Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity for a forward thinking and enthusiastic pharmacy technician to join our team within the developmental paediatrics and neurodiversity service in this newly created post

You will be working with the Lead Pharmacist for Developmental Paediatrics to lead on all aspects of medicines management.

Main duties of the job
Lead on the pharmacy medicines management service to developmental paediatrics and ND service, with the particular emphasis on ensuring safe and effective supply of medications from the developmental paediatrics and Neurodiversity service.

Providing technical support to the Lead Pharmacist - Developmental Paediatrics

Supporting the multidisciplinary team in developmental paediatrics and ND to ensure the safe and effective supply of medicines

Lead on medicines counselling for newly diagnosed ND patients under the care of the developmental paediatrics and ND service

Lead 'PIL School' clinics for patients under the care of the Neurodiversity team

Set up and lead on patient counselling clinic

Line manage pharmacy technicians working within the developmental paediatrics and ND service

Work as a medicines management technician for the main pharmacy service on ad-hoc basis

About us
Sponsorship - We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible role and requirements on the government website.

Job responsibilities
Developmental Paediatrics and Neurodiversity Service
Medicines Management & Clinical Support
Deliver a safe and effective Medicines Management service to the Developmental paediatrics and Neurodiversity (ND) team, adhering to all relevant procedures and governance frameworks.

Lead on the provision and monitoring of medicines for patients under the care of the Developmental Paediatrics and ND service, with the Lead Pharmacist in ensuring appropriate follow-up and therapeutic oversight.

Provide pharmaceutical care to paediatric patients, working collaboratively with clinical pharmacists to optimise treatment outcomes.

Developing and updating highly specialised patient information leaflets for use in medicines initialisation clinics as well as other resources

Lead on the training of nurses with regards medicines used in the developmental paediatrics and ND service

Specialist Advice & Communication
Independently offer specialist medicines information to healthcare professionals across primary and secondary care, as well as to parents/carers of Alder Hey patients and those from external trusts.

Communicate complex medicines-related information (e.g. dosing, administration, supply) clearly and compassionately to patients and families, including those with barriers to understanding, using verbal, written, and electronic formats.

Independently respond to prescription queries from parents and clinicians, ensuring timely and accurate advice.

Clinic & Patient-Facing Activities
Provide direct support in clinics, including:

• Conducting medication counselling
• Performing drug interaction checks for clinicians and where appropriate summarise this information and present to the clinician.
• Identify stock issues and act on these to support the clinician in person

Lead on designated clinics to support patients in learning to swallow tablet dosage forms (PIL School)

Develop and lead on medicines counselling clinics within developmental paedaitrics and ND service

Proactively review patients to ensure they are booked into clinics at appropriate times for review as per national guidelines

With the lead pharmacist lead in the initiation and monitoring of shared care agreements for the relevant medications

With the lead pharmacist lead in ensuring the transfer of amber initiated prescribed medication to primary care where appropriate.

Governance, Safety & Quality Assurance
Identify medicine related risks within Developmental Paediatrics and ND service and support the Pharmacy Governance Teams agenda in the implementation of risk reduction measures

Manage and close medication-related incidents, contributing to a culture of continuous improvement.

Participate in the Community and Mental Health Medicine Safety Subgroup.

Lead on the audit of the use of FP10/EPS to ensure strict governance procedures are followed.

Support the Purchasing Department and Formulary & Procurement Pharmacist in assessing the quality and safety of licensed and unlicensed medicines, including completion of risk assessments and supporting the introduction of new drugs.

Liaise with pharmaceutical suppliers and manufacturers to facilitate the safe implementation of new medicines into the Trust.

To report and investigate adverse drug reactions via MHRA yellow card scheme.

Actively encourage others to report yellow card where appropriate.

Digital Transformation & Innovation
Support the implementation and monitoring of digital systems for streamlining prescribing workflows to enhance safety and efficiency.

Utilise digital advancements within the trust to improve medication management.

Education, Audit & Policy Development
Lead on the development and review of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for medicine management in the developmental paediatrics team with the support of the lead pharmacist

Provide stock updates and formulary advice to clinicians to ensure continuity of care and medicine availability.

Provide education to the wider pharmacy team on medicines management within the developmental paediatric team

Planning and organising skills
To be able to work independently and as part of a team in planning, organising and prioritising the daily workload. This may involve allocating tasks or jobs to other members of the team based on the urgency, complexity or nature of the workload and ensure deadlines are achieved.

To manage own workload and work unsupervised on multiple concurrent complex enquiries or tasks. To recognise own limitations and when necessary to refer to a senior pharmacist.

Responsibility for information resources (detail within)
To ensure the resources used within the department remain up to date in accordance with national guidance; this includes the renewal and ordering of new resources.

To maintain and develop the BI dashboard, Electronic prescribing systems and RPA system

To ensure appropriate documentation and workload records are maintained e.g clinic documentation and clinic letters

To set up and maintain specialist internal medicines information databases/systems e.g. sharepoint

Main Pharmacy Service Responsibilities
Please see Job description for full details

Person Specification
Education and Training
Essential

• NVQ Level 3 Pharmacy Services & BTEC in Pharmaceutical Science
• Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
• BTEC Accredited Checking Technician Qualification, with extensive experience in the role (B5)
• Computer Literate with functional knowledge of pharmacy computer systems

Desirable

• Completion of L6 or equivalent advanced clinical qualification or equivalent experience

Experience
Essential

• Extensive previous experience and knowledge of working in a hospital pharmacy environment
• Good working knowledge of safe dispensing practices
• Demonstrated experience of delivering staff training
• Demonstrated experience of supervising pharmacy technicians and assistants
• Leading quality improvement schemes
• Leading on risk reviews
• Leading on incident reviews and implementing change

Desirable

• Experience of Paediatric Pharmacy
• Previous experience of dispensing clinical trials
• Demonstrated experience of maintaining stock control systems
• Previous experience of completing department projects and audits

Knowledge
Essential

• Paediatric medicines
• Formulation issues effecting compliance with medicines in paediatrics
• Good understanding of medicines used to treat paediatric conditions such as ADHD and ASD

Desirable

• Ability to adapt to different computer packages
• Extensive knowledge and expertise in extemporaneous manufacture of medicines and Good Pharmacy Manufacturing Practice

Skills
Essential

• Good interpersonal skills to promote a good customer service
• Ability to work effectively within various teams
• Demonstrated good time management skills
• Demonstrated good organisational skills
• Good analytical skills when carrying out formula, measurement and emergency box checks
• Ability to solve complex technical problems
• Ability to adapt communication skills to complex needs children

Personal Attributes
Essential

• Ability to communicate effectively and in a professional manner with patients and staff
• Good attention to detail and responsible attitude to quality and accuracy
• Commitment to Continuous Professional Development

Desirable

• Pro-active approach to the extended roles for technicians
• Pro-active approach to training

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).