Higher Level Pharmacy Technician - Worthing, United Kingdom - University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Description

Job summary

You will need strong communication skills, drive, enthusiasm and team working for this role at UHSussex. Accuracy checking and medicines management accreditations are essential for this role.

We are looking for a technician who can "think outside the box" and who have the drive and ambition to "make a difference to patient care".

Our Pharmacy department is a friendly and progressive department who are extremely compassionate about staff engagement, culture and Improvement. We welcome those that are patient-focused and want to deliver a high-quality clinical service.

The department embraces IT innovations, we have a well-established full EPMA system for all adult and paediatric inpatients and the majority of outpatients clinics, robotic dispensing, prescription tracking system, and electronic discharges.

You will be actively contributing to the implementation of the Pharmacy Clinical Services strategy, striving for excellence to provide the highest standards of care for our patients.

Our ward-based technician posts rotate between Medicine, Surgery and Emergency Floor participating in drug history taking, medicines reconciliation, counselling, cost improvement projects, audit work and contribute to the training of nursing and pharmacy staff. The clinical service also supports near patient dispensing, early patient discharges and contributes to improving patient flow initiatives.

Main duties of the job

To provide a comprehensive pharmacy service to the patients of University Hospitals Sussex.

To work as part of the clinical pharmacy team, providing medicines optimisation service to wards.

To work as part of the pharmacy team, providing designated time to perform final accuracy checks on prescriptions within the main pharmacy department and on pharmacy hubs at ward level.

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job responsibilities

Communications and relationship skills:

Build and maintain good working relationships with other members of the pharmacy clinical team, pharmacy department, ward staff and health care professionals.

Work as part of the clinical team in delivering clinical services to wards.

Build and maintain good communication skills with University Hospitals Sussex partners including primary care and other hospitals.

Effectively deal with pharmacy related queries or refer to the appropriate member of staff as appropriate.

Build and maintain good communication skills with patients, their families and carers

Analytical and Judgemental skills:

To assist in the delivery of training to pharmacy staff for medicines optimisation processes, including assessing competence of pharmacy staff (Pre-registration student technician, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy assistants and pre-registration pharmacists).

To undertake medicines reconciliations for patients, assess patients own drugs, and deliver patient counselling, reporting on identified issues or concerns regarding compliance and adherence as necessary.

Planning and Organisational skills:

Participate in organising the weekly rota for clinical technicians, assistants and students.

Participate in running the daily reports and organising workload for the clinical technician and assistant team.

To act as Educational Supervisor for any pharmacy staff undertaking medicines optimisation qualifications, or completing a rotation within the clinical department.

To work as part of the clinical pharmacy team, providing medicines optimisation service to wards.

To work as part of the pharmacy team, providing designated time to perform final accuracy checks on prescriptions within the main pharmacy department and on pharmacy hubs at ward level.

Liaise with the clinical pharmacy team daily to ensure best prioritisation of work load.

Patient/Client Care:

Protect and maintain patient confidentiality at all times

To organise medication arrangements for the most complex patients including medication counselling.

To link with external organisations as necessary to provide safe ongoing care for patients on admission and on discharge; particularly where medication regimes are complex or have been changed, or for patients on high risk medicines.

To promote safe practice in the prescribing and administration of medication at ward level.

Policy and Service Development Implementation:

To comply with and promote all policies, procedures and official directives pertaining to the post and to promote the highest standards of professional practice and safe working procedures.

To work in accordance with the Trusts True North objectives.

To assist in the development, monitoring and maintenance of clinical services provided.

Financial and Physical Development (Inc. equipment, stock etc.):

To have an awareness of the value of medicinal products and the need for cost-effective

To participate as appropriate with projects or initiatives pertaining to Cost Improvement

Programmes

To encourage use of patients own drugs during admission and document patients own supply at home to minimise unnecessary dispensing and assist in the reduction of medicines waste.

Human Resources (Inc. developing and delivering training):

To be committed to further education

To assist with the in-service education and training of staff within the clinical pharmacy

team and with the Trust as a whole.

To assist in the supervision and direction of students undertaking medicines reconciliation rotations and accreditations or placements.

To act as an accredited Educational Supervisor as required for Medicines Optimisation accreditations.

Information Resources:

To be competent with the use of the Trusts Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (EPMA) JAC System.

To maintain appropriate systems of record keeping and retention according to the needs of the service and Trust policy.

To be competent in using Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel,

PowerPoint)

Research and Development:

Participate in the departments strategy deployment projects to improve services and processes within the Trust.

Participate in audits and surveys to measure the quality and effectiveness of the pharmacy services and patient safety initiatives provided to University Hospitals Sussex.

Professional (not included in any of the above factors):

To maintain personal and professional development in order to make the optimum contribution to the pharmacy service.

To maintain current registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council, ensuring professional standards are maintained at all times.

To participate in local rota arrangements for covering on call (if included), late clinics and weekend and Bank Holiday duties.

To undertake any other appropriate duties as may be requested by the Technician Team Leader and Associate Heads of Pharmacy, Clinical Services.

To attend such courses, study days and meetings that are mandatory for all staff and others considered relevant to the post.

Please see Job Description and Person Specification for full details.

Essential/Desirable

Essential

Desirable

Equality, Diversity & inclusion

Essential