About this role
Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity to join Essex ICB's Medicines Innovation and Pathways team and contribute to the safe, effective and cost-efficient management of high-cost medicines across the health and care system. The role supports patient access to specialist treatments while ensuring compliance with commissioning requirements, medicines governance standards and NHS funding arrangements.
You will:
Provide technical expertise to support the management of high-cost medicines and commissioning processes.Process prior approval requests, ensuring applications meet commissioning criteria and local policy requirements.Support accurate and timely validation of high-cost medicines invoices, helping to ensure appropriate use of NHS resources.Maintain high-quality records, reports and digital systems that support governance, assurance and audit requirements.Work closely with pharmacists, clinicians, finance teams and providers to resolve queries and support effective decision-making.Contribute to the development and improvement of medicines approval processes, digital tools and reporting systems across the organisation.
If you are a registered Pharmacy Technician with excellent attention to detail, strong analytical skills and a commitment to improving patient outcomes through effective medicines management, we would love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
We are seeking a GPhC registered Pharmacy Technician with experience in medicines optimisation, commissioning support or high-cost medicines processes. You will have strong organisational skills, be confident using data and digital systems, and communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders.
You will:
Process prior approval requests for high-cost medicines, ensuring compliance with commissioning criteria, policies and governance requirementsReview funding applications, identify missing documentation and escalate complex or clinically sensitive cases as requiredValidate invoices against approved funding requests and investigate discrepancies to support financial assuranceMaintain accurate records within approval and reporting systems, supporting audit, monitoring and performance activitiesApply knowledge of formulary compliance, NICE guidance and commissioning policies to support evidence-based decisionsAnalyse and present data to support audits, service reviews, commissioning decisions and expenditure monitoringWork collaboratively with pharmacists, clinicians, providers and finance colleagues to support effective high-cost medicines management across EssexContribute to service improvement by identifying opportunities to strengthen processes, reporting and digital systems
Applicants must be GPhC registered and committed to continuous professional development. Knowledge of high-cost medicines, medicines governance, commissioning processes and Blueteq is desirable.
About us
NHS Essex ICB is a statutory organisation responsible for the planning and funding of NHS services for around 1.9 million people across Essex. Our role as an ICB is to bring health and care services together, improve the health and wellbeing of our population and ensure equitable access to services and outcome for everyone. The organisations headquarters is Seax House, Chelmsford, and we operate a hybrid working model (2 office-based days) that includes working across Essex and from home. Essex ICB currently has offices in Brentwood, Harlow and Colchester, in addition to the Chelmsford HQ.
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values diversity. We know that different experiences, ideas and perspectives help create a stronger and more innovative organisation that delivers better outcomes for patients. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, including people of all ages, disabilities, sex, gender identity or expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or personal circumstances. Our policies ensure all applicants are treated fairly and consistently throughout the recruitment process, including consideration of reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants.
Please note that the organisation does not hold a sponsorship licence.
Job description Job responsibilities
ROLE PURPOSE / SUMMARY
The Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) is a new organisation formed through the consolidation of three ICB areas in response to the NHSs ambition to deliver a more streamlined, strategic and cost-effective model of health commissioning. The ICB will oversee the commissioning of care for the approximately 2 million people who live in Essex. Operating within a reduced running cost envelope and aligned to the new requirements of ICBs in England, the ICB will focus on improving population health outcomes, health equity and smarter resource allocation.
The postholder will provide technical support within the Medicines Innovation and Pathways workstream of the Integrated Care Board. The role underpins the safe, effective, and cost-efficient use of high-cost medicines by managing key processes such as prior approval, invoice validation, and data reporting. This includes ensuring that funding requests are processed accurately and in line with commissioning criteria, maintaining robust approval systems and templates, and supporting governance through accurate documentation and compliance checks. The postholder will apply knowledge of medicines policy and commissioning requirements to assess applications, resolve queries, and escalate cases requiring clinical input. They will also contribute to monitoring and reporting activities that inform audits, performance reviews, and commissioning decisions. By maintaining robust processes and clear communication, this role supports patient safety, ensures compliance with commissioning requirements, and facilitates the efficient management of high-cost medicines across the system.
As the ICB transitions to become a leaner, more focused strategic commissioning organisation the post holder will be expected to support the Director of Pharmacy, Medicines and Clinical Policies in delivering on the three fundamental shifts set out in the NHS 10-year plan:
From Treatment to Prevention: Embedding preventative, personalised and population based approaches to commissioning. From Hospital to Community: Championing care model redesign that supports community and neighbourhood health. From Analogue to Digital: Enabling clinically driven transformation through digital innovation, data analytics and evidence based improvement.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
To deliver on the job description set out above, the job holder will be expected to deliver on the requirements set out below:
High-cost drug management
Process prior approval requests for high-cost medicines within agreed timescales, applying professional pharmacy knowledge to ensure compliance with commissioning criteria and local policiesDevelop and maintain prior approval templates and documentation, ensuring clarity and consistency for usersReview incomplete funding applications, assess against commissioning requirements, and use judgment to escalate cases requiring clinical input to the pharmacist
Technical support for commissioning
Validate invoices against approved requests and identify discrepancies for escalation, ensuring accuracy and compliance with local policiesMaintain accurate records of approvals and funding decisions in digital systems, supporting audit and assurance processesSupervise the Invoice Assistant by providing guidance, training, and quality checks on invoice processing tasks to ensure timely and accurate completionPrepare technical summaries and data packs to support commissioning decisions, audits, and performance monitoring
Data and digital processes
Use professional pharmacy knowledge to manage prior approval workflows in digital systems, ensuring accuracy and compliance with commissioning criteriaSupport the implementation and improvement of digital tools for medicines governance and approval processes, ensuring they meet audit and assurance requirements Interpret data outputs to identify trends and anomalies, providing clear insights for audits and performance reviews, and escalate complex cases to the pharmacist when clinical input is required
Clinical governance and safety
Apply professional pharmacy knowledge to ensure governance principles are embedded in all approval processes and funding decisions, including assessing requests against formulary and commissioning criteriaUse understanding of medicines legislation, NICE guidance, and local policies to verify compliance and identify potential risks, escalating complex or clinically sensitive cases to the pharmacist when requiredSupport compliance with formulary and contractual requirements for high-cost medicines by reviewing documentation for accuracy and completeness, ensuring decisions are evidence-based and aligned with governance standards
Financial and reporting support
Apply professional pharmacy knowledge to assist in monitoring expenditure on high-cost medicines, ensuring data accuracy and alignment with commissioning criteria. Use understanding of medicines policy and funding pathways to interpret trends and highlight potential risks for escalationPrepare accurate reports for audits and performance reviews, ensuring data is clearly presented and aligned with established templatesProvide clear, accurate data summaries to support business cases and commissioning plans, ensuring that information is relevant, evidence-based, and suitable for decision-making at system level
Collaboration and support
Respond to queries from clinicians, finance teams, and providers regarding high-cost drug approvals, using professional pharmacy knowledge to interpret commissioning criteria and provide accurate, evidence-based informationApply understanding of formulary compliance, NICE guidance, and funding pathways when resolving queries, ensuring responses are aligned with governance and contractual requirementsWork collaboratively with pharmacists and commissioning teams to troubleshoot complex cases, identify gaps in documentation, and recommend appropriate actions, escalating to the pharmacist when clinical judgment is requiredContribute to continuous improvement by highlighting recurring issues and supporting the development of clearer processes and templates for prior approvals and funding requests
Team management and capability building
Supporting directorate oversight of workforce reporting, including reporting on key HR metricsSupports wider understanding of projects across the ICB and system Able to influence in order to deliver effectively through others Support the effective transition of relevant functions to new portfolios within or beyond the ICB to support the new NHS operating model, in line with the requirements of the Model ICB Blueprint Work collaboratively with system partners to facilitate transitional arrangements Maintain a focus on quality, safety and affordability during transition Supporting effective Information Asset Management for the team
Other
Able to use initiative and work independently as needed to deliver on requirements of the role Primarily desk-based work that requires use of visual display units, focused concentration and frequent participation in on-line or in person meetings Able to use software required to develop report, including ability to deliver high quality documents through Microsoft suite (word, power point, excel)
Flexibility and evolving responsibilities
As the ICB continues to evolve, portfolios may be subject to change to reflect the needs of the organisation, the health and care system and national policy direction. This may include adjustments to areas of responsibility or realignment of reporting structures.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
The post holder will need to build constructive relationships with partners from across the health and care system. Key relationships will be with:
Senior Pharmacists and wider medicines commissioning teamFinance and Contracting TeamsAcute and Community ProvidersClinicians
Person Specification
Strategy & Analysis Essential
Ability to interpret and analyse data, identify discrepancies and support reporting or assurance processes. Ability to apply professional pharmacy knowledge to review information, assess compliance with policies and identify issues requiring escalation. Experience using digital systems and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, to support reporting and monitoring activities.
People & Culture Essential
Ability to contribute to a positive, collaborative working environment, fostering continuous improvement and shared learning. Demonstrated commitment to compassionate practice and promoting diversity, inclusion and equality of opportunity within pharmacy teams and across commissioning support functions. A commitment to continuous improvement, organisational learning and achieving positive outcomes for staff, patients and service users, working in line with the NHS People Promise
Governance & Assurance Essential
Ability to apply professional pharmacy knowledge to ensure approval and funding processes comply with formulary requirements, NICE guidance and local commissioning policies. Ability to review documentation for accuracy and completeness, identify gaps and escalate complex or clinically sensitive cases appropriately. Ability to support governance by maintaining accurate records, validating requests against commissioning criteria and contributing to audit and performance monitoring activities.
Personal Attributes and Values Essential
Personal commitment to the values of the NHS 10-year Plan, the NHS People Plan, the Nolan Principles, to championing equality, diversity and inclusion within the ICB and the wider health system.
Qualifications Essential
Registered pharmacy technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council Evidence of sustained commitment to continuous professional development (CPD)
Experience Essential
Experience of working as a registered Pharmacy Technician in a hospital, primary care, community pharmacy, commissioning or medicines optimisation setting. Experience maintaining accurate records and working with digital systems to support medicines management, governance or service delivery. Experience handling complex queries and providing accurate information to healthcare professionals, patients or other stakeholders. Knowledge of medicines governance, formulary processes, NICE guidance or commissioning requirements.
Partnerships & Communities Essential
Able to represent the Medicines Innovation and Pathways team professionally in meetings and communications with internal and external stakeholders. Experience working across teams and organisations to support the delivery of projects and work programmes. Able to communicate effectively, work collaboratively and raise concerns or issues appropriately to support delivery of objectives
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 NHS Essex Integrated Care Board
Address Seax House
Victoria Road South
Chelmsford
Essex
CM1 1QH
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.essex.icb.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)