We are excited to be involved in the development of the Virtual Ward programme, which aims to care for patients safely at the place they call home. In line with National NHSE ambitions we are rolling out our virtual ward model.
We are seeking a motivated and innovative pharmacy technician with a strong background across multiple specialties to join our team at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust to work in the virtual ward clinical pharmacy service as part of the wider MDT.
In addition to excellent communication and leadership skills, you will have previous experience of working within a clinical environment. You will need to be comfortable collaborating with clinicians, managers, nurses and others to ensure that pharmaceutical care of virtual ward patients with a range of clinical conditions is safe and optimised. You will have the opportunity to provide pharmaceutical care to a wide range of patients and/or patient populations based on the evidence-base and/or best practice.
You will be registered as a pharmacy technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council, a Foundation degree in Medicines Management & Pharmacy services or equivalent would be advantageous
You will have excellent team working skills and Evidence of multi-disciplinary teamwork would be advantageous.
Virtual wards allow patients to receive the care they need at home safely and conveniently rather than being in hospital, using technology & digital platforms for us to monitor our patients across a range of clinical specialities.
The postholder will be part of the Community Healthcare Division clinical pharmacy service available to patients across the Calderdale and Huddersfield Foundation Trust (CHFT) footprint in their own homes in the Calderdale area. This may be as part of the CHFT Virtual Ward (VW) /Urgent Community Response Team (UCR) or the wider Community Healthcare Division.
This will require enthusiasm, self-motivation and commitment to forge excellent communication between primary and secondary care teams and drive the pharmacy team forward. The post holder will work with other health and social care organisations across Calderdale to implement and co-ordinate medicines optimisation principles to support patients in the safe and effective use of medicines in their own homes.
To work independently and without direct supervision across the CHFT footprint ensuring adherence to Medicines Optimisation protocols and guidance this will include domiciliary visits.
Calderdale & Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT) is a dynamic and successful organisation with a strong organisational and personal development focus. With over 5,500 employees and a turnover of £310 million, the Trust provides a comprehensive range of secondary care services to the people of Calderdale and Huddersfield and has an exceptional reputation for service delivery. The Foundation Trust aims to design and implement services, policies and measures that meet the diverse needs of our service, population and workforce, ensuring that none are placed at a disadvantage over others.
• Communicate complex and sometimes sensitive medicines-related information to patients, carers and other healthcare professionals including Consultants, Pharmacists, ACPs, GPs, Practice Nurses and Practice Pharmacists. The post holder may have to adjust their communication style and content.
• Completion of Medication Administration Records for the Community Teams
• To analyse, interpret and compare medicines-related information to provide highly specialised advice concerning care of individual patients on the virtual ward or other Community Healthcare Division services. This may include providing information/communicating common drug dosage and use, issues relating to medication regimens and changes to prescribing guidance, drug history taking, medicines reconciliation, patient or carer counselling on medicaiton;
• In conjunction with other team members, plan, organise and implement prescribing support services to the VW to promote cost efficiencies and medicines safety in prescribing. This may include reacting promptly to changes in medicines use, availability or guidance to support member practices;
• To carry out clinical and cost savings audits in practice against agreed protocols, policies or guidance or specifically agreed work plans and record the subsequent activity and outcomes. This will include obtaining the authorisation to complete such work from clinical leads
• To work in a collaborative manner across all health and social care interfaces to support patient-centred care;
• To propose and implement policy or service changes that impact within and beyond the post holder’s own role, including work within GP practices, community pharmacies and by community nurses. This includes the development of prescribing / medicines optimisation guidelines and protocols;
• To be able to prioritise work effectively for the benefit of patients
• To plan and organise the post holder’s own workload, including audit and project work and training sessions for members of the Community Healthcare Division team, MDT team, VW/UCR team, patients, carers, etc;
• To supervise, and train less experienced Medicines Optimisation Technicians. This may include formal and informal training of Medicines Optimisation Technician(s) and support of other staff including Trainees/Student/Apprentices;
• Handle function specific information, which may be sensitive, complex or confidential and appropriately record, transfer and/or co-ordinate such information in accordance with the Data Protection Act and the subsequent legislation including that of the General Data Protection Regulations;
• Use and maintain information systems and databases relevant to specific functions or projects;
• To maintain professional registration as a Pharmacy Technician with the GPhC and comply with appropriate professional codes of conduct. Complete CPD in line with registration requirements and to participate in the CHFT appraisal process;
• To undertake any other duties commensurate with the post holder’s grade as agreed with the post holder’s line manager.
• Act as an advocate for patients and colleagues.
• This role may involve the transport of medication in line with legislation and Trust Policy.
• Participates in weekend, public holiday, out of hours and extended hours provision of pharmacy services
• Updates and maintains contemporaneous and accurate patient medication records on the clinical computer systems, including advice given and action taken, including medication reconciliation, reviews and medicines optimisation advice as well as discharge medication information to the patients registered GP. All practices are on EMIS or SystmOne and the Acute Trust uses Cerner.
• Uses the PharmOutcomes electronic referral system to transfer discharge information to the patients usual pharmacy on discharge from the VW service.
This advert closes on Thursday 14 Nov 2024
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