Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust

Pharmacy Technician

This job is now closed

Job summary

Here at Portsmouth Hospital University NHS Trust, we are recruiting to our expanding Pharmacy team! We are very lucky to have recently moved into larger brand-new premises based on site within QA Hospital. This position is a Band 4 to 5 developmental post. If you have the necessary qualifications and experience you will be recruited to a Band 5, otherwise progression to a Band 5 will be on completion of required experience, competencies, and skills. Opportunities will be given to gain the experience and competencies required to progress within a 12-month timeframe. You will be supported by a mentor every step of the way. This progressive role could be just what you need to develop your confidence and skills before stepping into that senior role. This is a busy, varied role, based within a large diverse team providing medicines to over 1000 inpatients, clinics, and outpatients every day. You will have excellent opportunities to learn and fully utilise your strong organisation skills and great communication ability daily, where you will be making a direct impact to the rest of the Pharmacy team and patients too. If you are enthusiastic and reliable you will do just great here at PHUT.

Main duties of the job

This is a busy, varied role, based within a large diverse team providing medicines to over 1000 inpatients, clinics, and outpatients every day. You will have excellent opportunities to learn and fully utilise your strong organisation skills and great communication ability daily, where you will be making a direct impact to the rest of the Pharmacy team and patients too. If you are enthusiastic and reliable you will do just great here at PHUT.

Key Responsibilities

To perform a broad and demanding range of activities to provide medication and medical information to meet customers' and service needs within the Dispensary and Ward Services.
Provide an extended ward-based role including a POD checking service at ward level, supporting medicines reconciliation and checking drug histories.
Support ward based multidisciplinary team in improving patient flow Be a point of contact for ward staff to answer any queries regarding medicines management queries.
Supporting and participating in a rota that covers areas of the Pharmacy department such as Distribution, Stores, Oncology, Inpatients, Clinics, Theatres, Critical Care, Research, Medication safety and Homecare.
To promote and develop with the section leads extended roles and responsibilities for Pharmacy Technicians and assistants within Dispensary and associated areas.
Participating in a rota develop with the section leads rotations that develop and promote all Pharmacy Technicians and assistants.
Act as a buddy and mentor to ensure.

About us

Here at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, we are proud to provide expert, compassionate care for our local population. We are ranked as the third in the country for research, embedding education and training across the organisation. Our main hub is the Queen Alexandra Hospital, which is one of the largest hospitals on the south coast employing over 8,700 staff. Our patients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes our hospital stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for getting it right for patients, colleagues, and our community, you will find a home at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust

Date posted

30 October 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£25,147 to £27,596 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

REF126M

Job locations

Southwick Hill Road

Cosham

PO6 3LY

Job description

Job responsibilities

Band 4:

Dispensing for in and out patients including controlled drugs, clinical trials, extemporaneous compounding, specialist dispensing such as rheumatology repeats, TPN, oncology medications, monitored dose systems and supplying non-stock medicines in a timely, legally and ethically acceptable manner to meet customer needs.
After completion of relevant qualifications, both in-house and accredited courses, to support medicines reconciliation by confirming and documenting medication taken by patients pre-admission to hospital, using a range of sources in line with the current trust Medicines Reconciliation policy.
Engage in the implementation of the Trusts Medicine Reconciliation policy in designated areas, to ensure that a Medicines Reconciliation for all new admissions is completed according to Trust standards, ensuring that patients are prioritised effectively.
After completion of relevant qualifications, both in-house and accredited courses, liaise with staff and / or patients / relatives on the wards to establish discharge plans and needs and to enable adequate prioritisation for supply of prescriptions, optimise the process and provide a safe and efficient service.
Providing information on the correct use of medicines, counselling patients and/or providing compliance aids/cards to minimise barriers to concordance and ensure that each patient has sufficient understanding of how to manage their treatment, including to-follow arrangements when necessary.
Contributing to pharmaceutical stock control within the department and on wards, including participating in stock-checks, tracing and resolving stock discrepancies including controlled drugs, being proactive in ensuring that urgently required drugs are sourced.
Actively promoting the flow of work through the department and communicating with customers when obstacles arise.
Providing top-up services and participating, when trained, in near patient service; identifying new patients; checking their own medication for fitness to use against their prescriptions; resolving discrepancies; making good any shortfalls and referring clinical queries to the Ward Pharmacist.
Monitoring the quality of services provided to ensure that customers needs are met.
Assisting Principal Technicians in developing and implementing of work instructions, competency based training packages and other controlled documents, which contribute to the development and updating of the pharmacy quality system for technical services in.

Band 5:

Deputise for the Dispensary Lead to support running of Inpatient and Distribution Pharmacy Services Be a supernumerary facilitator for Accuracy Checking Pharmacy Technicians (ACPT) to aide process flows within the Dispensary/Distribution and Ward Service.
This will include staff that are new to our Pharmacy Services and /or are transferring and returning to work. Work with Section Leads in the preparation and implementation of work instructions and other controlled documents, which contribute to the development and updating of the pharmacy quality system for the technical aspects of a section.
To assess the suitability, quality and identity of PODs for extended use on the wards and as discharge medicines as per work instructions.
To support medicines reconciliation by confirming and documenting medication taken by patients pre-admission to hospital, using a range of sources in line with the current trust Medicines Reconciliation policy.
To appropriately resolve any discrepancies or interventions involving the patients drug history and refer back to the ward pharmacist or appropriate health care professional where necessary. Liaise with staff and / or patients / relatives on the wards to establish discharge plans and needs and to enable adequate prioritisation for supply of prescriptions, optimise the process and provide a safe and efficient service.
To liaise with other health care professionals within primary and secondary care with regards to pharmaceutical discharge needs of patients, particularly for patients who are at risk of readmission as a result of poor compliance / concordance or where follow up regarding supply is necessary Prepare supplies by dispensing or checking, for inpatients and TTOs in a timely, legally and ethically acceptable manner to meet customer needs.
To identify and address any compliance / concordance issues, liaising with other healthcare professionals where necessary.
To provide information / counselling on the use of medicines to selected patients and / or carers, taking into consideration the level of understanding and emotional well-being.
Develop and maintain a support structure, with your peers, to ensure implementation and evaluation of learning for internal process and accredited learning for pharmacy staff.
Support Quality Improvement huddles and facilitate the implementation of suggestions.
Support Registered Pharmacy Technicians to complete ACPT course work.
Participate in the Supervision of staff within the Pharmacy Service and participate in dispensing as a qualified technician along with final checking as an ACPT to maintain accreditation for the needs of the service.

For complete JDs, please see attached documents.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Band 4:

Dispensing for in and out patients including controlled drugs, clinical trials, extemporaneous compounding, specialist dispensing such as rheumatology repeats, TPN, oncology medications, monitored dose systems and supplying non-stock medicines in a timely, legally and ethically acceptable manner to meet customer needs.
After completion of relevant qualifications, both in-house and accredited courses, to support medicines reconciliation by confirming and documenting medication taken by patients pre-admission to hospital, using a range of sources in line with the current trust Medicines Reconciliation policy.
Engage in the implementation of the Trusts Medicine Reconciliation policy in designated areas, to ensure that a Medicines Reconciliation for all new admissions is completed according to Trust standards, ensuring that patients are prioritised effectively.
After completion of relevant qualifications, both in-house and accredited courses, liaise with staff and / or patients / relatives on the wards to establish discharge plans and needs and to enable adequate prioritisation for supply of prescriptions, optimise the process and provide a safe and efficient service.
Providing information on the correct use of medicines, counselling patients and/or providing compliance aids/cards to minimise barriers to concordance and ensure that each patient has sufficient understanding of how to manage their treatment, including to-follow arrangements when necessary.
Contributing to pharmaceutical stock control within the department and on wards, including participating in stock-checks, tracing and resolving stock discrepancies including controlled drugs, being proactive in ensuring that urgently required drugs are sourced.
Actively promoting the flow of work through the department and communicating with customers when obstacles arise.
Providing top-up services and participating, when trained, in near patient service; identifying new patients; checking their own medication for fitness to use against their prescriptions; resolving discrepancies; making good any shortfalls and referring clinical queries to the Ward Pharmacist.
Monitoring the quality of services provided to ensure that customers needs are met.
Assisting Principal Technicians in developing and implementing of work instructions, competency based training packages and other controlled documents, which contribute to the development and updating of the pharmacy quality system for technical services in.

Band 5:

Deputise for the Dispensary Lead to support running of Inpatient and Distribution Pharmacy Services Be a supernumerary facilitator for Accuracy Checking Pharmacy Technicians (ACPT) to aide process flows within the Dispensary/Distribution and Ward Service.
This will include staff that are new to our Pharmacy Services and /or are transferring and returning to work. Work with Section Leads in the preparation and implementation of work instructions and other controlled documents, which contribute to the development and updating of the pharmacy quality system for the technical aspects of a section.
To assess the suitability, quality and identity of PODs for extended use on the wards and as discharge medicines as per work instructions.
To support medicines reconciliation by confirming and documenting medication taken by patients pre-admission to hospital, using a range of sources in line with the current trust Medicines Reconciliation policy.
To appropriately resolve any discrepancies or interventions involving the patients drug history and refer back to the ward pharmacist or appropriate health care professional where necessary. Liaise with staff and / or patients / relatives on the wards to establish discharge plans and needs and to enable adequate prioritisation for supply of prescriptions, optimise the process and provide a safe and efficient service.
To liaise with other health care professionals within primary and secondary care with regards to pharmaceutical discharge needs of patients, particularly for patients who are at risk of readmission as a result of poor compliance / concordance or where follow up regarding supply is necessary Prepare supplies by dispensing or checking, for inpatients and TTOs in a timely, legally and ethically acceptable manner to meet customer needs.
To identify and address any compliance / concordance issues, liaising with other healthcare professionals where necessary.
To provide information / counselling on the use of medicines to selected patients and / or carers, taking into consideration the level of understanding and emotional well-being.
Develop and maintain a support structure, with your peers, to ensure implementation and evaluation of learning for internal process and accredited learning for pharmacy staff.
Support Quality Improvement huddles and facilitate the implementation of suggestions.
Support Registered Pharmacy Technicians to complete ACPT course work.
Participate in the Supervision of staff within the Pharmacy Service and participate in dispensing as a qualified technician along with final checking as an ACPT to maintain accreditation for the needs of the service.

For complete JDs, please see attached documents.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Band 4:
Documented evidence of dispensing competence.
Experience of stock control
Experience of working to formal documented procedures.
Experience of Patient/Customer Service contact and involvement
Band 5:
Experience of writing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Experience of training others effectively by one to one teaching or course provision.
Proven experience to support and assess, mentor and give feedback
Experience of the appropriate handling of sensitive and confidential information- as a clinician, teacher and manager and managing GDPR effectively
In-house or recognised accredited Medicines Management qualification e.g. PODs, Technician Transcribing, Medicines Reconciliation

Desirable

Band 4:
Having or working towards an Accredited Checking Pharmacy Technician qualification
Recent experience of hospital pharmacy.
Experience of a wide variety of prescription specialities
Experience of providing training for less experienced colleagues.
Experience of quality monitoring systems
Experience of ward-based work
Experience of providing monitored dosage systems and compliance aids.
Band 5:
Proven experience of working in a UK Hospital Pharmacy, to a high level in a specialist area.
Experience of managing a small section of a service
Audit of adherence to SOPs
Dealing with HR issues within the training process to support the development of all staff groups

Additional criteria

Essential

Band 5:
Good communication, interpersonal and counselling skills
Excellent communication /presentation skills- both verbal and written
Supervisory skills - able to help a team prioritise and work safely and effectively under pressure
Computer literate Fluent in oral and written English with a high degree of numeracy and literacy skills
Range of IT skills- knowledge of e-learning packages, able to use all the common Trust software packages.
Demonstrate good organisational skills
Able to use initiative whilst knowing when to refer
Assertive character, approachable, friendly and polite but able to assess and give feedback both positive & negative
Commitment to Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Desirable

Band 5:
Able to contribute to writing procedures and training packages
Systematic & logical in processes and problem solving
Ability to plan and complete tasks to a deadline
Skilled in delivering training
Proven problem solving abilities
Ability to work as an integral part of a successful team or independently with minimum supervision

Qualifications

Essential

Band 4:
NVQ Level 3 Pharmacy Services with recognized underpinning knowledge qualification or General Pharmaceutical Council recognized equivalent e.g. BTEC Pharmaceutical Sciences
Registered Pharmacy Technician status
Band 5:
Possess BTEC (pharmaceutical science) or recognized equivalent and/or NVQ level 3 (pharmaceutical science)
Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
Completion of Trust competency-based training requirement for Basic Grade Pharmacy Technician
Recognised Accredited Checking Pharmacy Technician (ACPT) Qualification
Minimum two years' post qualification experience
Experience of writing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Desirable

Band 5:
Further recognised qualifications, e.g. PS, NVQ A1 Assessor

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Band 4:
Documented evidence of dispensing competence.
Experience of stock control
Experience of working to formal documented procedures.
Experience of Patient/Customer Service contact and involvement
Band 5:
Experience of writing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Experience of training others effectively by one to one teaching or course provision.
Proven experience to support and assess, mentor and give feedback
Experience of the appropriate handling of sensitive and confidential information- as a clinician, teacher and manager and managing GDPR effectively
In-house or recognised accredited Medicines Management qualification e.g. PODs, Technician Transcribing, Medicines Reconciliation

Desirable

Band 4:
Having or working towards an Accredited Checking Pharmacy Technician qualification
Recent experience of hospital pharmacy.
Experience of a wide variety of prescription specialities
Experience of providing training for less experienced colleagues.
Experience of quality monitoring systems
Experience of ward-based work
Experience of providing monitored dosage systems and compliance aids.
Band 5:
Proven experience of working in a UK Hospital Pharmacy, to a high level in a specialist area.
Experience of managing a small section of a service
Audit of adherence to SOPs
Dealing with HR issues within the training process to support the development of all staff groups

Additional criteria

Essential

Band 5:
Good communication, interpersonal and counselling skills
Excellent communication /presentation skills- both verbal and written
Supervisory skills - able to help a team prioritise and work safely and effectively under pressure
Computer literate Fluent in oral and written English with a high degree of numeracy and literacy skills
Range of IT skills- knowledge of e-learning packages, able to use all the common Trust software packages.
Demonstrate good organisational skills
Able to use initiative whilst knowing when to refer
Assertive character, approachable, friendly and polite but able to assess and give feedback both positive & negative
Commitment to Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Desirable

Band 5:
Able to contribute to writing procedures and training packages
Systematic & logical in processes and problem solving
Ability to plan and complete tasks to a deadline
Skilled in delivering training
Proven problem solving abilities
Ability to work as an integral part of a successful team or independently with minimum supervision

Qualifications

Essential

Band 4:
NVQ Level 3 Pharmacy Services with recognized underpinning knowledge qualification or General Pharmaceutical Council recognized equivalent e.g. BTEC Pharmaceutical Sciences
Registered Pharmacy Technician status
Band 5:
Possess BTEC (pharmaceutical science) or recognized equivalent and/or NVQ level 3 (pharmaceutical science)
Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
Completion of Trust competency-based training requirement for Basic Grade Pharmacy Technician
Recognised Accredited Checking Pharmacy Technician (ACPT) Qualification
Minimum two years' post qualification experience
Experience of writing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Desirable

Band 5:
Further recognised qualifications, e.g. PS, NVQ A1 Assessor

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).