Senior Pharmacy Technician for Dispensary, Automation & Stock Oxford

Hello! My name is Charlotte Woodward, I am the Operational Manager of the John Radcliffe Pharmacy. I am privileged to lead our very hardworking Dispensary team in providing a dispensary service, supplying in‑patient, outpatient and discharge medication to Patients of the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. I am keen to hear from you if you are an experienced Pharmacy Technician with a particular interest in automation and stock management.

The Dispensary is an extremely busy and pressurised environment, issuing approx. 35,000 items a month, supported by electronic prescribing and a robot to support the labelling and dispensing of medications. This is an exciting opportunity where you will oversee the smooth running of the robotic dispensing system, lead the team involved in stock management and robotic dispensing, and jointly lead the team engaged in the provision of dispensary services alongside our existing Senior Pharmacy Technicians to oversee the day to day service provided from the Dispensary and manage the Dispensary staff team.

The dispensary team is a friendly and hardworking team of 25 staff ranging from Pharmacy Apprentices through to band 7 Technicians. This is a full‑time dispensary based position, 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday, with working hours of 9:00‑17:15, however flexible working options would also be considered. You will also be required to participate in weekend working on a 1:6 rota basis, bank holiday, early and late duty rotas as per rota.

Main duties of the job

The ideal applicant will have a broad experience of hospital pharmacy in a variety of roles, staff management or leadership experience, ACT accreditation, enthusiasm, drive and excellent communication and interpersonal skills. You must be able to continually read the work situation and make informed decisions under pressure to ensure that we meet our Key Performance Indicators and that all dispensary related tasks are completed according to standard operating procedures and in a safe and timely manner.

You will need to demonstrate a commitment to Continuing Professional Development and appraisal, a good understanding of the future developments of Pharmacy and have a professional attitude in your approach to work. You will be involved in all aspects of team management, including recruitment, induction and training of new staff to the team, conducting appraisals for designated staff, through to performance or disciplinary processes should they arise.

You will undertake risk assessments for dispensary related processes, assist the Operational Manager in the investigation of incident reports, writing of standard operating procedures and service continuity plans and promote a health and safety culture within the dispensary environment.

About us

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury. Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence, and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence. These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family.

In 2023 NHS England launched its first sexual safety charter, and our Trust proudly signed it. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit to the ten core principles. Oxford University Hospitals promotes a safe, respectful hiring environment. If you want to make a difference with us, come and join our team. Together, we will uphold the highest standards of care and professionalism.

Person Specification

• Registered Pharmacy Technician with an NVQ3 in Pharmaceutical Science or other equivalent qualification.
• Accredited Technician Checker NVQ Assessor (Cava Award or equivalent)
• Completion of recognised Leadership Training programme
• Previous pharmacy experience ideally including within the hospital setting.
• Proven experience of managing staff including leading and encouraging team working, recruitment and appraisal.
• Proven competency in writing implementing and monitoring procedures.
• Organised with the ability to prioritise workload and direct staff to designated tasks.
• Confidential and considerate to the needs of other staff.
• Proven time management and problem solving skills.
• Able to work as part of a team and also independently.
• Commitment to continuing Professional Development of self and others.
• Adaptable and flexible with a positive attitude to all tasks.
• Copes well under pressure and able to help others to do so.
• Professional manner and acts in accordance with the Trust values.
• Intermediate word and excel.

Desirable

• European Computer Driving License
• Fire Incident Co-ordinator trained
• First Aid trained
• Proven experience of hospital pharmacy computer systems, including robotic dispensing.
• In‑depth knowledge of Pharmacy Purchasing and stock control management.
• Experience of Audit and Project work.
• Experience of conducting Risk Assessments.
• Experience of investigating incidents.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.

Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.