Job responsibilities
Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities
To work as part of the technician function providing support to the SIPS team as requested.
To undertake audit work, to ensure quality of care is maintained, as required by line management.
To perform non-complex medication reviews within own competencies and support practice pharmacists with pre- medication reviews as required.
To handle prescription queries from patients over the telephone, within own competency and liaise with community pharmacy.
To use ePACT, prescribing support tools, other data reporting tools and the GP computer systems to carry out audits and to assist practices to meet agreed targets.
In liaison with SIPS team pharmacists, inform patients of any changes to their medicines in a professional manner and to have the capacity to support and reassure patients when necessary and to deal with any issues or concerns that may arise within the boundaries of the post.
To work with the Medicines Co-ordinators to implement any pharmaceutical changes that impact on the practices within the appropriate timescale.
To take responsibility for individual projects as directed by The Service Lead, Senior Technicians and the PCN Lead Pharmacists.
To recognise and respond appropriately to risk and safeguarding concerns.
Prescribing Analysis
To assist the PCN Pharmacists by using ePACT, prescribing support tools and other data reporting tools to analyse prescribing patterns at practice and prescriber level to support, safe prescribing, financial review and quality of care.
To be able to use the EMIS GP computer system and ePACT to generate complex reports and to collate and analyse data and export that data into an appropriate format.
Stay updated on the latest procedures for the GP clinical computer system to ensure efficient utilisation. Provide training to new SIPS team and practice staff as needed and share relevant procedures to facilitate effective audit and search processes.
Training
To support and deliver training to practice staff on SIPS related matters, as required to meet organisational objectives within the boundaries of the post.
To review or develop training documents to support SIPS team members when carrying out routine medicines optimisation tasks.
Demonstrate a willingness to undertake the 15-month CPPE (Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education) course designed for pharmacy professionals in primary care. This commitment to continuous learning and professional development is essential to enhance expertise in primary care pharmacy practices and ensure the highest standards of patient care.
Responsibility for Patient Care (including monitoring, diagnostics + investigations)
The post holder will work with patients communicating prescribing changes made, medication related monitoring required and supporting efficient use of medicines.
Responsibility for Physical and Financial Resources
The post holder will assist in the management of the prescribing budget by undertaking the extraction of data from the ePACT system which requires specialist knowledge and pharmaceutical training to complete.
Communications and Leadership
Patient Engagement: Address concerns and queries from patients regarding prescription changes, providing reassurance and when necessary, directing them to appropriate clinical support or resources to ensure their well-being.
Collaboration: Foster effective collaboration and communication among multidisciplinary teams, supporting a seamless transition during prescribing changes and promoting patient-centred care.
Support Networks and GP Practices to achieve agreed targets.
Lead on the delivery of allocated projects within their area of work.
Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills when implementing prescribing changes. Interact with a diverse range of individuals, including patients, healthcare professional and support staff, ensuring clarity and empathy in all interactions.
If required, support our Foundation Pharmacy Technicians, Trainee Pharmacy Technicians and Medicines Co-ordinators to deliver the work required.
Act as a role model for others in the Team and provide support and mentorship for line reports and other Team members in line with service priorities.
Take line management responsibility for designated Team members and ensure they operate within Viaduct policies in delivering their contract and service responsibilities.
Research, Development and Audit
The post holder will participate in audit across general practice as requested by line management.
Policy and Service Development
This post holder will support the implementation of a wide range of policies requiring a good knowledge of the relevant policies and also support the use of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Identify opportunities for efficiencies and savings in relation to medicines management activity in practices.
Analysis and Data Management
The post holder will analyse prescribing data and financial data and feed this data back to appropriate managers for action, based on the analysis received.
Use data management information systems, including information technology and be willing to undertake or deliver appropriate training.
Other Key Responsibilities
This is a demanding role requiring good communication skills and a detailed understanding of a variety of IT software systems.
The post holder may be required to manage their own work across a range of practices. This entails coordination with all the sites at which they work and liaison with the SIPS and PCN team.
Decisions will be practical and support the GP Pharmacy Technician role.
The post holder will have to be decisive and professional to maintain the workload. They must know the limits of their own authority and when to refer.
The work is of a wide variety and prioritisation of workload will be required.
Ensure compliance with local protocols, policies, operating procedures, and best practice guidance.
Support or complete incident reporting and learning as per policy and professional requirements, to continually improve patient care, safety, and experience.
To undertake any other duties as allocated by line management, commensurate with grade.
This job description aims to illustrate the range and nature of responsibilities held by the post holder. The list of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive and the post holder is expected to be flexible in their approach. The duties associated with the post will inevitably vary and develop and therefore the role will be reviewed on a regular basis and changes made in consultation with the post-holder.
Standard Clauses
Performance Management
Objectives for the post will be the subject of overall agreement and regular review between the post-holder and their line manager. This will be via regular supervision and the organisations Performance Development Review (PDR) Aspire and Perform process.
Confidentiality and Compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018
The post holder must maintain confidentiality regarding information about patients, staff, and other Viaduct Care business in accordance with the relevant Data Protection regulations
All employees of Viaduct Care must not, without prior permission, disclose any information regarding patients or staff. In circumstances where it is known that a member of staff has communicated information to an unauthorised person, those staff will be liable to dismissal. Moreover, the Data Protection Act 2018 also renders an individual liable to prosecution in the event of unauthorised disclosure of information.
Health and Safety
All employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed on them under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure that the agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a safe working environment for patients, visitors, and employees
Review and ensure systems are in place for the proactive management of risk registers.
Infection Control
All employees of Viaduct Care are required to contribute to the management of infection control and be proactive in awareness raising and prevention.
Ensure that all guidelines, protocols, and procedures undertaken within the service are in line with evidence-based practice for infection control.
Safeguarding
All employees of Viaduct Care have a responsibility to protect and safeguard vulnerable people (children and adults). They must be aware of child and adult safeguarding procedures and must speak to the Viaduct Care chair in the first instance for further advice. All employees are required to attend safeguarding awareness training and to undertake additional training appropriate to their role.
Equality and Diversity
Employees should promote diversity and equality of opportunity within Viaduct Care
Build a culture where everyone is valued and equipped to do their job
All employees must carry out all duties and responsibilities of the post in accordance with Viaduct Cares Equality, Diversity and Human Rights policies, avoiding unlawful discriminatory behaviour and actions when dealing with colleagues, service users, members of the public and other stakeholders.
Sustainability
All employees of Viaduct Care have a responsibility for working in a low carbon environment, where energy is used wisely and not wasted. Environmental impact should be reduced by recycling where possible, switching off lights, computers, monitors and equipment when not in use, minimising water usage and reporting faults promptly.
