Pharmacy Technician – Dispensary – Band 4 to Band 5 Progression in Bedford

We are seeking an enthusiastic Pharmacy Technician to join our modern, automated dispensary team. The post holder will support day-to-day dispensing activities and contribute to the delivery of a safe, efficient, and high-quality service.

This role offers an excellent opportunity to develop your career within a busy hospital environment. Subject to meeting the required criteria, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to progress to a Senior Pharmacy Technician role, which includes leadership and line management responsibilities.

We are looking for a proactive and motivated individual with a strong commitment to patient care. The role requires flexibility, a willingness to undertake new responsibilities, and an interest in supporting innovation and service development. On-the-job training in staff supervision will be provided.

An Accredited Checking Pharmacy Technician (ACPT) qualification is desirable; however, candidates without this qualification will be supported to achieve accreditation. Newly qualified Pharmacy Technicians and Pre-registration Trainees who are due to qualify are also encouraged to apply.

Bedford Pharmacy operates a seven-day service, and the post holder will be required to work late shifts and weekends.

• Support senior technicians in the day-to-day operation of the dispensary by acting as a team lead and carrying out duties in accordance with established dispensary procedures.
• Provide patients with clear and accurate information regarding the appropriate use of their medicines.
• Deliver dispensary-based training in line with competency frameworks, including the use of pharmacy stock control systems and automated dispensing cabinets.
• Act as a professional role model and provide support to pre-registration trainee pharmacy technicians and pharmacy assistants.
• Accurately dispense inpatient, outpatient, discharge, and controlled drug prescriptions across a wide range of clinical specialties.
• Maintain accurate and high-quality data entry of patient and medication information within the pharmacy JAC system.
• Support daily robotic stock maintenance and assist with troubleshooting issues as required.
• Participate in audits and quality improvement activities to support service development, as directed by dispensary management.
• Assist in maintaining efficient stock control processes, including the management of returned items.
• Undertake the final accuracy check of dispensed prescriptions as an Accredited Checking Pharmacy Technician (ACPT), where applicable, following clinical screening by a pharmacist and subject to successful completion of ACPT accreditation requirement.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.

• Accurately receive prescriptions into the dispensary and ensuring prescription charges are collected where appropriate.
• Accurately dispense inpatients/outpatients/discharge prescriptions/controlled drugs for a wide range of specialities.
• Maintain high quality data input of patient and drug information into pharmacy JAC system.
• Support with daily robot stock maintenance and be available to troubleshoot as appropriate.
• Undertake patient consultations when handing out medication and ensure patients are given appropriate advice to support.

• Qualifications: Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), BTEC or NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent qualification, Evidence of commitment to CPD.
• Experience: Good dispensing practice, Working within a team, Recognises own limitation, Medication counselling to patients, Previous experience of working in a hospital pharmacy, Participation in training staff, Experience of supporting junior staff, Procedure writing, Supervisory skills, Participation in audits, Coordinating daily workflow.
• Knowledge: Working knowledge of a broad range of medicines, Demonstrate ability to perform calculations, Computer skills (MS Word, Excel and pharmacy stock control system), Understanding of the running of a dispensary service, Understanding of Health & Safety requirements, Knowledge of JAC computer system, Knowledge of Omnicell RDS and automated cabinet.
• Personal Skills: Excellent communication skills both verbal and written, Methodical with attention to detail, Ability to work under pressure whilst maintaining accuracy, Customer care skills, Ability to seek advice appropriately from senior staff, Ability to cascade information to pharmacy staff accurately and timely.

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.