Pharmacy Technician - Dispensary - Band 4 to Band 5 Progression
The closing date is 11 December 2025.
We're looking for an enthusiastic Pharmacy Technician to join our modern, automated dispensary team. You'll support daily dispensing activities and help ensure smooth, efficient service delivery.
This is a fantastic opportunity to grow your career in a busy hospital setting. Once key criteria are met, you'll progress to a Senior Pharmacy Technician role with leadership and line management responsibilities.
We're seeking someone proactive, dynamic, and passionate about patient care. You should be eager to try new roles, support innovation, and contribute to service development. On-the-job training in staff supervision will be provided.
An ACPT qualification is desirable, but if you don't have it, we'll support you through accreditation. Newly qualified Pharmacy Technicians and Pre-registration Trainees due to qualify are welcome to apply.
Bedford Pharmacy operates a 7‑day service, so late and weekend shifts will be required.
Main duties of the job
* Support the senior technicians in the day to day running of the dispensary service by being a team lead and fulfilling duties as per dispensary procedures
* Provide patients with information on appropriate use of their medication
* Provide training in dispensary in accordance with competency frameworks on the use of pharmacy stock control software and dispensing cabinets
* Act as a professional role model for pre‑registration trainee pharmacy technicians and pharmacy assistants
* Accurately dispense inpatients/outpatients/discharge prescriptions/controlled drugs for a wide range of specialities
* Maintain high quality data input of patient and drug information in to pharmacy JAC system
* Support with daily robot stock maintenance and be available to troubleshoot as appropriate
* Participate in audits necessary for service developments as set out by dispensary management
* Assist with the maintenance of efficient stock control, including management of returns
* Be an ACPT, undertaking the final check for dispensed prescriptions which have been clinically screened by a pharmacist for accuracy before release, subject to successful completion and conditions of the ACPT scheme accreditation
About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics‑led Maternity and Paediatrics.
You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.
We have state‑of‑the‑art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.
All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.
Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.
Job responsibilities
The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities
* Accurately receive prescriptions into the dispensary and ensure prescription charges are collected where appropriate
* Accurately dispense inpatients/outpatients/discharge prescriptions/controlled drugs for a wide range of specialities
* Maintain high quality data input of patient and drug information into pharmacy JAC system
* Support with daily robot stock maintenance and be available to troubleshoot as appropriate
* Undertake patient consultations when handing out medication and ensure patients are given appropriate advice to support
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
* BTEC or NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent qualification
* Evidence of commitment to CPD
Experience
* Good dispensing practice
* Working within a team
* Recognises own limitation
* Medication counselling to patients
* Previous experience of working in a hospital pharmacy
* Participation in training staff
* Experience of supporting junior staff
* Procedure writing
* Supervisory skills
* Participation in audits
* Co‑ordinating daily workflow
Knowledge
* Working knowledge of a broad range of medicines
* Demonstrate ability to perform calculations
* Computer skills (MS Word, Excel and pharmacy stock control system)
* Understanding of the running of a dispensary service
* Understanding of Health & Safety requirements
* Knowledge of JAC computer system
* Knowledge of Omnicell RDS and automated cabinet
Personal Skills
* Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
* Methodical with attention to detail
* Ability to work under pressure whilst maintain accuracy
* Customer care skills
* Ability to seek advice appropriately from senior staff
* Ability to cascade information to pharmacy staff accurately and timely
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.
Address
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full‑time
Reference number
418‑AHP0818‑SJ‑A
Job locations
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
£27,485 to £37,796 a year pro rata
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