EPMA Pharmacy Technician | Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
| Posting date: | 23 April 2024 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | £35,392 - £42,618 per annum |
| Hours: | Part time |
| Closing date: | 23 May 2024 |
| Location: | Aylesbury, HP21 8AL |
| Company: | Buckinghamshire Healthcare Trust |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | 6181474/434-SCS6181474 |
Summary
Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust are working towards the implementation of a Trustwide EPMA system.
We are looking for an enthusiastic, knowledgeable Pharmacy Technician to support the Lead EPMA Pharmacist in the system configuration and roll out programme for the duration of the project - until March 2026.
Come and join a friendly Pharmacy department excited for the introduction of EPMA.
• To act as a member of the EPMA project team
• To deliver on the commitments and scope of this project to install, configure, test and roll out the chosen EPMA solution to the Trust.
• To support pharmacy and wards in the changes required for effective EPMA system use and its consequences for medicines management
• To provide Pharmacy technical support and advice on pharmaceutical matters and those pertaining to medicines management when required.Medicines management encompasses the selection, procurement, dispensing, delivery, prescribing, administration and review of medicines.
• To work as a practising Pharmacy technician as required
• To support the work of other senior technical staff as required
Why colleagues think we are"a great place to work!"
What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?
As part of our BHT family, you’ll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.
Alongside NHS benefits of generous annual leave entitlement and pension scheme, you'll have access to NHS discount schemes.
We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.
What do we stand for?
Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work.
Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time.
We are working hard to increase diversity at all levels within the trust. We believe a diverse workforce can have a positive effect on both staff wellbeing and patient outcomes.
We welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, candidates with disabilities and care-experienced candidates.
We are proud to achieve the Gold award for the Armed Forces Covenant and support applications from the Armed Forces Community. Please contact Pam.Daley@nhs.net (our Armed Forces Covenant Lead) if you would like guidance or assistance with your application.
We make employment decisions by matching our service needs with the skills and experience of candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.
RESPONSIBILITIES
1. COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS
The scope of communication is diverse and can be at all levels within the Trust and to a significant degree with specific defined external organisations. The post holder will provide or receive complex, sensitive information, requiring tact or persuasive skills., Barriers to change and difference in opinion e.g. resistance to digitalisation, complexity of system learning requirements, understanding across a diverse and varied workforce where English may be a second language. Regular communication is required with the following individuals and groups:
Members of the pharmacy senior management team
Lead Clinical Pharmacists e.g. to discuss EPMA progress and individualisation required for clinical areas
Pharmacy Technician section leads
Prescribers and ward staff involved in medicines administration
EPMA Project team and Lead Pharmacist for EPMA
Other IT team members supporting project implementation
Senior clinical staff and managers at Trust-wide meetings/events
System supplier and any linked system developments
2. PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
• Develop self and contribute to the development of others
• To identify and agree objectives for own professional development which reflect local and national service needs.
• To maintain and develop own knowledge skills in EPMA, linked system use, system developments and reporting functionality.
• To use effective prioritisation, problem solving and delegation skills to manage
time effectively
As a practising Pharmacy technician:
1. Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills are required to:
• To define and support change in pharmacy and medicines operating processes on an end to end basis (Prescribing to administration).
• To counsel patients and carers about their medicines and treatment. Medicines information may need to be translated into simple language appropriate for the individual.
• To negotiate with or influence colleagues on the ward, within the project team and pharmacy in order to achieve desired outcomes.
• To be an identified interface between pharmacy, the EPMA project team and service users (at ward and departmental level) to aid system rollout and effectiveness.
• To interpret prescriptions for drug problems such as drug dosage, form and administration. Considers legality, clarity and risk associated with prescribed medicines and prescriptions and makes interventions to ensure safety.
2. Contributes to the planning, development, and implementation of systems to ensure effective medicines management associated with patient safety, with awareness of the influences affecting the provision of pharmaceutical services.
ANALYTICAL AND JUDGEMENT SKILLS
• Analyses and interprets ordersets, linked orders, drug entries and relevant EPMA configuration and system data etc. to ensure legality, validity, accuracy and resolves those issues within professional boundaries.
To reduce the risk of medication error by ensuring any relevant policies/procedures are followed and safe systems are in place for the selection, prescribing, ordering and administration of medicines as applying to EPMA system development.
To be responsible for ensuring that errors in any stage of the medicine use process are investigated and any remedial action is implemented as necessary.
To have extensive technical knowledge and skills to carry out or instruct others in the dispensing of prescriptions, including unlicensed drugs, controlled drugs, in-patient & outpatient prescriptions in accordance with the agreed procedures.
To integrate with IT and ward based teams to provide efficient and effective medicines understanding and systems knowledge of the EPMA solution.
To contribute to the delivery of efficient services at all points in the pharmacy supply chain.
To help maintain pharmacy aspects of the EPMA risk register and provide input in conjunction with the Lead EPMA Pharmacist on prioritisation and escalation of critical issues.
PLANNING AND ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS
• To co-ordinate activities with other groups and staff especially that pertaining to work in relationship to EPMA system development and implementation.
• To effectively create and update workplans to deliver Pharmacy aspects of the EPMA project within the requisite timeframes and within budget
• To articulate barriers and opportunities for efficiency in workplan progress, engaging with the EPMA lead pharmacist and the project team to raise risks where appropriate.
• Work to provide and implement solutions for identified barriers in conjunction with others.
• To be responsible for ensuring that the principles of patient and wide staff engagement are adhered to and to ensure mechanisms are in place to obtain feedback, implement lessons learnt, and share good practice throughout the organisation.
PATIENT CARE
Management duties:
• To actively support the development and delivery program requirements of the EPMA Project Board and Steering group.
• To undertake risk management and clinical governance activities and contribute towards the delivery of the appropriate quality standards and targets outlined in the Trust’s Quality agenda
• To assist in the recognition of risks and change in risk profile that occurs with use of electronic prescribing, with particular attention to those risks that may have patient impact.
As a practicing pharmacy technician:
• To undertake a clinical role where required to ensure efficient and effective delivery of medicines management and optimum patient care in accordance with departmental procedures.
• Where required to undertake a technical role as either an ACPT or senior technician who can identify and prioritise working activity of team members and undertake complex tasks including delivery of Clinical Trial or Controlled drug supplies.
• To contribute to the delivery of efficient services at all points in the pharmacy supply chain
• To be an identifiable interface between pharmacy and service users across the trust to aid in the communication and efficient service provision.
• To be available to participate in weekend / extended pharmacy services and relevant bank holiday arrangements.
POLICY AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT
• To implement policies within own area of responsibility and propose policy or service change that impacts across the Trust.
• Whilst working with others, to recommend actions which deliver Trust wide compliance with national and local policy relating to medicines management and patient safety. To support complex change throughout the area of responsibility, in line with Trust wide strategy or locally developed policy.
• To provide feedback on procedures and policies and discuss with appropriate person(s) any changes that would benefit the medicines management process.
• In conjunction with the EPMA Lead pharmacist to define new and replace existing procedures to optimise the quality and safety of an EPMA system
• To follow trust procedures related to approval, assurance, governance and review for new policy and procedure development and implementation.
• To support the development of policies and procedures relating to medicines management, both internal and external to Pharmacy.
• To identify, develop and implement audit activity in pharmacy or other systems relevant to EPMA development and utilization.
FREEDOM TO ACT
• To be responsible to the EPMA Lead Pharmacist and EPMA Project board who set the parameters and objectives for the post and will assess delivery on targets
• To work with a wide range of pharmacy, healthcare, IT and external company staff to ensure the safe and successful delivery of the Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration project.
• To manage data collection for the purpose of demonstrating performance against key indicators
• To analyse, interpret and present data (e.g. EPMA uptake, prescribing changes with electronic systems, design new extracts or reporting) either verbally, via written reports or formal presentations
• To work with other senior managers within Pharmacy to identify areas affected by EPMA systems for development and improvement and, where appropriate, to be responsible for implementation and delivery of change
• As a practicing Pharmacy Technician, to be responsible and accountable for own actions, working independently within the Pharmacy Technicians’ Code of Ethics, all procedures, policies and other guidance provided by the Trust; to manage own day to day workload independently and be aware of own limitations within this process.
• To support the work of other senior technical staff, undertaking relevant duties as required e.g. providing cover. Whilst deputising, the post holder will have the authority and autonomy to ensure day to day organisational effectiveness of the area being covered.
LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
• Plan, deliver and review interventions to enable people to learn and develop
• Influence the development of knowledge, ideas and work practice
Other
• Any other duties as may reasonably be allocated by the EPMA Lead Pharmacist or Senior Pharmacy Team
• Maintain a Continuing Professional Development portfolio and maintain personal knowledge and skills in line with developments in Pharmacy practice
On-Call and Weekend Duties
Participate in weekend and extended hours services and statutory holiday duties on rota with other pharmacy technicians.
These duties may be replaced with EPMA specific requirements including floor walking and ward based support during rollout periods.
This advert closes on Tuesday 7 May 2024