Band 4 / 5 Medicines Optimisation Pharmacy Technician, BNSSG

We are looking for a motivated Medicines Optimisation Pharmacy Technician with excellent communication skills to join our Pharmacy team. We are seeking an individual who is enthusiastic about improving the lives of those living with mental health issues and the drive and ambition to make a positive difference to patient care. Previous experience in mental health is not required, as you will be provided with competency based training and support to expand on your knowledge and experience.

Applicants must be a qualified Pharmacy Technician registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council with previous relevant hospital experience. Ideally you should possess hospital pharmacy experience, a recognised medicines optimisation qualification and be a qualified accuracy checking technician. Pharmacy technicians without these qualifications will be considered. The banding will be based on experience and will be paid as a band 5 upon completion of accreditations in both medicines management and accuracy checking. The Agenda for Change pay band will be discussed at interview and will be determined according to previous experience and proof of qualifications and education.

For the clinical aspect of this role, you will be working closely with experienced locality lead pharmacists and be responsible for providing a comprehensive medicines optimisation service to a variety of AWP inpatient units and community teams in the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire area.

Main duties of the job

• To provide a medicines optimisation service to a wide range of specialty mental health/physical health wards and community teams across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire area.
• To liaise with doctors and nurses regarding discrepancies with patients medication to improve patient care, as well as escalating problems to the relevant Pharmacist.
• To provide advice to patients regarding their medication.
• To act as a role model and help train new members of staff including Pre-Registration Technicians.
• To support the dispensary with dispensing and accuracy checking of prescribed and stock items, escalating any queries to the Responsible Pharmacist.

The AWP pharmacy service supplies medicines and provides clinical support to wards and teams across our core catchment area. We have two dispensaries: one in Calne (Wiltshire) and one at Callington Road Hospital (Bristol). As well as managing the medicines supply chain in the trust, we support the safe and effective use of medicines throughout the organisation through our clinical work, enquiry answering, medicines governance activity and many other roles.

Working hours are 9am until 5pm Monday to Friday, with an occasional commitment to the Saturday and bank holiday rotas. Working hours for weekends and bank holidays are 10am-1pm. We operate a weekend and bank holiday pharmacy service from the Calne/Callington Road dispensary. This is approximately 1 in 10.

Person specification

Knowledge, skills and experience

Essential criteria

• Registered with GPhC as a Pharmacy Technician
• Recognised, current Accuracy Checking Technician qualification or willingness to complete within one year of course induction day
• Recognised, current Medicines Optimisation qualification or willingness to complete within one year of course induction day
• Experience in a hospital pharmacy or equivalent position
• Communication and organisational skills
• Car driver or to be mobile with the facility to move quickly across a geographically dispersed area with limited access to public transport
• Excellent time management skills

Desirable criteria

• Experience of pharmacy services to mental health service users
• IT literate in Word, PowerPoint and Excel or equivalent programs
• Experience of clinical audit
• Knowledge of mental health therapies (e.g. Clozapine)

Hours: Part time - 22.5 hours per week