[ref. w28679216] Huddersfield - Medication Safety Pharmacy Technician
Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT) are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics.
We are committed to recruiting to our values. Leading One Culture of Care underpins our values by creating an environment, tone and behaviours across all parts of the Trust that are fundamentally rooted in compassionate care.
We are open to considering a wide range of flexible working arrangements. There are opportunities to flex the days of the week, hours and times of work and place of work including: part-time, job-share, flexible working hours and the possibility to work from home when appropriate.Please talk to us during the interview process to discuss any flexibility that you may require.
We received our Silver Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme which is helping actively promote SaBRE - Supporting Britain’s Reservists and Employers. This means that we provided its statement of intent to support all Defence personnel and we welcome application to work for us.Find out more - Why Choose CHFT?
Our Future Plans
The Department of Health and Social Care has awarded capital funding to invest in local health services at both Calderdale Royal Hospital and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary. This is a significant investment and an opportunity to enhance services for our populations in Calderdale and Huddersfield and West Yorkshire for generations to come.To find out more, please visit https://future.cht.nhs.uk/
Job overview
An exciting opportunity is available in a newly created Team for an enthusiastic, proactive pharmacy technician to work directly with the Medication Safety Officer to support colleagues to ensure compliance with all aspects of medication safety.
The post holder will support the investigation and learning from medication related incidents, spreading good practice throughout the Pharmacy department and the wider Hospital trust.
The post holder will support Training and Education of all staff within the Pharmacy department, acting as subject matter expert or workplace training supervisor.
They will support medicines safety and clinical governance, working with all levels of the multidisciplinary teams both within Pharmacy and the wider Trust.
They will also be involved in audit and teaching of safe management of medicines at all levels.
The role will involve obtaining and reviewing information for investigations, analysing and identifying common themes to guide continual improvements in medication safety and to lead quality improvement using innovative ways of increasing staff engagement.
The post holder must have a keen interest in medication safety and will be an excellent communicator at all levels, with strong attention to detail.
Main duties of the job
Work alongside the Medicines Safety Officer (MSO) to support the Trust with the safe use of medicines.
Assist the MSO to ensure complete and accurate reporting of medication incidents.
Work in collaboration with other health professionals to promote reporting of and learning from, medication error incidents in the Trust.
Support Training and Education of all staff within the Pharmacy department, acting as subject matter expert or workplace training supervisor.
Work with the MSO to implement and monitor action plans to ensure that lessons learnt from medicines incidents have resulted in the implementation of improved procedures across the Trust.
Assist in the coordination of Medicines Management audits in conjunction with the Clinical Effectiveness Team and the MSO.
Assist the MSO to respond to requests for information on medication error and incidents reports.
Contribute to relevant pharmacy and medicines optimisation bulletins to promote medicines safety, effective prescribing, and best practice in medicines management.
Assist the MSO with investigations into medication incidents as required.
When required, deputise for the MSO, and attend and contribute to relevant Trust meetings.
Inform the MSO of the identification of any significant high-risk processes or incidents within Medicines Management.
Working for our organisation
The post holder will demonstrate competence in dispensing, checking and other relevant pharmacy activities before undertaking medication safety and governance functions under the management of the Medication Safety Officer and in collaboration with the Lead Nurse, Medicines Management.and Specialist Nurse, Medicines Management
As a registered Pharmacy Technician, the post holder will be expected to work within the professional standards of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
Please contact us if you are interested in this exciting opportunity.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Main Tasks- Promote Medicines Safety throughout the Trust.
- Assist the MSO to ensure complete and accurate reporting of medication incidents.
- Work in collaboration with other health professionals to promote reporting of and learning from, medication error incidents in the Trust.
- The post holder will support Training and Education of all staff within the Pharmacy department, acting as subject matter expert or workplace training supervisor.
- Work with the MSO to implement and monitor action plans to ensure that lessons learnt from medicines incidents have resulted in the implementation of improved procedures across the Trust.
- Assist in the coordination of Medicines Management audits in conjunction with the Clinical Effectiveness Team and the MSO.
- Assist the MSO to respond to requests for information on medication error and incidents reports.
- Work in collaboration with other health professionals to review and analyse Trust medicines incident reports to ensure data quality for local and national reporting.
- Assist the MSO with the organisation of Medicines Safety Group agendas, act as professional secretary in the absence of the MSO and take minutes during meetings if administrative support is not available.
- Support the dissemination of medication safety communications from NHS England and the MHRA throughout the Trust.
- Support and in some cases Lead in the Trust with training needs related to pharmacy.
- Contribute to relevant pharmacy and medicines optimisation bulletins to promote medicines safety, effective prescribing, and best practice in medicines management.
- Assist the MSO with investigations into medication incidents as required.
- When required, deputise for the MSO, and attend and contribute to relevant Trust meetings.
- Inform the MSO of the identification of any significant high-risk processes or incidents within Medicines Management.
- Assist the MSO with the preparation, analysis, and reporting of clinical audits, as and when required.
- To visit inpatient and outpatient settings to undertake medication audits and reviews.
Dispensary Duties:
- To carry out the dispensing and issue of prescriptions in the Pharmacy of the base hospital
- To carry out the checking of prescriptions and related items, as per the departmental Accredited Checking Technician program and also undergo annual re-assessment of competency of this role in line with the regional framework
- To query prescriptions with prescribers, within the capabilities of a Band 5 technician, or when delegated to do so by a pharmacist
- To contribute to the efficient use of the drug budget through effective medicines management whilst dispensing and checking prescriptions
- To be responsible for checking Electronic Medicines Management work list
- To mentor staff through the Controlled Drug training package and rotation
- To process controlled drug orders and prescriptions
- To participate in the ordering, stock checks and stock control of medicines in each area of the pharmacy, ensuring efficient use of pharmaceuticals and resources
- To follow guidance on rotas and prioritise own workload accordingly, in conjunction with the Senior Pharmacy Technician of the section.
- To accurately input data, patient and prescription details onto the computer system and assist with the maintenance of records relating to work and workload statistics
- To competently assess situations and make judgements concerning availability of non-formulary medicines, informing the relevant senior member of staff, if necessary.
- May be required to undertake activities in relation to clinical trials in line with standing operating procedures.
- Participates in weekend, public holiday, out of hours and extended hours provision of pharmacy services.
Clinical Duties
Assist patients with the management and optimisation of their medicines
Professional Duties
To undertake the legal and professional responsibilities of a Pharmacy Technician- To participate in audit and pharmacy practice research
- To demonstrate knowledge and skills of pharmaceutical technical procedures acquired through the Level 3 Diploma in Pharmacy Service Skills (NVQ) (QCF) and BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science (QCF), or other appropriate qualification recognised by the General Pharmaceutical Council of Great Britain
- To be committed to ongoing training and Continuous Professional Development in order to keep clinical and technical knowledge current, ensure best practice and to comply with the requirements for entry on the National Register of Pharmacy of Technicians
Managerial Duties
To manage the dispensary during the absence of the Senior Pharmacy Technician on a rota basis.- To undertake the day-to-day supervision of Pharmacy Technicians (Band 4), student technicians and pharmacy support workers, as required.
Financial Duties
To contribute to the efficient use of the drug budget through effective medicines management
Managing Self- Participate in regular supervision
- Attend all mandatory training.
- Participate annually identifying, developing and agreeing your own development plan with your Line Manager using the Trust Appraisal
- Comply with all Trust policies, procedures and protocols
- Carry out duties with due regard to the Trust’s Equal Opportunity Policy
- Seek advice and support from Line Manager whenever necessary
- Maintain professional conduct including appearance at all times
- Ensure maintenance of Professional Registration
Person specification
QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING
Essential criteria- BTEC/NVQ level 3 in Pharmacy services, including underpinning knowledge, or other equivalent qualification recognized by the General Pharmaceutical Council
- Registered Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council
- Accredited Accuracy Checking Technician
- English and Math GCSE grade 9-4 (A*-C) or equivalent or high level of literacy and numeracy skills demonstrated within application
COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS (INCLUDING MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES)
Essential criteria- Able to work on own or as part of a team
- Team worker
- Good oral and written communication skills
KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE
Essential criteria- Demonstrable experience of undertaking high level patient focused technical duties in a hospital or community setting
- Good knowledge of dispensing standards and legislation relating to hospital pharmacy
- Able to pay meticulous attention to detail
- Able to prioritise workload
- Good training and supervisory skills
- Calm and professional manner under pressure
- Good problem-solving skills
- Self-motivated
- Demonstrable commitment to CPD
- Basic audit skills
- Computer literate
- Knowledge of Error reporting systems, being supportive of error monitoring and investigating incident trend
We take pride in the diversity of our workforce that’s why we encourage applications from all. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants.
Please ensure your application is submitted with referees who can verify your employment/education history over the last three years and include valid email addresses for them. We will request electronic Factual Employment References from your previous employers.These references will be requested before you are issued with an unconditional offer of employment letter.
If you are appointed to a post, information will also be transferred into the NHS Electronic Staff Records system. The Inter-Authority Transfer (IAT) process is a critical and beneficial component of ESR and following interview your previous NHS employment data, if applicable will be transferred from your current / most recent employer.
You may be required to undertake a DBS. The Trust will administer the DBS check on your behalf and will recover the cost (Enhanced £54.40, Standard £26.40 or Basic £26.40) from your salary when you commence in post (including Internal staff).You will also be required to participate in the DBS Update Service and pay the £16 cost per year. This is a condition of your employment.
CHFT is part of the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT), a collaborative of the NHS hospital trusts from across West Yorkshire and Harrogate working together to provide the best possible care for our patients.
If you have any questions please contact [email protected] for assistance.