Pharmacy Technician GP Practice

Job summary
Posterngate surgery are looking for a motivated and experienced Pharmacy Technician to join our team.

Main duties of the job
To provide technical and administrative support to the pharmacy team and clinicians. Support the receptionists with complex queries around medication from patients. Facilitate the implementation of medication changes under the guidance of the clinical pharmacist and complete audits around patient safety in the prescribing of medication and present the information for sharing with the clinical team.

About us
Posterngate surgery is a large, innovative and high performing teaching practice. Working together with Selby Town Primary Care Network, we are a friendly, hardworking and supportive practice that aims to achieve the highest quality of care for or patients.

A systmone practice with a skill mix consists of 6 GP Partners, Salaried GPs, First Contact Physios, Mental Health Practitioners, Urgent Care Practitioners and Pharmacy Team supported by Practice Nurses and HCA's. Easy access from York & Leeds with free on-site parking and modern comfortable premises.

Job responsibilities

• Work with the pharmacy team & clinicians in accordance with agreed practice prescribing standard operating procedures
• Process repeat medication requests, including the conversion of acute requests to repeat medicines, changing quantities of medicines
• Liaising with patients and professional partners by phone and email regarding medication queries and medication reviews
• Carry out medication reviews and structured medication reviews using agreed computer templates and in line with your competency and training
• Issuing prescriptions in line with agreed clinical protocols and within your competency
• Medicines reconciliation post discharge and on other transfers of care
• Medication synchronisation where required
• To update and maintain accurate patient medication records on the practice clinical computer system, including advice given and action taken
• To generate blood forms required for medication monitoring and medication reviews and maintain recall system
• Liaise with secondary and primary care colleagues to ensure correct medicines are continued following the transfer of care
• Monitor, initiate and amend dosing of medications such as thyroxine and cholecalciferol in accordance with practice protocols
• Monitor practice adherence to the repeat prescribing policy
• To assist the Pharmacist with data analysis of prescribing behaviour in line with NICE guidance and local clinical commissioning directives
• To support the prescribing team by sharing appropriate medication guidance and establishing a method of communication to both to the dispensing team and clinical staff
• To assist with the development and review of medicines audits
• To undertake specific project work in agreement with the prescribing lead / clinical pharmacist such as monitoring of medication misuse and controlled drugs and developing resources to aid clinicians in managing this problem
• To maintain and develop medicines communication to staff
• To support those with chronic diseases to develop good lifestyle changes to assist in the management of their conditions
• Provide a contact for patients, clinicians, nursing team, secondary care and community pharmacists with medication queries
• Project work/prescribing initiatives/clinical research under the support of the clinical pharmacist or prescribing lead
• Liaise with clinicians and staff in the surgery to resolve prescribing queries
• Liaise with nursing and residential homes in the practice area about medication queries

Person Specification
Knowledge & skills
Essential

• Knowledge of the principles of medicines optimisation
• Good clinical pharmacy knowledge including terminology
• An appreciation of the nature of primary care prescribing, concepts of rational prescribing and strategies for the improvement of prescribing
• Knowledge and understanding of pharmacy law and ethics and current legislation
• Understanding of current national policies, in particular those that impact on medicines management services
• Computer literate, including advanced word-processing, spreadsheet skills, email and other computer databases
• High level of analytical and literacy skills
• A solutions focussed approach
• Excellent communication (oral and written) and inter personal skills

Desirable

• Able to develop & implement policy & procedure to sustain a quality service
• An appreciation of the NHS agenda and government targets.
• Membership of Primary Care Pharmacy Association

Experience
Essential

• Experience of working as a qualified, registered pharmacy technician in primary care, hospital or community pharmacy.

Desirable

• Experience of Systmone

Qualifications
Essential

• Current GPhC registration as a Pharmacy Technician
• BTEC/NVQ level 3 or equivalent in pharmacy services

Desirable

• Postgraduate qualifications of a relevant nature (e.g. FdSc in Medicines Management/Pharmacy Services, BTEC Therapeutics)

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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.