Job Overview

Work in conjunction with clinical pharmacists and ward teams to provide a medicines optimisation service to HCS to ensure the safe and efficient use of medicines. For an informal discussion please contact Nicki Austin on N.Austin2@health.gov.je

Job Specific Outcomes

1. Complete a medicines reconciliation for new patients by taking drug histories from patients and other sources, such as GPs and care homes. Liaise with clinical pharmacists, medical and nursing staff over any clinical issues, to ensure that each patient is receiving the most appropriate medication.
2. Assess patient’s own medication at the patient’s bedside / inpatient areas, to determine whether they are fit for use.
3. Contribute to patient discharge facilitation including medicines reconciliation at discharge, counselling patients on their medicines, liaising with other healthcare providers about patient’s ongoing medication needs.
4. Order and dispense medicines for individual patients, ensuring that sufficient supplies of medicines are available for patients when they need it during their inpatient stay and at discharge to support their ongoing prescribed medical requirements.
5. Undertake the final accuracy check of clinically screened medicines prior to supply to patients, both at ward and dispensary level, and check the accuracy of prescriptions dispensed by others, to maximise the safe and appropriate dispensing of medicines to patients.
6. Advise on the safe and secure storage of patients’ own drugs and non-stock drugs on the wards to ensure they are kept in safe custody at all times and handed back to the patient or transferred accordingly.
7. Identify any patients requiring information on their medication, advising and counselling patients with such information to ensure that they fully understand the requirements, that any patient adherence issues are clearly raised with them and so that they are able to obtain maximum benefit from prescribed treatment.
8. Mentor technicians undertaking medicines optimisation accreditation and technician checking accreditation. Assess the competency of technicians undertaking medicines optimisation activities.
9. Participate in the review and implementation of policies, procedures and guidelines relating to the delivery of technician-led medicines optimisations services to patients and ward staff.
10. Collect and analyse data required to monitor and evaluate the impact and performance of the technical medicines optimisation service in order to inform practice and service improvement.

Statutory Responsibilities

• The postholder will have to comply with all relevant States Laws, such as the Health and Safety at Work (Jersey) Law 1989 and any other associated legislation, Standing Orders, Financial Directions, and other relevant Codes of Practice, in respect of managing the key project deliverables of programmes and costs through the active management of procurement, approval, financial and administrative procedures.
• To be responsible for your own health and safety and that of your colleagues, in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work (Jersey) Law, 1989
• To work in accordance with the Data Protection (Jersey) Law;
• This role is politically restricted. The jobholder is not permitted to undertake political activity involving standing for election to the States or as a Parish Constable, or publicly supporting someone who is standing for election or playing a public part in any political manner.

Communication and Relationships

• Communicates information to patients/ carers regarding prescribed medicines, prescription payments, exemptions and further supplies. There may be communication difficulties if English is not the first language for the patient/carer, or if the patient’s understanding is impaired due to the underlying nature of their medical condition.
• Communicates medicines management or other technical information to hospital staff or other clinicians
• Needs to be able to communicate information clearly and sensitively in what can sometimes be an emotive atmosphere (e.g. if the patient has a serious or terminal illness).
• Liaises, supports and advises a range of pharmacy and medical staff, particularly around the protocols of managing medicines. Requires both tact and willingness to challenge constructively when there are errors.

Analytical Skills

• Makes professional judgements on discrepancies in medication histories of patients and brings to the attention of the ward pharmacist or prescriber for discussion and resolution.
• Assesses patients’ own drugs for suitability for re-use.
• Conducts analysis to determine if further medical supplies are required for specific patients.
• Conducts analysis of patient and prescribing activity data.
• Must check the accuracy of dispensed prescriptions, understand and follow procedures to ensure the safe handling, storage and security of medicines, including reviewing and managing stock and security procedures relating to controlled drugs. Close attention to detail and absolute accuracy are key.

Planning & Organisation

• Organises and co-ordinates day-to-day provision of technician led medicines optimisation services to wards, with other medicines optimisation technicians.
• Organises supervision of support workers or trainees.

Physical Skills

• Manipulates fine tools and materials, when dispensing medicines.
• Skills for standard keyboard use

Qualifications

Essential:

• BTEC / NVQ/ SVQ level 3 in Pharmaceutical Sciences, or National Certificate in Pharmaceutical Science or equivalent.
• Current registration as a Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical council of Great Britain.
• Qualified Technician Checker (to National Standard)
• Accreditation in Medicines Optimisation

Knowledge

Essential

• Expertise within specialism, underpinned by theory.
• Knowledge of pharmaceutical technical procedures acquired through training.
• Knowledge of checking dispensed prescriptions and supervising a technical area within the pharmacy.
• Up to date knowledge of national guidelines and legislation relating to medicines use and pharmacy practice.
• Good understanding of clinical governance, medication incidents and risk management.
• Practical knowledge of maintaining records according to confidentiality and data protection protocols.

Technical Work Based Skills

Essential:

• Able to demonstrate a range of information technology skills i.e. an ability to effectively use IT equipment and role critical software.

General skills / attributes

Essential

• Strong relationship building with both internal and external stakeholders, up to and including at a senior level.
• Able to understand and manage a range of facts or situations requiring analysis.
• Strong problem-solving acumen.
• Excellent communication; verbal and written.
• Communicates effectively across all levels.
• Ability to adapt personal style in order to influence others and gain support for ideas.
• Supports the development of and shares learning with other members of staff.
• Able to remain professional and effective under pressure.
• Committed to continuous service improvement and also continued professional development for themselves and their team.
• Self-directed and resourceful.
• Flexible approach to work.

Experience

Essential:

• At least 3 years post registration experience in hospital pharmacy practice, including experience of medicines optimisation.
• Completed comprehensive rotations in hospital pharmacy including medicines management.
• Experience of working effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Facilitation and tutoring of pharmacy staff

Policy and Service Development

• Provides clinical technical services and advice in relation to care.
• Provides a pharmacy service, including dispensing drugs to patients and providing information on common drug dosage and use.
• Contributes to development of policies and procedures in own area.
• Advises patients, carers, and pharmacy and medical staff on issues relating to medication management