Detailed job description and main responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

To co-operate in the provision of patient focused pharmaceutical care with emphasis on the technical aspects of ordering, dispensing, issuing, distribution and stock control of medicines.

Band 4 Pharmacy Technicians participate in rotations in dispensary, controlled drug dispensing, ward drug safety checks, aseptics and supporting the homecare technician in homecare prescription management.

Band 5 Pharmacy Technicians – in addition to band 4 duties - participate in rotations in dispensary, ward based duties including medicines reconciliation, patient counselling, and TTO teach back. Ward based duties cover wards at LHCH and SLA sites.

Both Band 4 and 5 pharmacy technicians based in the dispensary are required to dispense and check prescriptions. Checking is dependant on the checking qualification held and additional training and/or competencies might be required to meet the standards of the BTEC Professional Diploma in Dispensing Checking.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Ø  CLINICAL                              

·   To dispense medicines from the dispensary to a diverse range of patients in correctly labelled and appropriate containers in a timely manner according to the standard operating procedures and the Medicines Act 1968.

·         To raise, amend and send orders to suppliers and receive stock into the department and then to enter the appropriate records into the computer and ensure the goods are stored correctly.

·         To communicate with nursing staff and other health professionals within the training and experience of a technician referring to a pharmacist if necessary.

·         To communicate with patients on wards and in the department providing advice on their medication, ensuring confidentiality at all times.

·         Under the supervision of a pharmacist, advise and recommend products to customers wishing to purchase over the counter medication, following completion of training package and competency assessment

·         To assist medical and nursing staff with drug information queries acknowledging the limitations of ones training and expertise.

·   To check for prescribing errors within the limits compatible with technician training and to bring to the attention of the supervising pharmacist.

·         To carry out, monitor and check the ordering, dispensing, issuing, distribution and stock control of medicines on designated wards and departments within the Trust in accordance with the standard operating procedures.

·         To participate in practise Research and Clinical Audit projects.

·         To participate in out of hours, bank holidays and weekend provision of a pharmaceutical service.

·         To participate in Clinical Trial dispensing, following the procedure for each trial and maintaining appropriate records.

·         To participate in the issuing, receipt and stock control of Controlled Drugs in accordance with the departmental standard operating procedures and the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

·         To dispense, order and maintain records for unlicensed drugs according to departmental procedures and to liaise with Regional Quality Control to determine suitability for use when necessary.

·         To ensure that procedures are carried out in accordance with safe systems of work in Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital and those regulations in respect of the Health and Safety at Work Act, COSHH and other legislation are complied with.

·         To participate in ensuring the emergency cupboard and emergency arrest boxes are fully stocked according to current departmental procedures.

·         To participate in collecting prescription charges from patients and issuing receipts/invoices where necessary, liaising with finance when necessary in order to balance the cash from the pharmacy till.

·         To participate in organising the transport of drugs to patients at home and to clarify the urgency of the delivery.

·         To use current technology correctly to make appropriate records and to undertake extra training as required.

·         To maintain and develop the pharmacy computer system in conjunction with the computer systems managers.

·         To participate and contribute in pharmacy meetings and to support the Pharmacy Business Plan.

·         To carry out appropriate actions in response to drug alerts issued by the MHRA and the National CAS system.

·         To participate in the management of returned pharmaceuticals, to dispose of safely when not fit for return and to complete stock checks in accordance with departmental procedures.

·         Process registration documents, prescriptions, orders & invoices for homecare services to ensure that patients receive their medicines in a timely manner.

·         Maintain a database of prescriptions sent to homecare providers.

·         Support colleagues within the Trust to produce legal and timely prescriptions for homecare medicines.

Ø  Band 5 Duties (in addition to band 4 duties)

·         To carry out a ward based pharmaceutical technician service to designated ward areas (both LHCH and SLA wards) which will include the following:

o   Ensuring patients own drugs are suitable for use, including checking that the labelling is suitable, the correct drug is present, the container is appropriate and that the drugs are still within their expiry date.

o   Monitor and develop systems of dispensing to wards.

o   Ensure sufficient supplies are present on the ward and re-supply if necessary.

o   Alert pharmacist to any potential prescribing errors or problems relating to patients own drugs.

o   Reviewing patients EPR/case notes if necessary or checking GP records to clarify patient’s drug history, including performing and documenting medicines reconciliation.

o   Removing unwanted or discontinued medicines from the wards and disposing of appropriately in line with the standard operating procedures and COSHH.

o   Providing advice on safe administration and monitoring of Amiodarone/Warfarin/DOAC’s to patients who have been newly prescribed Amiodarone/Warfarin and DOAC’s.

o   To perform TTO teach back with patients being discharged from hospital.

·         To produce reports for use by pharmacy staff

Ø  MANAGERIAL/LEADERSHIP

·     To help co-ordinate junior technical staff, student technicians and ATO’s as necessary.

·     To identify problems during the ordering process and bring these to the attention of a more senior member of staff.

·     To cover for Assistant Technical Officers during periods of absence as necessary.

·     To distribute and monitor controlled stationery, including the stock control of such.

          Band 5 duties

·         To deputise for certain aspects of the work of the Senior Technicians during periods of absence

Ø  EDUCATION AND TRAINING

o   To participate in student technician, trainee pharmacist, new pharmacist and new technician training as required.

o   Participate in the counselling of patients on the use of their drugs and any devices required to deliver those drugs in order to improve drug compliance.

• • To keep up to date with all mandatory training.