About this role
Job summary
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.
Interview date to be confirmed.
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.
About us
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. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.
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.
Achievements:
Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018 Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal) National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme.
Job description Job 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 problemsolving and supplier liaison.
Take an active role in reviewing contract changes, contributing to continuous improvement and valuebased 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, safetyfocused procurement principles.
Assess and release unlicensed medicines from quarantine, strengthening your knowledge of governance and quality assurance.
Provide wardbased technician support when required, expanding your clinical exposure and patientfacing 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 departments digital transformation.
Assist in managing drug recalls following MHRA notifications
Promote patient safety and efficiency, playing a key role in a modern, forwardthinking pharmacy service.
Undertake staff appraisals and objective reviews, developing leadership and peoplemanagement skills.
Act as an Accredited Checking Technician across Mersey and West Lancashire sites, enhancing your checking and dispensary expertise.
Participate in latenight, weekend and bankholiday rotas, supporting a reliable 7day service.
Clinical & Professional Responsibilities Maintain GPhC registration and uphold high professional standards.
Keep CPD up to date, supporting your longterm 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.
Financial Responsibility Support delivery of a costeffective service, contributing to responsible resource management.
Research & Audit Participate in audits and research projects, helping shape service development and innovation.
Person Specification
Our values Essential
We are Kind We are Open We are Inclusive
Qualifications Essential
BTEC, NC & NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Service skills or GPhC recognised equivalent Registered as a practising Pharmacy Technician with the GPhC
Desirable
BTEC accredited checking qualification or equivalent recognised by the dept or willing to work towards within 12 months of starting employment
Knowledge & Experience Essential
Substantial post-qualification experience working in a pharmaceutical environment Experience of dispensing for discharge and medicines management
Desirable
Experience in using the EMIS pharmacy computer system Knowledge of LEAN principles
Skills Essential
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 Good administration skills including accurate record keeping
Desirable
Good negotiation skills
Other Essential
Ability to participate in the department rota for 7 day working Supportive of colleagues of all grades
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 (Opens in a new tab).
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 (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Address Ormskirk Hospital
Dicconson Way, Wigan Road
Ormskirk
L39 2AZ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.merseywestlancs.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)