Pharmacy Technician in Ormskirk

We want talented and enthusiastic people from all backgrounds to join #TeamMWL, with us you can learn, grow and develop yourself and your career, realising your true ambitions and aspirations. Whatever you’re looking for in your career, you’ll find it here at MWL.

Job overview

We are seeking a proactive, enthusiastic Band 5 Pharmacy Technician to join our dynamic Pharmacy Procurement and Stores Team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys variety, responsibility and working as part of a supportive, forward‑thinking department. This is an exciting time to come on board, as the Pharmacy Department at Ormskirk Hospital has undergone significant redevelopment over the last two years — including the installation of a new Omnicell automated robotic dispensing system.

In this role, you will work closely with the Procurement and Stores Pharmacy Technician Lead to ensure the safe, efficient and compliant procurement, storage and distribution of medicines across the organisation. You will play a key part in maintaining high standards in line with Good Distribution Practice and Wholesale Dealer Authorisation requirements. Alongside your procurement responsibilities, you will make a direct and meaningful contribution to patient care. You will be involved in dispensary services, medicines optimisation, medicines reconciliation, and patient counselling, helping to ensure patients receive safe, effective and compassionate care. This position offers a great opportunity to develop your skills, broaden your experience and be part of a team that values innovation, quality and professional growth.

Main duties of the job

• Support daily management of the Purchasing & Stores section, including staff supervision and rota coordination.
• Manage ordering through EMIS in line with national, regional and local contracts.
• Communicate product shortages and supply issues promptly to colleagues.
• Assist in sourcing safe and appropriate alternatives when contracted items are unavailable.
• Support safe procurement and quarantine release of unlicensed medicines.
• Maintain accurate stock control, including expiry monitoring and compliance with GDP/WDA standards.
• Support the use and optimisation of Omnicell automated systems and the efficient running of the stores environment.
• Participate in audits, stock checks, supplier liaison and quality improvement activities within Procurement & Stores.

Working for our organisation

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 10,500 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.

Our services:

• Acute Care Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.
• Primary Care Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.
• Community Services Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire.
• Specialist Regional Services We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Support the daily running of the Purchasing & Stores section, gaining experience in staff supervision and rota management.
• Use the EMIS pharmacy system to manage efficient ordering, developing strong digital and procurement skills aligned with national and regional contracts.
• Share timely updates on product shortages and supply changes, helping shape clear communication pathways across the department.
• Assist in sourcing safe, suitable alternatives when contracted items are unavailable, building confidence in problem‑solving and supplier liaison.
• Take an active role in reviewing contract changes, contributing to continuous improvement and value‑based procurement.
• Work with the Procurement & Stores Manager to ensure unlicensed medicines are purchased safely and in line with best practice.
• Support the ‘purchasing for safety’ policy, promoting modern, safety‑focused procurement principles.
• Assess and release unlicensed medicines from quarantine, strengthening your knowledge of governance and quality assurance.
• Provide ward‑based technician support when required, expanding your clinical exposure and patient‑facing experience.
• Maintain CPD and ACT accreditation, supporting your professional growth and future career progression.
• Help develop and optimise digital systems, including the Omnicell robot, Omnicell cabinets and EMIS reporting.
• Support the rollout of electronic ordering and invoicing, contributing to the department’s digital transformation.
• Assist in managing drug recalls following MHRA notifications.
• Promote patient safety and efficiency, playing a key role in a modern, forward‑thinking pharmacy service.
• Undertake staff appraisals and objective reviews, developing leadership and people‑management skills.
• Act as an Accredited Checking Technician across Mersey and West Lancashire sites, enhancing your checking and dispensary expertise.

Clinical & Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain GPhC registration and uphold high professional standards.
• Keep CPD up to date, supporting your long‑term career development.
• Attend study days and courses, ensuring your skills remain current.
• Complete training and assessments to maintain competency across all duties.
• Ensure safe storage and security of medicines in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with legal and professional requirements, supporting safe practice across the Trust.

Teaching & Training Responsibilities

• Provide training and supervision for pharmacists and student technicians, developing your teaching and mentoring skills.
• Support delivery of a cost‑effective service, contributing to responsible resource management.

Research & Audit

• Participate in audits and research projects, helping shape service development and innovation.

Person specification

Our values: We are Kind, We are Open, We are Inclusive.

Qualifications:

• BTEC, NC & NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Service skills or GPhC recognised equivalent.
• Registered as a practising Pharmacy Technician with the GPhC.
• BTEC accredited checking qualification or equivalent recognised by the dept or willing to work towards within 12 months of starting employment.

Knowledge & Experience:

• Substantial post-qualification experience working in a pharmaceutical environment.
• Experience of dispensing for discharge and medicines management.
• Experience in using the EMIS pharmacy computer system.
• Knowledge of LEAN principles.

Skills:

• Demonstrates ability to motivate team performance to achieve objectives.
• Good verbal communication skills both face to face and using telephones.
• Ability to talk to patients, staff and other senior health care professionals.
• Ability to concentrate for long periods of time and able to work under pressure.
• Ability to work accurately and efficiently with good attention to detail.
• Well organised with good time management skills.

Other:

• Ability to participate in the department rota for 7 day working.
• Supportive of colleagues of all grades.

Thank you for considering an application to work for Mersey West Lancashire NHS Trust. MWL is an exciting and forward-thinking NHS Trust who are one of the best places to work for in England.

The Trust may contact you during the recruitment process for your feedback on your experience. We always aim for continuous improvement in our practice.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

We actively cultivate a professional environment of fairness, equality, dignity, and respect for all individuals. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and value the unique skills, perspective and experience you bring. We are grounded in the belief that diversity enhances our collective strength, fostering innovation and excellence within our workforce.

We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under‑represented groups.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we commit to offering an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification.

If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.

If you are having difficulty completing an online application, or require any disability reasonable adjustments, to the application process, please contact Recruitment@merseywestlancs.nhs.uk.

We also commit to offering an interview to all armed forces veterans who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification.

The Trust operates anonymous shortlisting where no personal information about you, including your name or personal details are shared with the recruiting manager.

No equality information is shared at any time during the recruitment process with the recruiting manager or other people involved in the decision‑making process.

The equality monitoring information you provide is used in the following situations: to review our recruitment practices; where a job is limited to a specific person to verify their eligibility to apply; and to offer disability reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please check your eligibility before applying for this post as we may be unable to provide sponsorship.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

If this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 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. Please note if applicable, applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment.

If you have not already done so, you are therefore encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service to which a small annual fee of £13 per year applies.

Flexible Working

We actively support flexible working patterns throughout MWL. Changes made to the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook mean that all employees have the right to request flexible working from day one of employment. There is no limit on the number of requests they can make. Employees have the right to make requests, have them considered, regardless of the reason.

At Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, we will consider requests for flexible working. We would also encourage you to also discuss flexible working options at interview stage.

Working for Team MWL

Staff recognition is especially important to us; as well as performance reviews and appraisals, we recognise staff through Employee of the month. Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts.

Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services. The Trust is a non-smoking across all our sites. Failure to follow this rule could lead to disciplinary action.

You will be expected to undertake the Trusts' commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. You must ensure that your application, including personal statements and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own. The Trust will not accept applications which are found to be AI generated and will check all applications against AI detection software.

Additional Information

Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trusts Values and Behaviours which are We are KIND, We are OPEN, We are INCLUSIVE.

An applicant guide to help and support you with your application and what to expect during your recruitment journey can be accessed in the supporting documents. Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team MWL very soon.