Go back Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Pharmacy Procurement & Distribution Lead
The closing date is 11 June 2025
The opportunity has arisen for an exceptional Pharmacy Technician to join the Pharmacy Department in the role of Procurement, Stores & Distribution Manager / Deputy Responsible Person. Do you have what it takes to join the excellent management team in a busy modern NHS Hospital? Are you a registered Pharmacy Technician able to think on your feet, and work in a dynamic and flexible way?
We are looking for a Pharmacy Technician with in-depth NHS hospital Pharmacy experience to manage the Procurement, Stores and Distribution service. This is an essential service and you will ensure the efficient and effective procurement and distribution of medicines.
If you wish to discuss this post further or to arrange a visit please contact Rachel Longar, Pharmacy Operations Manager on 01793 605023 or via email r.longar@nhs.net
Main duties of the job
You will manage, organise and monitor the purchasing, supply, management & invoicing of medicines as well as staff within this service. You will have delegated duties to undertake the day to day WDA licensed activities ensuring that the service and facilities are compliant with all aspects of Good Distribution Practice (EU GDP 2013/C 343/01), and all other relevant medicines regulations and quality standards. To manage related training provision to all operational staff within the facility. To act as an operational lead in all aspects of regulatory audit.
As well as this you will work in the Dispensary each week as an Accredited Checking Technician and provide senior leadership support in the absence of the Pharmacy Operations Manager.
You should have excellent leadership skills with evidence of being an effective team player, and you will have excellent communication & interpersonal skills both verbal and written, to pass on complex information. You will be self-motivated and driven to progress service provision, with the ability to motivate the team.
The Pharmacy Department at the Great Western Hospital is at the heart of the Trust's programme to move forward and transform itself, using technology and new ways of working, to put Medicines Optimisation at the heart of our services. Our department has two robotic storage and dispensing systems, full inpatient electronic prescribing and medicines administration and an onsite Boots Outpatient Dispensary.
About us
Our STAR values - Service, Teamwork, Ambition and Respect - are a golden thread running through everything we do. These values serve as a guiding principle, driving us towards our vision of delivering great joined up services to our local community. Whether at home, in the community, or within the hospital, our goal is to empower individuals to lead independent and healthier lives.
Job responsibilities
1. To manage and control the Pharmacy Stores and Distribution operations including receipting goods, safe custody and security, correct storage, rotation of stock, issues, returns to suppliers and regularstock checks.
2. Preparing work rotas and ensuring that adequate numbers of appropriate staff are available to the Stores department, organising extra help if required.
3. Overseeing the medicines ordering process to ensure that the trust does not run out of any essential items & ensuring orders are placed with the contracted or most cost effective suppliers.
4. To manage and control ward stock issues and stock lists, taking into account safe custody and security, correct storage, rotation of stock and issues.
5. To monitor the service in line with the quality strategy and, as a result, re-assess and if necessary alter the systems of work.
6. To ensure that the appropriate credits are obtained for items returned to suppliers, wrongly invoiced and where contractors fail to meet their contractual obligations. This may require the use of negotiation or influencing skills to achieve the required outcome.
7. To initiate and to maintain computerised records for stock items in accordance with Trust policy.
8. Ensure that the JAC Pharmacy computer system drug files are up to date, have the appropriate purchasing and other general information.
9. Act as super user for the Pharmacy Robots, dealing with any errors and training staff in its use. Contacting our suppliers helpdesk to resolve problems and ensure that routine maintenance is undertaken. This may require the dissemination of complex information or the overcoming of barriers to understanding.
10. To maintain a system for the identification of expiry dates and the prompt exchange, disposal or return for credit for items nearing their expiry date.
11. Ensure that there are adequate and up to date written training manuals for all areas to assist staff in following the correct operating procedures. Ensure an induction programme is in place for all new staff to follow.
12. Ensure the safe disposal of medicines on behalf of the department.
13. To assist the with Drug Recalls in the removal of defective and potentially harmful medicinal products following Drug Recalls and to ensure that such items are segregated ready for return or disposal.
14. To keep the Operations Manager, Director of Pharmacy and other senior pharmacy staff informed about major stock availability problems and to notify these officers promptly of significant delays or shortages, and where appropriate arrange alternative sources of supply. Liaise with the medicines information service regarding alternative products and inform medical staff of alternatives.
15. To keep the to-follows list of out of stock medication up to date, ensuring that suitable alternatives are purchased. This will require the comparison of a range of options to ensure the most appropriate purchases are made.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* NVQ level 3 in Pharmacy Services and a BTEC in Pharmaceutical science plus additional qualifications or experience to post-graduate diploma level.
* Current registration as Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
* NVQ assessor to A1 standard or equivalent, or able to work towards and willing to undertake training which will be completed within 12 months
* Accredited Checking Technician qualification or be eligible and willing to work towards accreditation which will be completed within 12 months
* NVQ Level 3 in Management or equivalent knowledge and experience in Pharmacy management role
Experience
* In-depth broad post-qualification hospital Pharmacy Technician experience including the supervision or management of staff
* Good and broad understanding of current hospital pharmacy practice in order to advise other staff
* Good understanding of formulary / medicines management issues and the implications for services
* Good knowledge of therapeutic drug use in clinical situations gained by ongoing education and CPD
* Good understanding of legal requirements, procedures, protocols governing clinical trials
* Good understanding of the procedures, protocols and legal requirements governing the issue of nonlicensed medicin
* Good knowledge of the legal requirements (Law and Ethics) for dispensing and supplying medicines, including CDs
* Working knowledge of Trust and departmental policies
* Recent hospital pharmacy experience
* Recruitment and selection experience
* Experience of organising and managing in busy and potentially stressful environments
* Experience of leading teams and staff management
* Knowledge and clear understanding of Good Distribution Practice (EU GDP 2013/C 343/01), and other relevant regulations, guidance and quality standards
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.
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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