Detailed job description and main responsibilities

·       Medicine Optimisation duties:

·         Work closely with pharmacists and ward staff to ensure patients are able to derive the maximum benefit from prescribed medication

·         To assist Senior Education and Training Pharmacy Technician by mentoring a range of staff in line with the Medicine Optimisation Framework

·         Assess compliance with medication and any other factors related to medication which may lead to readmission

·         Identify and action any compliance issues or factors which may lead to readmission, to arrange follow ups and referrals where appropriate

·         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 promote concepts of self-care with patients, significant others, and healthcare professionals in respect to medicines and medicines concordance

·         Working partnership with the patient, carers and relatives to reflect patient choice, to support self-care

·         To develop and maintain excellent working relationships with the appropriate healthcare professionals and other agencies in primary and secondary care

·         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, facilitating medicines reconciliation. Identify and refer any discrepancies to Pharmacist

·         To identify and prioritise those patients who need to be seen by a pharmacist

·         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 identify and address medicine risk issues by applying principles of Clinical Governance, Medicines Management and Controls Assurance.

·         To arrange for a supply of any shortfall in medication in conjunction with the Ward Pharmacist

·         To arrange supplies of newly prescribed medication, ensuring all prescriptions have been clinically checked by a pharmacist before supply

·         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 support Trust initiatives for the rapid and efficient discharge of patients through effective discharge planning, liaising with key staff, checking transcription and managing supply

·         To work with the Discharge Lounge and Discharge Planning team service in the timely discharge of patients

·         To complete annual validation to demonstrate competence in line with regional and local framework for Medicine Management Technician, including CPPE assessments and regional Mentor database

·         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 counsel patients and/or their carers on Anticoagulation Therapy and work with other Healthcare professionals to reduce associated risks

·         To document in Patients notes outcomes of counselling in line with Trust procedures

·         To liaise with community pharmacies and GPs if patients use Monitored Dosage Systems

·         To assist in determining patient suitability for self-administration of medicines or use of Monitored Dosage Systems

·         To utilise TTO stocks of medication at ward level, as per departmental procedure

·         To ensure that patients are transferred to other wards with appropriate supplies of medication and any relevant information to the appropriate ward pharmacist

·         To ensure that adequate levels of stock medicines are available on the wards and to liaise with the ward managers, ward pharmacists and Pharmacy Stores regarding stock levels and changes

·         To ensure effective communication between the wards, Pharmacy department and other healthcare professionals, enabling a more responsive pharmaceutical service

·         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

·         To work near the patient, dispensing and accuracy checking from mobile units on wards to support discharge turnaround times and patient counselling at the point of discharge

·         To co-operate in the safe operation and development of IT systems at ward level and to enhance the Medicine Management service

·         To assist and be involved with new areas of pharmaceutical involvement at ward level

·         To contribute to the efficient use of the drug budget through effective medicines management at ward level, including the monitoring of problems and adherence to the Trusts Medicines Formulary 

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 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