Job summary
Pharmacy technicians from community, prison, PCNs or other settings, are encouraged to apply. To arrange an informal visit or discuss the role and meet the team, please contact. Melanie Lowe, melanie.lowe10@nhs.net, 0161 918 2456 or 07526557349.

Are you confident, forward-thinking, and looking for a new challenge? Why not consider joining our clinical pharmacy team? You will be front and centre, talking with patients across our wards/departments, giving you a great opportunity to be a part of the delivery of treatments in oncology.

We are currently looking to recruit highly motivated, enthusiastic pharmacy technicians to join our Trust pharmacy team to work alongside a multi-disciplinary team in providing a high-quality service to patients and colleagues.

Part time and job share will be considered. The role involves weekend and bank holiday working on a rotational basis.

Working with us gives you the knowledge and sense of pride that every activity you do genuinely does make a difference to support our patients and staff, ensuring we keep thriving and delivering outstanding healthcare right across the organisation.You will have access to varied development opportunities, learn new skills, meet wonderful people, and do things you may never have done.

Main duties of the job
You will work closely with other members of our multi-disciplinary teams to ensure that Christie patients have access to the very latest developments in oncology and haematology medicines. You will be responsible for pharmacy technician clinical pharmacy services on designated wards, working within our innovative clinical pharmacy team to ensure a high quality, patient-focused clinical pharmacy and medicines supply service to oncology patients which will help you to enhance your skills, knowledge, and experience to support your future career development. You will support the satellite dispensary when required, including dispensing and accuracy checking of medication and facilitating medication requirements for chemotherapy patients on Oak Road Treatment Centre and haematology day case units. Other responsibilities within this role include controlled drug destruction, monitoring and replenishment of pharmacy resuscitation boxes and support within the Homecare service.

You will be a strong team player with effective interpersonal, communication and organisational skills as well as a keen interest and enthusiasm for patient focussed services and continual improvement.

The post holder will be based at the Christie Withington site, however, may be required to undertake roles and responsibilities at other 'Christie at' sites.

About us
The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, looking after more than 64,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 25% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.

We are the largest radiotherapy provider in the NHS with one in 20 treatments delivered at The Christie. We have up to 15 linear accelerators operating across our network of sites. We operate the largest chemotherapy unit in the UK on our main site and treatments are also provided at 13 other networked sites, and in patients homes. And as a specialist tertiary surgical centre, we focus on rare cancers, complex procedures, and multidisciplinary approaches to cancer surgery, specialising in colorectal, peritoneal, gynaecological, urological and plastic surgery.

We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We have been named by the UK's National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), as one of the best hospitals providing opportunities for patients to participate in clinical research studies, with more than 800 studies open at any time, caring for over 3,000 patients.

Job responsibilities
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
To participate, and be responsible for, pharmacy technician based clinical pharmacy services on designated wards in partnership with the ward pharmacist to ensure a high quality, patientfocused clinical pharmacy and medicines supply service to oncology patients is delivered. o To contribute to the service delivery within the day case units including oncology solid tumours, haematology, and ambulatory care initiatives.o To ensure each patient is assessed on admission regarding medicines management, taking a complete and accurate medication history.o Rotation onto the Acute Assessment Unit providing a medicines optimisation role.o To participate in the assessment of patients for the self-medication scheme in accordance with local policy.o To provide a weekly top up service for patients on designated wards to ensure continuous supply of medication.o To be responsible and assist the ward pharmacist in ensuring and organising the efficient supply of medication during the patients stay in hospital and on discharge from the hospital including assessing suitability of medication for discharge.o To be proactive in the discharge planning process and liaise with the ward pharmacist and other healthcare professionals to ensure prescriptions are processed and delivered to the patients in a timely manner.o To counsel patients and their carers to ensure greater understanding of their medication including its safe use and side effects.

To undertake all clinical duties in accordance with standard operating procedure and all local, Trust and national guidelines. Ensure good team working and communication between pharmacy staff, ward pharmacist, ward staff and medical staff on behalf of the patients. To deal with queries from patients and all healthcare professionals in a friendly and courteous manner. To assist in maintaining optimal stock levels of medication on all ward areas. To participate in the training and supervision of pharmacy assistants in the ordering, maintenance, and delivery of stock for wards and departments within the Trust. To assist in the training, induction and supervision of staff involved in ward-based technician services including pre-registration trainee pharmacy technicians, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy assistants, pre-registration pharmacists and new members of staff. To complete yearly Personal Development Reviews for staff including pre-registration trainee pharmacy technicians, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy assistants. To provide pharmacy technician cover at Christie @ sites as required. To contribute to the regular review and development of the clinical service. To demonstrate awareness and commitment to the Trusts Clinical & Research Governance agenda and to implement agreed clinical & research governance initiatives. To participate in departmental, Trust and National risk management schemes such as error reporting systems and intervention monitoring. To assist in clinical audit or practice research as required. To provide annual leave/absence cover for other clinical pharmacy technicians in their duties. To undertake general dispensary duties in accordance with standard operating procedures in line with the clinical needs of ward patients. To participate in the development of the satellite pharmacy service on Oak Road Treatment Centre. To support the satellite dispensary when required and facilitate the medication requirements for chemotherapy patients. To provide dispensing and accuracy checking duties within the satellite pharmacy. To coordinate medication requirements for haematology and ambulatory care day case units. To support the monitoring and replenishment of the resuscitation boxes within the Trust. To support the cyclical medication and homecare services when required. To support the Christie at Home service when required. To participate in controlled drug destruction in line with relevant SOPs and national guidance. To contribute to any investigation at ward level regarding anomalies or discrepancies with controlled drug stock or patients own controlled drugs, stored on the ward/department or any other medication related incidents as appropriate. To liaise with the Chief Clinical Pharmacy Technician when further investigation is required regarding controlled drug incidents or any other medication related incidents if the initial investigation is not resolved. To be an accredited accuracy checking technician and to support the satellite dispensary as required. To be fully aware of the COSHH regulations particularly regarding the safe storage and handling of pharmaceutical products. To participate in Continuing Professional Development ensuring relevant knowledge and skills are up to date, meeting the professional requirements of the General Pharmaceutical Council. To participate in mandatory training in line with Trust and departmental requirements. To participate in all department rotas including the extended opening hours of the department rota, weekend service (Saturdays and Sundays) and Bank Holiday working as requested. To always behave in a manner that is in accordance with the professional standards set by the General Pharmaceutical Council. Undertake all other related duties which may be required in accordance with the changing needs and practices of the department and organisation.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science /NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent recognised pharmacy technician qualification
• BTEC Level 4 Professional Diploma in Dispensing Accuracy Checking or equivalent recognised accuracy checking qualification - or be willing to work towards the qualification
• Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council

Desirable

• BTEC Level 4 Professional Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy Services or equivalent
• Management qualification
• Member of APTUK
• Member of BOPA

Experience
Essential

• Previous post qualification experience e.g. community or hospital experience

Desirable

• Experience of working in ward pharmacy and clinical services
• Experience within the oncology setting
• Experience of working within hospital pharmacy

Skills
Essential

• Excellent written communication skills
• Excellent verbal communication skills
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team
• Good organisation and time management skills
• Ability to work under pressure, highly organised, work to deadlines
• IT literate
• Understanding of job role and responsibilities

Desirable

• Ability to influence and negotiate with medical, nursing and pharmacy staff
• Experience in supervision of other staff

Knowledge
Essential

• Good working knowledge of medicine optimisation
• Good knowledge of clinical use of medicines

Desirable

• Experience of drug use in oncology setting

Values
Essential

• Able to deal with varied situations with tact and diplomacy
• To show empathy and understanding staff and patients
• To treat people with dignity and respect
• Ability to adapt to change and to develop services and system to meet changing need

Other
Essential

• Ability to work in a busy environment and deal with several on-going commitments and tasks at the same time
• Able to contribute constructively to a team-working environment
• Able to follow general processes and procedures and working using own initiative without direct supervision

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. For further information please see NHS Careers website.