Bank Principal Technician, Patient Services - Band 6

Job overview

The ESTH Pharmacy Team are looking for a Band 6 Principle Pharmacy Technician to start immediately. If you are interested and available please apply today.

To provide a co-ordinated pharmaceutical service which is broad-based, cost-effective and efficient.

To promote safe, legal, rational and economic use of medicines and all allied products to all its clients.

Main duties of the job

Job purpose

• To manage the day to day operational organisation of the dispensaries, including the safe, efficient and timely dispensing of prescriptions in accordance with departmental policy, to meet the needs of the patient and the pharmacy department.
• To organise the induction and training of technical staff and pharmacy work experience students.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Responsibilities

• To manage the efficient day to day running of the dispensaries in liaison with the Senior and Principal Pharmacists, Patient Services and the Deputy Chief Pharmacist Operational and Patient Services .
• To undertake in-patient, discharge and out-patient dispensing using the Pharmacy Computer System and in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
• To participate in the dispensing for clinical trials, completing relevant documentation in accordance with departmental procedures as required.
• To counsel patients/carers regarding their medication.
• To supervise the daily stock level/expiry checks as per audit requirement and be responsible for making the necessary adjustments referring to the Principal Pharmacist, Patient Services and the Deputy Chief Pharmacist Operational and Patient Services  as appropriate.
• To undertake regular checks of the departmental holding of Controlled Drugs reporting any discrepancies to the Principal Pharmacist, Patient Services and the Deputy Chief Pharmacist Operational and Patient Services .
• To manage/co-ordinate stock ordering/requisitioning from the Pharmacy Store as required.
• To manage/co-ordinate the provision of all resuscitation and special emergency boxes.
• To maintain a clean, tidy and organised work area.
• To maintain Accredited Checking Technician status and perform final accuracy check of prescriptions in accordance with departmental protocols and the requirements of London Pharmacy Education and Training.
• To encourage and support compliance with the local formulary and prescribing policies and guidelines.
• To supervise and direct technicians, pre-registration technicians, pre-registration pharmacists, rotational pharmacists and assistants ensuring that duties are carried out in accordance with agreed procedures.
• To train new and existing staff on the use of the pharmacy computer system, as relevant to the dispensaries.
• Together with the Principal Pharmacist, Patient Services and the Deputy Chief Pharmacist Operational and Patient Services  and other staff, identify areas of service in need of development and plan and implement changes, auditing them as necessary.
• To maintain high professional and technical standards by adopting and enforcing good dispensing practice and by implementing and monitoring procedures for safe systems at work.
• To assist in the setting, measurement and monitoring of performance indicators of the service provided, including workload data, error rates and service quality information.
• Together with the Principal Pharmacist, Patient Services and the Deputy Chief Pharmacist Operational and Patient Services develop, update and implement changes to Pharmacy procedures as necessary.
• To assist in co-ordinating the induction training programme for pharmacy staff in dispensing services.
• To contribute to and participate in the training and development programme for pharmacy staff in particular that related to pharmacy technicians and assistants.
• To undertake appraisal and assessment of technicians and assistants as required.
• To plan and implement a training programme for Pharmacy Dispensing Assistants, to meet NVQ Level 2.
• To maintain own CPD portfolio and promote CPD within the team.
• To deputise for the Principal Pharmacist, Patient Services in their absence when necessary and as directed.
• To participate in the recruitment of pharmacy technicians and assistants.
• To oversee, manage and monitor the weekend and Bank Holiday rotas ensuring adequate cover and skill mix is available to provide the necessary level of service. Updating the rotas as staff changes occur.
• To produce a weekly rota for the dispensary team that indicates roles and responsibilities and reflects skill mix, service and individual requirements.
• To report and investigate dispensing errors, complaints and incidents in line with Trust and departmental procedure.
• To undertake risk assessments and manage and report risk as required.
• To manage all issues relating to staff performance and sickness absence with support from the Principal Pharmacist, Patient Services, the Deputy Chief Pharmacist Operational and Patient Services and HR as required.
• To be responsive to the needs of the Trust and other customers and work with the Principal Pharmacist, Patient Services, the Deputy Chief Pharmacist Operational and Patient Services and the dispensing team to identify, plan and implement solutions as required.