Job summary
Because saving lives sometimes starts with a perfectly packed pouch.
Are you the kind of Pharmacy Technician who colour-codes SOPs, spots a stock discrepancy from 20 paces and gets a quiet sense of satisfaction from a flawlessly balanced controlled drugs register?
If so, South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust (SECAmb) would like a word.
The role (in plain English):
You'll be the senior technical expert keeping our Medicines Distribution Centre running safely, legally and efficiently. From purchasing through to pouch packing, quality checking and distribution, you'll make sure the right medicines reach the right crews at the right time, every time.
You'll lead and support Pharmacy Support Workers, manage day-to-day operations, develop SOPs, train colleagues, respond to urgent drug alerts and ensure we're always compliant with UK medicines legislation. No pressure: just patient safety, governance, audits, KPIs and the occasional MHRA recall to keep things interesting.
Main duties of the job
What you'll be trusted with:
* Operational management of medicines packing and distribution
* Leadership, supervision and development of Pharmacy Support Workers
* Controlled drugs governance (yes, all of it)
* SOP development, quality assurance and continuous improvement
* Stock control, procurement liaison and inventory systems
* Training delivery and professional mentorship
* Deputising for the MDC Manager when it really matters
What you'll need to bring:
* GPhC registration as a Pharmacy Technician
* Accredited Checking Pharmacy Technician qualification
* Significant post-registration experience (you've seen things)
* Strong knowledge of medicines legislation, governance and GMP
* Experience managing staff, stock, incidents and SOPs
* An eye for detail that borders on impressive
* A driving licence and willingness to travel across SECAmb sites
About us
* Option to join NHS pension scheme
* A minimum 27 days' holiday each year, increasing after 5 years' service.
* Personal and professional development and training opportunities.
* Salary Sacrifice schemes for cars or push bikes.
* Access to occupational health and counselling services.
* Award winning wellbeing hub
* Access to NHS discounts, offering NHS employees a range of money-saving deals.
Other than in exceptional circumstances, the starting salary for staff new to the NHS will be the bottom point of the band to which they have been appointed.
Details
Date posted
11 February 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 6
Salary
£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number
278-SPT-0226-AS
Job locations
Medicines Distribution Centre
Paddock Wood Makre ready Centre
Paddock Wood
TN12 6BE
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide specialist technical pharmacy expertise to SECAmb in order to improve the quality of patient care and compliance in accordance with UK Law and associated medicines legislation.
The post holderprovides operational management to packing activities within the Medicines Distribution Centre (MDC). This includes ensuring safe systems of work for each stage of the medicines repacking service, from purchasing medicines through to packing medicines pouches, quality assurance and onward distribution.
The post holder is responsible for managing the Pharmacy Support workers, ensuring consistent quality, safety and effectiveness. They report to the MDC Manager to ensure key performance indicators are met.
The post holder is responsible for providing specialist education and training support to the pharmacy support workers and wider team.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide specialist technical pharmacy expertise to SECAmb in order to improve the quality of patient care and compliance in accordance with UK Law and associated medicines legislation.
The post holderprovides operational management to packing activities within the Medicines Distribution Centre (MDC). This includes ensuring safe systems of work for each stage of the medicines repacking service, from purchasing medicines through to packing medicines pouches, quality assurance and onward distribution.
The post holder is responsible for managing the Pharmacy Support workers, ensuring consistent quality, safety and effectiveness. They report to the MDC Manager to ensure key performance indicators are met.
The post holder is responsible for providing specialist education and training support to the pharmacy support workers and wider team.
Person Specification
Qualifications skills and knowledge
Essential
* Registered with the GPHC as a Pharmacy Technician
* NVQ Level 3 in Pharmaceutical science or equivalent
* ACPT qualification
* Prioritisation skills
* IT Skills
Desirable
* Recognised teaching or mentoring qualification
* knowledge of GMP
Previous experience
Essential
* Experience developing and writing Standard operating procedures
* Experience of stock management
* Experience with supporting staff and training
* Lead and coordinate a complex workload
* Work autonomously and take responsibility for decisions
Desirable
* Experience of research activities and dispensing clinical trials
* Ability to deliver induction training and competency based training
* Previous work within an NHS Trust
Person Specification
Qualifications skills and knowledge
Essential
* Registered with the GPHC as a Pharmacy Technician
* NVQ Level 3 in Pharmaceutical science or equivalent
* ACPT qualification
* Prioritisation skills
* IT Skills
Desirable
* Recognised teaching or mentoring qualification
* knowledge of GMP
Previous experience
Essential
* Experience developing and writing Standard operating procedures
* Experience of stock management
* Experience with supporting staff and training
* Lead and coordinate a complex workload
* Work autonomously and take responsibility for decisions
Desirable
* Experience of research activities and dispensing clinical trials
* Ability to deliver induction training and competency based training
* Previous work within an NHS Trust
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 (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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 (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
SECamb
Address
Medicines Distribution Centre
Paddock Wood Makre ready Centre
Paddock Wood
TN12 6BE
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
SECamb
Address
Medicines Distribution Centre
Paddock Wood Makre ready Centre
Paddock Wood
TN12 6BE
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)