About this role
Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for a Pharmacy Technician Higher Level at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust to join the Pharmacy Department at William Harvey Hospital in Ashford or Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital in Margate. You will be responsible for working closely with Pharmacists and other healthcare professionals within the multi-disciplinary team in the Emergency Department to deliver high-quality, patient-focused medicines management services. You will manage the compilation and verification of patient drug histories by communicating with patients, carers, GPs, and other health professionals, ensuring any discrepancies are resolved or appropriately referred. You will also support the team by checking and documenting specified blood results, interpreting medical and nursing notes for medicines reconciliation, and identifying patient-drug or drug-disease interactions, referring as necessary to ensure safe and effective patient care.
Main duties of the job
As a Pharmacy Technician Higher Level, you will be responsible for documenting patients allergies and reactions to medicines, ensuring accurate records are maintained. You will be managing reviews of patients own drugs to assess suitability during their hospital stay and supporting discharge planning in collaboration with ward staff and other healthcare professionals across secondary and primary care. You will be responsible for giving out medication to patients, providing counselling on correct usage, dosages, side effects, and device administration, while addressing any questions or concerns. You will also administer medicines within your competence, considering prescriptions, patient conditions, observations, and blood results, document consultations appropriately, and help minimise delays in discharge by ensuring timely availability of medications.
About us
Here at NHS Professionals, we run England's largest NHS staff bank and are experts at putting people in places to care. Every year we help thousands of dedicated and highly skilled NHS workers enjoy better career opportunities, more flexible shifts, and a healthier work-life balance across our partnered Trusts.
Career Progression access to Learning & Development opportunities, so that you can take on new roles and challenges
Work-life Balance flexible shifts, committed shifts, wellbeing resources and build paid annual leave
Opportunity & Access over 50 partner NHS Trusts to give you the flexibility of choice to work how and where you want
Job description Job responsibilities
To dispense prescriptions when required, ensuring all medications are prepared accurately and in accordance with trust guidelines. You will also check for completeness and appropriateness of prescriptions prior to dispensing.
To assist with the management and movement of medicines between wards, including controlled drugs, to maintain efficient supply chains. You will also identify medicines needing safe return or disposal and coordinate with the pharmacy team.
To provide medicines-related information and guidance to external healthcare organisations, such as GP surgeries and community pharmacies, to support admission and discharge processes. You will also suggest improvements to communication pathways to enhance patient care.
To support the training, mentoring, and competency assessment of pre-registration trainee pharmacy technicians, junior pharmacy technicians, and pre-registration pharmacists. You will act as a role model and contribute to the development of staff through guidance, education, and feedback.
To contribute to quality management and service improvement by reviewing procedures, suggesting enhancements, and participating in audits. You will also assist in the writing and maintenance of standard operating procedures for the pharmacy team.
To maintain professional registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council and actively engage in continuous professional development (CPD). This includes completing mandatory training, local accreditations, and participating in meetings or learning sessions to ensure up-to-date knowledge and compliance with best practices.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services or BTEC in Pharmaceutical Science (or equivalent). Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). Accredited in medicines management and accuracy checking pharmacy technician (ACPT). Experience with NHS systems (e.g., PAS, RIS) and Microsoft packages. Desirable: hospital pharmacy experience or Medicines Optimisation Programme competence.
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.
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 Professionals Limited
Address East Kent Hospitals University Nhs Foundation Trust
William Harvey Hospital, Kennington Road
Willesborough
ASHFORD
Kent
TN24 0LZ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.nhsprofessionals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)