on own practice and learns from experience
* Knows when to consult (own limitations)
Communication Skills
Essential criteria
* Excellent verbal and written communication including formal presentations
* Able to communicate information of a technical, clinical, or managerial nature
* Ability to prioritise demands on service and plan workload of self and others
Personal Qualities
Essential criteria
* Prioritises and meets deadlines
* Can balance strong leadership and working within a team
* Calm under pressure