Band 5

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust (SCFT) is the largest community healthcare provider in Sussex.

• Over 8,400 full time, part time and bank staff members
• Medical, nursing and therapeutic care provided to over 10,000 children and adults a day
• July 2018 Care Quality Commission (CQC) rating of 'Good' with 'Outstanding' features
• Flexible working patterns offered across all services
• Thriving BAME, Disability and Wellbeing, LGBT+ and Religion and Belief staff networks
• Accredited Level 3 Disability Confident Leader

SCFT is an inclusive employer that promotes equality and challenges discrimination, and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds. Applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates, disabled candidates and LGBT+ candidates are particularly encouraged, to ensure the Trust's workforce reflects the diverse communities it serves.

Job overview

A vacancy has arisen in our friendly and supportive team due to the current post holder moving to another position within the organisation. The team supports personal development and recognises the importance of a work-life balance. The hours of work are 'office hours' and there are currently no weekend or bank holiday working commitments.

Main duties of the job

You will be working with experienced and caring clinical pharmacists and members of the multidisciplinary team to deliver a high quality and effective medicines management service to patients in our adult bedded units as well as working in our busy but very friendly dispensary whilst gaining experience in other areas such as Homecare and EPMA. The role will be primarily based at Crawley Hospital but occasional travel to other units, which are located all over Sussex, will be required and will broaden the post holders experience.

To be considered for this position, you will be registered with the GPhC and have a minimum of two years experience as a pharmacy technician. You will ideally have a medicines optimisation accreditation and be an accredited checking technician. Experience working directly with patients and a range of healthcare professionals is desirable.

Working for our organisation

The Medicines Management Team team supports personal development and recognises the importance of a work-life balance. It has undergone significant investment over the last 2 years in the form of a full scale refurbishment project of the dispensary and the implementation of EPMA over the coming year.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Pleases see attached job description and person specification for more details and information.

The full time hours are 37.5 hours per week (generally 'office' hours) but we are flexible and welcome applicants looking for a part time position (minimum of 22.5 hours a week).

Person specification

Qualifications
Essential criteria

• NVQ Level 3 or BTEC in Pharmaceutical Sciences or an equivalent pharmacy technician qualification.
• Pharmacy Technician Registered with General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
• Accredited Checking Technician (ACT) or willing to work towards ACT.

Desirable criteria

• Medicines Optmisation accreditation

Experience
Essential criteria

• Hospital pharmacy / primary care organisation / Clinical Commissioning Group experience (or equivalent) experience in areas of Pharmacy Technical Services and / or Medicines Management.
• Working in an inpatient environment including wards with direct patient contact either within an acute trust, community or similar setting.
• Working with NHS pharmacy procurement, distribution (including cold chain), safe storage and transportation of medicines processes.
• Medication reconciliation processes
• Dispensary experience

Desirable criteria

• Staff training.
• Service and policy development.
• Multi-disciplinary working.
• Audit, analysing data.

Skills & knowledge
Essential criteria

• General knowledge of common drug therapy and their uses.
• Knowledge of medicines management and relevant legislation and policies.
• Knowledge of safe and secure handling of medicines processes
• Knowledge on medication reconciliation processes
• Experience of working with Patients' Own Drugs Schemes and able to assess patients' own drugs to ensure suitability for future use.
• Excellent organisation and prioritisation skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Computer skills. This includes keyboard skills and the ability to use IT software, e.g. Internet, Intranet, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and an understanding of information management and technology in the management of pharmaceutical services.
• Reliable, enthusiastic and self-motivated, with the ability to motivate others.
• Good time management skills.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Able to work within teams, good interpersonal abilities.
• Adaptable to change and ability to support change issues
• Ability to work autonomously

Other
Essential criteria

• Flexible approach.
• Able to concentrate on dispensing / checking for extended periods.
• Able to cope with interruptions when busy.
• Able to working to deadlines i.e. transport, patients requiring medication.
• Ability to work on multi-sites and to travel between multi-sites using own mode of transport.

This post may close earlier than the published closing date if sufficient applications are received.

Correspondence relating to this vacancy will be conducted electronically. If you have not heard from us within two weeks please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Please ensure that you check your emails, including your junk folder, on a regular basis. References will be requested electronically as well; please ensure you provide correct contact details for referees.

Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

• B5 Technician ( PDF , 256.7 KB )
• B5 technician PS ( PDF , 180.3 KB )
• Staff Benefits Brochure ( PDF , 484.5 KB )