Prescribing Clerk

STANMORE MEDICAL GROUP is a busy, forward thinking, dynamic, technologically driven, expanding and modern General Practice. We are looking for enthusiastic individuals to help with the administration of prescription services, to process all relevant prescriptions as authorised by GPs and other Clinicians where appropriate in accordance with the principles of good practice.

You will need to be hard working, able to work accurately under pressure, be able to work in a team and comfortable working independently.

Experience in SystmOne, medicines management and a NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent is desirable but not essential.

We are looking for postholders to cover part time or full time hours, Monday to Friday, specific hours and salary to be discussed at interview.

Previous applicants need not reapply

Job Summary

Our practice prescription service is delivered by a team of practice pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and prescribing clerks. The service offers patients a designated team to deal with their medications requests and enquiries. The team directly deals with patients’ medication requests to support the GPs.

The prescribing clerk will provide direct support to our GPs, Nurses and Pharmacists in the receipt and preparation of repeat prescriptions. You will be the main contact for patient enquiries and have the ability to work in a busy and changing environment. The post is ideally suited to someone who has excellent organisational and prioritising skills, combined with a high attention to detail. The role requires excellent literacy and numeracy skills and ability to problem solve on a day to day basis relating to your work.

The prescribing clerk will be responsible for providing a high quality service to all of our patients, carry out the issue of repeat medications and deal with enquires over the telephone. They will also have daily contact with patients, carers, nursing homes, community pharmacists and health professionals within the practice in relation to prescription requests and enquiries.

In addition, a key aspect of the role will encourage patients to sign up for Electronic Prescriptions (ETP) and proactively promote electronic repeat dispensing (eRD), thereby minimising clinical risk and aiming to reduce wasted medicines.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage incoming medication requests, eg from Patients, Pharmacies, Care Homes
• Deal with medication changes from all hospital letters, removing old medication, adding new ones
• Assisting the Practice admin team/s with medication queries.
• Liaise with patients to resolve queries and support their use of medication
• Contribute towards improvement of prescribing processes in general practice
• Promotion of electronic repeat dispensing and online ordering
• Carry out housekeeping whilst in patient records eg medicines synchronisation
• Handle function specific information, which may be sensitive, complex or confidential and appropriately recording, transferring and/or coordinating such information in accordance with the Data Protection Act; Caldicott Guidelines and the Confidentiality Code of Conduct
• To undertake, participate and share the outcomes of clinical audits to facilitate improvement and changes in practice
• Support the role of the Clinical Pharmacist/Clinical Pharmacy Technician at practice and PCN level on the delivery of the new Clinical Pharmacy in General Practice model
• Where applicable, contribute/participate in practice meetings, patient participation groups, and other meetings
• To be responsible for the organisation, planning and of own workload to meet set deadlines
• To undertake learning and development to maintain the required knowledge and skills for practice based work
• To carry out other duties which are appropriate to the skills and competencies of the post holder and grade of the post as the priorities of the service change

General

Confidentiality:

In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately

In the performance of the duties outlined in this Job Description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carer’s, SMG staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to SMG as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential

Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of SMG may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with SMG policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data

Respect for Patient Confidentiality:

The post-holder should respect patient confidentiality at all times and not divulge patient information unless sanctioned by the requirements of the role.

Health & Safety:

The post holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others’ health, safety and security as defined in SMG Health & Safety Policy, to include:

• Using personal security systems within the workplace according to SMG guidelines
• Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks
• Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills
• Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards
• Reporting potential risks identified to the Operations Manager
• The post-holder will comply with the Data Protection Act (1984) and the Access to Health Records Act (1990)

Equality and Diversity:

The post holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include:

• Acting in a way that recognizes the importance of people’s rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with SMG procedures and policies, and current legislation
• Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues behaving in a manner, which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights.

Special Working Conditions

The post-holder is required to travel independently between practice sites (where applicable), and to attend meetings etc. hosted by other agencies.

Personal/Professional Development:

The post holder will participate in any training programme implemented by SMG as part of this employment, such training to include:

• Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development
• Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work

Quality:

The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within SMG, and will:

• Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk
• Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision
• Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the team’s performance
• Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients’ needs
• Effectively manage own time, workload and resources

Communication:

The post holder should recognize the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to:

• Communicate effectively with other team members
• Communicate effectively with patients and carers
• Recognize people’s needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly
• Communicate with other NHS Bodies

Safeguarding:

SMG is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, adults and young people. All staff will receive training on Child & Adult Protection; Safeguarding Children & Adult Policies and Procedures as part of their Induction and annual updates. This training will equip the post holder with the knowledge of what to do if they have concerns about the welfare of a child or adult.

Contribution to the Implementation of Services:

The post-holder will:

• Apply Service policies, standards and guidance
• Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work
• Participate in audit where appropriate.
• Do all of the necessary training to keep up to date with Information Governance, IT, & Resuscitation
• Have a flexible approach, be a team player and possess a good sense of humour.

All team members are expected to assist others wherever possible and within their capabilities, to ensure the smooth running of the service.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: £24,420.00-£48,088.26 per year

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company pension
• Store discount

Application question(s):

• Please provide details of all IT systems in which you are proficient

Education:

• GCSE or equivalent (required)

Experience:

• Medication administration: 1 year (preferred)

Work Location: In person