Job description

Are you a Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician due to qualify and register or a registered Pharmacy Technician?We would welcome applications and would offer a band 4 to band 5 progression post until competencies and accuracy checking qualifications are complete.Are you confident, forward-thinking, and looking for a new challenge? Why not consider joining our clinical pharmacy team? You will be front and centre, talking with patients across our wards/departments, giving you a great opportunity to be a part of the delivery of treatments in oncology.

We are currently looking to recruit highly motivated, enthusiastic pharmacy technicians to join our Trust pharmacy team to work alongside a multi-disciplinary team in providing a high-quality service to patients and colleagues.

Part time and job share will be considered.

You will make an impact, be challenged to think differently, be bold and help innovate to keep improving services. Everything we do centres around patient care which means your role is pivotal and something really to be proud of. If you are keen to make a positive contribution to the care of our patients, are enthusiastic, self- motivated and willing to learn new skills, we would like to hear from you.

You will work closely with other members of our multi-disciplinary teams to ensure that Christie patients have access to the very latest developments in oncology and haematology medicines. You will be responsible for pharmacy technician clinical pharmacy services on designated wards, working within our innovative clinical pharmacy team to ensure a high quality, patient–focused clinical pharmacy and medicines supply service to oncology patients which will help you to enhance your skills, knowledge, and experience to support your future career development. You will support the satellite dispensary when required, including dispensing and accuracy checking of medication and facilitating medication requirements for chemotherapy patients on Oak Road Treatment Centre and haematology day case units. Other responsibilities within this role include controlled drug returns, monitoring and replenishment of pharmacy resuscitation boxes and support within the Homecare service.

You will be a strong team player with effective interpersonal, communication and organisational skills as well as a keen interest and enthusiasm for patient focussed services and continual improvement.

The post holder will be based at the Christie Withington site, however, may be required to undertake roles and responsibilities at the Christie at Macclesfield site.

Working with us gives you the knowledge and sense of pride that every activity you do genuinely does make a difference to support our patients and staff, ensuring we keep thriving and delivering outstanding healthcare right across the organisation.

You will have access to varied development opportunities, learn new skills, meet wonderful people, and do things you may never have done. You will learn about working in a hospital environment, interacting with people from all different roles to build skills and enhance your career path. We are focused on your future, working together to make the clinical pharmacy team the best place to work.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• To participate, and be responsible for, pharmacy technician based clinical pharmacy services on designated wards in partnership with the ward pharmacist to ensure a high quality, patient–focused clinical pharmacy and medicines supply service to oncology patients is delivered.
• To contribute to the service delivery within the day case units including oncology solid tumours, haematology, and ambulatory care initiatives.
• To ensure each patient is assessed on admission regarding medicines management, taking a complete and accurate medication history.
• Rotation onto the Acute Assessment Unit providing a medicines optimisation role.
• To participate in the assessment of patients for the self-medication scheme in accordance with local policy.
• To provide a weekly top up service for patients on designated wards to ensure continuous supply of medication.
• To be responsible and assist the ward pharmacist in ensuring and organising the efficient supply of medication during the patient’s stay in hospital and on discharge from the hospital including assessing suitability of medication for discharge.
• To be proactive in the discharge planning process and liaise with the ward pharmacist and other healthcare professionals to ensure prescriptions are processed and delivered to the patients in a timely manner.
• To counsel patients and their carers to ensure greater understanding of their medication including its safe use and side effects.
• To undertake all clinical duties in accordance with standard operating procedure and all local, Trust and national guidelines.
• Ensure good team working and communication between pharmacy staff, ward pharmacist, ward staff and medical staff on behalf of the patients.
• To deal with queries from patients and all healthcare professionals in a friendly and courteous manner.
• To assist in maintaining optimal stock levels of medication on all ward areas.
• To participate in the training and supervision of pharmacy assistants in the ordering, maintenance, and delivery of stock for wards and departments within the Trust.
• To assist in the training, induction and supervision of staff involved in ward-based technician services including pre-registration trainee pharmacy technicians, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy assistants, pre-registration pharmacists and new members of staff.
• To complete yearly Personal Development Reviews for staff including pre-registration trainee pharmacy technicians, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy assistants.
• To provide pharmacy technician cover at Christie @ sites as required.
• To contribute to the regular review and development of the clinical service.
• To demonstrate awareness and commitment to the Trust’s Clinical & Research Governance agenda and to implement agreed clinical & research governance initiatives.
• To participate in departmental, Trust and National risk management schemes such as error reporting systems and intervention monitoring.
• To assist in clinical audit or practice research as required.
• To provide annual leave/absence cover for other clinical pharmacy technicians in their duties.
• To undertake general dispensary duties in accordance with standard operating procedures in line with the clinical needs of ward patients.
• To participate in the development of the satellite pharmacy service on Oak Road Treatment Centre.
• To support the satellite dispensary when required and facilitate the medication requirements for chemotherapy patients.
• To provide dispensing and accuracy checking duties within the satellite pharmacy.
• To coordinate medication requirements for haematology and ambulatory care day case units.
• To support the monitoring and replenishment of the resuscitation boxes within the Trust.
• To support the cyclical medication and homecare services when required.
• To support the Christie at Home service when required.
• To assess, record and return expired ward controlled drug stock and patients own controlled drugs for destruction to the dispensary.
• To contribute to any investigation at ward level regarding anomalies or discrepancies with controlled drug stock or patients own controlled drugs, stored on the ward/department or any other medication related incidents as appropriate.
• To liaise with the Chief Clinical Pharmacy Technician when further investigation is required regarding controlled drug incidents or any other medication related incidents if the initial investigation is not resolved.
• To be an accredited accuracy checking technician and to support the satellite dispensary as required.
• To be fully aware of the COSHH regulations particularly regarding the safe storage and handling of pharmaceutical products.
• To participate in Continuing Professional Development ensuring relevant knowledge and skills are up to date, meeting the professional requirements of the General Pharmaceutical Council. To participate in mandatory training in line with Trust and departmental requirements.
• To participate in all department rotas including the extended opening hours of the department rota, weekend service and Bank Holiday working as requested.
• To always behave in a manner that is in accordance with the professional standards set by the General Pharmaceutical Council.
• Undertake all other related duties which may be required in accordance with the changing needs and practices of the department and organisation.