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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

RESPONSIBILITIES

1.    COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS

The scope of communication is diverse and can be at all levels within the Trust and to a significant degree with specific defined external organisations. The post holder will provide or receive complex, sensitive information, requiring tact or persuasive skills., Barriers to change and difference in opinion e.g. resistance to digitalisation, complexity of system learning requirements, understanding across a diverse and varied workforce where English may be a second language. Regular communication is required with the following individuals and groups: 

Members of the pharmacy senior management team 
Lead Clinical Pharmacists e.g. to discuss EPMA progress and individualisation required for clinical areas
Pharmacy Technician section leads
Prescribers and ward staff involved in medicines administration
EPMA Project team and Lead Pharmacist for EPMA
Other IT team members supporting project implementation
Senior clinical staff and managers at Trust-wide meetings/events
System supplier and any linked system developments

2. PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Develop self and contribute to the development of others
To identify and agree objectives for own professional development which reflect local and national service needs.
To maintain and develop own knowledge skills in EPMA, linked system use, system developments and reporting functionality.
To use effective prioritisation, problem solving and delegation skills to manage  time effectively

As a practising Pharmacy technician:
1.    Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills are required to:
To define and support change in pharmacy and medicines operating processes on an end to end basis (Prescribing to administration).
To counsel patients and carers about their medicines and treatment. Medicines information may need to be translated into simple language appropriate for the individual.
To negotiate with or influence colleagues on the ward, within the project team and  pharmacy in order to achieve desired outcomes. 
To be an identified interface between pharmacy, the EPMA project team and service users (at ward and departmental level) to aid system rollout and effectiveness.
To interpret prescriptions for drug problems such as drug dosage, form and administration. Considers legality, clarity and risk associated with prescribed medicines and prescriptions and makes interventions to ensure safety.
2.    Contributes to the planning, development, and implementation of systems to ensure effective medicines management associated with patient safety, with awareness of the  influences affecting the provision of pharmaceutical services. 

ANALYTICAL AND JUDGEMENT SKILLS

Analyses and interprets ordersets, linked orders, drug entries and relevant EPMA configuration and system data etc. to ensure legality, validity, accuracy and resolves those issues within professional boundaries.
To reduce the risk of medication error by ensuring any relevant policies/procedures are followed and safe systems are in place for the selection, prescribing, ordering and administration of medicines as applying to EPMA system development.
To be responsible for ensuring that errors in any stage of the medicine use process are investigated and any remedial action is implemented as necessary. 
To have extensive technical knowledge and skills to carry out or instruct others in the dispensing of prescriptions, including unlicensed drugs, controlled drugs, in-patient & outpatient prescriptions in accordance with the agreed procedures.
To integrate with IT and ward based teams to provide efficient and effective medicines understanding and systems knowledge of the EPMA solution.
To contribute to the delivery of efficient services at all points in the pharmacy supply chain. 
To help maintain pharmacy aspects of the EPMA risk register and provide input in conjunction with the Lead EPMA Pharmacist on prioritisation and escalation of critical issues.

PLANNING AND ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS
To co-ordinate activities with other groups and staff especially that pertaining to work in relationship to EPMA system development and implementation.
To effectively create and update workplans to deliver Pharmacy aspects of the EPMA project within the requisite timeframes and within budget
To articulate barriers and opportunities for efficiency in workplan progress, engaging with the EPMA lead pharmacist and the project team to raise risks where appropriate.
Work to provide and implement solutions for identified barriers in conjunction with others.
To be responsible for ensuring that the principles of patient and wide staff engagement are adhered to and to ensure mechanisms are in place to obtain feedback, implement lessons learnt, and share good practice throughout the organisation. 

PATIENT CARE

Management duties:
To actively support the development and delivery program requirements of the EPMA Project Board and Steering group.
To undertake risk management and clinical governance activities and contribute towards the delivery of the appropriate quality standards and targets outlined in the Trust’s Quality agenda
To assist in the recognition of risks and change in risk profile that occurs with use of electronic prescribing, with particular attention to those risks that may have patient impact.

As a practicing pharmacy technician:
To undertake a clinical role where required to ensure efficient and effective delivery of medicines management and optimum patient care in accordance with departmental procedures. 
Where required to undertake a technical role as either an ACPT or senior technician who can identify and prioritise working activity of team members and undertake complex tasks including delivery of Clinical Trial or Controlled drug supplies.
To contribute to the delivery of efficient services at all points in the pharmacy supply chain 
To be an identifiable interface between pharmacy and service users across the trust to aid in the communication and efficient service provision.
To be available to participate in weekend / extended pharmacy services and relevant bank holiday arrangements.

POLICY AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT
To implement policies within own area of responsibility and propose policy or service change that impacts across the Trust.
Whilst working with others, to recommend actions which deliver Trust wide compliance with national and local policy relating to medicines management and patient safety.  To support complex change throughout the area of responsibility, in line with Trust wide strategy or locally developed policy.
To provide feedback on procedures and policies and discuss with appropriate person(s) any changes that would benefit the medicines management process.
In conjunction with the EPMA Lead pharmacist to define new and replace existing procedures to optimise the quality and safety of an EPMA system
To follow trust procedures related to approval, assurance, governance and review for new policy and procedure development and implementation.
To support the development of policies and procedures relating to medicines management, both internal and external to Pharmacy. 
To identify, develop and implement audit activity in pharmacy or other systems relevant to EPMA development and utilization.

FREEDOM TO ACT

To be responsible to the EPMA Lead Pharmacist and EPMA Project board who set the parameters and objectives for the post and will assess delivery on targets
To work with a wide range of pharmacy, healthcare, IT and external company staff to ensure the safe and successful delivery of the Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration project.
To manage data collection for the purpose of demonstrating performance against key indicators
To analyse, interpret and present data (e.g. EPMA uptake, prescribing changes with electronic systems, design new extracts or reporting) either verbally, via written reports or formal presentations
To work with other senior managers within Pharmacy to identify areas affected by EPMA systems for development and improvement and, where appropriate, to be responsible for implementation and delivery of change
As a practicing Pharmacy Technician, to be responsible and accountable for own actions, working independently within the Pharmacy Technicians’ Code of Ethics, all procedures, policies and other guidance provided by the Trust; to manage own day to day workload independently and be aware of own limitations within this process.
To support the work of other senior technical staff, undertaking relevant duties as required e.g. providing cover.  Whilst deputising, the post holder will have the authority and autonomy to ensure day to day organisational effectiveness of the area being covered.

 
LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT

Plan, deliver and review interventions to enable people to learn and develop
Influence the development of knowledge, ideas and work practice 

Other

Any other duties as may reasonably be allocated by the EPMA Lead Pharmacist or Senior Pharmacy Team
Maintain a Continuing Professional Development portfolio and maintain personal knowledge and skills in line with developments in Pharmacy practice

On-Call and Weekend Duties

Participate in weekend and extended hours services and statutory holiday duties on rota with other pharmacy technicians.
These duties may be replaced with EPMA specific requirements including floor walking and ward based support during rollout periods.