GP PRACTICE Pharmacy Technician

Job responsibilities

Job 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 Clinical Pharmacist and Prescribing Co-ordinators 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 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 contract

To undertake practice based ICB project work under the direction of the Medicines Coordinators Scheme Lead to ensure cost savings on the prescribing budget

To participate in medication audits

To assist in the appropriate monitoring and management of prescribing budgets and to liaise with the medicines management team at the CSU

To prepare evidence based resources and information to support the implementation of rational cost-effective prescribing

To support the Practice Based Clinical Pharmacist to provide medication reviews, patient information leaflets and medicine awareness

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

To assist in the submission of claims for personally administered drugs as required

Be responsible for the organisation, planning and of own workload to meet set deadlines

Communication

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.

To work collaboratively with the Medicines Co-ordinators Scheme Lead, the CSU Medicines Management Team and other practices to spread good practice and share experience.

Liaise with patients to receive prescription requests, address their queries and provide medicines management advice.

Ensure all information regarding medicine management is distributed to all health care professionals within the practice.

Administrative /Clerical

To maintain comprehensive and accurate records of work undertaken for the Medicines Management projects and activities.

To be able to use MS Office programmes necessary for the role

To be able to use the searching and administrative capabilities of the GP clinical system.

To collect and submit monthly audit data to monitor improvements in line with Medicines Management objectives and ICB targets

To manage time effectively to ensure all targets are met

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

To supervise and train practice staff undertaking generation of repeat prescriptions and to explain and inform them of any prescribing changes being carried out

To facilitate medicine management meetings within the practice

To attend training events for Medicines Co-ordinators organised by the Medicines Coordinators Scheme Lead

To attend regular networking meetings with the Medicines Co-ordinators Scheme Lead

Research, Development and Audit

To organise the 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.

Collate and interpret results from audits undertaken via the practice medicines coordinators scheme and prepare regular reports on progress to the practice.

Professional Development

• Maintain continued education by attendance at courses and study days as deemed useful or necessary for professional development.

• Disseminate learning and information gained to other team members in order to share good practice and inform others about current and future developments (eg courses and conferences)
• Assess own learning needs and undertake learning as appropriate
• Partake in annual appraisals within practice, training and personal continuous development

General Requirements

Contribute to the continuous professional development of the business, taking part in individual supervision and team meetings to ensure consistent practice.

Ensure the surgeries policies and procedures are adhered to, paying particular attention to confidentiality and the surgery rules regarding the handling of personal identifiable information.

Work as part of a team to ensure the delivery of quality health care services.

Qualifications

Essential

• GSCE in Maths, English and science or equivalent
• NVQ level 3 in pharmacy services or equivalent

Experience

Essential

• Evidence of working autonomously or as part of a team

Desirable

• 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 EMIS
• Experience working in a primary care setting

Skills

Essential

• 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

Personal Qualities

Essential

• 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
• Access to own transport and ability to travel across the locality on a regular basis, including to visit people in their own home

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).