Job Summary
We are now investing in our Medicines Optimisation Team to underpin this expansion and are looking for an enthusiastic and self‑motivated Pharmacy Technician who is ready for the next step in their career.
This largely project‑based role will support the development, coordination and successful delivery of the Trust's Medicines Optimisation and Pharmacy Strategy by supporting the Trust value improvement programme, the development of a Trust medicines formulary and the Trust Drug & Therapeutics Committee (DTC) processes.
Under the leadership of the Principal Pharmacist Medicines Optimisation you will work with a wide range of stakeholders that includes our in‑house pharmacy teams at The Christie, our collaborative partners at The Christie Pharmacy, Baxter Healthcare, peripheral and outreach service satellites across the local cancer network and NHS England, to support the optimisation of medicines across the whole patient pathway from commissioning to procurement to distribution to patients.
Ensuring that all patients receive their medicines in the most efficient and cost‑effective manner to ensure that resources are used wisely and effectively, providing opportunity to improve health outcomes, reduce health inequalities, deliver medicine value and maintain a thriving, financially viable health economy.
Key Responsibilities
* Support the development, review and maintenance of the Trust medicines formulary and treatment guidelines in order to facilitate the safe, effective and cost‑effective use of medicines within the Trust.
* Work closely with disease group pharmacists to identify medicines information/optimisation requirements to support the medicines optimiser work of the department.
* Identify, scope and implement Value Improvement programme (VIP) scheme opportunities relating to the Trust medicines expenditure; support the divisions to implement potential VIP plans; provide monthly reporting.
* Develop expertise in reporting and analysis of prescribing trends across all pharmacy systems (EPMA and dispensing / procurement systems) to optimise medicines usage.
* Interpret data and explain prescribing, financial and quality data to internal and external stakeholders.
* Provide professional secretarial support to the Trust Drugs & Therapeutics Committee (DTC) by advising on agenda content, accompanying papers, minutes and actions.
* Facilitate changes to prescribing practice where benefits have been identified; engage stakeholders and develop an agreed implementation plan.
* Assist in horizon scanning and the managed entry of new medicines into the Trust, with a focus on cost‑effective therapies.
* Prepare complex data for medicine budget setting meetings with commissioners; predict estimated expenditure for the next financial year with a narrative for any changes in expenditure.
* Carry out horizon scanning exercise for new medicines, patent expiries, biosimilar pipeline, clinical trial discontinuation and new NICE guidance impacting expenditure.
* Collate data on medicine usage expenditure across the Trust and liaise with finance to track high‑value medicines usage.
* Track compliance with NICE guidance and technology appraisals; ensure prescribing meets required criteria and action change where appropriate.
* Support income and finance teams in creating complex expenditure reports and highlight areas of concern.
* Use Define/Refine IT solutions to identify prescribing concerns and potential cost savings; create cost‑benefit figures from potential substitutions.
* Support finance with medicine‑related commissioner challenges and compile monthly reports.
* Monitor monthly IVIG supply and compliance with guidelines and national database reporting; act as link to the Sub‑Regional Immunoglobulin Panel.
* Support the Procurement and Homecare Lead Technician in identifying VIP opportunities and monitoring tender awards.
* Record benefits or cost pressures as part of VIP monitoring documentation.
* Maintain new drug files and manage out‑of‑date or returned medicines.
* Investigate errors and complaints relating to medicines optimisation agenda.
* Participate and support medicines optimisation activities, including management of unlicensed drugs, medicines recalls and product shortages.
* Participate in the MHRA drug recall process with the third‑party provider.
* Coordinate with the pharmacy stores/stock function to ensure adequate stock drug supplies at ward level.
* Attend internal and regional meetings to network, develop standards for clinical pharmacy practice and participate in benchmarking and regional audit.
* Develop and implement new systems of working to improve service quality and efficiency.
* Coordinate and support DTC processes and provide secretarial support in line with its terms of reference.
* Advise on DTC information’s availability and accuracy on the intranet and internet sites.
* Support communication of medicines optimisation changes to hospital management, nursing staff, pharmacy staff and patients.
* Co‑ordinate preparation of correspondence, reports and audits as directed by managers.
* Promote use of medical policies, guidelines and procedures by other professions.
* Advocate patient‑centred care and adapt communication styles to patients/clients/carers regarding medicines.
* Assist the ward pharmacist in ensuring efficient supply of medication during a patient’s stay and at discharge.
* Participate in weekend working and bank holiday rotas as required.
* Lead, direct and motivate staff; act as role model and mentor for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy assistants and trainees.
* Participate in recruitment, staff development, performance reviews and leave management.
* Support planning and development of clinical service rotas including weekend and bank holiday rotations.
* Track high‑value medicines usage with finance and ensure compliance with NICE guidance.
* Support the preparation of complex reports on expenditure and offer advice on solutions and horizon scanning for future cost pressures.
Employment Details
Date posted: 30 December 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £38,682 to £46,580 a year pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full‑time
Reference number: 413-101375-CNS-SD
Job locations: Pharmacy Clinical – E00920, Manchester, M20 4BX
Person Specification
Essential Qualifications
* BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science or equivalent (C/A)
* NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services (C/A)
* GPhC registration (A)
* BTEC Level 4 Professional Diploma in Dispensing Checking or equivalent (C/A)
* Evidence of continuing professional development (A)
Desirable Qualifications
* BTEC Pharmacy Clinical Services Professional Diploma Level 4
* Educational Supervisor accreditation or A1 Assessor or equivalent (C/A)
* Member of APTUK (A)
* Member of BOPA (A)
* Management qualification or willingness to work towards (C/A)
Essential Experience
* Significant experience of working in a hospital pharmacy or in a primary care setting (A)
* Experience in writing and implementing departmental SOPs
* Experience in undertaking audits and developing action plans.
* Experience of presenting at departmental meetings (A)
* Experience in managing teams and people
Desirable Experience
* Experience in supervision of other staff (A)
* Experience within the oncology setting (A)
* Financial reporting and data analysis (A/I)
* Experience of attending regional & national meetings (A)
* Knowledge of Human Resources policies and procedures and how to apply them consistently and effectively (A)
Skills
Essential Skills
* Excellent communication skills both verbal and written (A/I)
* Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team (A/I)
* Effective listening skills (I)
* Ability to resolve difficult problems with a positive outcome (I)
* Experience in implementing changes within a pharmacy, including updating policies and procedures (A)
* Good organisation and time management skills (A/I)
* Reporting skills through Microsoft office and other tools (A)
* Ability to work under pressure, methodically, calmly, and work to deadlines (A/I)
* Fully computer literate in programmes such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook (A)
* Ability to influence and negotiate with medical, nursing and pharmacy staff (A/I)
* Ability to recognise own limitations (A)
* Work with precision and accuracy
Desirable Skills
* Presentation skills (I)
Knowledge
Essential Knowledge
* Good working knowledge of medicine optimisation (A/I)
* Good knowledge of clinical use of medicines (A)
Desirable Knowledge
* Experience of drug use in an oncology setting (A/I)
Values
* Able to deal with varied situations with tact and diplomacy
* To show empathy and understanding to staff and patients
* To treat people with dignity and respect
* Professional approach
* Ability to adapt to change and to develop services and systems to meet changing need
* Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours
Other Requirements
* Participation in weekend working rotas (Saturdays & Sundays) (A)
* Participation in Bank holiday working rotas (A)
* Flexible working hours as required (A)
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.
Employer details
Employer name: The Christie NHS FT
Address: Pharmacy Clinical – E00920, Manchester, M20 4BX
Employer's website: https://www.christie.nhs.uk/
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