Pharmacy Technician at Northolt PCN in Northolt
About the role
Job summary
Northolt Primary Care Network is looking to recruit a Pharmacy Technician to support Yeading Medical Centre and the wider PCN pharmacy team. This is an exciting opportunity to work in general practice as part of a multidisciplinary team, supporting safe, effective and efficient medicines management for patients.
The successful candidate will work closely with Clinical Pharmacists, GPs, practice staff and other healthcare professionals to improve prescribing processes, support repeat prescribing, reduce medicines waste and help patients get the best from their medicines.
The post is for 15 hours per week on a 15-month fixed-term contract, with the possibility of becoming permanent subject to funding, service needs and satisfactory performance. Applicants must be qualified and registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council as a Pharmacy Technician.
Main duties of the job The Pharmacy Technician will support Clinical Pharmacists and clinicians with medicines optimisation and safe prescribing processes.
Main duties will include processing repeat medication requests, supporting medicines reconciliation after hospital discharge or transfer of care, helping with medication review preparation, supporting shared care protocols, responding to medication queries and escalating complex queries where appropriate.
The post holder will also support prescribing audits, medicines optimisation projects, electronic repeat dispensing, online ordering, accurate medication records and safe prescribing processes within the practice.
The role will involve working with GPs, Clinical Pharmacists, practice teams, community pharmacies and other healthcare professionals to support safe and effective patient care.
About us
Northolt Primary Care Network is made up of 6 GP practices working together to improve services for patients in the Northolt area. Yeading Medical Centre is one of the practices within Northolt PCN.
The practice and PCN are committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care, improving access to services, reducing health inequalities and supporting better outcomes for our local population.
The Pharmacy Technician will be part of a supportive multidisciplinary team and will work closely with Clinical Pharmacists, GPs, nurses, care coordinators, social prescribing link workers and administrative staff. We are looking for someone who is professional, reliable, organised and keen to develop within a primary care setting.
Job description
Job
responsibilities
The post holder will work with Clinical Pharmacists, GPs and practice staff to support safe and effective medicines management across Yeading Medical Centre and Northolt Primary Care Network.
Key responsibilities include: Process repeat prescription requests in line with agreed practice and PCN protocols. Support the conversion of appropriate acute medication requests to repeat medicines where agreed and clinically appropriate.
Support synchronisation of medicines for patients, particularly where patients are transferring between care settings. Support medicines reconciliation following hospital discharge, outpatient letters or other transfer of care information.
Support Clinical Pharmacists and clinicians with structured medication reviews by preparing relevant information and arranging required monitoring. Manage and support shared care protocols, escalating complex patients to the Clinical Pharmacist or GP.
Respond to medication queries from patients, carers, community pharmacies and practice staff, within competency. Escalate clinical, complex or high-risk medication queries to the Clinical Pharmacist or GP. Maintain accurate medication records on the practice clinical system, including advice given and actions taken.
Support medicines optimisation, prescribing quality and cost-effective prescribing initiatives. Assist with prescribing audits, searches, data analysis and improvement work. Support the promotion and maintenance of Electronic Repeat Dispensing and online ordering.
Help reduce medicines waste by supporting efficient ordering and repeat prescribing processes. Support practice reception and administrative teams with appropriate prescription request processes. Support the implementation of national and local prescribing guidance within the practice.
Support the PCN and practice with Quality and Outcomes Framework, enhanced services, CQC-related medicines processes and local medicines optimisation work. Develop and maintain effective working relationships with community pharmacies, secondary care, mental health services and other healthcare professionals.
Maintain confidentiality and information governance standards at all times. Work within professional boundaries, competence and GPhC standards. Undertake training and continuing professional development as required.
The post holder must work within their own competency at all times and seek advice or escalate where appropriate.
Person Specification
Additional Essential Good understanding of medicines management and medicines optimisation. Understanding of safe prescribing processes and the importance of working within competency. Good communication skills with patients, carers and colleagues.
Good attention to detail and accuracy. Ability to follow protocols and standard operating procedures. Ability to manage workload and prioritise tasks.
Good IT skills. Understanding of confidentiality and information governance. Professional, reliable and organised.
Able to work independently and as part of a team. Patient-focused approach. Able to escalate concerns appropriately.
Desirable Understanding of QOF, CQC and primary care enhanced services. Understanding of local prescribing guidance and cost-effective prescribing. Awareness of health inequalities and patient-centred care.
Experience Essential Experience working as a qualified Pharmacy Technician in primary care, community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy or another relevant healthcare setting. Experience of handling medication queries. Experience of working with prescriptions and medicines processes.
Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team. Desirable Experience working in a GP practice or Primary Care Network. Experience using GP clinical systems such as SystmOne or EMIS.
Experience supporting medication reviews, discharge reconciliation or prescribing audits. Experience with Electronic Prescription Service and repeat dispensing processes.
Qualifications
Essential BTEC/NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification in Pharmaceutical Science. Current professional registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council as a Pharmacy Technician. Evidence of continuing professional development.
Desirable Additional medicines optimisation, primary care or accuracy checking qualification. Training or experience in general practice or PCN pharmacy services.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
