Go back Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Pharmacy Technician - Patient Services
The closing date is 22 May 2025
An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced hospital technician to apply for this post. The post-holder will work closely with the Senior Pharmacy Technician team - Patient Services to provide a safe, efficient, and responsive dispensary service. The post-holder will participate in medicines management services to wards at WMUH, work to improve the admission/discharge process by facilitating the safe and efficient supply of medicines to patients, and provide a final accuracy check on dispensed medication. You will assist in work processes in the inpatient and outpatient pharmacy, managing workflow and working alongside pharmacy staff to ensure dispensary services adhere to all relevant procedures and standards.
The post-holder must be NVQ Level 3 qualified.
Main duties of the job
Although ACPT/MMT qualifications are essential for this role, the department is open to applications from non-ACPT/MMT qualified technicians. Successful applicants without these qualifications will be paid Band 4 AFC until completing both the ACPT qualification and in-house MMT validation. After passing these courses, candidates will be placed on the Band 5 pay scale. You should be an experienced technician with good communication skills and the ability to work in a busy dispensary. Please note that supporting 7-day working involves working weekends regularly.
About us
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites—Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital—along with award-winning clinics across North West London.
Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5 million, providing full clinical services, including maternity, A&E, and children's services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates us 'Good' in safety, effectiveness, care, and responsiveness, and 'Outstanding' in leadership and resource use.
We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and Westminster and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex.
We are committed to equal opportunities and believe that diversity drives innovation and excellence. We actively welcome applications from individuals from the global majority, veterans, and underrepresented communities, valuing the unique perspectives and experiences they bring. We are dedicated to creating an environment where all voices are heard, respected, and empowered to succeed.
If you haven't heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful.
Employment is subject to a six-month probationary period.
Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.
Job responsibilities
Dispensary Services
* Accurately identify, select, label using JAC, dispense, and distribute drugs (including controlled drugs & clinical trials) for in-patient and out-patient prescriptions according to SOPs.
* Maintain high-quality data input of patient information into the pharmacy computer system to ensure excellent labelling standards.
* Participate in counselling and provide information on medicines to patients, doctors, and healthcare staff.
* Carry out reception duties, dealing with patients, relatives, and handling prescription charges.
* Use computer systems to track prescriptions, ensuring medication is dispensed to meet delivery times and minimize patient waiting times.
* Address queries from patients and hospital staff, referring complex issues to supervisors.
* Ensure medicines are stored according to environmental and security standards.
* Maintain accurate stock levels and support appropriate stock ordering through liaison with pharmacy procurement.
* Ensure medication turnaround times are met to minimize patient waiting.
* Be a Super User for robot troubleshooting and system maintenance within the dispensing process.
* Check prescriptions for accuracy in line with departmental procedures.
* Dispense and check clinical trial medications.
* Contribute to developing systems that enhance dispensary efficiency.
* Follow procedures for Medicines Management to deliver safe and effective services.
* Provide Medicines Management services to designated wards, working unsupervised in clinical areas.
* Obtain accurate medication histories on admission by liaising with patients and primary care teams.
* Implement and maintain the Patients' Own Medicines scheme, checking the suitability of patients' medications and gaining consent.
* Coordinate supply of non-stock items for discharge, ensuring prescriptions are ready and appropriate.
* Counsel patients on medication use, addressing barriers like hearing or language issues.
* Handle queries and complex issues from patients and staff.
* Manage discharge medication processes, integrating Patients' Own Medicines with new prescriptions.
* Participate in expanding medicines management schemes across wards.
Supervisory and training responsibilities
* Training and supervising new and rotational staff.
* Deputize for senior staff in their absence.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
* NVQ Level 3 or BTEC Pharmaceutical Sciences or equivalent pharmacy technician qualification.
* GPHC registration.
Experience
* Ability to work to SOPs.
* Patient counselling experience.
* Hospital pharmacy experience.
* Experience with Wellsky/JAC pharmacy computer systems.
Skills and Knowledge
* Excellent written and oral communication skills.
* Ability to overcome barriers.
* Efficient and accurate worker.
* Ability to work under pressure and follow procedures.
* Supervisory and team skills.
* Good time management and reliability.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This role is subject to DBS checks under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.
Salary: £31,081 to £41,956 per annum including HCAS.
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