Senior Pharmaceutical Technician - Clinical

Overall Purpose of Role:

The provision of exceptional patient care in an environment where quality, respect, caring and compassion are at the centre of all we do.

To develop and participate in Dispensary based Pharmacy services in conjunction with Pharmacy Department staff.  The post holder will support the delivery of a high quality Dispensary and Ward service, as applicable, under the management of the Chief II Pharmacist Manager of the area and Head of Pharmacy.  

The post holder will be the Pharmacy Department Technical link between the Dispensary and Clinical and the remaining Pharmacy Services, taking the lead in

• Understanding, supervising, undertaking and using Pharmacy systems and functions associated with the specific role assigned
• Training new staff into the dispensary and ward systems
• Providing cover to other Senior Pharmaceutical Technician roles as required
• Liaising with other Senior Pharmaceutical Technicians ensuring the flow of pharmaceuticals from receipt to delivery to wards is co-ordinated in a efficient and cost effective manner

Principal Duties & Responsibilities:

• To ensure the needs of patients and professional staff are being adequately met by the Pharmaceutical service provided.
• To be the technical link person between the various Pharmacy services and to manage calls and requests with respect to dispensary and clinical, training of new staff, top up and requisition work flow in conjunction with the relevant Pharmacists.
• To propose and implement policies and new working practices for Pharmacy services.
• To propose changes to working practices that will maximise the potential for efficiency, safety and cost reduction.
• To help manage and support the safe, accurate and timely supply of medicines to wards and clinics, and other areas as required, by managing the medication supply chain in conjunction with Pharmacists, technicians, supplies officers and other Pharmacy staff where relevant.
• To adhere to and maintain quality standards and performance indicators for service developments implemented
• To cover and or to participate in ‘top-up’, Dispensary and Clinical services, as necessary
• To cover other specialities, as and when necessary, to the same standard, in accordance with the relevant policies and procedures.
• To support the Dispensary and Clinical Services pharmacy managers in the development of the service area working in and other services managers where applicable
• To be able to follow departmental SOPs and dispense medication accurately.
• To be able to use pharmacy computer systems correctly, enter data accurately from transcription sheets, prescription forms and any other prescriptions written by others, understand the importance of and to ensure other pharmacy technicians adhere to this accuracy.
• To encourage and support compliance with the formulary and departmental policies
• To assist with the management of the stock item “to-follows” system for the wards, theatres and departments.
• To assist with the maintenance of stock control on Pharmacy computer systems in conjunction with the Dispensary Pharmacists and Senior Pharmaceutical Technician for Purchasing.
• To maintain good stock control and report any stock discrepancies for investigation.
• To process to-follow items for posting or collection.
• To prepare non-sterile extemporaneous preparations in accordance with the SOP adhering to GMP standards.
• To participate in the daily stock checks as required.
• To maintain adequate stock levels of raw materials and accurately identify deficiencies and replenish stock.
• To be involved in clinical trials where applicable
• To work with the informatics, dispensary and clinical Chief II pharmacists to ensure the processes employed are the most efficient via the use of LEAN or other time management and development of time efficient and time managed methodologies.
• To audit the services provided to the wards ensuring all staff are utilising the most time effective methods of delivering the service.
• To train and ensure all staff are consistently applying the most time effective methods and are utilising all IT methodologies at their disposal to ensure the accurate recording, issuing and dispensing of medication which in turn ensures accurate live stock management.
• To train and ensure all staff are consistently applying the most time effective methods of returning medication from the wards

Finance/Resource Management

• When required, to ensure financial credits or re-use of drugs dispensed for in-patients according to the Pharmacy Departments returns in-house policy and that for wholesalers.
• To comply with SOPs relating to efficient stock control in the issue, return and reuse or safe disposal (as appropriate) of drugs from wards, departments & clinics

Staff Training

• To provide training and advice on Pharmacy Department services to ward, nursing, medical staff and pharmacy staff.
• To participate in the induction of new Pharmacy staff as required.
• To participate in the training, development of training and supervision of Pharmacy Technicians.
• Act as a pharmacy mentor for Pharmaceutical Technicians, Intern and Basic Grade Pharmacists when in Dispensary/clinical rotation.
• To comply with all Hospital and Departmental policies & procedures, work safely and efficiently.
• To undertake any other duties appropriate to the post on request of the Pharmacy Services Manager or Head of Pharmacy or Deputy.
• To contribute to service review.

Health and Safety

• Work within Health & Safety Hospital Policies on all matters related to Health & Safety within the Hospital. Be aware of the Health and Safety at Work Act and comply with the regulations set down to ensure safety to patients, visitors and colleagues.
• Record all accidents and untoward occurrences according to Hospital policy.
• Attend fire lectures and fire drills in accordance with the law and to be fully aware of the position of fire alarms, emergency equipment and exits.
• Ensure compliance to standards in respect of all legislative requirements, including Manual Handling, Security, Infection Control and Standard Precautions.
• Adopt the correct administrative procedures when dealing with complaints from patients/relatives following set policies and procedures.
• Infection prevention and control is an essential aspect of patient care. All post holders must attend mandatory training in infection prevention and control and be compliant with all measures required by the Hospital.
• Post holders must be familiar with the Hospital’s Infection Control Policies, including those that apply to their duties, such as the Hand Hygiene Policy, the Uniform Policy (where one exists) and Personal Protective Clothing Policy. Post holders who have clinical responsibilities must incorporate into their clinical activities up-to-date evidence that supports safe infection control practices and procedures, for example the use of aseptic techniques and the safe disposal of sharps
• In the course of normal work the post holder will come into possession of confidential information concerning patients and staff. This information should be treated confidentially and in accordance with the Data Protection Act and European Union regulations.
• The post holder is responsible for ensuring that he/she maintains the integrity and quality of both computerised and manual data
• Performance of such other duties appropriate to the post that may from time to time be introduced by the Head of Pharmacy Services.

The job description is an outline of the post as it is currently perceived by the hospital and will be subject to review and amendment. This job description will therefore be subject to change in light of the various strategies for the hospital and the development of the Clinical Directorate model and any future developments that arise and will evolve and change over time.

Selection Criteria: 

Selection criteria outline the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would need to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post. 

Applications will be assessed on the basis of how well candidates satisfy these criteria.

Mandatory:

1. Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc

a) Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition possess:

(i) The Pharmaceutical Technicians Diploma awarded by the University of Dublin.

Or

(ii) A Pharmacy Technicians qualification at QQI Level 6 awarded by the Dublin Institute of Technology, Athlone Institute of Technology , Letterkenny Institute of Technology or Carlow Institute of Technology.

Or

(iii) The Pharmacy Services Certificate (NVQ Level 3) offered by the Irish Pharmaceutical Union.

Or

(iv) Be currently employed as a Pharmacy Technician in the publically funded Irish Health Service.

Or

(v) A relevant qualification at least equivalent to (ii) or (iii) above.

And

1. b) have at least three years fulltime satisfactory post qualification Hospital experience

And

1. c) Possess the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability, professional knowledge and management ability) for the proper discharge of the office.

2. Age

Age restriction shall only apply to a candidate where s/he is not classified as a new entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004). A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age on the first day of the month in which the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office occurs.

3. Health

Candidates for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of

undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

4. Character

Candidates for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

Informal Enquiries ONLY to: (Please note NO APPLICATIONS will be accepted via the Informal Email)