Pharmacy Technician - Band 5 Adult Assessment Unit (AAU) & Older Person Assessment Liaison (OPA[...] in Harlow

This role is a key part of the Pharmacy team on AAU and OPAL, the first part of the inpatient journey for patients admitted into the hospital from the Emergency Department at The Princess Alexandra Hospital.

Main duties of the job

• To work as part of the Pharmacy and multidisciplinary team to provide an effective pharmacy service to patients on AAU and OPAL in line with local and national objectives.
• To work, as an Accredited Checking Technician/Medicine Management Technician, completing Clinical Checks and counselling patients with their medicines.
• Work as part of the pharmacy team on the assessment unit to provide a 7‑day pharmacy service as per agreed shift pattern.
• Provide Pharmacy support to Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) unit.
• Support the transition of care of patients from the assessment unit to other wards.
• To provide excellent patient care through direct patient‑facing activities.
• To support the Pharmacy team with dispensing and accuracy checking duties.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Prioritise the work at ward level and work with the dispensary to meet deadlines.
• Liaise daily with ward staff to determine new admissions to ward.
• Visit new admissions and check, for use, patients’ own drugs.
• Check patients’ own medications and assess their suitability for use following set criteria.
• Liaise with Pharmacist, to ensure all charts are clinically validated, including new patients and newly written items.
• Transcribe in‑patient, stock items and ‘one‑stop’ dispensed items; ensure validation is carried out by the pharmacist.
• Counsel patients, ensure patient is counselled on the appropriate use of each new medication prescribed and discharge medication, following criteria, refer to the pharmacist if necessary.
• Endorse drug chart against set criteria.
• Participate in Drug History Taking following set criteria.
• Liaise with ward staff/doctors regarding patient discharge planning.
• Ensure each patient has at least 14 days To Take Away (TTA) medication for discharge.
• Clinically pre‑screen prescriptions, following clinical accreditation and feedback to pharmacist, highlighting any safety concerns.
• Ensure effective and accurate communications with clinical pharmacists regarding concerns and discrepancies.
• Assist in the provision of seamless care by providing pharmaceutical information to other healthcare workers and patients.
• Organise stock and non‑stock provision, including Controlled Drug supply.
• Assist in Self Medication Schemes as needed.
• Assist and advise in the use of compliance aids, against set criteria.
• Undertake specific project/audit work as agreed by the Pharmacy Department.
• Write Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and other policies and procedures and contribute to the updating of existing SOPs.

Other duties

• Maintain stock control and stock rotation on AAU, SDEC & OPAL.
• Follow all standard operating procedures (SOPs) accurately.
• Maintain a clean and tidy working environment.
• Maintain accurate manual and computer records.
• ‘House‑keeping’ duties.
• Ensure disposal of pharmaceutical waste in all areas is carried out according to SOPs.
• Assist in the training of Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officers, Student Medical Technical Officers and Trainee Pharmacists.
• Ensure any problems with prescriptions are referred on to the most appropriate member of staff, where necessary.
• Ensure action for drug/drug‑related recalls is carried out in accordance with SOPs.
• Ensure professional and legal standards are adhered to.
• All work will be checked by a pharmacist and/or designated staff in accordance with SOPs, except for areas covered by a competency framework agreed by the Chief Pharmacist.
• Contribute to the updating of existing SOPs.
• Participate in ACPT Checking Rota for dispensary to maintain checking numbers.
• To follow all Health and Safety standards in compliance with Trust policies and procedures (including): Report all accidents, incidents and near misses. Dealing with hazardous chemicals (including cytotoxic drugs) used in the department, following COSHH regulations. Attendance of all mandatory training.
• To be registered and maintain registration, as a Pharmacy Technician, with the General Pharmaceutical Council, and to act in accordance with the code of ethics.
• The post holder agrees to participate in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) including further training and learning in order to develop the knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes and values to become competent in the duties described. This will include the Regional Technician Self Development Scheme, the Regional Accredited Technician Checking Scheme, Counselling and Medicine Management Regional Accreditation.

Systems & Equipment

• Pharmacy stock control system
• Pharmacy Prescription Tracking system
• Microsoft Office
• PAH staff Alexnet
• Datix incident reporting
• Multifunctional printers
• Automated drug storage and dispensing system
• Personal protective equipment provided
• Mobile dispensing carts

Decisions & Judgements

• The post holder is required to escalate in situations that are out with the trust process, agreed procedures or nationally agreed terms and conditions.
• The post holder uses professional and specialist knowledge to provide complex information so it is understood.
• The post holder is required to prioritise their own work effectively in a busy and often pressurised environment.
• The post holder will abide by the General Pharmaceutical Council’s Standards of Conduct, Ethics and Performance.

Communications & Relationships

Main working relationships are with the following groups, and communication is mainly face‑to‑face, electronic and by telephone: Pharmacy Technicians, Pharmacy Department Managers, Assistant Technical Officers, Clerical Staff, Pharmacists, Multidisciplinary team including nurses and doctors, Pre‑registration Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacists.

Physical Demands of the Job

Will be required to walk between different departments within Pharmacy and across the Hospital on a daily basis. May involve sitting or standing for extended periods including at a computer screen.

Most challenging / difficult parts of the job

Ensuring safe and legal systems of work are in operation at all times following quality standards whilst ensuring a timely and customer focused service. This job description may be subject to change according to the varying needs of the service. Such changes will be made after discussion between the post holder and the manager. All duties must be carried out under supervision or within Trust policy and procedure.