About this role
Job summary
The Pharmacy Automation Coordinator will play a key role in the management, maintenance, and optimisation of automated systems within the Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) Pharmacy Department and wards.
This role will oversee the efficient operation of automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs), robotic dispensing systems, and the Aerocom pneumatic tube system, ensuring seamless medication storage, dispensing, and distribution across the hospital.
Working closely with Pharmacy, IT, and clinical teams, you will support system improvements, training, troubleshooting, and compliance with regulatory standards to enhance patient safety and operational efficiency.
The role involves investigating automation incidents, ensuring robust governance, accurate supply of medicines and continuous improvement. Whilst maintaining high professional standards in line with legal, professional, and organisational requirements.
As a line manager you will lead, supervise and support a team of Pharmacy Technicians, Assistants and Porters within distribution, taking responsibility for recruitment, induction, appraisals, rota planning and managing performance and attendance to deliver a high quality, patient focused service.
Main duties of the job
Maintain distribution SOPs, specifically those associated with automation. Ensuring the SOPs and policies align with Trust objectives, national guidance, and regulatory standards.
Create and manage distribution staff rotas and keep HealthRoster records up to date (leave, sickness, etc.).
Coordinate day-to-day distribution workflow with the Pharmacy Procurement, Homecare and Distribution Lead Technician and Procurement and Distribution Senior Technician.
Provide professional leadership, and training on automation to the wider pharmacy team.
Use effective communication to allocate tasks, resolve queries and influence to support a safe, efficient team environment.
Ensure continuous service development and optimisation of intelligent storage systems within the Trust, through completion of audits and review of governance
Be the main link between Pharmacy, ICT and suppliers for the role out of new automation devices and software.
About us
We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as the communities we serve, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including people with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic heritage, people with a disability, and people from LGBTQ+ communities. By growing an ever more diverse workforce, we'll have a greater range of perspectives and knowledge, meaning that we can provide the children and young people at our hospital with even better care.
Our hospital is committed to creating an environment that is open and inclusive. Our staff are encouraged to engage with colleagues through the following networks: REACH (Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage) ENABLED (Enhancing Abilities & Leveraging Disabilities Network), PRIDE and Women's networks; all of which are sponsored by a member of our Executive Management Team.
We want to ensure that all of our people, regardless of their background, are seen and heard. We want to attract applicants that share our commitment to inclusion and that understand diversity is a strength that is embraced and valued.
Job description Job responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachment/s below.
Person Specification
Combined Values Essential
Combined Values
Academic/Professional qualification/Training Essential
BTEC and NVQ Level 3 in Pharmaceutical Sciences or NVQ Diploma in Pharmacy Service Skills (QCF) Level 3 (City and Guilds) and Level 3 Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science (QCF) or equivalent qualification supported by Pharmacy work experience. GPh.C. registered Pharmacy Technician
Desirable
Educational Supervisor Leadership qualification, Management certificate or proven relevant experience Accredited checking technician (ACPT)
Experience/Knowledge Essential
Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Dispensing and Distribution stock control systems Proven experience in training and assessment of junior staff Relevant Hospital pharmacy experience as a qualified Technician. Operation of Automated Dispensing Robot & Intelligent Storage Systems
Desirable
Use of medicines in specialist area of paediatrics EPIC Computer system including Electronic Prescribing
Skills/Abilities Essential
Problem and decision-making skills Methodical approach to work and good attention to detail Computer skills including Power Point, Excel Adaptable and able to respond to changing demands Ability to function calmly and efficiently when under pressure
Desirable
Patient focused and sensitive to patient needs Good patient counselling skills & proficient in providing advice to patients/parents
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 Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust
Address Great Ormond Street Hospital
Great Ormond Street
London
WC1N 3JH
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)