JOB DESCRIPTION JOB TITLE & BAND: Lead Pharmacy Technician, Education & Training -Band 5 DEPARTMENT: BASE: REPORTS TO: RESPONSIBLE TO: Pharmacy Pharmacy Department, Altnagelvin Hospital Teacher Practitioner Pharmacist Head of Pharmacy and Medicines Management, WHSCT. ROLE PURPOSE To manage the training and development of all grades of pharmacy technicians and pharmacy assistants. MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Service Delivery Education and Training Role 1. To carry out a training needs analysis for pharmacy technicians and assistants, linking with the needs identified through staff appraisal and development review. 2. To develop and implement a strategic plan for the education and training of pharmacy technicians and assistants, collaborating with relevant managers. 3. To ensure the training and development needs of individuals meet the on-going and future delivery of the Pharmacy service. 4. To develop, implement and maintain competency based assessment and career development programmes for pharmacy technicians and pharmacy assistants in line with the requirements of Pharmacy services. 5. To assist the Head of Pharmacy and Medicines Management in developing opportunities for quality improvement and customer care programmes within the department in accordance with national and local guidelines and departmental strategic plan. 6. To promote the development of a pharmacy team of A1 NVQ assessors.
7. To manage and co-ordinate the A1 NVQ assessors training and ensure all NVQ assessments are carried out in a timely and appropriate manner. 8. To manage and co-ordinate the training of Student Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacy Assistants undergoing NVQ 2 training including: Allocation of adequate study time. Ensuring all NVQ2 / 3 training is undertaken and competencies assessed. Ensuring students are assessed to A1 NVQ standards. Co-ordinating in-service training and mentoring for all student Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacy Assistants. Liaising on a regular basis with the Head Tutor/Internal verifier at FHE colleges regarding students progress and assessment. 9. To act as the technician link-person with the NI Centre for Pharmacy Learning and Development (NICPLD). 10. To assist in the teaching of the underpinning knowledge base for pharmacy technicians, pharmacy assistants and students. 11. To ensure that the Pharmacy Staff Induction Programme for technical staff is fit for purpose and that all new pharmacy technicians and assistants complete the Trust and Pharmacy induction programmes. 12. To identify and develop training opportunities and initiatives for pharmacy technicians and pharmacy assistants both locally and nationally. 13. To assist the Dispensary Manager in the implementation of safe and efficient training systems for accredited pharmacy technician accuracy checking. 14. To develop and maintain an expertise in issues related to both pharmacy practice and training and development. 15. To support the provision of a high level, professional service by pharmacy technical staff including a safe, effective and timely service to patients and staff. 16. To assist the Dispensary Manager to write and review standard operating procedures in line with any changes in legal and ethical policy, protocol amendments, Trust developments as well as departmental working arrangements and ensure that all staff are trained appropriately and understand any changes made to existing procedures. 17. To be an active member of the Pharmacy Education and Training team. 18. To provide regular progress reports to the Pharmacy Operational Management Team. 19. To promote a culture of best practice in education and training for the Pharmacy technicians and assistants. 20. To promote the development of continuing professional development for pharmacy technicians
21. To liaise between internal and external training personnel with regard to managing technical and support staff training programmes and monitoring their effectiveness. 22. To contribute to the Pharmacy department s input into pharmacy careers events for local schools and colleges. Dispensary 1. To assess and dispense patients prescriptions in a timely and accurate manner, ensuring SOPs are followed maintaining high standards. 2. To validate prescriptions prior to dispensing, checking for legality and suitability for the patient, and to identify requests for unauthorised non-policy drugs bringing any discrepancies to the attention of the pharmacist 3. To accuracy check, in order to release to a patient, prescriptions that have been clinically checked by a pharmacist and dispensed by another member of staff using judgement and analytical skills. 4. To dispense controlled drugs making appropriate records in controlled drug registers and maintaining. Investigate minor discrepancies in the controlled drug register and arrange for their correction with an appropriate member of staff ensuring legal dispensing and safe storage requirements are adhered to. 5. To ensure all computer transactions relating to patients details and medications are accurate. 6. To liaise with ward staff with regard to problems with patients own medicines and to discuss ways in which any problems can be overcome 7. To counsel patients about their medication when required 8. To work unsupervised and organise your own working day. 9. To work flexibly, participating in dispensary extended hours and Saturday, Sunday & Bank Holiday working. 10. To undertake any other duties of a similar nature which may be requested by the Head of Pharmacy and Medicines Management. 11. The postholder will be appraised by the Teacher Practitioner Pharmacist.
2. Communication & Information Management 1. Communicate effectively with staff and maintain productive working relationships amongst your staff and with others 2. Report and record all accidents, untoward incidents, sickness and absence, within your area of responsibility, using appropriate forms. 3. Deal with and report complaints, in keeping with Trust Policy, and assist with investigations, when necessary. 3. Quality 1. Ensure that the needs of patients and their carers are at the core of the way that the Trust delivers services 2. Promote a culture of continuous service improvement amongst your staff, encouraging their participation and that of service users in reviewing and modernising current services and in service development 3. Ensure that the functions and activities connected to pharmacy education and training processes are carried out in accordance with national and local guideline and standards 4. Ensure all pharmacy technical students are Health and Safety conscious and aware of associated risks within each training area. 5. Take an active role in regular Dispensary and Senior Pharmacy Technician meetings. 6. Undertake regular auditing and monitoring of relevant aspects of pharmacy services. 4. Financial & Resource Management 1. Develop and monitor appropriate controls within scope of responsibility in accordance with the Trust s Schedule of Delegated Authority 2. Adhere to agreed policies and procedures including standing financial instructions. 3. Authorise stock and non-stock requisitions in accordance with the Schedule of Delegated Authority. 4. Ensure that the Trust s funds are effectively used, that financial commitments represent value for money and comply with standing financial instructions and Trust protocols 5. Manage and monitor service standards, contracts and agreements arising from relationships with internal and external suppliers.
5. People Management 1. Establish a supportive, fair and open culture that encourages and enables staff, within your area of responsibility, to meet required performance standards. 2. Identify, at least annually through performance appraisal, training and development needs of staff in line with the NHS Knowledge and Skills framework and to carry out the development review process as required. 3. Participate in the recruitment and selection of new staff as required. 4. Participate in the orientation and induction of new staff and in the development of good interpersonal relationships. 5. Encourage good practice and act as a role model, give leadership and support to staff and encourage effective teamwork within your area of responsibility. 6. Manage and document grievance and disciplinary matters in keeping with Trust policies. 7. Take responsibility for managing and improving attendance of staff in accordance with the Trust s Managing Attendance Protocol. 8. Manage the student pharmacy technician recruitment process and chair the interview panels. 9. Manage student pharmacy technician attendance/absence, including ensuring back to work interviews are carried out, annual leave / study leave is managed appropriately and recording processes are adhered to. GENERAL DUTIES 1. Employees of the Trust will be required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible. 2. Develop and maintain good communication with all levels of management and build partnerships with the wider HPSS, NHS and external organizations in the promotion of the Trust. 3. Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with health and safety policy and statutory regulations. 4. Participate in the grievance and disciplinary processes as required. 5. Promote equality of opportunity through his/her own actions and ensure this policy is adhered to by staff for whom he/she has responsibility.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Service Quality Western Health and Social Care Trust is committed to providing the highest possible quality of service to all patients, clients and community through supporting and contributing to Trust quality initiatives. Employees are expected at all times to provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner. Conduct Employees must at all times abide by Trust policies and procedures and the terms of their contract of employment. They must conduct themselves with impartiality, integrity, objectivity and honesty and maintain high standards of personal and professional accountability. Performance Employees are expected to demonstrate commitment to the Trust by ensuring regular attendance at work and efficient completion of duties. Risk Management Employees must ensure that they comply with any risk management responsibilities specific to their post, and as set out in the Trust s Risk Management Strategy. Governance The Trust is committed to the development and implementation of systems under Integrated Governance to ensure continuous improvement in the quality of services provided. Employees will be expected to co-operate and work with such systems. Records Management All employees of the Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Trust including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and the Data Protection Act 1998. Employees are required to be conversant with the Trust s policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt. Confidentiality All information concerning patients and staff must be held in the strictest confidence and may not be divulged to any unauthorized person.
Equality & Human Rights Employees must ensure that equality and human rights issues are addressed within the post holder s area of responsibility in accordance with the Trust s Equality Scheme. Health and Safety Employees should note that under Health & Safety at Work Legislation they are required to take all reasonable steps while at work to ensure their own health and safety and the health and safety of those who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work. Smoking, Alcohol & Health The Trust operates policies on smoking, alcohol and health. Environmental Cleanliness The Trust promotes a culture of cleanliness and has adopted a partnership and collaborative approach that recognises cleanliness as the responsibility of everyone, cascading throughout every level of the organisation. The Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer. The duties and responsibilities outlined in the above job description are not intended to be definitive nor restrictive, and may be amended to meet the changing needs of the Trust.
PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION POST: Lead Pharmacy Technician, Education & Training Band 5 DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: Pharmacy Department, Acute Services Altnagelvin Area Hospital DATE: June 2013 FACTORS ESSENTIAL % DESIRABLE % QUALIFICATIONS AND / OR EXPERIENCE (Length and Type) TOTAL Certificate in Pharmaceutical Sciences of the TEC OR City & Guilds Dispensing Technician Certificate No. 738 or equivalent qualification approved by DHSSPS AND A minimum of 3 years post qualification experience Experience in training staff Dispensing experience NVQ A1 assessor (if not, will be expected to train as A1 assessor if appointed)
FACTORS ESSENTIAL % DESIRABLE % ORGANISATIONAL KNOWLEDGE Knowledge of approaches to education and training Use of Information Technology in Hospital Pharmacy TOTAL SPECIAL APTITUDES TOTAL Excellent communication and presentation skills written & verbal Ability to identify training needs and deliver effective training Ability to communicate effectively with other healthcare professionals with a professional attitude Ability to develop and implement SOPs Good time management and problem solving skills Approachable, supportive and flexible Willingness to accept considerable delegated responsibility Evidence of commitment to continuing professional development
FACTORS ESSENTIAL % DESIRABLE % SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES Work bank holidays, extended hours and weekends as required TOTAL Signature: Date: