Senior Pharmacy Technician - Clinical Trials and Research

at  Alder Hey Childrens NHS Foundation Trust

Communication To actively contribute as a member of the pharmacy management team and provide regular feedback and updates to other members of the pharmacy department on the structure, demands and delivery of the CRF service. Support the lead pharmacist for clinical trials to ensure the to organise other meetings to support the CRF Dispensary service as required. To develop positive working relationships with all staff in all areas of work to ensure the safe and effective use of medicines. Network with pharmacy technicians from other hospitals regarding services provided to improve communication links, to improve service provision, and to help expand the role of pharmacy technicians.
Analytical skills Liaise with the Chief Pharmacy Technician to ensure sufficient Technical staff are available to fulfil the staff rotas. This will involve adjusting rotas when required in order to ensure the effective continuation of the service. To check for prescribing errors within the limits compatible with technician training using knowledge and relevant supporting literature such as Medicines for Children and the BNF, and using tact, discuss any discrepancies with prescribers referring any problems to a pharmacist. To carry out the final accuracy check of clinically screened complex paediatric prescriptions dispensed by others in accordance with safe systems of work practice ensuring the maintenance of records and information.
To answer queries of a complex and sensitive technical nature from service users referring to a Pharmacist where necessary. Planning and organising skills Contribute to the departments pharmacy improvement plan, identifying service developments,carry out future resource planning and continue to develop the CRF and research service, as appropriate. In conjunction with the Chief Pharmacy Technician plan, prioritise and manage daily service needs ensuring the effective and appropriate use of resources Under the supervision of the lead pharmacist for clinical trials set up the pharmacy aspect of clinical trials for dispensing in the CRF Physical skills To carry out and monitor the dispensing and issuing of prescriptions, including in-patients, outpatients, discharge, unlicensed and Controlled Drugs in accordance with the safe systems of work procedures within the department. This will include the dispensing of complex prescriptionse.g.
Oncology, Renal and Haematology. To carry out and monitor the dispensing and issuing of clinical trial prescriptions including all associated paperwork Responsibility for patient/client care To liaise with other healthcare professionals, patients and carers to provide specialist advice toensure the safe and effective use of medicines and the resolution of identified pharmaceutical care issues. This may involve answering queries of a complex and sensitive technical nature from service users referring to a Pharmacist where necessary. To work collaboratively with all nursing/medical leads in research areas to improve services and increase patient experience.
Responsibility for policy/service development To support the development, implementation and management of safe and effective systems forTechnician Accuracy Checking and to ensure in-house competencies are maintained. To lead, manage and develop the CRF Pharmacy service To lead, manage and promote the service to ensure that a high quality and efficient pharmacy service is provided to users. Create, maintain and develop policies, procedures and standards and ensure all dispensary technical staff adhere to these. Responsibility for financial and physical resources To lead and manage an effective CRF pharmacy service ensuring good stock control through regular monitoring of stock levels.
Be an authorised signatory for medicine supply orders up to a value of £5000 To support the monitoring of dispensary stock is maintained including the investigation of stock issues and subsequent escalation if necessary To support the technical team in dealing with any alarms or issues identified by the Trust temperature monitoring system and action or escalate where necessary. To support the Chief Pharmacy Technician Patient Services by ensuring daily and annual stock checks are completed all CRF Pharmacy areas. Responsibility for human resources To monitor dispensary staff sickness absence on a day to day basis and to take appropriate action where necessary: this includes carrying out, and accurately documenting, return to work interviews and formal stage discussions. To review, authorise and monitor technical/support staff annual leave and flexitime including any appointment requests To monitor, verify and keep a record of all flexi sheets for Dispensary and Ward based technical staff, escalating any discrepancies to the Chief Pharmacy Technician.
To support the Chief Pharmacy Technician Patient Services with aspects of their role when necessary. To participate in responding to incidents; meet with staff to discuss any issues, provideappropriate support with reflection tools, and produce action plans where necessary. To assist in managing the recruitment and selection of Technical staff including Agency, NHSP, and at risk Trust staff. Chair recruitment panels and complete relevant pre and post interview documentation.
This may include the review and update of technical job descriptions. To participate in PDPs/appraisals for technical and support staff identifying strengths and development needs and ensuring that mandatory training programmes are up to date. To support the Chief Technician in dealing with any performance issues if and when they occur. Responsibility for information resources To encourage staff to record all drug interventions and medication errors.
Dispense clinical trials and reconcile medicines maintaining appropriate records in accordancewith the dispensing protocol and ICH GCP guidelines. To support the technical team in dealing with any alarms or issues identified by the Trust temperature monitoring system and action or escalate where necessary. Verify, monitor, and record compliance with the Trusts Flushing Log. To ensure that appropriate statistics are maintained and regularly reviewed to ensure accurate data is available to inform ideas and suggestions for service improvements.
To organise and carry out local service audits on CRF Pharmacy services to identify improvements or developments needed. This may include waste, waiting times, customer satisfaction, errors. Responsibility for research and development Create, maintain and develop CRF Pharmacy policies, procedures and standards and ensure all Dispensary technical staff adhere to these. To liaise with the Senior Pharmacy Technician Education & Training to ensure the development, co-ordination and implementation of competency- based training packages for Dispensarytechnical staff are in place To undertake Continuing Professional Development in order to keep pharmaceutical clinical andtechnical knowledge current, ensure best practice and comply with requirements for entry on the pharmacy technician register.
To advise and support registered technical staff in Continued Professional Development and ensure registration is maintained. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES To maintain professional registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council. To remain registered as a BTEC Accredited Accuracy Checking Technician. Successfully complete the in-house accuracy checking re-accreditation within specified timeframes

Please refer the Job description for details