Hatfield PCN
PCN Pharmacy Technician Job Description and Person Specification
Job title Pharmacy Technician
Line manager Practice Manager
Accountable to GP Partners
Hours per week - 22.5
Job summary
The post holder is a pharmacy technician and will be an integral part of the general practice team, working within their professional boundaries and will be based in one of our practices, Potterells Medical Centre, in the Hatfield Primary Care Network (PCN). Hatfield PCN is a friendly and supportive group of practices in Hatfield and we have a growing network of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.
This role will work under the supervision of the GP's and practice pharmacists to ensure the safe, accurate and timely supply of prescribed medication to patients.
They will provide technical and administrative support to the clinical pharmacist and clinicians.
The pharmacy technician will support the practice clinical team with queries around medication from patients.
The pharmacy technician will complete audits around patient safety in the prescribing of medication and present the information for sharing with the clinical team.
Primary responsibilities
The following are the core responsibilities of the pharmacy technician. There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks. This will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels:
a. To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team whilst in a supporting function to the clinical pharmacist and GP's and within agreed prescribing standard operating procedures
b. To support the clinical pharmacists and other clinicians as the point of contact for medicines related matters
c. To process repeat medication requests, including the conversion of acute requests to repeat medicines, changing quantities of medicines
d. To issue prescriptions in line with agreed clinical protocols and within your competency
e. To encourage cost-effective prescribing throughout the practice
f. To undertake medicines reconciliation post discharge and on other transfers of care
g. To update and maintain accurate and timely patient medication records on each practice clinical system, including advice given and action taken
h. To liaise with secondary and primary care colleagues to ensure correct medicines are continued following the transfer of care
i. To monitor practice adherence to the prescribing policy
j. To support virtual and remote models of consultation and support including e- consultations, telehealth and telemedicine
k. To support the clinical pharmacist in improving the quality and effectiveness of prescribing through clinical audit and education to improve performance against NICE standards, and clinical and prescribing guidance
l. To ensure appropriate supervision of safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs
m. To apply infection-control measures within the practice according to local and national guidelines
n. To identify and be proactive in your training needs and development and as agreed with the Clinical Pharmacist and GP's.
o. To support the delivery of enhanced services and other service requirements on behalf of the PCN
p. To participate in the management of patient complaints when requested to do so and participate in the identification of any necessary learning brought about through incidents and near-miss events
q. To actively signpost patients to the correct healthcare professional
r. To undertake all mandatory training and induction programmes
s. To contribute to and embrace the spectrum of clinical governance
t. To attend a formal appraisal with their manager at least every 12 months. Once a performance/training objective has been set, progress will be reviewed on a regular basis so that new objectives can be agreed
u. To contribute to public health campaigns (e.g. flu clinics) through advice or direct care
Secondary responsibilities
In addition to the primary responsibilities, the pharmacy technician may be requested to:
a. Support delivery of QOF, incentive schemes, QIPP and other quality or cost effectiveness initiatives
b. Undertake any tasks consistent with the level of the post and the scope of the role, ensuring that work is delivered in a timely and effective manner
c. Duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the post or the level of responsibility.
The person specification for this role is detailed below:
Person specification – Pharmacy Technician
Qualifications:
Essential
GSCE in Maths, English and science or equivalent
Qualified Pharmacy Technician (having completed a GPhC recognised Pharmacy Technician course)
Experience:
Essential
2 years + experience within a pharmacy team
Desirable
Experience working in a primary care setting
Understanding and knowledge of healthcare provision in GP practices, QOF and enhanced services
An appreciation of the new NHS landscape including the relationships between individual practices, PCNs and the commissioners
Good clinical system IT knowledge of SystmOne
Essential Skills:
Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information effectively with people at all levels by telephone, email and face to face
Knowledge of IT systems, including ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet to create simple plans and reports
Good personal organisational skills
Effective time management
Demonstrate personal accountability, emotional resilience and work well under pressure
Essential Personal Qualities
Ability to follow legal, ethical, professional and organisational policies/procedures and codes of conduct
Ability to use own initiative, discretion and sensitivity
Able to get along with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity
Ability to use own initiative, discretion and sensitivity
Flexible and cooperative
Ability to identify risk and assess/manage risk when working with individuals
Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
Able to finish work tasks
Problem solving and analytical skills
Ability to maintain confidentiality
Knowledge of and ability to work to policies and procedures, including confidentiality, safeguarding, lone working, information governance, and health and safety
Other requirements
Essential
Flexibility to work outside of core office hours
Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check
This role will be based at Potterells Medical Centre - this is not a remote position - so candidates must be able to commute to Welham Green in Hertfordshire.
Job Types: Part-time, Permanent
Pay: £18,000.00-£21,000.00 per year
Expected hours: No more than 22.5 per week
Benefits:
* Company pension
* Health & wellbeing programme
* Sick pay
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 03/10/2025