GP Locality Support Pharmacy Technician

Job responsibilities

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities

• To work as part of the technician function providing support to the SIPS team as requested.
• To undertake audit work, to ensure quality of care is maintained, as required by line management.
• Conduct non-complex medication and condition reviews, including lipid management and hypercholesterolaemia, to support locality projects as required. Training will be provided in line with your skills and project needs
• Demonstrate a proactive approach to undertaking further training to enhance your professional development and contribute effectively to the work of the SIPS team.
• To handle prescription queries from patients over the telephone, within own competency and liaise with community pharmacy.
• To use ePACT, prescribing support tools, other data reporting tools and the GP computer systems to carry out audits and to assist practices to meet agreed targets.
• In liaison with SIPS team pharmacists, inform patients of any changes to their medicines in a professional manner and to have the capacity to support and reassure patients when necessary and to deal with any issues or concerns that may arise within the boundaries of the post.
• To work with the Medicines Co-ordinators to implement any pharmaceutical changes that impact on the practices within the appropriate timescale.
• To take responsibility for individual projects as directed by The Service Lead, Senior Technicians and the PCN Lead Pharmacists.
• To recognise and respond appropriately to risk and safeguarding concerns.

Prescribing Analysis

• To assist the PCN Pharmacists by using ePACT, prescribing support tools and other data reporting tools to analyse prescribing patterns at practice and prescriber level to support, safe prescribing, financial review and quality of care.
• To be able to use the EMIS GP computer system and ePACT to generate complex reports and to collate and analyse data and export that data into an appropriate format.
• Stay updated on the latest procedures for the GP clinical computer system to ensure efficient utilisation. Provide training to new SIPS team and practice staff as needed and share relevant procedures to facilitate effective audit and search processes.

Training

• To support and deliver training to practice staff on SIPS related matters, as required to meet organisational objectives within the boundaries of the post.
• To review or develop training documents to support SIPS team members when carrying out routine medicines optimisation tasks.
• Demonstrate a willingness to undertake the 15-month CPPE (Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education) course designed for pharmacy professionals in primary care. This commitment to continuous learning and professional development is essential to enhance expertise in primary care pharmacy practices and ensure the highest standards of patient care.
• Provide support to the SIPS team across the Stockport locality, working flexibly across different PCNs as needed to maintain service capacity.

Responsibility for Patient Care (including monitoring, diagnostics + investigations)

• The post holder will work with patients communicating prescribing changes made, medication related monitoring required and supporting efficient use of medicines.

Responsibility for Physical and Financial Resources

• The post holder will assist in the management of the prescribing budget by undertaking the extraction of data from the ePACT system which requires specialist knowledge and pharmaceutical training to complete.

Communications and Leadership

• Patient Engagement: Address concerns and queries from patients regarding prescription changes, providing reassurance and when necessary, directing them to appropriate clinical support or resources to ensure their well-being.
• Collaboration: Foster effective collaboration and communication among multidisciplinary teams, supporting a seamless transition during prescribing changes and promoting patient-centred care.
• Support Networks and GP Practices to achieve agreed targets.
• Lead on the delivery of allocated projects within their area of work.
• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills when implementing prescribing changes. Interact with a diverse range of individuals, including patients, healthcare professional and support staff, ensuring clarity and empathy in all interactions.
• If required, support our Foundation Pharmacy Technicians, Trainee Pharmacy Technicians and Medicines Co-ordinators to deliver the work required.
• Act as a role model for others in the Team and provide support and mentorship for line reports and other Team members in line with service priorities.
• Take line management responsibility for designated Team members and ensure they operate within Viaduct policies in delivering their contract and service responsibilities.

Research, Development and Audit

• The post holder will participate in audit across general practice as requested by line management.

Policy and Service Development

• This post holder will support the implementation of a wide range of policies requiring a good knowledge of the relevant policies and also support the use of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Identify opportunities for efficiencies and savings in relation to medicines management activity in practices.

Analysis and Data Management

• The post holder will analyse prescribing data and financial data and feed this data back to appropriate managers for action, based on the analysis received.
• Use data management information systems, including information technology and be willing to undertake or deliver appropriate training.

Other Key Responsibilities

• This is a demanding role requiring good communication skills and a detailed understanding of a variety of IT software systems.
• The post holder may be required to manage their own work across a range of practices. This entails coordination with all the sites at which they work and liaison with the SIPS and PCN team.
• Decisions will be practical and support the GP Pharmacy Technician role.
• The post holder will have to be decisive and professional to maintain the workload. They must know the limits of their own authority and when to refer.
• The work is of a wide variety and prioritisation of workload will be required.
• Ensure compliance with local protocols, policies, operating procedures, and best practice guidance.
• Support or complete incident reporting and learning as per policy and professional requirements, to continually improve patient care, safety, and experience.
• To undertake any other duties as allocated by line management, commensurate with grade.

This job description aims to illustrate the range and nature of responsibilities held by the post holder. The list of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive and the post holder is expected to be flexible in their approach. The duties associated with the post will inevitably vary and develop and therefore the role will be reviewed on a regular basis and changes made in consultation with the post-holder.

See attached Job Description (right) for full contractual clauses.

Qualifications

Essential

• BTEC in Pharmaceutical Sciences or equivalent.
• Current registration with the GPhC in the UK.
• Evidence of continued professional development and additional knowledge.

Desirable

• Adult training or coaching qualification.
• Working towards or completion of the CPPE pathway.

Additional Attributes

Essential

• Ability to travel across Stockport.
• Ability to work flexibly.
• Proactive in approach.
• Willing to learn and develop.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Understanding of general practice, and NICE.
• Commitment to continued professional development.
• Good written & verbal communication.
• Good IT skills and able to use Microsoft Office software packages.
• Read and apply national directives.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to motivate and inspire.
• Self-motivated.
• Experience of and ability to recognise and respond appropriately to risk and safeguarding concerns.

Desirable

• GP EMIS practice computer system.
• ePACT system.
• Experience of team working.

Experience

Essential

• Relevant post qualification experience.

Desirable

• 2 years post qualification experience.
• Prescribing support work.

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).