Job summary
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust is a Top Employer Award Winner and works in partnership to provide responsive and dependable primary care, mental health, intellectual disability and substance misuse services to the diverse and culturally rich communities we serve.
In our quest to deliver patient-focused quality care we are looking to recruit a highly motivated, innovative and enthusiastic Pharmacy Technician to join our forward thinking, friendly and expanding Health & Justice team at HMP/YOI Bronzefield.
By joining our Prisons Health Care Team, you will not only look after the healthcare needs of our patients residing in secure environments, but who also can have a real impact on promoting health and well-being.
Our motto is "Caring NOT Judging" so by working in partnership with the criminal justice system and other agencies, we provide responsive, dependable and high-quality primary care and mental health services to those who may have offended and those at risk of offending in the communities we serve, to improve their health status and to encourage social inclusion.
Main duties of the job
To provide a dispensing service, medicines optimisation and medicines administration service for prisoners residing in our care:
- Work as an active member of the Pharmacy team to assist in ensuring the delivery of a legal, safe, high quality specialist prison pharmaceutical service which reflects National and local policy and priorities, taking into account the high level of security that must be maintained at all times
- Assist in providing a timely and efficient pharmacy service
- Contribute to the development of and support implementation of medicine management strategy and associated services and projects across the Prisons
About us
Central andNorth WestLondon NHS Foundation Trust offers its staff ongoing career progression through:
Excellent progression through various career pathway opportunities such as but not limited to:
Excellent staff benefits, our benefit packages are amongst the best in London and include:
The trust also values itsstaff,and you are entitled to become a memberofMyTrustBenefits.MyTrustBenefitsis an online portal for all CNWL staff, as well as their family and friends. It offers over 1400 discounts at hundreds of retailers nationwide. Save money on your weekly food shops, toiletries, cosmetics, cinema, meals out, holidays,traveland entertainment.You can also access free online courses on a variety of topics, professional and personal, ranging from business management, languages,lawand teaching.
Allour sites in Surrey offer free use of the onsite leisure facilities and free parking for staff.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Management and Organisation:
- Participate in the efficient day to day running of the dispensary
- To provide a high quality medicine optimisation service to patients/inmates
- To maintain excellent medicines management standards in all areas that store and issue medicines
- Assist in maintaining correct Controlled Drug records in accordance with the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
- Maintain an up to date knowledge of developments in local/national guidance in order to maintain/deliver high quality services to the Prison.
- Under the supervision of a senior pharmacy technician, to provide a timely and efficient stock top up service to the prison wings to ensure stock levels are appropriately maintained in accordance with an agreed stock list
- Responsible for ensuring medicines are supplied and replenished to the emergency cupboards, giving medicine related advice, where necessary, to other healthcare professionals
- Check emergency bags and maintain records for audit.
- To identify and report incidents and/or near-misses as per trust policy
Dispensary responsibilities:
- Work with the pharmacy technician team to provide an accurate and efficient dispensing service.
- Ensure that all dispensed medicines are processed in accordance with agreed dispensing standards
- Maintain a clean and tidy working environment for the dispensing process
- Assist in the development, implementation and review of dispensary Standard Operating Procedures
- Maintain digital records of prisoner information and dispensary information
- Maintain high levels of safety and security and be constantly vigilant for breaches in security
- Ensure that pharmaceuticals are transported to the prison gate and around the prison in a manner which maintains the integrity and security of the medicines whilst adhering to necessary safety precautions
- The post holder has a responsibility to themselves and others in relation to managing risk and health and safety and will be required to work within the prison service and CNWL Service Policies and Procedures and the Health and Safety at Work Act 197
Clinical:
- To maintain confidentiality at all times, adhering to Caldicott principles when sharing information
- To maintain accurate electronic patient records, using information from prescriptions prepared by the medical staff ensuring that drug histories are up to date and complete
- To competently complete medicine reconciliation and patient medication counselling when required
- Provide regular medicines management service to each Wing to:
1. Check all prescriptions and remove those out of date for filing in the prisoners medical notes
2. Check all medication including stocks, removing unwanted items for return to pharmacy in line with departmental policies and procedures
Research & Audit:
- To participate in all pharmacy audits relevant to the workplace, as per the pharmacy audit schedule
- To collaboratively form actions plans when non-compliances with audit standards are identified
- Help to identify areas where the pharmacy technician service can be developed.
Education and Training:
Participate in the development and delivery of training events for CNWL employed staff in the prison Healthcare to support:
1. The implementation of medicine related policies and procedures
2. An appropriate level of knowledge for healthcare professionals using homely remedies
3. The implementation of clinical guidelines and the preferred prescribing list
To be responsible for your own personal and professional development
To maintain an up to date statutory/mandatory training record
To maintain your own CPD records in line with the GPhC standards
To support the development and training of pharmacy trainees and junior members of staff as directed by your line manager
Communication:
Deal appropriately with requests from GPs, courts, police and substance misuse clinics regarding patient medication, weighing up the need for information against patient confidentiality and seeking advice from more senior staff on complex and contentious issues
Advise selected patients regarding their medication and other relevant pharmaceutical issues adjusting the level of advice as appropriate to overcome barriers to understanding (e.g. hard of hearing, conveying complex information in an easily understandable form)
Financial:
- Support the Pharmacy Manager in providing the pharmacy service within the budgets relating to prescribing and provision of pharmaceutical services to ensure that budgets are not exceeded.
- Support the Pharmacy Manager to identify potential savings from the medicine budget for future financial years if so required.
Responsibilities specific to the prison environment:
- To be familiar with Prison Standards, Standing Orders, Circular Instructions, Notices to Staff, Prison Rules, Health and Safety, and any other relevant material within the prison setting.
- To ensure that the Healthcare Centre meets the security requirements.
- The post holder will be in contact with prisoners on a daily basis; this client group can be challenging due to the high proportion that have mental health illness and substance misuse problems.
This job description is not exhaustive and may be amended from time to time with agreement from the employee and employer.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Management and Organisation:
- Participate in the efficient day to day running of the dispensary
- To provide a high quality medicine optimisation service to patients/inmates
- To maintain excellent medicines management standards in all areas that store and issue medicines
- Assist in maintaining correct Controlled Drug records in accordance with the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
- Maintain an up to date knowledge of developments in local/national guidance in order to maintain/deliver high quality services to the Prison.
- Under the supervision of a senior pharmacy technician, to provide a timely and efficient stock top up service to the prison wings to ensure stock levels are appropriately maintained in accordance with an agreed stock list
- Responsible for ensuring medicines are supplied and replenished to the emergency cupboards, giving medicine related advice, where necessary, to other healthcare professionals
- Check emergency bags and maintain records for audit.
- To identify and report incidents and/or near-misses as per trust policy
Dispensary responsibilities:
- Work with the pharmacy technician team to provide an accurate and efficient dispensing service.
- Ensure that all dispensed medicines are processed in accordance with agreed dispensing standards
- Maintain a clean and tidy working environment for the dispensing process
- Assist in the development, implementation and review of dispensary Standard Operating Procedures
- Maintain digital records of prisoner information and dispensary information
- Maintain high levels of safety and security and be constantly vigilant for breaches in security
- Ensure that pharmaceuticals are transported to the prison gate and around the prison in a manner which maintains the integrity and security of the medicines whilst adhering to necessary safety precautions
- The post holder has a responsibility to themselves and others in relation to managing risk and health and safety and will be required to work within the prison service and CNWL Service Policies and Procedures and the Health and Safety at Work Act 197
Clinical:
- To maintain confidentiality at all times, adhering to Caldicott principles when sharing information
- To maintain accurate electronic patient records, using information from prescriptions prepared by the medical staff ensuring that drug histories are up to date and complete
- To competently complete medicine reconciliation and patient medication counselling when required
- Provide regular medicines management service to each Wing to:
1. Check all prescriptions and remove those out of date for filing in the prisoners medical notes
2. Check all medication including stocks, removing unwanted items for return to pharmacy in line with departmental policies and procedures
Research & Audit:
- To participate in all pharmacy audits relevant to the workplace, as per the pharmacy audit schedule
- To collaboratively form actions plans when non-compliances with audit standards are identified
- Help to identify areas where the pharmacy technician service can be developed.
Education and Training:
Participate in the development and delivery of training events for CNWL employed staff in the prison Healthcare to support:
1. The implementation of medicine related policies and procedures
2. An appropriate level of knowledge for healthcare professionals using homely remedies
3. The implementation of clinical guidelines and the preferred prescribing list
To be responsible for your own personal and professional development
To maintain an up to date statutory/mandatory training record
To maintain your own CPD records in line with the GPhC standards
To support the development and training of pharmacy trainees and junior members of staff as directed by your line manager
Communication:
Deal appropriately with requests from GPs, courts, police and substance misuse clinics regarding patient medication, weighing up the need for information against patient confidentiality and seeking advice from more senior staff on complex and contentious issues
Advise selected patients regarding their medication and other relevant pharmaceutical issues adjusting the level of advice as appropriate to overcome barriers to understanding (e.g. hard of hearing, conveying complex information in an easily understandable form)
Financial:
- Support the Pharmacy Manager in providing the pharmacy service within the budgets relating to prescribing and provision of pharmaceutical services to ensure that budgets are not exceeded.
- Support the Pharmacy Manager to identify potential savings from the medicine budget for future financial years if so required.
Responsibilities specific to the prison environment:
- To be familiar with Prison Standards, Standing Orders, Circular Instructions, Notices to Staff, Prison Rules, Health and Safety, and any other relevant material within the prison setting.
- To ensure that the Healthcare Centre meets the security requirements.
- The post holder will be in contact with prisoners on a daily basis; this client group can be challenging due to the high proportion that have mental health illness and substance misuse problems.
This job description is not exhaustive and may be amended from time to time with agreement from the employee and employer.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Completion of a GPhC approved combined Pharmacy Technician qualification (QCF level 3 or above)
- Current registration with the GPhC as a Pharmacy Technician (Those in the process of registering with the GPhC can apply. However, registration with the GPhC must be complete for employment)
- (if qualified prior to 2020) Completion of a recognised Medicines Optimisation training course
- (if qualified prior to 2020) Completion of a recognised Final accuracy checking course
Desirable
- Completion of entry-level managerial and leadership training courses
- Completion of short courses relevant to practice (i.e. any post graduate training to enhance clinical or technical skills)
Experience & Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of legislation and good practice in relation to medicines
- Experience of stock control
- Computer literate
- Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team
- Experience with using Pharmacy dispensing and electronic prescribing systems
Desirable
- Understanding the principles of clinical governance
- Experience of working in a secondary/tertiary care pharmacy setting
- Previous experience of working in a 'secure environment' and/or prison setting
- Experience of training and supporting junior members of staff/pharmacy trainees
Attitudes, aptitudes personal characteristics
Essential
- Demonstrate initiative
- Good interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with clinicians, health care professionals and patients
- Fluent written/spoken English
- Ability to manage own workload and meet objectives and targets
- Ability to work in a team
- Ability to motivate self and others
- Ability to perform in a challenging environment and cope with potentially aggressive behaviour
- Ability to respond in a calm manner in a crisis
Desirable
- Able to receive and provide constructive feedback
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Completion of a GPhC approved combined Pharmacy Technician qualification (QCF level 3 or above)
- Current registration with the GPhC as a Pharmacy Technician (Those in the process of registering with the GPhC can apply. However, registration with the GPhC must be complete for employment)
- (if qualified prior to 2020) Completion of a recognised Medicines Optimisation training course
- (if qualified prior to 2020) Completion of a recognised Final accuracy checking course
Desirable
- Completion of entry-level managerial and leadership training courses
- Completion of short courses relevant to practice (i.e. any post graduate training to enhance clinical or technical skills)
Experience & Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of legislation and good practice in relation to medicines
- Experience of stock control
- Computer literate
- Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team
- Experience with using Pharmacy dispensing and electronic prescribing systems
Desirable
- Understanding the principles of clinical governance
- Experience of working in a secondary/tertiary care pharmacy setting
- Previous experience of working in a 'secure environment' and/or prison setting
- Experience of training and supporting junior members of staff/pharmacy trainees
Attitudes, aptitudes personal characteristics
Essential
- Demonstrate initiative
- Good interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with clinicians, health care professionals and patients
- Fluent written/spoken English
- Ability to manage own workload and meet objectives and targets
- Ability to work in a team
- Ability to motivate self and others
- Ability to perform in a challenging environment and cope with potentially aggressive behaviour
- Ability to respond in a calm manner in a crisis
Desirable
- Able to receive and provide constructive feedback
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.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
