Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Ø  CLINICAL

·         To dispense medicines from the dispensary to a diverse range of patients in correctly labelled and appropriate containers in an efficient and timely manner according to the standard operating procedures and the Medicines Act 1968. Also dispense and cost private prescriptions.

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·         To raise, amend, send orders to suppliers and receive stock into the department and then to enter the appropriate records into the computer and ensure the goods are stored correctly.

·         To communicate with nursing staff and other health professionals within the training and experience of a technician referring to a pharmacist if necessary.

·         To communicate with patients on wards and in the department providing advice on their medication, ensuring confidentiality at all times.

·         Under the supervision of a pharmacist, advise and recommend products to customers wishing to purchase over the counter medication, following completion of training package and competency assessment.

·         To assist medical and nursing staff with drug information queries acknowledging the limitations of your own training and expertise.

·         To check for prescribing errors within the limits compatible with technician training and to bring to the attention of the supervising pharmacist.

·         To carry out, monitor and check the ordering, dispensing, issuing, distribution and stock control of medicines on a rotational basis on designated wards and departments within the Trust and off site in accordance with the standard operating procedures and current SLAs.

·         To monitor and develop systems of issuing stock items to wards and departments, liaising with the departmental or ward manager as appropriate and to adjust the stock list and top-up days as necessary to improve the service provision.

·         To carry out a ward based pharmaceutical technician service to designated ward areas. This includes medicines reconciliation, Counselling’s, TTO Teach back.

·         Ensuring patients own drugs are suitable for use, including checking that the labelling is suitable, the correct drug is present, the container is appropriate and that the drugs are still within their expiry date.

·         Monitor and develop systems of dispensing to wards.

·         Ensure sufficient supplies are present on the ward and re-supply if necessary.

·         Alert pharmacist to any potential prescribing errors or problems relating to patients own drugs.

·         Reviewing patients EPR/case notes if necessary or liaising with GP or looking on SCR to clarify patient’s drug history, including performing and documenting medicines reconciliation.

·         Removing unwanted or discontinued medicines from the wards and disposing of appropriately in line with the standard operating procedures and COSHH.

·         Providing advice on safe administration and monitoring of a range of medication. (Warfarin/DOAC/Dapagliflozin/Amiodarone)

·         To dispense CF Home IV prescriptions and in the absence of the Homecare Technician final check these prescriptions.

·         To participate in Practice Research and Clinical Audit projects and to produce reports for use by pharmacy staff.

·         To participate in out of hours, bank holidays and weekend provision of a pharmaceutical service.

·         To participate in Clinical Trial dispensing, following the procedure for each trial and maintaining appropriate records. This may include assisting in the setting up of the trial and design of the dispensing procedure.

·         To participate in the issuing, receipt and stock control of Controlled Drugs in accordance with the departmental standard operating procedures and the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

·         To dispense, order and maintain records for unlicensed drugs according to departmental procedures and to liaise with Regional Quality Control to determine suitability for use when necessary.

·         To ensure that procedures are carried out in accordance with safe systems of work in Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital and those regulations in respect of the Health and Safety at Work Act, COSHH and other legislation are complied with.

·         To participate in ensuring the emergency cupboard and emergency arrest boxes are fully stocked according to current departmental procedures.

·         To participate in collecting prescription charges from patients and issuing receipts/invoices where necessary, liaising with finance when necessary in order to balance the cash from the pharmacy till.

·         To participate in organising transport for drugs owed to patients or required in an emergency.

·         To assist the pharmacist with responsibility for Medicines Information in assessing, retrieving and presenting drug information within the limits of technical knowledge and to assist with storing and filing of information.

·         To use current technology correctly to make appropriate records and to undertake extra training as required.

·         To maintain and develop the pharmacy computer system in conjunction with the computer systems managers.

·         To participate and contribute in pharmacy meetings and to support the Pharmacy Business Plan.

·         To carry out appropriate actions in response to drug alerts issued by the MHRA and the NPSA.

·         To perform the final accuracy check of medicines that have been clinically checked.     

·         To participate in the management of returned pharmaceuticals, to either return to stock or dispose of safely when not fit for return and to complete stock checks in accordance with departmental procedures.

Ø  MANAGERIAL/LEADERSHIP

·         To help co-ordinate junior technical staff, student technicians and Assistant Technical Officers as necessary.

·         To deputise for certain aspects of the work of the Senior Technicians during periods of absence

·         To cover for Assistant Technical Officers during periods of absence as necessary.

·         To distribute and monitor controlled stationery, including the stock control of such.

Ø  PROFESSIONAL

·         To participate in individual personal assessment and continuing education programmes in order to keep updated on Pharmaceutical matters and legislative changes which affect pharmacy.

·         To work at all times to the Pharmacy Technician Code of Ethics as laid down by the General Pharmaceutical Council and the Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK.

·         Maintaining registration and recording CPD with the General Pharmaceutical Council.

Ø  EDUCATION AND TRAINING

·         To participate in student technician, pre-registration pharmacists, new pharmacists and new technicians training as required.

·         Participate in the counselling of patients on the use of their drugs and any devices required to deliver those drugs in order to improve drug compliance.

To keep up to date with all mandatory training