Pharmacy Technician - Wargrave Practice inReading inReading PUBLISHED MON 2 DEC 2024

Depending on experience PERMANENT

Wokingham North PCN rJraoRKA

Opportunity to work within a supportive and committed pharmacy team, enhancing teamwork skills and collaboration.

Involvement in specialist medicines management, allowing for the application of clinical skills and knowledge in real-world scenarios.

Flexibility to work across multiple GP practices, providing diverse experiences and professional growth.

First point of contact for patients with medication queries, enhancing patient interaction and improving communication skills.

Access to clinical supervision and mentorship, fostering continuous professional development.

Engagement in audit and risk stratification activities, contributing to quality improvement and patient safety initiatives.

Participation in the development and implementation of new processes, enabling a proactive approach to improving pharmacy services.

The role of a Pharmacy Technician at Wargrave Practice, part of the Wokingham North Primary Care Network in Reading, involves providing medicines management advice to healthcare professionals and patients while enhancing the efficiency of the prescribing process. The technician will be the first point of contact for patients with medication inquiries and will work collaboratively with Clinical Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians to ensure the safe and cost-effective use of medications. Additional responsibilities include reconciling medications for patients transitioning back to primary care, engaging with high-risk patients to prevent readmissions, and participating in audits to optimize medicine safety.

Candidates should possess strong clinical skills, IT proficiency, and excellent communication and organisational abilities. The position requires the ability to engage effectively with various stakeholders and participate in ongoing training and professional development. Adherence to confidentiality and compliance with health and safety regulations is essential, while the role also emphasises the importance of developing a positive working culture within the pharmacy service.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Pharmacy Technician to join our established Pharmacy Team in the Wokingham North Primary Care Network.

You will be primarily based at Wargrave Surgery, although you may be occasionally asked to work flexibly across our two other Practices, Woodley Centre Surgery and Parkside Surgery. You will work alongside our committed and supportive team of Clinical Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians and be part of a local Pharmacy Network.

We are looking for a motivated and forward-thinking Technician.You will provide specialist medicines management advice to GPs and other health professionals to promote the safe, cost-effective, and high-quality use of medicines in all prescribing decisions. You will be a first point of contact for patients with medication queries. The role also focuses on improving the repeat-prescribing process and relieving clinical workload pressures.

Clinical supervision and mentorship will be provided. We are looking for candidates who are enthusiastic and adaptable to change, with excellent clinical skills and a good level of competence in use of I.T. Candidates should exhibit good organisational skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of healthcare professionals, patients, families, and carers.

About us
Reconcile the medications of patients whose care is transferred back to primary care in a timely and effective manner liaising with patients and other providers to ensure patients receive appropriate medication on discharge
Proactively engage with patients whose care has been transferred to reduce potential readmission including identifying and rectifying unexplained variation
Work with pharmacy service team to develop safe, effective and efficient systems for the repeat prescribing of medication at scale across multiple GP sites
Work with pharmacy service team to develop and implement systems to ensure the effective and continuous supply of medication to high risk patients
Work with pharmacy service team to develop and implement systems to ensure safe and effective management of high risk medication
Work with pharmacy service team to develop and implement changes to medicines in line with MHRA alerts, product withdrawal and other local or national guidance
Provide feedback and seek advice from pharmacist for patients where the post holder has clinical concerns around competence to safely manage their medications
Manage requests to prescribe medication from specialists in line with Berkshire West formulary and locally agreed guidelines
Update patient medication records in line with incoming clinical correspondence
Refer patients to their community pharmacist for support with using their medicines
To provide advice to GPs, staff and patients in changes to prescribing to support the improvement of prescribing safety, quality and cost effectiveness.
To respond to medication queries from patients and staff in a professional manner referring to the appropriate clinician in accordance with protocols and personal and professional boundaries.
Provide support to patients to maximise the benefit from their medication
Provide telephone support for patients with medication queries
Provide professional telephone and written advice and support to patients and their carers
To maintain full and complete records of all patient contacts using appropriate clinical templates and coding
Audit and risk stratification
Participate in audit activities to optimise medicines safety and the use of prescribing resource
Feedback results of clinical audit activities in areas agreed with GP practice and PCN teams
Make recommendations based on the outcomes of audit and shared learning activities
Operational Performance
Work collaboratively to help develop and promote a positive working culture, including involvement in developing, improving and promoting the pharmacy service
Ensure adherence to efficient administrative processes within the pharmacy service
Personal Contribution
Maintain productive relationships encouraging the giving and receiving of regular feedback to create and maintain a culture of constantly seeking to refine and improve the service and learn together
Engagement with patients, internal and external stakeholders
Engage with users of the service to understand peoples experience of the service and to measure levels of satisfaction
Responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development
Responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work
Quality
Effectively manage own time, workload and resources
Support training and development of administrative staff to support pharmacy service in line with protocols and procedures
Work within risk management and health and safety policies and procedures within GP practices and other providers
Adhere to a robust process for recording learning events, complaints, accidents and significant events
To provide support to assist with the development and management of any changes or new processes and systems that need implementing.
To carry out any other appropriate duties as determined by the organisation.
Confidentiality and Data Protection
You may gain knowledge of a highly confidential nature relating to the private affairs, diagnosis and treatment of patients, information affecting members of the public, matters concerning staff and details of items. Under no circumstances should such information be divulged or passed to any unauthorized person. This includes holding conversations with colleagues concerning patients or staff in situations where the conversation may be overheard. All patient identifiable information must be handled in a way that is compliant with the law and respects patients right to privacy and confidentiality at all times. Breaches of confidence will result in disciplinary action which may involve dismissal.
Equal Opportunities
Our policies and practices are designed to ensure equality of opportunity in employment and service delivery. All staff are expected to comply with these policies and practices including but not limited to supporting the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues; acting in a way that recognizes the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with practice procedures and policies, and current legislation; respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues and behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings, priorities and rights
Use of new technology
We will make use of computer technology. Staff should expect to use automated information systems in their work in order to improve quality and co-ordination of services, and to enable faster and more accurate communication within and outside of the organisation.
Health and Safety
All staff have a responsibility to perform their duties in such a way that accidents to themselves and to others are avoided, and to cooperate in maintaining their place of work in a tidy and safe condition, thereby minimising risk. Employees will, therefore, refer any matters of concern through their respective teams. Similarly, it is each persons responsibility to ensure a secure environment and bring any breaches of security to the attention of their managers. All staff are required to abide by all health and safety matters and keep up to date on Health and Safety Regulations and legislation.
Training and Development

All employees have a responsibility to undertake statutory and mandatory training. In accordance with the Training and Development Policy staff are expected to actively participate in the appraisal system and using this process to develop a Personal Development Plan.

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Useful skills for a Pharmacy Technician - Wargrave Practice: Click to view

To work as a Pharmacy Technician in the UK, you need a combination of educational qualifications, technical skills, and interpersonal skills. Here are the key skills and qualifications typically required:

Educational Qualifications:

1. Pharmacy Technician Diploma: You usually need to complete a Level 3 qualification in Pharmacy Services (e.g., BTEC in Pharmacy Services, City & Guilds Diploma).

2. Registration: You must register with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) to practice as a Pharmacy Technician.

Technical Skills:

1. Pharmaceutical Knowledge: A solid understanding of medications, their uses, side effects, and how they interact.

2. Dispensing Skills: Proficiency in accurately dispensing medications and managing prescriptions.

3. Health and Safety: Knowledge of health and safety regulations, particularly related to the handling of medicines.

4. Inventory Management: Skills in managing stock levels, ordering supplies, and keeping accurate records.

5. IT Skills: Competence in using pharmacy management software and other computer systems to maintain patient records and manage stock.

Interpersonal Skills:

1. Communication Skills: Ability to effectively communicate with patients and healthcare professionals. This includes explaining medication usage and addressing patient concerns.

2. Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively within a pharmacy team and with other healthcare providers.

3. Customer Service: Strong skills in providing excellent service to patients and addressing their needs in a respectful and supportive manner.

4. Attention to Detail: Ensuring accuracy in dispensing medications and managing prescriptions.

Other Skills:

1. Problem-Solving: Ability to handle issues that may arise with prescriptions or patient concerns effectively.

2. Empathy: Understanding the needs and concerns of patients, providing them with support and reassurance.

3. Time Management: Balancing various tasks efficiently, particularly in a busy pharmacy environment.

4. Adaptability: Ability to adapt to changes in regulations, medications, and technologies.

Additional Considerations:

- Continued Professional Development: Engaging in ongoing education and training to stay updated with the latest practices and advancements in pharmacy.

- Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with UK pharmaceutical regulations and guidelines.

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51.5014745 -0.8622251 Reading

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