About this role
Job summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Senior Pharmacy Technician to join our team. The post holder will be a reliable and professional individual with a strong work ethic and the ability to lead by example.
The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to motivate, support, and develop others within the team. They will be approachable and adaptable, able to work independently as well as collaboratively, and committed to delivering high-quality, patient-focused services.
Applicants must demonstrate a clear commitment to the NHS values, including treating colleagues and service users with respect and dignity, promoting equality and inclusion, and contributing to a positive and supportive working environment. Strong organisational skills, professionalism, and a proactive approach to problem-solving are essential.
This is a full-time post, working 37.5 hours per week (7.5 hours per day), Monday to Friday. While there may be some flexibility in working hours, the role requires at least one late evening shift until 6:30 pm and participation in weekend cover on a rota basis, which are essential requirements of the post.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
Main duties of the job
To be responsible for ensuring the accurate and efficient supply of all medicines to University Hospitals Plymouth and external customers.
To manage the day-to-day operational performance of all areas of the Supply Department including Dispensary, Distribution and Logistics. To ensure that all activity is being completed in a timely manner to meet internal and external deadlines.
To manage the day-to-day transport and logistics services ensuring that contractual conditions are met and all courier services deliver pharmaceuticals in line with Good Distribution Practice, Medicines Healthcare and Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Home Office guidelines.
To ensure that all activity relating to external customers complies with the requirements of the Wholesale Dealers Authorisation (Human) and any relevant contractual arrangements.
To support, and where needed, deputise for the Lead Pharmacy Technician - Commercial Services in attendance at service and contract review meetings with internal and external customers.
To support the Senior Lead Pharmacy Technician - Supply & Commercial Services with the development and delivery of an exemplar patient centric supply service.
About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Job description Job responsibilities
OPERATIONAL
1. Schedule and manage the daily workload for the Dispensary, Distribution and Logistics services, allocating resources appropriately depending on demand.
2. To ensure that work is processed in a timely manner to ensure compliance with cut-off times and delivery schedules.
3. To manage and ensure all processes are carried out in accordance with standard operating procedures, safe systems of work and the legal framework for the supply of medicines.
4. To be responsible for the performance of the Supply team ensuring that patient flow is maintained.
5. To use Salus, EPMA and any other relevant sources to prioritise the dispensary TTA workload appropriately.
6. Ensure the timely completion of complex discharge patients have their TTAs completed in time to meet discharge times or booked transport as identified by the Site Team.
7. To monitor operational performance throughout the day, flexing resources as appropriate to ensure that patient flow for the organisation is maintained.
8. Identify bottlenecks relating to poor performance and escalating issues to the Assistant Director of Pharmacy when necessary.
9. To be responsible for the effective management of stock, ensuring that accurate stock levels are maintained.
10. To be responsible for monitoring and minimising medicines obsolescence that have to be discarded because they have become out of date or wasted, including stock held in the robot.
11. To ensure that ward stock lists are regularly reviewed to meet the demands of the clinical areas.
12. To be responsible for ensuring the day-to-day compliance with regulatory requirements relating to wholesale dealing and good distribution.
13. To be responsible for the appropriate and continued supply of medicinal products to pharmacies and persons who may lawfully sell such products or who may lawfully supply them in circumstances corresponding to retail sale so that the needs of UK patients are met.
14. To ensure the effective management of any temperature excursions in line with Good Distribution Practice and the licensed conditions.
15. To support in the management of medicines recalls and alerts.
16. To undertake general dispensary duties, in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures and the legal framework for the supply of medicines;
Reception; Receive prescriptions, take payments when necessary.
Issue drugs to patients and carers, counselling patients and carers as appropriate, including giving sensitive information on drug therapies.
Issue drugs to healthcare professionals, giving advice when necessary.
Labelling; generate medication labels.
Dispensing; Inpatient, Outpatient and Discharge prescriptions, Clinical Trials, Cytotoxics and Controlled Drugs.
Checking; perform a final accuracy check on items dispensed by other members of staff (after completion of National Technician Checking Accreditation).
Supervision of Pharmacy Technicians, PSA, SPSA, Pre-registration Pharmacy Technicians and Foundation Pharmacists.
17. To investigate dispensary stock balance discrepancies and amend on the computer system when necessary, ensuring all appropriate documentation is maintained, ensuring medicines are available when required.
18. To be ensure that schedule 3-5 stock checks are conducted, investigate discrepancies and provide reports, escalating concerns to the Director of Pharmacy.
For further details please see attached JD & PS
Person Specification
Knowledge & Experience Essential
Significant demonstrable post registration experience relevant to hospital pharmacy practice Sound proven understanding of hospital pharmacy services. Demonstrable experience of organising an operational service on a day-to-day basis. Demonstrable experience of supervising or managing staff.
Qualifications Essential
National BTEC or NVQ3 in Pharmaceutical Sciences (or equivalent) Registered Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). National Accredited Checking Pharmacy Technician qualification.
Desirable
Management qualification within a large clinical setting or equivalent. A willingness to undertake study leading to qualifications required for career advancement
Aptitude & Abilities Essential
Good communication skills, written and verbal, with ability to demonstrate fluency, clarity and effectiveness at all levels. Teaching and tutoring skills. Attention to detail. Ability to prioritise workload.
Desirable
Recruitment training and Interview skills Counselling skills.
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 University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Address Pharmacy Department
Derriford Hospital
Plymouth
PL6 8DH
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)