Lead Pharmacy Technician For Homecare Services

Job OverviewAs the Lead Pharmacy Technician for Homecare Services, you will lead, develop and manage homecare services for East Kent University Foundation Trust Hospitals in line with RPS good practice guidelines, UK legislation, Good Distribution Practice (GDP) and local policies and procedures.

You will ensure homecare services are of a consistently high quality, ensuring over

• patients get the right dose, right quantity and reach the patient in a timely way.

You will screen homecare prescriptions to ensure they are legal and safe before they are sent on to the homecare pharmacy provider.This role requires the post holder to hold the relevant Homecare Services Prescription Validation and accreditation to clinically screen homecare prescriptions.

If the post holder does not have the relevant qualification and accreditation, starting salary will be at Band 5 until this is completed, at which point they will move to a Band 6 salary.

This qualification and accreditation is a requirement of the role and will be funded by Pharmacy.This is a great opportunity for a Pharmacy Technician wishing to be at the forefront of innovative change.

We offer a full package of benefits, including a car lease scheme; on-site childcare; generous annual leave in line with NHS terms and conditions; high street and public transport discounts; a 24 / 7 staff support service - and the little things that make life easier, like on-site Amazon lockers and fresh fruit and veg stalls.Main duties of the jobTo lead and manage the homecare team to provide homecare services to patients in the EKHUFT remit, including ordering and invoicing of homecare medicinesTo validate and screen homecare prescriptionsTo support the Advanced Homecare Medicines Lead Pharmacist with identifying, planning and implementing new opportunities for homecare services and writing and implementing the homecare strategyTo analyse, review and present homecare data to stakeholders and at monthly performance review meetingsTo manage homecare medicine shortages, liaising with stakeholdersWorking for our organisationWe are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with three acute hospitals and community sites serving a local population of around 700,000.

We also provide specialist services for Kent and Medway.

We care about our patients and our people.

We are focused on providing outstanding, safe patient care, and a positive working culture that benefits staff and patients alike.

With our emphasis on staff training and development, a staff support scheme that's second to none, and a healthy package of benefits, it's easy to put down roots in East Kent Hospitals.LeadershipDetailed job description and main responsibilitiesTo support the Advanced Homecare Medicines Lead Pharmacist with identifying, planning and implementing new opportunities for homecare servicesTo support the development of a culture within EKHUFT that identifies and communicates the contribution that Pharmacy Homecare makes to an effective and efficient serviceTo liaise and work with the Medicines Value Team and Medicines Procurement Team on any joint initiativesTo support the Advanced Homecare Medicines Lead Pharmacist in writing the EKHUFT Strategy for Homecare Medicines and ensure it is implementedTo participate in the implementation of the EKHUFT Policy for Homecare Medicines, and contribute to its future developmentTo track & report quality and financial indicators achieved by Pharmacy Homecare activities to facilitate communication to key stakeholders on a monthly basisTo ensure all Pharmacy Homecare activities operate in full accordance with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and Trust policies to include its Standing Financial InstructionsTo ensure contract compliance for homecare medicines across the TrustTo work in partnership with stakeholders to ensure risks with key suppliers are understoodResponsible for contingency planning where appropriateExplore ways of reducing environmental and wasteful expenditure that are financially sustainableImplement and complete appropriate audits with the Advanced Homecare Medicines Lead Pharmacist where necessary, including the RPS audit yearly.

Identify and implement improvements where necessary.ProcessesEnsure that all Homecare Pharmacy standard operating procedures are kept updated and adhered toTo undertake the Homecare Services Prescription Validation and Clinical Screening Programme and screening accreditation, as well as in-house screening accreditation / competenciesTo liaise with clinicians, clinical pharmacists and other stake holders to define & specify their needs to ensure an effective and compliant homecare processEnsure that homecare companies are systematically monitored at regular intervals against key performance indicators to ensure targets are met and patients receive the best care and treatment experience.

Monitor and review the homecare contracts and SLAsTo ensure that sustainability is considered with regards to all Pharmacy Homecare activityResponsible for maintaining the IT CMM Homecare system, adding new frameworks, new drugs and contract pricesManages the Blueteq system for homecare drugsResponsible for writing, uploading and amending Homecare SOPs on QPULSE systemMonitor and review the homecare contracts and SLAsCompile Freedom of Information requests in a timely manner using the CMM homecare packageParticipate in the implementation of new drugs via homecare and ensure they are implemented to agreed standardsManage drug shortages, liaising with appropriate stakeholders to identify alternatives and manage patient switchesPartnershipsTo actively set up & maintain productive relationships with national, regional and specialised Pharmacy Homecare Teams and lead pharmacists as required to support EKHUFT Pharmacy HomecareTo represent EKHUFT Pharmacy Homecare at regional meetings and to update the Pharmacy Senior Leadership Team on any developmentsAttend quarterly homecare company service review meetingsWork closely with the Advanced Homecare Medicines Lead Pharmacist and Homecare Pharmacist, Pharmacy Procurement and the wider pharmacy teams and clinical staff in the TrustLiaise with the High Cost Drugs Pharmacist where necessary for new homecare medicines or changesWork with clinical teams within EKHUFT to help implement new homecare services and provide support for on-going homecare services.PeopleParticipate in recruitment, training, staff appraisals and development.

Line manage the Senior Assistant and lead the homecare team.Organising regular meetings with key stakeholders to improve communication and co-ordination of Pharmacy Homecare activitiesSupport the development of Pharmacy homecare training packagesProvide specialist advice on medicines and processes associated with homecare medicines management where appropriateTo deal promptly with complaints and concerns from stakeholders, suppliers and patients using careful analysis and judgment and responding positively through the use of empathy, persuasion and negotiation with innovative and effective service solutions where appropriate.Work with clinical teams within EKHUFT to help implement new homecare services and provide support for on-going homecare services.Accredited Checking Pharmacy Technician (ACPT) DutiesComplete Accreditation (ACPT) according to CPPE scheme and local policy.Conduct checking duties in dispensary or in a ward dispensing setting for a minimum of 8 hours per month.Provide constructive feedback when informing dispensers that they have made mistakes during dispensing.Report in-process errors following local policy.Ensure that your knowledge is up to date by reading all pharmacy procedures relevant to the accuracy checking of dispensed medicines.Contribute to the quality management of dispensing by suggesting improvements to practice and procedures.Ensure familiarity with dosing, side effects, and common interactions of all medicines accuracy checkedAdditional dutiesCompletion of the Homecare Services Prescription Validation and Clinical Screening Programme and screening accreditation, as well as in-house screening accreditation / competencies.To independently check clinical safety and suitability of prescriptions, ensuring effective use of medicines and compliance with medicines legislation upon completion of point 1.OtherParticipate in the weekend and bank holiday Pharmacy services rota.To undertake such other duties as may be required by the Director of Pharmacy in the interest of the service, appropriate for grade and agreed with the post holder.Person specificationExperienceEssential criteriaHospital pharmacy experienceExperience of managing a teamDesirable criteriaExperience of managing changeExperience of managing drug shortagesExperience of working with multidisciplinary teamsExperience of screening prescriptionsHomecare experienceSkillsEssential criteriaExcellent communication skills both oral and writtenExcellent organisational and coordinating skillsExcellent interpersonal and negotiating skillsCustomer service experience and skillsAbility to work without supervisionHigh level of IT skills including Word, Excel, PowerPointDesirable criteriaDeveloping and implementation of proceduresKnowledge or experience of biologics / biosimilarsKnowledge of managing drug shortagesQualificationsEssential criteriaNVQ in Pharmacy Services level 3 with BTEC in Pharmaceutical Science as underpinning knowledge or equivalentRegistration as a member of the General Pharmaceutical Council maintaining mandatory CPD requirementDesirable criteriaNational Accredited Checking Pharmacy technician qualificationHomecare Services Prescription Validation and Clinical Screening ProgrammeKnowledgeEssential CriteriaKnowledge of hospital pharmacy and homecareDesirable criteriaWorking knowledge of CMM

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