ObjectivesIn order to improve efficiency of the staff workload in the Paediatric Hospital Chemotherapy Manufacturing Unit, tasks conducted by the pharmacy staff were evaluated with their expected roles. The aims of this study were to establish an understanding of the workload at this unit and to develop a proposal for the unit to become technician-led.MethodsThe time taken to perform a pre-determined list of tasks by the senior pharmacy technician was recorded, collated, and compared to tasks performed by the pharmacist. This established the key activities that could be delegated from the pharmacist and the senior pharmacy technician to other members of staff. The findings were discussed with a focus group to establish the efficiency of the manufacturing unit and enable a proposal to be formed.Key findingsA substantial part of the pharmacist’s and senior pharmacy technician’s time was spent on activities which could be delegated to other members of staff of a lower pay band. The financial implication of this estimated that there would be a reduction of around £8,696.70 with the correct utilisation of the staff members. The pharmacists leading this manufacturing unit were spending most of their time on computing and training, therefore reducing the time available for them to focus on patient-facing clinical activities.ConclusionsThe current skill mix was highlighted as being inefficient, due to a lack of delegation from the pharmacists and senior pharmacy technician. A technician-led manufacturing unit can improve the focus of pharmacists on clinical tasks while reducing the cost of activities.ReferencesLord Carter of Coles. Operational productivity and performance in English NHS acute hospitals: unwarranted variations. An independent report for the Department of Health 2016; 10–11: 34–40.Willett MS BK, Rich DS, Ereshefsky L. Prospectus on the economic value of clinical pharmacy services. A position statement of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy. Pharmacotherapy 1989; 9:45–50.Barnett MJ, et al. Analysis of pharmacist-provided medication therapy management (MTM) services in community pharmacies over 7 years. J Manag Care Pharm 2009;15:18–31.Napier P, et al. Introducing a checking technician allows pharmacists to spend more time on patient-focused activities. Res Social AdmPharm 2018;14:382–386.
Forecasting (2018-2030) and the Demand of Clinical Pharmacy Technician Workforce at Over Twelve Years (2006-2017) in Saudi Arabia
