Lead Technician Unlicensed Medicines

An exciting opportunity has arisen to work in the role of Unlicensed Medicines and Purchasing Support technician at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. This post will require some cross site working but will be based primarily at the Sutton site. The Unlicensed Medicines and Purchasing Support technician role involves a number of key initiatives, including:

• Playing a key role in the procurement of named patient & unlicensed medicines.
• Managing and coordinating an extensive and ever-changing portfolio of pharmaceutical industry run compassionate supply programs.
• Involvement in the procurement of commercial medicines and the management of supply of commercial medicines.

The role will require interaction with both clinical teams and pharmaceutical companies. This is a superb opportunity to gain excellent experience and be part of a dynamic team. The trust has invested in pharmacy as a key component in further enhancing the quality and efficiency of services to patients. We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic person to undertake the role and support the pharmacy in continuing the development.

You must have excellent communication and numeracy skills, the ability to work on your own as well as within a team, and be highly motivated to deliver excellent patient care.

Main duties of the job:

• To manage the day-to-day procurement requirements of Named Patient and Unlicensed medicines.
• To lead the provision of education and training of pharmacy staff and clinical teams in relation to Named Patient and Unlicensed medicines.
• To assist in the procurement requirements for licensed medicines when required.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities:

• Coordinating and managing the safe and effective daily running of the Pharmacy Named Patient & Unlicensed Medicines service.
• To support in ensuring the trust Named Patient & Unlicensed medicines Policy is up to date and reviewed as required.
• Prepare and maintain standard operating procedures for Unlicensed Medicines and compassionate supply programmes and ensure that these are reviewed and updated as required.
• Work in collaboration with the Purchasing Lead Technician and Drug Resource Manager in providing contingency where possible for commercial medicines supply chain issues which required “Named Patient/Unlicensed Medicine” alternatives as a solution.
• Co-ordinate the setup of compassionate supply programmes through close liaison with specialist pharmacists, clinicians and pharmaceutical companies and ensure that all required paperwork is archived appropriately.
• Being the main point of contact for pharmacists, clinicians and pharmaceutical companies in relation to Named Patient & Unlicensed Medicines supply programmes.

Person specification:

Education/Qualifications:

• Qualified Pharmacy Technician registered with General Pharmaceutical Council.
• NVQ/QCF Assessor Level 3 award or equivalent.

Experience:

• Knowledge of unlicensed and named patient drugs.
• Experience in dispensing, patient counselling, communication with health care professionals.
• At least 12 months post qualification in hospital pharmacy.
• Working knowledge/experience of writing SOPs.
• Knowledge/experience of good stock management including stock takes.

Skills Abilities/knowledge:

• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Ability to work under pressure whilst maintaining attention to detail and accuracy.
• Good time management and organisational skills, ability to prioritise effectively.
• Ability to work in a timely fashion and to deadlines where applicable.
• Good leadership qualities: ability to take responsibility and to delegate effectively.
• Computing skills: ability to use Microsoft Office applications e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook.
• Ability to train other members of staff.

Other Requirements:

• Able to work on both sites and to be flexible to meet the needs of the role.
• Well presented.
• Calm under pressure, maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Self-motivated and able to work without direct supervision.
• Adaptable to change e.g. procedures and practices.
• Reliable with good attendance.
• Flexible and responsive to changing priorities.
• Able to communicate confidently and constructively when required.

Flu Vaccination – What We Expect of our Staff:

At The Royal Marsden we have an immune compromised patient population who we must protect as much as we can against the flu virus. Each year, seasonal flu affects thousands of people in the UK. Occurring mainly in winter, it is an infectious respiratory disease capable of producing symptoms ranging from those similar to a common cold, through to very severe or even fatal disease. The wellbeing of our staff and patients is of the utmost importance to us, and it is the expectation of The Royal Marsden that all patient-facing staff have an annual flu vaccination, provided free of charge by the Trust.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.