Medicines Optimisation Technician: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

The postholder will be part of the Community Healthcare Division clinical pharmacy service available to patients across the Calderdale and Huddersfield Foundation Trust (CHFT) footprint in their own homes in the Calderdale and Huddersfield area. This may be as part of the CHFT Hospital at Home (H@H) /Urgent Community Response Team (UCR) or the wider Community Healthcare Division.

For the purpose of this post all adult patients who are accepted to the H@H/UCR caseload who are registered with a GP in Calderdale or Huddersfield may be reviewed, they may also be referred directly from 111 Triage, CHFT staff or Gateway to Care when concerns about medication that might increase chances of admission or readmission are identified. Patients may be on high-risk medication or complex regimes.

This role will require enthusiasm, self-motivation and commitment to forge excellent communication between primary and secondary care teams and drive the pharmacy team forward. The senior clinical pharmacist will also provide leadership and line management to the team.

The post holder will work with other health and social care organisations across Calderdale and Huddersfield to implement and co-ordinate medicines optimisation principles to support patients in the safe and effective use of medicines in their own homes.

Main duties of the job

• Work independently, without direct supervision across the CHFT footprint ensuring adherence to Medicines Optimisation protocols and guidance this will include domiciliary visits.
• Provide and receive information relating to medicines and medicines optimisation including: clinical information regarding patient care, medicines reconciliation skills, technical medicines optimisation/therapeutics information and prescribing activity data derived from audit data, and similar sources;
• Communicate complex and sensitive medicines-related information to patients, carers and other healthcare professionals.
• Completion of Medication Administration Records
• Analyse, interpret and compare medicines-related information to provide highly specialised advice concerning care of individual patients on the H@H/UCR or other Community Healthcare Division services. This may include providing information/communicating common drug dosage and use, issues relating to medication regimens and changes to prescribing guidance, drug history taking, medicines reconciliation, patient or carer counselling on medication;
• In conjunction with other team members, plan, organise and implement prescribing support services to the Community teams to promote cost efficiencies and medicines safety in prescribing. This may include reacting promptly to changes in medicines use, availability or guidance to support member practices;

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential

• Registered with GPHC
• BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science and an NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Pharmacy Service Skills or equivalent plus additional knowledge or experience to degree level or equivalent

Desirable

• Foundation Degree Medicines Management & Pharmacy Services or equivalent

Knowledge, Experience and Expertise

Essential

• Post-qualification experience of pharmacy
• Evidence of continued professional development
• Working knowledge of the function within a large and complex organisation
• Experience of participation in multi-disciplinary meetings
• Evidence of patient facing experience
• Experience of influencing others
• Experience of change management
• Working knowledge of the NHS and healthcare settings including the importance of maintaining confidentiality
• Knowledge of medicines optimisation including legislation and policy
• Experience of working to and achieving tight deadlines

Desirable

• Experience of analysing prescribing data and using this to effect change
• Experience of working in Medicines Optimisation
• Understanding and knowledge of the workings of the NHS, the challenges it faces and of the reform agenda
• Working in the NHS, including community pharmacy and the acute trusts

Communication and Relationships

Essential

• Competent in using major computer programmes e.g. Word, Powerpoint, Outlook, Excel.
• Data analysis and interpretation skills
• Has a planned and organised approach with an ability to prioritise their own workload in order to meet strict deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, verbal and written, with the ability to adjust their communication style and content to suit the audience.
• Able to ‘think on their feet’ when dealing with issues and problems.
• Evidence of personal and professional development
• Willingness to undertake training
• Attention to details, able to work accurately, identify errors quickly and easily, medicines reconciliation skills
• Presentation skills
• Ability to recognise own limitations
• Respectful and supportive of others and challenges disrespectful behaviour
• Trustworthy and able to inspire confidence in others
• Shows an interest in others views and acts upon these in a positive manner
• Adjusts communication techniques accordingly
• Presents a positive respectable image to all stakeholders
• Understands how the role impacts on healthcare and patient experience
• Is committed to understand the wider network of the ICB and working in partnership for the benefit of the patient
• Has a full driving licence and access to a car insured for business use to travel to various locations across the locality including domiciliary visits
• May transport medicines in line with legislation and Trust policy

Desirable

• Ability to use Pharmoutcomes to communicate discharge information to Community pharmacy
• Experience of GP clinical systems e.g. SystmOne, EMIS or a willingness to undertake training
• Report writing skills
• Understanding of budget setting and importance of financial monitoring within the NHS

Closing Date: 19 August 2026