February 2014
Job Reference Number……………………
Important Job Application Information
Thank you for your interest in NHS Tayside vacancies
Please see below Job Description/Specification and General Conditions of Service
Your Application Form must be completed in full. Please note copies of Curriculum
Vitae, Qualifications and Course Certificates will not be accepted at this stage.
Please return your completed Application Form to recruitment.tayside@nhs.net (quoting the
vacancy reference number in the subject box) or to the postal address given on the General
Conditions of Service.
All completed applications are held in Human Resources until the closing date.
After the closing date a panel will meet to prepare an interview shortlist. Once this
decision has been made, all shortlisted applicants will be emailed to invite them to
attend for interview. It is important that you check your emails regularly.
This process takes approximately 6 weeks. Therefore, if you have not been
contacted regarding interview within 6 weeks of the closing date, your application
has been unsuccessful and you will receive no further correspondence from Human
Resources.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:Find out more about living and working in Tayside at:
www.dundeecity.gov.uk
www.angus.gov.uk
www.pkc.gov.uk
Job Reference Number……………………
February 2014
NHS TAYSIDE – AGENDA FOR CHANGE
JOB DESCRIPTION
1.
JOB IDENTIFICATION
Job Title
Senior Pharmacy Technician, Vaccine Services,
NHS Tayside
Reports to
Specialist Pharmacy Technician, Vaccine
Services, NHS Tayside
Department/Location
Pharmacy Distribution & Dispensing Centre,
Ninewells
Number of job holders
1
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February 2014
2.
JOB PURPOSE
To have delegated responsibility for managing staff, procedures, processes and
equipment with Vaccine Services, NHS Tayside
To contribute to the provision of the Vaccine Services by having delegated responsibility
for the accurate, safe and secure procurement, receipt, storage and distribution of
vaccines, in order to meet the needs of the patient
To audit, monitor and report on the integrity of cold chain both within the centralised
storage facility and at all points in the cold chain including GP Practices across Tayside
To work with other pharmacy colleagues and healthcare staff to co-ordinate vaccine
programme, campaigns and audit schedules
To deputise for the Specialist Pharmacy Technician, Vaccine Services as required
3.
ORGANISATIONAL POSITION
Lead Pharmacy
Technician,
Pharmacy Distribution &
Dispensing Centre
Specialist Pharmacy
Technician,
Immunisation
Co-ordinator
Vaccine Services
This Post
Consultant in Public
Health
Senior Pharmacy
Technician,
Pharmacy Support
Worker,
Higher Level
(Pharmacy)
Vaccine Services
Pharmacy Support Worker,
Vaccine Services
Denotes professional links.
Denotes line management links.
Vaccine Services
February 2014
4.
Job Reference Number……………………
SCOPE AND RANGE
The aim of the Pharmacy Department is to assure quality of patient care in the
provision of treatment with medicines. To this end the objectives are:
1. To provide pharmaceutical care to individual patients by meeting their
particular needs whilst maximising efficiency in the use of resources.
2. To provide medicines through systems of quality control, which ensures
safe, effective and economic use
The post will predominantly support the provision of Vaccine Services, NHS
Tayside
Managerial/Operational
The post holder:
Has delegated managerial and operational responsibility for the procurement,
receipt, storage and distribution of vaccines within NHS Tayside. In doing this the
post holder will comply with relevant legal and professional standards, NHS
Tayside and departmental policies and procedures.
Has delegated responsibility for audit, monitoring and reporting on integrity of
cold chain both within the centralised storage facility and at all points in the cold
chain including GP Practices across Tayside.
Will provide cross cover to the Specialist Pharmacy Technicians, Vaccine
Services.
Will provide occasional cross cover for any Senior Pharmacy Technicians in
other areas with regard to any operational issues that may arise.
Professional
Pharmacy technicians are a professional group of staff forming part of multidisciplinary teams working to ensure high quality pharmaceutical services. In
order to practice as a registered pharmacy technician, professional competence
must be maintained through participation in mandatory Continuing Professional
Development (CPD). The Code of Ethics for pharmacy technicians must be
adhered to so those standards of professional conduct are maintained.
For the purpose of this job description the term ‘Medicines’ includes all drugs,
intravenous fluids, vaccines, chemicals, medical gas cylinders, piped gas,
contraceptive aids, dietetic products, disinfectants and liquid nitrogen.
The hours of work are 18.75 hours per week over 7 days.
The pharmacy department’s opening hours will be reviewed and amended based
on the needs of the service including Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays
therefore flexibility is required. Local arrangements will be discussed and
agreed as required for service needs. The post holder will also be expected to
participate in a public holiday and weekend rotation.
February 2014
5.
Job Reference Number……………………
MAIN DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES
The post holder will
1. Contribute to the development, review and implementation of standard
operating procedures and ensure the safe and effective delivery of
technical services through the use of these standardised procedures.
They will ensure staff have read, understood and work within agreed
SOPs in order to provide a consistent, efficient and effective service
2. Have delegated responsibility to develop systems for promoting and
reviewing the safe, appropriate, rational and economic storage of
vaccines and pharmaceutical products requiring refrigeration, in line with
appropriate national and locally agreed guidelines
3. Have delegated responsibility for audit, monitoring and reporting on
integrity of cold chain both within the centralised storage facility and at all
points in the cold chain including GP Practices across Tayside
4. Collaborate with the Specialist Pharmacy Technician, Vaccine Services to
provide pharmaceutical information to national and local working groups
involved with the national immunisation programmes to develop, review
and implement policies, procedures and guidelines as part of the clinical
governance framework for vaccines and their storage
5. Contribute to effective environmental monitoring using Icespy System 5
wireless temperature monitoring system to:
 Monitor fridges, cold rooms, storage facilities, vehicles etc
 View and analyse latest temperature data in graphical and tabular
formats
 Investigate and acknowledge new alarm events and take
immediate corrective action
 View and acknowledge connectivity alarms (transmitters and
internet connections) and take immediate corrective action
6. Work effectively with pharmacy support workers (PSW) to ensure vaccine
supplies are being dispatched efficiently and timeously according to
schedules
7. Assist with the collation and reporting of monthly finance and work load
data
8. Participate in and contribute towards Performance Development Review
and Continuing Professional Development and identifies their own
learning needs.
9. Assist in training of pharmacy technicians, student pharmacy technicians,
assistant technical officers/pharmacy support workers and other staff as
appropriate and to supervise/check their work as appropriate, following
Standard Operating Procedures.
10. Organise and prioritise daily team workload including allocation of tasks
to other technicians and pharmacy support workers to ensure supply of
medicines at the required times
February 2014
Job Reference Number……………………
11. Maintain safe, efficient and cost effective stock management systems
within Vaccine Services. Provides line manager with details of stock
investigations, financial limits and corrective action taken in line with
departmental policies and procedures
12. Provide advice and information on e.g. receipt, storage, cold chain
maintenance, equipment failures, temperature monitoring, audit
recommendations and immunisation programmes and campaigns
13. Participate in the induction, training, recruitment and selection of staff to
maintain staffing levels in accordance with agreed skill mix and capacity
plan
14. Ensure systems are followed for the safe disposal of all vaccine waste in
accordance with the department SOP and national guidelines
15. Contribute to service re-design in order to meet the needs of patients and
the service
16. Assist with the implementation of agreed developments within Vaccine
Services
17. Attend and participate in appropriate educational and training events as
required.
18. Participate in internal audit and review as applicable to meet the needs of
the service.
19. Participate in weekend working and public holiday rotas.
20. Has delegated responsibility for working closely with, Area Pharmacy
Office staff and Area Pharmacy Store staff to prevent or resolve supply
issues.
21. Dispense individual in-patient and out-patient discharge prescriptions
which may include cytotoxics, controlled drugs, clinical trials and or
extemporaneous items working with minimal supervision and within
Standard Operating Procedures
22. Participate in Significant Event Analysis and action plans resulting from
these
23. To perform accuracy checks on dispensed prescriptions once qualified as
a PDCT/ACT Checking Technician.
Health and safety
24. All staff must take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that
of other persons who may be affected by their actions
25. All staff must comply with NHS Tayside and Departmental Policies and
Procedures at all times and use approved working methods and any
personal protection provided
26. Staff must not in any way interfere with or misuse anything provided for
their own safety or protection of others
February 2014
Job Reference Number……………………
27. Staff must report any hazard or unsafe working practice to the
appropriate line manager and be aware of emergency procedures
6.
COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS
The post holder:
 Communicates technical pharmaceutical information verbally and in
writing to pharmacy colleagues and other healthcare staff

Is required to provide counselling for patients and patents/carers
regarding the correct use of medicines and may encounter barriers to
understanding which they would have to overcome

Is required to respond to non-clinical, routine and non-routine queries and
liaise with patients, carers, pharmacists, nurses and/or other healthcare
staff to assist with the provision of seamless patient care, within the
pharmacy department and at ward level

Must have good interpersonal and communication skills and be able to
communicate regularly with nursing and medical staff in order to facilitate
a high standard of patient care. This may involve trouble-shooting where
necessary.

Requires presentation skills suitable for delivering information and reports
in formal and informal settings

Must communicate effectively in a manner in-keeping with the
professional operation of the department

The post holder is required to communicate effectively with pharmacy and
other healthcare staff including
Within the pharmacy service
 All members of pharmacy staff to ensure effective team working is
maintained.
Out with the pharmacy service
 Consultants/Specialists in Pubic Health
 Immunisation co-ordinator
 Community Healthcare partnership staff
 General Practitioners
 Nursing staff and clinicians
 Pharmaceutical Companies
 Scottish Immunisation Programme – Vaccine Holding Centre
Group – SIP-VHCG
 Human resources and union representatives
 Transport Services, IT Helpdesk, Estates Helpdesk
 Training Providers
 Suppliers
 Staff relatives
 Quality Assurance Department Staff
 Staff from other health board areas
Job Reference Number……………………
February 2014
7.
KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB
The post holder will be a practising Pharmacy Technician with post qualification
experience and:

Registrant of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
The Post holder must:
 Posses a working knowledge of Standard Operating Procedures and can
demonstrate an understanding of how pharmacy links with other
healthcare professions
8.

Possess basic IT skills

Be willing to undertake any further relevant education and training

Posses a working knowledge of health and safety systems

Maintain standards of professional conduct ensured by compliance with
the code of ethics for pharmacy technicians

Be able to demonstrate effective communication and interpersonal skills

Have experience of workload prioritisation and organisation of staff and
resources
SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT
The post holder may be required to use the following equipment and systems on
a daily/weekly basis
Equipment & Machinery
 Computer
 Standard Microsoft packages
 ARX Pharmacy Robot - Superuser
 Tinytag Electronic Temperature Monitoring Devices
 Thermometers/Cold Stores/Fridges/Freezer/Vaccine Porters® and other
cold chain equipment
 Fax machine
 Photocopier
 Printer
 Telephone
 Pager
 Calculator
 Personal protective equipment
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February 2014
Systems
 NHS Tayside Health and Safety, Communication and information security
and any other relevant policies
 HPS Guidance on Vaccine Storage and Handling
 NHS Tayside Immunisation Policy
 Departmental policies and standard operating procedures
 Performance Development Review
 ICESPY System 5
 Pharmacy computer system (Ascribe)
 QPulse
 Paging system
 NHS e-mail and Intranet system
 Pharmacy computer system
 Electronic Discharge Documents (EDD)
 DATIX
RESPONSIBILITY FOR RECORDS MANAGEMENT
All records created in the course of the business of NHS Tayside are corporate
records and are public records under the terms of the Public Records (Scotland)
Act 1937. This includes email messages and other electronic records. It is your
responsibility to ensure that you keep appropriate records of your work in NHS
Tayside and manage those records in keeping with the NHS Tayside Records
Management Policy and with any guidance produced by NHS Tayside specific to
your employment.
9.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB
The post holder will encounter the following:
 Working under pressure to meet deadlines whilst dealing with
frequent interruptions

Is required to travel/drive between approximately 70 locations (GP
Practices etc) within NHS Tayside

Standing, sitting or walking for long periods of time while carrying out
activities to deadlines

Accuracy is required due to the pharmaceutical components, detail
and specific nature of the work undertaken

Concentration for up to three hours is required on a daily basis

Has the potential to be exposed to hazardous substances to health,
such as live vaccines. The post holder will also be required to have
Hepatitis B vaccination, due to patient contact while carrying out their
duties

Exposure to VDU/repetitive data entry

Advising staff with prioritising work tasks
February 2014
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The post holder may occasionally be exposed to verbal aggression when dealing
with patients, staff and visitors
Some duties are performed in areas where there are strict guidelines in place to
ensure the health and safety of patients and staff. These duties may require to
be carried out in various ward areas or GP Practices with a variety of patient
groups, having direct contact and communication with patients, which may cause
distress to some staff
The post holder may be required to deal with sensitive information regarding
patients and process the information in a sensitive and confidential manner
10.
DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS
The post holder is expected to work independently with minimal supervision in
accordance with Standard Operating Procedures and needs of the service, using
initiative to deal with non-routine matters. A line manager is available on site or
via telephone to refer to for information and advice
The post holder prioritises and co-ordinates their own daily workload, this may
involve solving problems which arise and includes contacting other healthcare
professionals
The post holder will deal with operational issues in the absence of the line
manager
Objectives are set by line manager in accordance with Personal Development
Performance Planning Systems
11.
MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB
Responding urgently to Vaccine Incidents and investigating errors in
vaccine/medicine storage. Defining what has gone wrong/what action, if any,
needs be taken and providing appropriate support and advice to those involved
Rectify problems through communication with nursing/medical staff to ensure a
high quality service is given to patients
To maintain constant concentration and accuracy during the supply of medicines
To influence changes in attitudes and behaviours of staff working within the
service to enable service developments and delivery of an effective and
responsive service
Meeting the priorities and demands of working in a busy department through
effective teamwork with flexibility to respond to the needs of the service
12.
JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT
This job description will be reviewed in partnership according to the needs of the
service
The job description will need to be signed off using the attached sheet by each
post holder to whom the job description applies.
Job Reference Number……………………
February 2014
JOB DESCRIPTION AND ESSENTIAL ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FORM –
SIGNATURE OF AGREEMENT
Post Title
Senior Pharmacy Technician
Vaccine Services
Reference Number
The attached job description and essential additional information will be used as part of
the Agenda for Change assimilation exercise and therefore the job matching panel may
wish to seek further clarification on any issues contained within the documents. Should
this be necessary please identify an appropriate Manager and Staff representative who
can be contacted.
Responsible Manager
Moyra O’Shea
Contact No.
Extension 32706 Bleep 4574
Staff Representative
Contact No.
I/we the undersigned agree the attached document is an accurate reflection of the requirements of the post.
The essential additional information provides accurate information of additional job related factors.
Signed :- (Manager)
Staff Members:
NAME
(BLOCK CAPITALS PLEASE)
SIGNED
POST NO.
(office use only)
Job Reference Number……………………
February 2014
JOB TITLE/BAND: BAND 5 SENIOR PHARMACY TECHNICIAN
CRITERIA
ESSENTIAL
DESIRABLE
EXPERIENCE:
.
Experience in co-ordinating and
prioritising daily workload.
Experience in relevant areas i.e.
rotational, fixed etc.
Experience of supervising and
training pharmacy staff.
Audit design and implementation
QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience in carrying out final
accuracy check on dispensed
medicines.
Awareness of improvement
methodology
Problem solving/decision making
Deputising for senior members of
staff
Registrant of the General
Pharmaceutical Council and
maintains up to date CPD records.
L&D9I (SQA work-based assessors
course)
PDCT (or equivalent)
KNOWLEDGE &
SKILLS:
Accurately dispense, issue and
check prescriptions and supply
medicines.
HNC
Ability to produce electronic reports
using pharmacy IT systems.
Presentation skills.
Ability to provide information and
Knowledge of formulary and SMC
advice on the availability and storage
of medicines.
Good problem solving skills and
attention to detail.
Knowledge/awareness of local
policies and procedures.
Awareness of NHS policies and
procedures.
Safe and secure handing of
medicines
Ability to use relevant pharmacy IT
systems.
Applies knowledge of legislation
relating to the supply of medicines to
practice.
Effective verbal and written
communicator.
Knowledge of safe and secure
handing of medicines.
PERSONAL
QUALITIES:
Practices according to the standards
of conduct, ethics and performance.
Ability to identify and address own
learning needs.
Effective time management skills
and ability to work under pressure.
Ability to work weekends and public
holidays on a rotational basis.
Deputise for senior staff members
Show initiative to resolve nonroutine matters
Motivational skills
Show initiative to resolve nonroutine matters
Equality and diversity
February 2014
Job Reference Number……………………
Good organisational skills to
complete tasks and objectives timely
and to consistently high standards
Personal and professional attitude
that is patient focussed.
Ability to motivate self and others
Enthusiasm for the position
Lead by example – positive and
optimistic
Behave in a way that promotes
equality and diversity. Recognise
when someone is being
discriminated against and take
action
OTHER
Flexibility to work in different
environments according to staff
rotation and service needs.
Maintains up-to-date CPD records.
Job Reference Number……………………
February 2014
General Conditions of Service
POST REF NO:
D/LR/165/13
JOB TITLE/GRADE:
PART TIME SENIOR PHARMACY TECHNICIAN,
BAND 5
LOCATION:
VACCINE
SERVICES,
PHARMACY
DEPT,
NINEWELLS HOSPITAL
Conditions of
Service
Remuneration
The terms and conditions of service for this post are those
determined by the NHS Staff Council.
The current salary scale for the post is £21,602 to £28.180 per
annum (pro rata for part-time staff). Placing on the scale on
appointment is normally at the minimum but may be higher
subject to verification of previous relevant service.
Hours of Duty
Salary is paid by Bank Credit Transfer.
The hours of the post are 18.75 hours per week contributing to
weekend working and public holiday rota.
Superannuation
Start and finish times will be determined by the needs of the
service.
Membership of the NHS Superannuation Scheme is not
compulsory but is open to all staff between the ages of 16 and
70 (65 in some instances).
The contributions paid are a percentage of superannuable pay,
which is essentially basic pay excluding, for example, overtime
or travelling expenses.
Contribution rates with effect from 01.04.13 are as follows:
Annual Pensionable Pay
(Full-time equivalent)
Up to £15,278
£15,279 to £21,175
£21,176 to £26,557
£26,558 to £48,982
£48,983 to £69,931
£69,932 to £110,273
£110,274 and over
Annual Leave
Contribution
5%
5.3%
6.8%
9.0%
11.3%
12.3%
13.3%
Contributions are subject to tax relief and reduced National
Insurance contributions. NHS Tayside also makes a substantial
contribution towards scheme benefits – currently around 14% of
basic pay.
On appointment = 27 days (pro rata for part-time Staff) or 5.4
weeks per year.
After 5 years aggregated service = 29 days (pro rata for parttime staff) or 5.8 weeks per year
After 10 years aggregated service = 33 days (pro rata for part-
Job Reference Number……………………
February 2014
time staff) or 6.6 weeks per year
References
Public Holidays = 8 days (pro rata for part-time staff) or 1.6
weeks per year
All offers of appointment are subject to receipt of two
satisfactory references.
Occupational
Health
Clearance
All offers of appointment to new entrants to the National Health
Service are subject to a medical examination. Medical
examinations are arranged and undertaken by the Occupational
Health and Safety Advisory Service (OHSAS).
Rehabilitation of
Offenders Act 1974
(Exclusions and
Exceptions)
(Scotland) Order
2003
All current or spent criminal convictions, cautions, warnings or
any case pending must be disclosed prior to commencing in
employment as detailed on the application form.
Disclosure
Scotland
Immigration,
Asylum and
Nationality Act
2006
Please note that having a conviction will not automatically debar
you from obtaining employment with NHS Tayside. Careful
consideration will be given to the relevance of the offence to the
particular post in question. However, if you are appointed, and it
is found that you did not reveal a previous conviction your
employment may be terminated.
The successful applicant will be required to become a member
of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG) in respect
of regulated work with protected adults and regulated work with
children.
It is a criminal offence for an employer to employ anyone
who does not have permission to live or work in the UK.
Shortlisted applicants will be asked to produce specific original
documentation at interview e.g. Passport, or full birth certificate
together with an official document giving the applicants
permanent National Insurance Number and name issued by a
Government Agency or a previous employer, as well as
photocopies of these documents.
Professional
you should have current and continuing professional registration
Registration/
with GPhC and hold the appropriate qualification(s).
Induction Standards &
Code of Conduct
Smoking Policy
Smoking is prohibited within NHS premises and grounds.
Applications
Completed forms should be returned to:
recruitment.tayside@nhs.net quoting the job reference in the
subject line
or
to Human Resources Directorate, NHS Tayside, Level 9,
Ninewells Hospital, Dundee DD1 9SY
By closing date of Friday 4th April 2014