Enhanced Role Pharmacy Technician - ePMA

Construction of the new integrated critical care unit was completed in 2018, extension of a Neonatal Unit and an approved plan to build a brand new, state of the art Emergency Department which commenced in 2021

We provide high quality, friendly and effective community health services from multiple sites covering Walsall. Our multidisciplinary services include rapid response and homebased care, so that those with long term conditions and the frail elderly can remain in their own homes.

We are recommended by colleagues as a place to work which is supported by the trusts values to work as part of a team, being respectful, compassionate and professional. We are committed to investing in our workforce

Following our recent CQC visit the Trust was rated as outstanding for care and this has been recognised by NHS Improvement.

The work we do is highly rewarding, and in addition to an attractive salary, we offer a valuable range of benefits, including: salary sacrifice scheme; car leasing scheme; on-site staff accommodation (subject to availability); the ability to retain your NHS pension (where applicable) or the opportunity to join an alternative scheme; and the opportunity to develop and implement your expertise in an encouraging yet challenging environment

We would particularly welcome applications from people from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic background and from people with a disability; these groups are currently under-represented at senior level, we value diversity within our Trust and are working to achieve equality in our recruitment.

There is a current Government consultation underway which will determine whether some new starters may need to be vaccinated.

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is proud to be part of the Armed Forces Covenant. The Trust currently holds the Bronze Award which underlines the Trust’s commitment to supporting the Armed Forces Community. As an organisation, we are aiming to achieve the next level Silver award, with our sights firmly on Gold.

RESPECT - COMPASSION - TEAMWORK - PROFESSIONALISM

Job overview

This is a key role within our organisation and exciting time to join Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust as we embark on our ePMA journey. The post holder will act as a specialist technician, providing technical support, configuration and testing expertise, and superuser status for the Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration System(s) (ePMAs) utilised at WHT to meeting the needs of the Trust.

Main duties of the job

The post-holder will:

Support the Senior Pharmacy Technician – ePMA in the technical aspects of the development and implementation of the ePMA system (including software and hardware).

Work together with partners such as IT to ensure that the ePMA system is used to support medicines optimisation initiatives.

Support and help provide training for ePMA for all staff groups across the Trust.

Working for our organisation

Walsall Manor houses the full range of district general hospital services under one roof. The £170 million development was completed in 2010 and the continued upgrading of existing areas ensures the Trust now has a state-of-the-art Critical Care Unit, Neonatal Unit, Obstetric Theatre, and Integrated Assessment Unit facilities.

A new Urgent Emergency Care Centre was opened in March 2023. The two-storey development has significantly improved emergency care facilities and capacity and has provided almost 5,000 square metres of additional clinical space.

We are committed to welcoming and making everyone feel valued at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust and embody the Trust's values and behaviours. We promote a culture on based on fairness, respect, honesty and trust with both patients and staff being at the heart of all that we do.

1. To support the implementation, maintenance and future development of the ePMA system, working closely with the Pharmacy ePMA team and Trust ePMA project team.
2. To be a superuser for the ePMA system, developing routine housekeeping of the system to ensure optimal performance and contributing to the development of business continuity plans.
3. To maintain and update drug template files for the ePMA system and implement the required medicine configuration workflows so they are reproducible through testing to provide clinical assurance.
4. Contribute to troubleshooting issues identified by users with the ePMA system , facilitating training where required.
5. To help facilitate improvements in digital literacy for Pharmacy staff in conjunction with the training team in readiness for ePMA implementation.
6. Liaise with medical, nursing, midwifery, allied health professionals and support staff to ensure effective use of ePMA.
7. Test business continuity plans.
8. Produce routine reports to capture and communicate prescribing and administration information of patients to healthcare professionals.
9. Produce ad hoc reports for auditing and other purposes

Person specification

Qualifications

• BTEC and NVQ Level 3 in Pharmaceutical Science or equivalent qualification
• Registration with General Pharmaceutical Council as a practicing Pharmacy Technician
• Accredited Checking Technician
• Evidence of commitment to CPD

Knowledge and Experience

• Evidence of experience of working as a technician in a hospital environment.
• Undertake audits and gather data as a job requirement.
• Knowledge of relational databases.

• Relevant experience in utilising and understanding EPMA systems

Skills and Aptitudes

• Able to work as part of a team.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work in a busy environment to deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure whilst continuing to deliver key targets.
• Ability to work to a high degree of accuracy.

Please note your application will be transferred from the NHS Jobs system to internal Walsall Healthcare Trac System. All correspondence will be sent via Trac

Following our recent CQC visit the Trust was rated as outstanding for care and this has been recognised by NHS Improvement.

** Please Note that this post may be identified as suitable and a preference given for Internal at Risk Employees**

We would particularly welcome applications from people from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic background and from people with a disability; these groups are currently under-represented at senior level, we value diversity within our Trust and are working to achieve equality in our recruitment.

IMPORTANT NOTE ON COMPLETION OF REFERENCE SECTION OF APPLICATION FORM

Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.

Please review the attached Job description and person specification carefully before applying to ensure that you meet the essential job requirements.

Candidates should be aware that, regardless of country of origin, their ability to communicate in written and spoken English to the standard required to carry out the post, will be assessed during the selection process.

Referee email addresses should be provided on your application form.

Following the closing date, if you have not heard from us within 6 weeks you may assume your application has been unsuccessful.

We reserve the right to close this job early. Interested applicants are therefore advised to apply as early as possible.

If a large number of applicants meet the essential criteria then random selection will be applied.

We are committed to operating flexible working practices wherever possible and committed to equal opportunities.