Lead Pharmacy Technician

We are looking for a self‑motivated Lead Pharmacy Technician to work closely with our existing Lead Pharmacy Technicians in the Operational Team (Dispensary, Distribution, Procurement and Stores). The current post holder is moving to a Medicine Management Technician role within the department. The post will be Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:00 am to 5:15 pm. The successful candidate will be a good communicator, accurate, enthusiastic, flexible and possess excellent leadership skills, and will be able to use their own initiative while leading and working as part of a busy team to meet strict transport deadlines. We are seeking a candidate with a drive for quality improvement within the dispensary service whilst maintaining and adhering to governance standards at all times. The pharmacy department promotes a culture of continuing education and development, and applicants will be expected to aspire to further enhance their knowledge and skills through in‑house training.

Responsibilities

• Lead the dispensary team on allocated sessions, following procedures and ensuring compliance with relevant standards, particularly the safe and secure supply of medicines.
• Participate in dispensing clinical trials medicines and ensure governance procedures are in place and adhered to.
• Supervise new starters undertaking all dispensary tasks, supporting and ensuring competency of existing team members against national frameworks and in‑house standards.
• Provide rota and workload support.
• Support the EMIS Hospital Pharmacy system.
• Assist in reviewing and developing dispensary procedures and training plans.
• Support the training and assessment of team members to assure competency.
• Dispense and check prescriptions as per standard operating procedures.
• Carry out one‑to‑one supervision of support staff in line with Trust policies.
• Participate in supporting and deputising for the Clozapine and Procurement lead when needed.
• Lead the day‑to‑day provision of a high‑quality dispensary service, ensuring the timely and accurate supply of medicines to patients.
• Lead on ensuring medicines safety and governance are followed within the dispensary at all times and incidents are reviewed.
• Coordinate electronic receipt of clozapine and depot prescriptions into the dispensary safely and dispense them as per the transport schedule.
• Support and facilitate the development of new ways of working and enhanced staff roles within the dispensary service.
• Organise and supervise the day‑to‑day workload schedules for the dispensary team as per rota; assist in the development of procedures and training plans (including induction), deliver and oversee training and act as an assessor to assure competency.
• Adhere to controlled drug procedures in the dispensary, ensuring compliance with relevant standards; safe and secure storage, recording, audit, destruction of controlled drugs and investigation of discrepancies.
• Dispense clinical trial medicines and ensure governance procedures are adhered to.
• Undertake regular accuracy checking sessions to support the delivery of the service and develop pharmacy staff in this area.
• Participate in supporting Clozapine Services and deputising in the absence of the Lead.
• Support the use of the EMIS hospital pharmacy computer system, ensuring appropriate utilisation to maintain accurate records and costing information; support day‑to‑day system manager operations; provide medicines and activity related reports as required.
• Liaise with the department EMIS system managers or IT helpdesk to ensure problem‑solving related to dispensary services and optimum efficiency.
• Effectively communicate with internal and external customers, including patients, carers, trust staff and other trusts with whom we have a contract, to ensure accurate information and appropriate customer service.
• Act as a dispensary role model, foster a patient‑centred culture and project a professional attitude and appearance within and outside the department.
• Liaise with other leads and managers of the department to coordinate services where required, assuring optimum cost‑effectiveness and efficiency, recognising where impacts may lie beyond own area of activity.
• Regularly review service provision (in line with activity data) to ensure it is fit‑for‑purpose and lead the implementation of changes (e.g., opening times, weekend/7‑day services).
• Deputise for the Pharmacy Operational Manager as required, providing support within other operational services on occasions.
• Undertake any other duties reasonably requested by the Chief Pharmacist and Senior Management team to fulfil the needs of the service.

Qualifications

• Recognised Pharmacy Technician qualification (NVQ Level 3, BTEC, City & Guilds or equivalent) and registration with the GPhC, or working towards completion; registration with the GPhC must be obtained on commencement of the role.

Benefits

• Commitment to flexible working where possible.
• 27 days annual leave/year plus bank holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years of service.
• Yearly appraisal and commitment to ongoing training.
• Generous NHS pension scheme.
• Good maternity, paternity and adoption benefits.
• Health service discounts and online benefits.
• Access to Vivup.
• Incremental pay progression.
• Free confidential employee assistance programme 24/7.
• Access to LGBTI+ network, BAME Network and Christian Network.
• Health and wellbeing opportunities.
• Structured learning and development opportunities.

Join 'Team Derbyshire Healthcare' and become part of a talented, compassionate and enthusiastic workforce committed to a vision of making a positive difference in people's lives. CQC rated us as 'GOOD' overall, commenting on how our colleagues treated patients with compassion and kindness and felt positive and proud about working for the trust. To apply, please request to view the full Job Description and Person Specification. Please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB – you will be directed to the recruitment site and may need to register if you do not already have an account.