Job summary
As a pharmacy technician, you will play a key role in supporting the safe and effective use of medicines across the PCN. You will contribute to repeat prescribing management, medicines optimisation and prescribing safety alongside our multidisciplinary team.

You will take ownership of key medicines management processes such as electronic repeat dispensing, repeat prescribing, medicines reconciliation, prescribing safety audits and high-risk drug monitoring. The role also provides the opportunity for patient-facing work through inhaler technique, lifestyle, and medication reviews.

Main duties of the job
Repeat Prescribing and Medicines Management
Medicines Queries and Community Pharmacy Liaison
Electronic Repeat Dispensing (eRD) and Shared Care Support
Medicines Reconciliation
Clinical Support and Patient Care
Audit, Quality Improvement and Prescribing Safety
Training and Service Development

About us
Reading Holybrook Primary Care Network (PCN) is a forward-thinking collaboration of 3 GP practices serving communities across Reading and the surrounding area. Together, we work to deliver high quality, accessible primary care and improved health outcomes for a diverse and growing population. Serving more than 35,000 patients, we bring together a multidisciplinary workforce including GPs, allied health professionals, treatment room clinicians, Social Prescribers and Care Co-ordinators to provide joined-up, person-centred care.

As a PCN, we are committed to innovation, continuous improvement and collaborative working. We work closely with our member practices, community services, local authorities and voluntary sector partners to reduce health inequalities, improve patient experience and support the long-term health and wellbeing of our population.

Based in Reading, our network offers a supportive and inclusive working environment where staff are encouraged to develop their skills, contribute new ideas and make a meaningful difference to the communities we serve. Whether delivering frontline services or supporting operational excellence, every role within Reading Holybrook PCN plays an important part in improving patient care and shaping the future of primary care.

Job responsibilities
Repeat Prescribing and Medicines Management

• Manage the daily repeat prescribing workflow, reviewing prescription requests in line with practice protocols.
• Undertake medication safety checks before prescriptions are issued.
• Identify and manage overdue medication monitoring requirements and arrange appropriate blood tests where needed.
• Support medication synchronisation and alignment following medication changes or hospital discharge.
• Identify prescribing outside agreed formulary guidance and escalate where appropriate.
• Escalate urgent prescription requests and complex prescribing issues to the Clinical Pharmacist or GP team.

Medicines Queries and Community Pharmacy Liaison

• Act as a first point of contact for medicine-related queries from patients, reception staff and community pharmacies.
• Resolve non clinical prescribing and medication availability queries within scope of practice.
• Liaise with community pharmacy teams regarding prescription issues, stock shortages and medication synchronisation requests.
• Escalate complex clinical queries appropriately.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with community pharmacy colleagues.

Electronic Repeat Dispensing eRD and Shared Care Support

• Identify suitable patients for electronic Repeat Dispensing.
• Set up and maintain eRD arrangements in line with practice procedures.
• Monitor patients receiving eRD and support those who have fallen off the process.
• Assist with monitoring requirements for patients prescribed medicines under shared care agreements.
• Support safe and cost-effective prescribing in accordance with local formularies and guidance.

Medicines Reconciliation

• Undertake medicines reconciliation for non complex discharge summaries and clinical correspondence.
• Process medication related communications from secondary care, community pharmacies and other healthcare providers.
• Update clinical systems accurately following medication changes.
• Escalate high-risk or complex medication changes to the Clinical Pharmacists.

Clinical Support and Patient Care

• Conduct simple medication reviews within agreed competency and protocols.
• Support patients with medicines adherence and lifestyle interventions.
• Deliver blood pressure and cholesterol lifestyle review appointments.
• Undertake inhaler technique reviews and provide patient education.
• Prepare patients for Structured Medication Reviews by ensuring required monitoring and information is available.

Audit, Quality Improvement and Prescribing Safety

• Support delivery of medicines optimisation, prescribing safety and quality improvement initiatives.
• Undertake audits relating to high-risk medication monitoring
• Assist with QOF, Prescribing Quality Scheme (PQS), CQC and internal audit programmes.
• Support implementation of MHRA alerts, medicines recalls and patient safety actions.
• Contribute to the monitoring and reporting of prescribing safety outcomes.

Training and Service Development

• Support the training of reception and administrative staff in medicines-related processes.
• Assist with the induction and development of junior pharmacy technicians and foundation pharmacists.
• Contribute to the development and review of pharmacy procedures and workflows.
• Participate in continuing professional development activities.
• Support ongoing service improvement and innovation within the pharmacy team.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Registered Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council GPhC.
• Pharmacy Technician qualification BTEC/NVQ Level 3 in Pharmaceutical Sciences or equivalent.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Good understanding of medicines management and patient safety principles.
• Strong IT skills and ability to use clinical systems.
• Commitment to continuing professional development.

Desirable

• Experience working in general practice, PCN or secondary care settings.
• Completion of or undertaking the CPPE PCPEP course.
• Experience of medicines reconciliation and repeat prescribing processes.
• Experience using EMIS Web, Docman and other primary care systems.
• Experience undertaking audits and quality improvement work.
• Understanding of high-risk drug monitoring processes.
• Experience supporting care home and frailty patients.

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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.