Principal Pharmacy Technician Band 7

Job details

• Branch: Causeway Hospital
• Location: Causeway Hospital Site: Main Building
• Directorate: Medical Directorate
• Functional Area: Pharmacy Services
• Salary: Band 7 (£47,810 - £54,710)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 11/06/26
• Closes: Thu, 25 June 2026 @ 5:00 PM
• Interview Dates: TBC

Notes

If you are submitting a manual application, please post it to: Recruitment Shared Services, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital Site, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh, BT61 7PR. Applications received after the advertised closing date/time cannot be considered, so please allow enough time for postage. “A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026”. Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created- regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week.” Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards. Flexible Working We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role. Find out more about flexible working options on our website.

Job Description

Principal Pharmacy Technician, Causeway Hospital

Job Description

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT) is responsible for the delivery of safe and effective health and social care (HSC) services to the population of the Northern Trust area in Northern Ireland.

We provide compassionate care with our community in our community. In order to do this we require the commitment of a highly skilled and professional workforce that meets the need of the service.

The diagram below outlines our values and our objectives which support the delivery of compassionate care within our community.

The below diagram details the values and associated behaviours that we expect staff working within Health and Social Care (HSC) to display at all times;

HSC Value

What does this mean?

What does this look like in practice? - Behaviours

Working Together

We work together for the best outcome for people we care for and support. We work across Health and Social Care and with other external organisations and agencies, recognising that leadership is the responsibility of all.

I work with others and value everyone’s contribution

I treat people with respect and dignity

I work as part of a team looking for opportunities to support and help people in both my own and other teams

I actively engage people on issues that affect them

I look for feedback and examples of good practice, aiming to improve where possible

Compassion

We are sensitive, caring, respectful and understanding towards those we care for and support and our colleagues. We listen carefully to others to better understand and take action to help them and ourselves.

I am sensitive to the different needs and feelings of others and treat people with kindness

I learn from others by listening carefully to them

I look after my own health and well-being so that I can care for and support others

Excellence

We commit to being the best we can be in our work, aiming to improve and develop services to achieve positive changes. We deliver safe, high-quality, compassionate care and support.

I put the people I care for and support at the centre of all I do to make a difference

I take responsibility for my decisions and actions

I commit to best practice and sharing learning, while continually learning and developing

I try to improve by asking ‘could we do this better?’

Openness & Honesty

We are open and honest with each other and act with integrity and candour.

I am open and honest in order to develop trusting relationships

I ask someone for help when needed

I speak up if I have concerns

I challenge inappropriate or unacceptable behaviour and practice

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Principal Pharmacy Technician, Causeway Hospital

BAND: 7

DIRECTORATE/DIVISION: Medical and Governance

INITIAL LOCATION: Causeway Hospital

REPORTS TO: Deputy Head of Pharmacy, Patient and Community Services

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Head of Pharmacy and Medicines Management

FLEXIBLE WORKING

PROVISIONS AVAILABLE: Full-time working, Fixed working patterns, Job-share

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder will

Work in conjunction with the senior pharmacy technician team at Causeway Hospital and with the Principal Pharmacist, Clinical Pharmacy Services to ensure the safe and effective provision of pharmacy services

Lead, manage and develop the operational delivery of pharmacy patient services

Professionally and managerially responsible for the Pharmacy Technician and Pharmacy Assistant workforce

Develop a ‘Pharmacy Charter’ in conjunction with the Principal Pharmacist, Clinical Pharmacy Services, and Pharmacy Staff.

KEY RESULT AREAS / MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Management Responsibility

Lead, manage and develop the operational delivery of pharmacy patient services

Develop, deliver and monitor a comprehensive, safe and high-quality patient centred pharmacy service in conjunction with the Principal Pharmacist, Clinical Pharmacy Services

Ensure that working practices meet requirements of medicines legislation; professional, local and national guidelines and that medicines are available in the appropriate quantities, places and times to meet the clinical needs of all patients.

Provide expert advice regarding current and anticipated demands on operational services and the staffing capacity required to deliver a safe level of service to patients.

Contribute to developing policies, strategies and plans to ensure that pharmacy operational services meet quality standards and KPIs

Responsible for day-to-day adherence of Patient Services to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) Professional Standards for Hospital Pharmacy Services 2022 and the Responsible Pharmacist Regulations.

Communicate with the Lead Pharmacy Technicians and Patient Services Pharmacists about the day-to-day management of technical staff, and dispensary and distribution activities.

Work closely with the Lead Pharmacy Technicians for Patient Services and Clinical Pharmacy Services within the department and the Principal Pharmacist, Clinical Pharmacy Services, in planning human resources

Work collaboratively with the Patient Services leads across the Trust to ensure that operational services provided are safe, efficient, cost effective, standardised and offer value for money and are achievable within service agreements.

Work with senor pharmacists with responsibility for Unlicensed Medicines, Clinical Trials, Specialist Medicine, Quality Assurance in the effective delivery of pharmacy services

Co-ordinate with the Lead Technicians the management of staff including recruitment, induction, appraisal, attendance management, performance review and management, discipline & grievance, work and annual leave allocation.

Liaise effectively with estates service, security, governance department, human resources, transport, portering and other key stakeholders in the effective delivery of patient services

Team lead responsibilities

Develop a culture of belonging which champions inclusive and authentic leadership, challenges inclusion and diversity barriers and promotes positive mental health and wellbeing

Act as a mentor and role model, providing support and guidance to all team members, showing leadership in the absence of other lead technicians as required

Undertake appropriate in-house and external training in support of line management function

Act as line manager of the Lead Pharmacy Technicians for Patient Services and Clinical Pharmacy Services.

Support the Lead Technicians in analysing and managing staff performance

Report, monitor and act upon sickness, annual leave and time off in lieu according to trust guidelines ensuring staff re-directed to cover as required.

Help and support with disciplinary issues lead on where required.

Support the Lead Pharmacy Technicians in organising appropriate rotas

Education & Training Management

To make recommendations and take an active part in the development of training packages to enhance the training of Pharmacy staff.

Ensure that training is provided to new staff upon induction, and rotational and permanent staff. To ensure that all staff are aware of their role and responsibilities.

Ensure equal opportunity for Pharmacy Technicians, working in Patient Services and Clinical Services, and Pharmacy Assistants to access and undertake training and professional development in accordance with Personal Development Plans

Lead in the support of mandatory training for all technical staff and pharmacy assistants and ensure training records are maintained

Act as an Educational Supervisor and mentor for Pharmacy Technicians, students and pharmacy assistants on accredited programs, where appropriate

To undertake all relevant personal training to support this role, demonstrate and maintain commitment to personal and professional development and be informed of current issues in Pharmacy practice.

To design and implement audits related to training services - collect data, analyse and present findings/recommendations.

Lead on looking into possible future roles of technical staff in all sections of the department and training required. Attend courses & training, meetings & seminars to ensure skills, knowledge & pharmacy practise are current and up to date. This may be identified at appraisal and/or continued personal or professional development.

Participate in training & educating nursing staff and other healthcare professionals throughout the Trust, as appropriate.

Participate in and contribute to Trust initiatives related to staff training, education, wellbeing and staff development and staff experience, e.g. Investors in People award.

Pharmacy Patient Services

Develop, monitor, report and manage metrics relating to the safe management of medicines and the activity of patient services and lead on improvement initiatives

Ensure department Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are developed and maintained

Plan and co-ordinate in conjunction with the Lead Technicians for Patient Services and Clinical Pharmacy Services the day-to-day operation of patient services by actively co-ordinating, delegating and supervising activities and workflow, to ensure deadlines are met and daily work schedules are completed to the required standards.

Liaise with primary and secondary healthcare professionals to facilitate seamless pharmaceutical care across the primary / secondary care interface.

Ensure maintenance of all documentation, manual and electronic, relevant to the services provided.

Support relevant Senior Technicians and Pharmacists in the optimisation of pharmaceutical product use (drugs, dressings, medical and surgical consumables) by ensuring monitoring of stock levels, product costs, expiry dates, management of non-stock items and processing of returns

To assist the Accountable Officer with the Governance of Controlled Drugs to include participation in Pharmacy and Ward/Dept. controlled drug audits, mandatory stock checks and supporting investigations.

To participate in departmental and multidisciplinary external audits

To identify potential areas for development and introduce new technologies, working practices, products and Patient focused schemes designed to improve the efficiency of the service or improve Patient care.

To identify and promote best practice and develop extended roles and responsibilities for pharmacy technicians

Ensure that controlled drugs are managed in accordance with the relevant legislation, Controlled Drug policy and pharmacy standard operating procedures.

Competent in the operation of information systems used, including epic, robotics, Microsoft Office software, Trust email / intranet, as appropriate

Maintain competency as an Accredited Checking Pharmacy Technician (ACPT) to facilitate final accuracy checking on dispensing of discharge medication and Outpatient prescriptions.

Use the Pharmacy IT system to label and dispense medication against prescriptions, orders and Controlled Drug requests according to any prescriber instructions in accordance with department Standard Operating Procedures.

Ensure the effective management and operation of top-up services to wards / departments on-site and off-site

Ensure effective business continuity plans are developed and maintained

Co-ordinate with patient services pharmacists to ensure Drug Alerts / Product Recall are actioned promptly & report forms are completed in a timely manner

Normal working hours, 37.5 hours across a 7 day week, to include working shifts, evenings, weekends and public holidays as required to meet the needs of the service.

To undertake any other duties as assigned.

Health & Safety

Act as the Health & Safety, including COSHH, lead for the pharmacy premises, attending departmental and divisional health and safety meetings, deciding and participating in actions to solve health & safety issues and reduce areas of risk within the department.

Ensure the effective recording of health and safety risk assessments using the General Risk Assessment Northern Trust (GRANT) template(s) and the ongoing management of the GRANT action plan. Responsible for leading and managing the completion of Risk Audit and Assessment Northern Trust (RAANT) self-assessment tool.

Responsible for maintaining the security of the pharmacy department in conjunction with the Principal Pharmacist and Trust security personnel ensuring that the security of staff, equipment and medicines is maintained at a departmental level and promoting good practice regarding the security of medicines during transit

Act as an approver for incidents on DatixWeb

Responsible for the investigation and follow up of incidents including dispensing errors and near misses occurring in their responsible area

Responsible for sharing learning from relevant compliments, complaints and incident investigations

GENERAL MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Ensure the appropriate governance and risk management arrangements are in place for the services you are responsible for and take appropriate action to identify and manage risk and to maintain safety of users, staff and others in accordance with relevant regulations, policies and procedures;

It is essential to ensure that the highest standards of infection prevention and control are maintained to ensure patient and client safety and maintain confidence in the Trust. As a Manager, you must ensure that you implement all instructions/ policy in this area and that all staff are made aware of and fully comply with these;

Where the post-holder has responsibility for managing a budget, ensure that services are managed and developed both in accordance with agreed and funded priorities as set out on a yearly basis and in accordance with Standing Financial Instructions, particularly ensuring your compliance with payroll documentation procedures and timescales;

Ensure the necessary arrangements are in place in regard to the ‘Knowledge and Skills Framework’ outlines, where this applies, for the posts for which you have management responsibility and ensure that each member of staff has an annual development and performance review, a personal development plan and that arrangements are in place to ensure that staff have maximum opportunity to progress through gateways in their pay bands and to contribute effectively towards our objectives;

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;

Make sure you are trained and competent in the relevant policies and procedures which apply to the management of staff and other resources and abide by these policies; seeking advice as necessary from senior management or specialist staff as necessary;

Communicate effectively with staff and maintain productive working relationships amongst your staff and with others;

Delegate appropriate responsibility and authority to staff in order to ensure optimum and effective service delivery and decision-making, whilst retaining overall accountability and responsibility for outcomes;

Promote a culture of learning and development and facilitate arrangements for and participate in training and development of staff as agreed for the performance of their duties. Where training is in accordance with relevant standards make sure you have the relevant competences in order to carry out this responsibility;

Promote equality of opportunity for all by personal action, both in the management of your staff and in the provision of care to service users in accordance with the Trust’s Equality of Opportunity Policy and Equality Scheme;

Take responsibility for ensuring appropriate standards of environmental cleanliness and for encouraging staff to maintain standards in their work area. Have an awareness of environmental issues and take appropriate action, for example to ensure the efficient use of energy and other resources, recycling etc.;

Make sure that staff are aware of Trust policies regarding the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and Records Management and that they must not disclose, withhold, retain or dispose of any information unless legally authorised.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Employees of the Trust will be required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible and:-

At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner

At all times demonstrate practice the HSC values of Working Together, Excellence, Openness & Honesty and Compassion

Carry out their duties and responsibilities in a manner which assures patient and client safety

Comply with all instructions in regard to Infection Prevention and Control

Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them

Comply with the Trust’s Smoke Free Policy

Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with health and safety policy and statutory regulations

Adhere to equal opportunities policy throughout the course of their employment

Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in service provision

Adhere to the Code of Conduct for HSC Employees which aims to guide staff, managers and employers in the work that they do and the decisions and choices they have to make. Professional staff are expected to follow the code of conduct for their own professions as well as this code.

The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency. The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the NHSCT Raising Concerns Policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

RECORDS MANAGEMENT

All employees of the Northern Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including e-mails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant and to comply with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust policies on Information Governance including (for example) the ICT Security Policy, Data Quality and Data Protection Policy and Records Management Policy and to seek advice if in doubt.

SALARY

£47,810 - £54,710 per annum (pro-rata for part-time)

RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UK

Please note this role may not meet the requirements for a Skilled Worker visa (including a Heath and Care Worker visa) and the Trust therefore would be unable to employ anyone that requires Sponsorship. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration).

HOURS

Normal full-time hours of duty are 37½ hours per week, exclusive of meal times

MEDICAL

Appointment will be subject to a successful pre-employment health assessment.

HOLIDAYS

27 days each year; 29 days after 5 years’ service; 33 days after 10 years’ service and 10 statutory and public holidays.

PENSION

The post-holder can participate in the Health Social Care Pension Scheme.

NORTHERN TRUST BENEFITS

You can explore the benefits on offer to you in the Northern Trust by clicking here

PROBATIONARY PERIOD

You will serve a probationary period of normally six months.

WAITING LIST

A waiting list will not be created for this position.

PAY PROTECTION

Legacy Trust Staff who apply for a promotion after 1 April 2011 should be aware that they will lose their legacy protection arrangements and will be entitled to pay protection in accordance with circular HSS (JNF)(1) 2011. This circular will also apply to legacy staff who are currently in receipt of protection and who move post on promotion.

Completed application forms should be returned to the BSO Recruitment and Selection Shared Services Centre, on or before the closing date as stated in the advertisement.

Canvassing, either directly or indirectly, will be an absolute disqualification.

We will review this Job Description and it may include any other duties and responsibilities we determine in consultation with the jobholder. We do not intend it to be rigid and inflexible but rather to provide guidelines within which the jobholder works.

March 2026

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

Title of Post: Principal Pharmacy Technician, Causeway Hospital

Band of Post: 7

Notes to applicants

You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.

Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.

Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

Volunteering experience may be considered appropriate in particular for roles within the context of direct patient/client care.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Qualifications/ Registration

Applicants must hold a pharmacy Technician qualification as described in either 1a, 1b or 1c below:

1a. Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians or an equivalent combined Pharmacy Technician qualification.

OR

1b. If qualified as a Pharmacy Technician after June 2009

Hold both a Level 3 BTEC National Certificate and Level 3 NVQ in PHARMACY SERVICES, or an equivalent knowledge-based and competency-based Pharmacy Technician qualification*

OR

1c. If qualified as a Pharmacy Technician before June 2009: Hold either a BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Pharmacy Services or equivalent knowledge based Pharmacy Technician qualification* OR hold a NVQ Level 3 or equivalent competency-based Pharmacy Technician qualification*

Candidates must hold a current Accredited Checking Pharmacy Technician certificate.

Have a postgraduate diploma or equivalent in a relevant discipline or be willing to undertake within 18 months

Shortlisting by Application Form

Experience

Minimum of 2 years as a Pharmacy Technician Band 5, or above, in a hospital pharmacy setting

Experience of leading and directing staff in a supervisory / management capacity.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other

Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. This criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post.

Shortlisting by Application Form

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Skills / Abilities

Excellent leadership skills with evidence of being an effective team player

Ability to work independently on own initiative and organise workload, allocating work as necessary. Ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues.

Able to perform at a high level in the face of uncertainty and can recognise priorities among a range of activities

Highly developed skills in communicating and influencing service users and multi-professional audiences at local and regional level including excellent presentation skills

Excellent interpersonal and managerial skills. Able to manage and resolve conflict and facilitate discussion in complex or challenging situations

Demonstrates tact, empathy and diplomacy in dealing with and communicating sensitive information

Demonstrates record of completing projects to time. Able to work under pressure and to deadlines

Ability to train, mentor and assess competency of other staff

Ability to lead and collaborate with a team or group of stakeholders to deliver a change in service delivery that delivers improved patient care, efficiency and productivity

Interview / Test

Knowledge

Detailed Understanding of current and future Pharmacy technician and Pharmacy Assistant training

Knowledge of the current progress towards the regulation of Pharmacy Technicians in NI

Knowledge of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Professional Standards for Hospital Pharmacy Services Version 4, 2022

Knowledge of legislation and Trust policies relating to the management of Controlled Drugs

Knowledge of Pharmacy computer & information systems

Knowledge of current trends in Health and Social Care (HSC) in NI

Knowledge of future pharmaceutical service developments

Interview / Test

Value Based Recruitment

Value Based Recruitment is a process adopted by the Northern Trust to attract and select employees on the basis that their individual values and behaviours align with those of the Trust.

It focuses on the ‘how’ and ‘why’ people do what they do.

Candidates who are short-listed for interview will need to demonstrate at interview that they have the required knowledge, skills, competencies and values to be effective in this new role.

In answering the value based questions you have the opportunity to share examples of when you have demonstrated values relevant to the Northern Trust.

Criminal Offences, Investigations and Charges

Having a criminal record will not necessarily debar you from working with the Trust. This will depend on the nature of the position, together with the circumstances and background of your offences or other information contained on a disclosure certificate. Where it is necessary to obtain an Access NI disclosure the Trust operates in line with the Access NI Code of Practice (www.nidirect.gov.uk/publications/accessni-code-practice).

If you require further information or a copy of the policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders or the policy on the Secure Handling, Use, Storage and Retention of Disclosure Information, please contact the Trust Human Resources Department.

Essential Leadership Capabilities

The successful candidate will need to provide evidence and demonstrate their Leadership capabilities against the required dimension on the NHS Leadership framework.

A shortlist of candidates for interview will be prepared on the basis of the information contained in the application form. It is therefore essential that all applicants demonstrate through their application how and to what extent their experience and qualities are relevant to this post and the extent to which they satisfy each criterion specified. An assessment centre may also be used as part of the short-listing process.

Candidates who are short-listed for interview will need to demonstrate at interview that they have the required competencies to be effective in this demanding leadership role. The dimensions concerned are given in the Healthcare Leadership Model details of which can be found at http://www.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk/resources/healthcare-leadership-model.

Particular attention will be given to the following

Inspiring shared purpose

Leading with care

Evaluating information

Engaging the team

Holding to account

Developing capability

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for the Trust to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

THE NHSCT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

Successful applicants

may be required to attend for a Health Assessment

can expect to be placed at the minimum point of the pay scale, although a higher starting salary, within the range of the pay band may be available if the person appointed has experience relevant & equivalent to the post. If the successful candidate is an existing HSC employee moving to a higher band, AfC Pay on Promotion will apply.

have the right to request Flexible Working from the 1st day of their employment. A number of flexible working provisions are offered by all HSC Organisations including Full-time working, Fixed working patterns, Part-time working, Flexi-time, Compressed/elongated hours, Average hours working patterns, Term-time working, Job-share or Homeworking for some or all of the working pattern, depending on the role being undertaken. Successful applicants are encouraged to discuss with their manager what Flexible Working provisions may be available in the role they are taking up, prior to commencing employment, to help them achieve a positive Work/Life Balance.

March 2026

Principal Pharmacy Technician, Causeway Hospital

Job Description

Principal Pharmacy Technician, Causeway Hospital

Job Description

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT) is responsible for the delivery of safe and effective health and social care (HSC) services to the population of the Northern Trust area in Northern Ireland.

We provide compassionate care with our community in our community. In order to do this we require the commitment of a highly skilled and professional workforce that meets the need of the service.

The diagram below outlines our values and our objectives which support the delivery of compassionate care within our community.

The below diagram details the values and associated behaviours that we expect staff working within Health and Social Care (HSC) to display at all times;

HSC Value

What does this mean?

What does this look like in practice? - Behaviours

Working Together

We work together for the best outcome for people we care for and support. We work across Health and Social Care and with other external organisations and agencies, recognising that leadership is the responsibility of all.

I work with others and value everyone’s contribution

I treat people with respect and dignity

I work as part of a team looking for opportunities to support and help people in both my own and other teams

I actively engage people on issues that affect them

I look for feedback and examples of good practice, aiming to improve where possible

Compassion

We are sensitive, caring, respectful and understanding towards those we care for and support and our colleagues. We listen carefully to others to better understand and take action to help them and ourselves.