Main area Senior Pharmacy Technician Grade NHS AfC: Band 6 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (7.5 hours per day, Monday to Friday, including at least one late night until 6:30 PM and weekend cover on a rota basis) Job ref 216-GT-CO7939969
Employer University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust Employer type NHS Site Pharmacy Department Town Plymouth Salary £39,959 - £48,117 £39,959 - £48,117 Per Annum Salary period Yearly Closing 01/06/2026 23:59
NHS AfC: Band 6
Job overview
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.
Detailed job description and main 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 TTA’s 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.
* 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
* 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
* National BTEC or NVQ3 in Pharmaceutical Sciences (or equivalent)
* Registered Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
* Management qualification within a large clinical setting or equivalent.
* A willingness to undertake study leading to qualifications required for career advancement
* Good communication skills, written and verbal, with ability to demonstrate fluency, clarity and effectiveness at all levels.
* Teaching and tutoring skills.
* Ability to prioritise workload.
* Recruitment training and Interview skills
* Counselling skills.
We welcome and encourage applicants who identify with all protected characteristics to apply for our roles. We believe that diversity strengthens our teams and improves our patients' experience. At UHP we aim to create an inclusive workplace and hospital where everyone feels they belong and included.
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.
Providing false information is an offence & could result in the application being rejected or summary dismissal/police action if an applicant is successful.
Please note that if you are successful in your application & accept the position you agree that the Staff Health and Wellbeing Department can access your health records from your current/previous employer in order to check the status of your inoculations & screening tests. This is an automated process & the information will only be used for these purposes prior to your taking up the position with us.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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