• Job Description

  Req#: D9710-ICB457?language=en&page=1162&sort=publicationDateDesc

  Job summary

  The Government has recently announced it is looking to make some significant changes to the NHS structure in England. This will have an impact on the ICB, but we are unclear at this stage on what that impact will be. Unfortunately, at this moment in time we cannot give any guarantees that this position will not be affected by the news. Any proposed changes will be subject to full consultation with staff and their representatives and will follow management of change guidelines as stipulated by ICB Policy and NHS Agenda for Change terms and conditions.

  An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the West Suffolk Alliance Medicines Optimisation Team on a secondment or fixed-term basis.Medicines optimisation is about ensuring the safe and effective use of medicines to enable the best possible outcomes for the patient and the wider NHS.

  We are seeking a Pharmacy Technician with a passion for supporting the Quality, Safety, cost-effective prescribing and sustainability agenda, as well as reducing inequalities in healthcare across our population. You will be provided with close peer support and the training required to help you succeed in this varied and challenging role.

  The successful candidate(s) will work closely with GP practices across West Suffolk, building trusted relationships and supporting the implementation of medicines optimisation initiatives. You will have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with competing priorities and demands.

  Main duties of the job

  Have knowledge and understanding of the ICB Cost Improvement Programme (CIP) plan and support its implementation at practice level.

  Participate in the delivery of one or more CIP projects.

  Have knowledge of guidelines and policies developed in response to NICE or NHS England publications and directives such as new/revised clinical guidelines, low priority prescribing, and self-care, and support their implementation at practice level.

  Build professional, trusted relationships with practice and PCN teams to ensure effective communication on issues relating to prescribing and population health needs.

  Provide practices and PCN teams with timely and accurate bench marking and prescribing performance data, supporting them to manage their prescribing budgets whilst adhering to to local guidelines and the SNEE joint formulary

  Analyse practice prescribing data from a variety of sources to identify key areas for improvement in safety, quality, and cost-effective prescribing. The post-holder will require excellent communication and influencing skills to challenge prescribing practice, whilst building ongoing and trusted relationships with practice staff. This may require significant mental effort.

  Actively participate in, contribute to, and represent the Medicines Optimisation team at public facing events.

  About us

  The NHS Suffolk and North-East Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) plans and buys healthcare services for our population. This function is commonly referred to as commissioning. To do this, we work within a budget of around £1.5 billion, which is set by NHS England, and work closely with local government and the NHS providers in our area.

  Our performance is judged by how well our local health and care system as a whole is working, including the health outcomes of our communities. The ICB has delegated some authority to the three health and wellbeing alliances that operate in Suffolk and North-East Essex to act on its behalf. This is to ensure that the needs of smaller, local areas are addressed.

  The ICB remains accountable for all of its functions, including those it has delegated. Local residents have a big role to play in the operation of the ICB. We rely on the experiences and perspectives of our communities to help shape our decision-making.

  Details

  Date posted

  30 April 2025

  Pay scheme

  Agenda for change

  Band

  Band 5

  Salary

  £29,970 to £36,483 a year

  Contract

  Fixed term

  Duration

  12 months

  Working pattern

  Full-time, Flexible working

  Reference number

  D9710-ICB457

  Job locations

  West Suffolk House

  Western Way

  Bury St Edmunds

  IP33 3YU

  
  

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  The job description and person specification are an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The job holder will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by their line manager.

  The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the Department and the Organisation.

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  The job description and person specification are an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The job holder will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by their line manager.

  The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the Department and the Organisation.

  Person Specification

  Other

  Essential

  • Able to use Visual Display Unit equipment for prolonged periods of time and on most working days.
  • Able to work in a variety of environments, to include own home, office, and GP practices.
  • Able to travel routinely and independently across West Suffolk.
  • Able to travel independently across Suffolk and North East Essex (and occasionally further afield) as required.

  Experience

  Essential

  • Experience of working in health or social care.
  • Experience of delivering contentious information and/or challenging inappropriate behaviour.
  • Experience in using sources of prescribing data such as Open Prescribing and PrescQIPP.

  Desirable

  • Experience of training/presenting to groups of people.

  Skills

  Essential

  • Able to use a keyboard to enter prescribing or financial data with a high degree of accuracy.
  • Able to document clinical information accurately, using nationally approved coding.
  • Proficient in the use of Microsoft: Outlook, Word, Excel, Power BI
  • Proficient in the use of: SystmOne , Emis Web
  • Able to interpret and explain financial and prescribing data.
  • Able to concentrate for prolonged periods of time when accuracy is paramount.
  • Able to disseminate information accurately and work collaboratively with key stakeholders.
  • Able to overcome barriers in order to have difficult conversations.

  Desirable

  • Proficient in the use of Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Good presentation and training skills.

  Qualifications

  Essential

  • Professional knowledge acquired through NVQ Level 3 or equivalent.
  • Registered as a Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
  • Evidence of continuing professional development to degree level.

  Desirable

  • Member of the Association of Pharmacy Technicians (APTUK).
  • Certificate in Medicines Management for Pharmacy Technicians (CMMPT)

  Knowledge

  Essential

  • Knowledge of NHS structure and commissioning arrangements.
  • Knowledge and understanding of the role of an ICB Medicines Optimisation team.

  Desirable

  • Knowledge of the Network Contract DES.
  • Knowledge of CQC and inspection process.
  • Knowledge of GP funding mechanisms as they relate to prescribing costs, including Dispensing Doctors.

  Personal Attributes

  Essential

  • Able to work autonomously as well as part of a team.
  • Self-motivated and able to motivate others.
  • Excellent communication skills, including the ability to influence.
  • Able to present information to a variety of people from professional and non-professional backgrounds.
  • Good interpersonal skills.

  Person Specification

  Other

  Essential

  • Able to use Visual Display Unit equipment for prolonged periods of time and on most working days.
  • Able to work in a variety of environments, to include own home, office, and GP practices.
  • Able to travel routinely and independently across West Suffolk.
  • Able to travel independently across Suffolk and North East Essex (and occasionally further afield) as required.

  Experience

  Essential

  • Experience of working in health or social care.
  • Experience of delivering contentious information and/or challenging inappropriate behaviour.
  • Experience in using sources of prescribing data such as Open Prescribing and PrescQIPP.

  Desirable

  • Experience of training/presenting to groups of people.

  Skills

  Essential

  • Able to use a keyboard to enter prescribing or financial data with a high degree of accuracy.
  • Able to document clinical information accurately, using nationally approved coding.
  • Proficient in the use of Microsoft: Outlook, Word, Excel, Power BI
  • Proficient in the use of: SystmOne , Emis Web
  • Able to interpret and explain financial and prescribing data.
  • Able to concentrate for prolonged periods of time when accuracy is paramount.
  • Able to disseminate information accurately and work collaboratively with key stakeholders.
  • Able to overcome barriers in order to have difficult conversations.

  Desirable

  • Proficient in the use of Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Good presentation and training skills.

  Qualifications

  Essential

  • Professional knowledge acquired through NVQ Level 3 or equivalent.
  • Registered as a Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
  • Evidence of continuing professional development to degree level.

  Desirable

  • Member of the Association of Pharmacy Technicians (APTUK).
  • Certificate in Medicines Management for Pharmacy Technicians (CMMPT)

  Knowledge

  Essential

  • Knowledge of NHS structure and commissioning arrangements.
  • Knowledge and understanding of the role of an ICB Medicines Optimisation team.

  Desirable

  • Knowledge of the Network Contract DES.
  • Knowledge of CQC and inspection process.
  • Knowledge of GP funding mechanisms as they relate to prescribing costs, including Dispensing Doctors.

  Personal Attributes

  Essential

  • Able to work autonomously as well as part of a team.
  • Self-motivated and able to motivate others.
  • Excellent communication skills, including the ability to influence.
  • Able to present information to a variety of people from professional and non-professional backgrounds.
  • Good interpersonal skills.

  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.

  UK Registration

  Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

  Additional information

  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.

  UK Registration

  Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

  Employer details

  Employer name

  NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB

  Address

  West Suffolk House

  Western Way

  Bury St Edmunds

  IP33 3YU

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://suffolkandnortheastessex.icb.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

  Employer details

  Employer name

  NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB

  Address

  West Suffolk House

  Western Way

  Bury St Edmunds

  IP33 3YU

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://suffolkandnortheastessex.icb.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

• About the company

  National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly-funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom (UK). The founding principles were that services should be comprehensive, universal and free at the point of delivery—a health service based on clinical need, not ability to pay. Each service provides a comprehensive range of health services, free at the point of use for people ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom apart from dental treatment and optical care.

Notice