Senior Lead Pharmacy Technician – Dispensary and Controlled Drugs
Location: Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, United Kingdom
Job reference: 193-7619828NCG
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time – 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £55,690 – £62,682 per annum
Internal applicants only.
Main Duties
* Lead and manage the in‑patient dispensary team, ensuring the safe, effective and efficient supply of medicines, including controlled drugs.
* Oversee staff recruitment, training, development and performance management.
* Ensure compliance with legislation, Trust policies and high standards of patient care.
* Manage dispensary operations, including risk assessments, incident reporting and service improvement initiatives.
* Maintain robust stock control and controlled drugs management systems.
* Drive quality improvement projects and support the development of pharmacy technicians.
* Handle complaints, support governance and contribute to strategic planning within the pharmacy department.
* Participate in audits, data reporting and ensure adherence to health and safety, infection control and confidentiality standards.
Experience – Essential Criteria
* Significant experience as a Lead Pharmacy Technician within a hospital environment (Band 7 or above).
* Experience in leading and managing a team in a complex healthcare environment.
* Knowledge and skills equivalent to postgraduate diploma level, specifically a sound knowledge of pharmacy operational issues.
* Significant previous experience managing and leading an acute NHS hospital dispensary team.
* Experience in managing controlled drugs within a pharmacy environment.
* Previous experience line‑managing direct reports including appraisal.
* Experience of implementing new services and procedures.
* Proven track record of managing teams to high performance levels and through change.
Experience – Desirable Criteria
* Experience in all aspects of hospital pharmacy.
* Experience of using the CMM (JAC) Pharmacy computer system.
* Experience in developing pharmacy services.
* Experience in using continuous quality improvement techniques.
* Experience in analysing and interpreting data to inform practice.
* Experience of contributing to or developing guidelines or protocols.
* Experience of carrying out research into practice.
Education, Qualifications & Training – Essential Criteria
* Professional registration as a Pharmacy Technician through Technician membership of the General Pharmaceutical Council.
* NVQ Level 3, BTEC, SCOTVEC or a recognised equivalent qualification that meets the General Pharmaceutical Council's requirements for Registered Pharmacy Technicians.
* Educational Supervisor, Practice Supervisor or equivalent.
Education, Qualifications & Training – Desirable Criteria
* NVQ A1 workplace assessor award.
* Postgraduate diploma/degree in Leadership & Management.
* Management qualification up to MBA or equivalent experience.
Staff Benefits
* Flexible working opportunities and a strong emphasis on work‑life balance.
* Annual leave – 27 days for new starters, plus bank holidays; increases to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years NHS service; pro rata for part‑time staff.
* NHS pension scheme.
* Employee Assistance Programme.
* Money Advice Service.
* Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave for eligible staff.
* On‑site nursery (based at RBH).
* Full educational library services.
* Cycle to work scheme, lockable storage for cycles.
* Bus to work scheme.
* Excellent rail and bus links.
* A huge range of Health Service discounts at a wide range of brands.
Sponsorship
We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please note that not all roles are eligible for sponsorship.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We provide a smoke‑free environment, safeguard children, young people and vulnerable adults, and maintain safe recruitment practices.
#J-18808-Ljbffr