Higher Level Pharmacy Technician - Oncology
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
The post holder will be an integral part of the Medicine Optimisation team working in the Oncology/ Haematology Team alongside the Pharmacists, and a range of health care professionals.
They will work seamlessly between primary and secondary care and link with a range of healthcare professionals to optimise concordance and compliance with prescribed medication. To practice as a mentor in all areas of competence, in line with The Pharmacy Development Mentor training.
This post requires a Disclosing & Barring Services (DBS) check
Main duties of the job
Medicine Optimisation duties:
- Work closely with pharmacists and ward staff to ensure patients are able to derive the maximum benefit from prescribed medication
- Assess compliance with medication and any other factors related to medication which may lead to readmission
- To provide skilled pharmaceutical counselling to patients in order to improve concordance and compliance with medicines and to reduce risks from medication related events.
- To check patient’s own medicines on admission for suitability for use within the Trust and to alert the ward pharmacist of any discrepancies between this medication and the prescription chart
- To obtain accurate patient medication histories, using the appropriate sources, including external Healthcare Professionals, the patient and/or carers.
- To provide professional pharmaceutical advice to relevant health care professionals and patients regarding safe, appropriate and cost-effective use of medicines and medicinal products.
- To reduce the risk of missed medications and critical medication incidents by identifying and actioning supply of ongoing prescriptions from the Dispensary and Aseptic Dispensing Unit.
- To counsel patients and/or their carers on the use of medicines and to ensure that patients have appropriate supplies of medication at the time of discharge
- To liaise with the nursing staff concerning the use of medicines and to advise on the safe and secure storage of medicines at ward level
Working for our organisation
We employ around 6,000 staff who deliver compassionate care from our two main hospitals, Calderdale Royal Hospital and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary as well as in community sites, health centres and in patients’ homes.
We are continuing to modernise and invest in our health services to build on our strong reputation. Foundation trusts are public leaders in improving quality in health services. They are part of the NHS – yet decisions about what they do and how they do it are driven by independent boards.Boards listen to their Membership Council and respond to the needs of their members – patients, staff and the local community. Foundation trusts provide what the health service wants, yet are also free to invest quickly in the changes to the local community needs, in striving to be the best, and in putting their patients first
Detailed job description and main responsibilities- 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 Higher level Pharmacy 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 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, some of which may be of a complex nature and need analysis, and make judgements concerning availability of non-formulary medicines informing the relevant senior member of staff if necessary
Person specification
QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING
Essential criteria- BTEC/NVQ level 3 in Pharmacy services, including underpinning knowledge, or other equivalent qualification recognised by the General Pharmaceutical Council
- Registered Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council
- Accredited Checking Technician
- Willingness to undertake any training or development relevant to the role
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
- Calm and professional manner under pressure
- Good oral and written communication skills
- Good problem-solving skills
- Self-motivated
- Demonstratable commitment to CPD
- Basic audit skills
- Computer literate
COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS (INCLUDING MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES)
Essential criteria- Able to work on own or as part of a team
- Good training and supervisory skills
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.