Pharmacy Technician
The closing date is 06 April 2026
With effect from 1 April 2026, Norfolk Community Health & Care NHS Trust will merge with Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust to form the new East of England Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. This new organisation will deliver a wide range of community health and social care services to more than 4 million people, supported by a workforce of over 7,000 and a budget of approximately £380 million. This is an exciting time to join us as we shape a new, ambitious future for community healthcare across the region.
We are seeking a GPhC-registered Pharmacy Technician to join our expanding Medicines Optimisation Team on a part-time basis (26.5 hours per week), maternity cover. Our small, friendly, ward-based team is growing as we develop patient-facing roles across the Trust. You will play a key part in delivering our medicines optimisation strategy, working closely with ward teams and our Pharmacy provider to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care.
Applicants should hold an accreditation in Medicines Management that meets the National Medicines Management Framework, or be willing to work towards this.
Working hours are Monday to Friday, with flexible options available.
Joining our evolving service at such a pivotal moment means you'll help shape how medicines optimisation is delivered across our wards, contributing to the development of an innovative and high-quality clinical service in partnership with our clinical pharmacists.
Main duties of the job
You will work closely with our clinical pharmacists to support the delivery of high-quality clinical pharmacy services across all community hospital wards, and, when required, to other services within the Trust.
In this role, you will contribute to medicines optimisation, ensure the safe and effective supply of medicines, and help minimise risks associated with medicines use. Working across multiple community wards and services, you will play an active part in providing safe, high-quality and compassionate care.
You will communicate confidently with patients, carers and healthcare professionals to ensure that patients are safe and well supported with their medicines. This role is central to delivering our medicines optimisation agenda.
Job responsibilities
* Ensure timely medicines reconciliation on the designated in-patient unit as appropriate to facilitate a smooth admission to services.
* Appropriately refer interventions to the clinical pharmacists or liaising with other members of the MDT within scope and experience. Escalating to the Head of Medicines Optimisation as necessary.
* Ensuring the appropriate management and administration of medications in accordance with Legislation, Trust Policy and Professional Standards.
* Assess, use and destroy patients own drugs and encouraging patients relatives/carers to use patients own medicines.
* Destroy expired or unwanted medicines as per trust procedure.
* Ensure wards have appropriate stock rotation, stock lists and medicines storage and review regularly with the ward pharmacist and ward manager.
* Initiate requests for ward non-stock and when relevant ward stock items.
* Facilitate resolution of medicines supply problems when requested.
* Assisting in training of ward staff involved in medicines management and administration as appropriate.
* Record all patient interventions and medicines management activity in the patient record.
* Assist with the medicines management audit agenda working with NCH&C colleagues.
* Provide patient counselling on the use of medicines to selected patients as identified by the MDT.
* Accuracy checking the quantity, quality of drug, strength, form, dose and directions of medicines contained in bedside medicines locker to ensure there are no discrepancies and sufficient supply for discharge
* As part of the clinical pharmacy team organising timely supply of new or additional items required for discharge.
* As part of the pharmacy team organising where necessary compliance aids for individual patients (medication reminder cards, dosette boxes etc.).
* Minimising clinical risk associated with medicines use by ensuring that:
o Prescriptions are legible, unambiguous and legally acceptable
o Medicines are administered according to standards and guidelines
* Support staff when medicine error incidents occur and identify ways to improve safe handling of medicines.
* Liaise with other health care professionals with regard to pharmaceutical discharge needs of patients including checking appropriate risk assessments have been undertaken.
* Liaise with other units and pharmacists on transition for patients from one NHS unit to another.
* Liaise with community pharmacists and General Practitioners regarding difficulties in supply of medicines to smooth the discharge plan.
* Undertake necessary continuing pharmacy education and keeping abreast of new developments in medicines optimisation and pharmacy.
* Undertake other duties as required by the pharmacy team and Head of Medicines Optimisation.
* Undertake prescribed physical and mental health observations as required reporting exceptions as appropriate and using tools available e.g. SBAR, Track & Trigger.
* Monitor and report all omissions in line with the Trust policy and contribute to service trend monitoring.
* Actively monitor and review the effects of prescribed medication for the patient group noting its efficacy and the effect of potential side effects and acting promptly to elevate concerns or seek advice regarding potential medication changes.
* Participate in team meetings, service away days and service development initiatives as required.
* Have a good knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures and raise concerns as required.
* This position will have a degree of autonomy to act on individual patient medicine pharmaceutical care, to bring improvements to safety to the patient as discovered. There is an expectation that the post holder will practice within safe limits and always refer to designated clinical ward pharmacist and Head of Medicines Optimisation when unsure or when there is a need to resolve complex or more challenging situations.
* There is a need to be able to communicate succinctly and effectively with patients and other healthcare staff to deliver the role. Interventions that produce direct improvements in patient safety will be recorded to demonstrate effectiveness. Participating in agreed policy and systems audits will also demonstrate performance and quality of service.
About us
From 1 April 2026, Norfolk Community Health & Care NHS Trust will merge with Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust to form a new organisation providing community health and social care to over 4 million people, supported by more than 7,000 staff and a budget of around £380 million. Both Trusts are high-performing, and their merger will create exciting opportunities to further enhance services across the region.
Our commitment to delivering high-quality care close to home remains central to our work. The new organisation will continue to provide community-based NHS care across a wide range of settings--bringing expert support to patients in community hospitals, GP practices and, where needed, in their own homes. We believe people are best cared for within their own communities, and this drives our focus on improving the quality and accessibility of our services. Our teams work collaboratively to ensure patients experience seamless, well-coordinated care.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* NVQ Level 3 - pharmacy services / BTEC in pharmaceutical science or equivalent
* Accredited checking technician status or likely to achieve within 3 months
* Post registration clinical/ foundation credential qualification and/or significant relevant medicines optimisation experience to demonstrate similar level of knowledge
* Medicines related patient consultation skills accreditation
* Supervisory skills
* Member of APTUK
Experience
* Medicines optimisation knowledge and experience
* Experience of working in ward, community services or primary care environment
* Evidence of CPD
* Basic knowledge of primary care
* Digital pharmacy experience
* In depth post qualification experience of pharmacy
* Hospital based experience
* Experience of POD scheme
* Experience working in community services
* Evidence of team role and multidisciplinary work
* Experience of clinical audit
Skills, Abilities and Knowledge
* Knowledge of a ward-based technicians role including reuse of patients' own drugs, one stop dispensing, self-administration and discharge of patients
* Knowledge of the changing NHS environment
* Ability to work as an individual and as part of a team
* Ability to organize and prioritise workload in order to meet deadlines and targets
* Word processing and computer skills including the use of email, internet, Microsoft Word and Excel
* Accurate numeracy skills including data analysis and interpretation
* Good interpersonal skills
* Ability to recognise personal limits and when it is appropriate to seek advice
* Assessment, planning and evaluation skills
* Good clinical, pharmaceutical and health promotion knowledge
* Ability to investigate, analyse and interpret data
* Fast and adaptable learner
* Understanding of broader social and health care system
* Knowledge of the use if electronic prescribing and medicines administration systems
Communication
* Good written and verbal communication
* Good person-centred care skills
* Able to relate well to wide range of people
* Ability to work independently and use own initiative
* Ability to share own knowledge, skills and experience
* Good written communication skills including report writing, procedure writing and record keeping
* Report writing skills
* Good patient counselling skills
Personal and People Development
* Able to work under pressure
* Attention to patient centred care
* Adaptable in approach to work and projects
Personal Attribute / Behaviours (linked to the Trust's Behaviour Framework)
* Able to demonstrate a commitment and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs
* Able to identify with the Trust's commitment to safeguarding and promote the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults
* Highly motivated and reliable Effective role model, demonstrating NCHC values of People community, compassion & creativity
* Enthusiastic and willing to learn
* Able to work as part of a team or as an individual with a flexible approach to duties
* Professional attitude
Other
* Committed to self and service development
* The post holder will need to be passed fit to perform full duties of the post through occupational health with any reasonable aids and adaptations if necessary. Some roles require additional level of checks as part of the employment process i.e. roles which come into contact with children, vulnerable adults or their families
* Willingness and ability to work across different sites
* Full and valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle
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.
Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust
£31,049 to £37,796 a year pro rata per annum
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