Lead Pharmacy Technician - Dispensary
Closing date: 19 June 2026
Job Summary
This demanding role requires strong leadership and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise and manage your workload independently. The post holder will act as line manager for a number of staff within the Pharmacy department and will support the expansion of the Senior Dispensary Team.
Responsibilities
* Lead and manage the coordination and organisation of the day‑to‑day work of the pharmacy dispensary team under the direction of the Principal Pharmacy Technician – Dispensary.
* Prioritise workload and re‑assign dispensary staff to appropriate areas, ensuring flexibility across technical duties.
* Work collaboratively with the Principal Pharmacy Technician – Dispensary to promote a strong team approach to service delivery.
* Take accountability for the quality of your own work and the daily performance of staff within your area of responsibility.
* Support the planning, implementation and evaluation of service developments.
* Line‑manage designated members of the Dispensary Team as assigned by the Principal Pharmacy Technician – Dispensary.
* Oversee the day‑to‑day operation of the electronic controlled drug management system, acting as the system manager.
* Serve as the Dispensary lead for the Prescription Tracking System (PTS), resolving any issues that arise.
* Ensure excellence in customer care standards, maintaining a strong patient focus.
* Supervise and manage the day‑to‑day activities of the dispensary, seeking support from the Principal Pharmacy Technician – Dispensary when required.
* Manage the technical elements of the dispensing process carried out by pharmacists, technicians, pre‑registration technicians, senior pharmacy assistants and trainee pharmacists.
* Personally receive prescriptions into the dispensary, ensuring prescription charges are collected where appropriate.
* Participate in the labelling and dispensing of inpatient, outpatient, controlled drugs, day‑case prescriptions and discharge prescriptions in accordance with departmental procedures.
* Support staff in problem solving, including contacting other healthcare professionals.
* Monitor near‑miss dispensing error rates, reporting and devising strategies to resolve problems or training gaps identified.
* Participate and support the Principal Pharmacy Technician – Dispensary in the investigation of dispensary‑related incident reports (near‑miss and trust‑wide).
Qualifications
Essential
* Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
* BTEC National Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science, NVQ level 3 Pharmacy Services or equivalent
* Accredited accuracy checking technician
Desirable
* Educational supervisor for ACPT
* Leadership and Management qualification or equivalent experience
Experience
Essential
* Competence in medication counselling of patients
* Experience of dispensary services and service development
* Formulation of standard operating procedures
* Customer‑orientated experience
* Training, mentoring and supervision of staff
* Staff recruitment
* Significant hospital experience of a range and level relevant for the post
Desirable
* Experience of team leading
* Conducting and supervising audits
Knowledge
Essential
* Up‑to‑date knowledge of current legislation and accepted standards of practice, pharmaceutical guidance and Medicines Optimisation
* Good IT literacy skills, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams and other commonly used applications
* Understanding of incident reporting and risk management systems
Desirable
* Good presentation skills
* Ability to deal with complaints from patients and other healthcare staff
* Understanding of importance of monitoring quality of service and clinical audit skills
Personal Skills
* Strong team‑working skills and ability to work effectively with other teams
* Good verbal and written communication skills
* Negotiation skills
* Able to thrive on development/change
* Ability to lead a team
* Self‑motivated and organised
Additional Information
Applications from individuals requiring current Skilled Worker sponsorship will be considered. The position requires a Criminal Records Check (Disclosure and Barring Service).
Pay and Conditions
Band: 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full‑time
Location: Bedford Hospital, Kempston Road, Bedford, MK42 9DJ, United Kingdom
Contact
Principal Pharmacy Technician – Dispensary
Lianne Watson
lianne.watson@bedfordhospital.nhs.uk
01234355122
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