Lead Pharmacy Technician - Oncology Services

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver medicines management services within oncology clinical areas.
• Process Systemic Anti-Cancer Treatment (SACT) prescriptions according to local and national standards, support dispensing coordination and timely medicines supply.
• Participate in review and implementation of related policies and procedures.
• Monitor Oncology Pharmacy KPIs and productivity metrics.
• Act as liaison between Pharmacy Quality Assurance / Aseptic Services and oncology clinical teams to resolve operational issues.
• Ensure safe handling, storage, and transport of medicines including cytotoxic medicines.
• Provide counselling to patients, their carers, and healthcare professionals regarding medicines use.
• Support clinical trials medicines processes where applicable.
• Oversee safe and compliant management of Controlled Drugs in oncology areas.
• Prioritise and obtain accurate medication histories as part of the pre-admission process.
• Develop, implement and facilitate the delivery of advanced clinical pharmacy services, such as smoking cessation services and pre-operation assessment clinic.
• Adhere to relevant Finance-related policies including authorisations and billing.
• Support the Pharmacy Leadership team where needed.
• Prioritise own work and assist other pharmacy technicians where required.
• Support best practice and delivery of high-quality care.
• Support departmental and hospital audits, service evaluations and research.
• Assist with the management of complaints and take corrective actions as appropriate.
• Report incidents using the hospital quality management system.
• Assist in managing clinical incidents involving medicines and explore ways of minimising risk of future recurrence.
• Proactively implement any local and national medication safety directives in relation to medications particularly within oncology.
• Ensure that relevant local and national Medication Safety agenda is taken forward effectively.
• Act as a role model to Pharmacy Caregivers.
• Support and provide training to Pharmacy and other multidisciplinary Caregivers to meet their medicines-related educational and developmental needs, including developing and delivering pharmacy induction and training.
• Act as an Educational Supervisor. Supervise junior / trainee Caregivers in the delivery of medicine management service and sign off related competencies.
• Ensure regular attendance to Pharmacy or related professional networking conferences and events.
• Any other duties commensurate with the role or at the request of the Pharmacy Leadership Team.
• Actively involved in team engagement and recruitment processes across Pharmacy Technician and Assistant staff groups.
• Participate in recruitment, appraisal, and performance management of technician staff.
• Contribute to rota management to maintain adequate staffing levels needed for safe pharmacy services.
• Lead and implement oncology medicines optimisation projects.
• Report regularly to Pharmacy Leadership Team on oncology technician performance and project progress.

Qualifications

• GCSE English, Maths, Science and 2 other GCSEs or equivalent.
• Pharmacy Technician registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
• Desirable: accreditation from Leadership and Management courses or accredited CPD courses, not limited to CPPEs or academic institutions.
• Certified within project management.

Experience

• Demonstrable evidence of competence within the scope of practice.
• Demonstrable senior or lead-level experience as a Pharmacy Technician.
• Substantial experience working within oncology pharmacy services.
• Experience of applying reasoning skills to a range of complex and varied patient requirements.
• Experience of working in a hospital pharmacy and of project related work in this environment.
• Experience of working in partnership across clinical teams.
• Desirable: experience and knowledge in Pharmacy automation systems and electronic health records.

Skills & Professional Requirements

Excellent analytical, verbal and written communication skills.

Ability to critically analyse complex and difficult situations and apply problem-solving skills.

Critical thinking skills, decisive judgment and the ability to work with minimal supervision.

Ability to work in a pressurised environment and take appropriate action.

Demonstrates a broad knowledge of medicines management.

Demonstrates compassion through effective relationships based on empathy, respect and dignity.

Ability to speak and write in English is required.

Physical Requirements

Frequent requirement to bend/stretch when obtaining medicines working in the Pharmacy and clinical areas.

Personal Protective Equipment

Follows standard precautions using personal protective equipment as required.

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.