Care Homes: Role Comparison of Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians

Care Homes: Role Comparison of Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians

On the 11th of April, 2024, we published a comparison of the role profiles of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians working in a general practice setting, based on the learning needs analysis (LNA) tool used by professionals on the Primary Care Pharmacy Education Pathway (PCPEP), which is provided by CPPE. At the time, we promised to provide a similar chart for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in care homes. We are now making good on that promise.

Similar to pharmacy professionals working mainly in the practice, CPPE envisages that those working in care homes with practice at the entry, intermediate and advanced levels. The tables below give a summary of what the CPPE thought the roles would be able to accomplish at each of these levels. You are welcome to download the PDF version at the bottom of the page if you wish to adapt the tables to your need.

Entry Level Practice in Care Homes

Entry LevelPharmacistPharm Tech
Involvement in national and local Quality, Innovation Productivity and Prevention (QIPP) projectsTRUETRUE
Identifying topics for local quality improvement projects and participating in the chosen projectsTRUETRUE
Using software tools to monitor prescribingTRUETRUE
Dealing with medication queries from residents, staff, and carers according to local policies and proceduresTRUETRUE
Ensuring allergy information is accurate and correctly documented, and that the information is shared with the wider multidisciplinary team including community pharmacyTRUETRUE
Identifying missing information, discrepancies, and errors on repeat prescription requests and resolving them according to local policies and proceduresTRUETRUE
Completing effective medicines reconciliation at transfer of care according to local policies and proceduresTRUETRUE
Completing audits and reviews of the use of medicines according to local policies and proceduresTRUE
Ensuring medicines policies and procedures meet the requirements of Care Quality Commission (CQC)*TRUE
Ensuring care homes comply with Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards on medicines-related issues*TRUE
Working with care home staff to develop safe and effective processes for the ordering and administration of medicines*TRUE
Developing effective systems for monitoring high-risk medicines*TRUE
Using software tools to monitor and improve prescribing*TRUE
Ensuring effective antimicrobial stewardship*TRUE
Participation in national and local Quality, Innovation Productivity and Prevention (QIPP) projects*TRUE
Identifying topics for local quality improvement projects and participating in the chosen projects*TRUE
Providing advice about medicines to residents, staff and carers*TRUE
Resolving queries, errors and omissions from medicines reconciliation at transfer of care*TRUE
Working with care home staff and local GP practices to prioritise patients for medication review*TRUE
Ensuring effective medicines reconciliation at transfer of care*TRUE
Delivering person-centred consultations about medicines encouraging shared decision making with residents and carers*TRUE
Understanding who can be involved in decisions about medicines when an individual resident is unable to make their own decisions*TRUE
Performing NHS health checks on residents as appropriate*TRUE
Caring for individuals with one or more long-term conditions (LTCs)*TRUE
Providing ongoing care for specific conditions (eg, eczema, psoriasis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS))*TRUE
Managing musculoskeletal pain (eg, osteoarthritis)*TRUE
Identifying and raising any safeguarding concerns about residents *TRUE
Entry Level Role Practice in Care Homes. Adapted from LNA Tool on PCPEP

Intermediate Level Practice in Care Homes

Intermediate LevelPharmacistPharm Tech
Implementing policies and effective processes for medicines governance including controlled drugsTRUETRUE
Working to ensure effective antimicrobial stewardshipTRUETRUE
TRUETRUE
Monitoring high-risk medicines according to local systems and processesTRUETRUE
Dealing with repeat prescription requests according to local policies and proceduresTRUETRUE
Working to ensure compliance with CQC standards for managing medicines within care homesTRUETRUE
Liaising with staff, residents, carers and local community pharmacies to understand, advise upon and resolve medication supply issuesTRUETRUE
Working in a patient-facing role to enable individuals get the best out of their medicines (eg, identifying medication adherence issues, synchronising repeat prescriptions, dealing with supply issues)TRUETRUE
Undertaking level 1 medication reviewsTRUETRUE
Establishing a programme of regular medication review for targeted patients*TRUE
Developing individualised treatment plans for patients taking multiple medicines, particularly those at risk of hospital admission*TRUE
Promoting self-management and developing support systems for residents with one or more long-term conditions*TRUE
Monitoring any residents taking high-risk medicines*TRUE
Monitoring psychotropic medicines prescribed in care homes*TRUE
Building links with community pharmacists and others involved in the medicines supply chain to resolve issues and improve resident experience*TRUE
Facilitating staff training on all matters relating to medicinesTRUE
Intermediate Level Practice in Care Homes. Adapted from PCPEP LNA Tool

Advanced Level Practice in Care Homes

Advanced LevelPharmacistPharm Tech
Investigating and escalating appropriately, any incidents (including safeguarding) relating to medicines or their use by residents and staffTRUETRUE
Reviewing the implementation of policies and procedures related to medicines governanceTRUETRUE
Undertaking level 2 medication reviews (depending on competence and experience) including making suggestions for deprescribing where appropriateTRUETRUE
Delivering person-centred consultations for acute illness or long-term conditions using appropriate clinical examination and diagnostic skills as part of a multidisciplinary teamTRUETRUE
Leading a regular programme of level 3 medication reviewsTRUE
Taking responsibility for areas of chronic disease management within the care home*TRUE
Supporting residents with complex medication regimens and/or multiple long-term conditions including making suggestions for deprescribing where appropriate*TRUE
Using clinical and pharmaceutical expertise to care for clinical conditions such as acute presentations of common illnesses, exacerbations of depression or anxiety, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, or heart failureTRUE
Offering end-of-life careTRUE
Reducing the treatment burden of residents including deprescribingTRUE
Advanced Level Practice in Care Homes. Adapted from PCPEP LNA Tool

PDF Version

As promised above, if you wish to download a easy-print download version of the above, click on the three dots (…) under the file below.

Role Comparison Pharmacy Professionals in Care Homes

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M Moyo

Founder of GP Pharmacy Club. Clinical Pharmacist working in GP Primary Care. Experienced community pharmacist. Independent Prescriber.

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