Lead Dispensary & Procurement Pharmacy Technician

Job overview

The SWLSTG pharmacy team have an excellent opportunity for a highly motivated and skilled Pharmacy Technician to join our friendly department. This role supports the delivery of our dispensary and procurement services. Our pharmacy currently operates Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, with no weekend, bank holiday, or late duty shifts.

The postholder will report to the Chief Pharmacy Technician and work closely with the wider pharmacy team to improve the quality of patient care. A key aspect of the role will be to support the Chief Pharmacy Technician as a deputy, helping to oversee the day-to-day operation of the dispensary. The postholder will also be responsible for the procurement of pharmaceuticals and for the supervision of staff nvolved with purchasing, invoicing and receipt of goods.

We are seeking an individual who is adaptable, conscientious, and demonstrates excellent attention to detail. Strong communication skills and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team are essential. The successful candidate will be able to prioritise workload effectively to meet the needs of patients, services, and the pharmacy team in a timely manner.

In addition to their core responsibilities, the postholder will actively contribute to ongoing service development and provide support and leadership to junior pharmacy technicians, pre-registration trainee pharmacy technicians, pharmacy assistants, and students.

Main duties of the job

• To be responsible for the efficient day-to-day operational management of the dispensary.
• To undertake duties of a technical pharmacy duties, including the dispensing, checking and supply of medication to individual patients.
• To practice as an accredited accuracy checking technician in a technician-led dispensary.
• To deputise for the Chief Pharmacy Technician as required.
• To be responsible for the procurement of pharmaceuticals, ensuring cost‑effective purchasing, appropriate stock control, and compliance with procurement governance arrangements.
• To be responsible for the efficient and safe operation of the clozapine supply service.
• To provide supervision, training, appraisal and development of pharmacy technicians, assistants and the pharmacy porter in order to ensure high professional standards of practice and deal with performance issues as required.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Management of Clozapine supply Service

• Implement and co-ordinate an efficient and safe pharmacy system for the monitoring and supply of clozapine to patients in accordance with Trust Policy. This includes training and supervising the work of technicians, pre-registration trainee pharmacy technicians, pre-registration pharmacists, pharmacists and assistants.
• Respond to enquiries and requests from staff, patients and carers related to clozapine
• To be responsible for ensuring clozapine prescriptions are updated in a timely manner to ensure on-going supply
• To provide training and advice on pharmacy services to ward, nursing and medical staff related to clozapine

Purchasing

• To be responsible for the procurement of pharmaceuticals following national guidance.
• To maintain appropriate systems of work in collaboration with, and supported by, the Chief Technician (Patient Services Manager).
• To implement and maintain changes to standard operating procedures in purchasing and invoicing, as necessary.
• To train and supervise staff in all necessary aspects of procurement of medicines.
• To train and supervise staff when involved with invoicing and receipt of goods.
• To ensure adequate and appropriate stocks of pharmaceuticals are available to meet demand, whilst maintaining agreed stock holding.
• To ensure pharmaceuticals are purchased against agreed contracts where possible, and in accordance with Standing Financial Instructions.
• To amend the pharmacy computer system on a regular basis to reflect any relevant contract changes.
• To ensure daily rolling stock takes are undertaken, to investigate discrepancies and adjust computer stock levels as appropriate
• To set up new medicines in the electronic medicines management system in an accurate and timely manner.
• To ensure high quality information is provided by the computer, interrogate the system database, provide accurate and appropriate information and reports (Crystal) and advise staff on interpretation.
• To attend London Purchasing Consortium meetings as appropriate.

General Dispensary Duties

• To dispense medication, ensuring compliance with all procedures, ready to receive a final accuracy check.
• To counsel patients attending the pharmacy department on the use of their medication, as appropriate.
• To maintain Accredited Accuracy Checking Technician status and perform the final accuracy check of prescriptions in accordance with Trust policy.
• To provide reciprocal cover for the patient services senior technician in his/her absence.
• To be responsible for the safe accurate and timely supply of medicines in accordance with agreed stock lists and non-stock items, in line with the changing clinical needs of each clinical environment to minimize waste and reduce risk, and ensuring records are kept.
• Participate within the dispensary, with the receipt, processing, storage and stock control of medicines and other supplies
• To respond to enquiries and requests from staff, patients and carers, in accordance with individual competence and departmental policy.
• To maintain dispensary computer systems
• To train all staff working in dispensary on the use of electronic dispensing software and prescription tracking.
• To use pharmacy and other computer systems in the course of performing these duties.
• To maintain Accreditation in Medicines Management (HEELASE or equivalent)
• To participate in a high quality, patient focused Medicines Management model for technicians, at ward and community team level.
• To undertake medicines reconciliation in line with Trust policies and procedures

Management

• To undertake supervision and appraisal of pharmacy assistant/s according to departmental policy.
• Assist in the induction of new staff and in-house training
• To deputise for the Chief Technician when required.
• To be a role model for junior technicians and assistants, and actively promote the role of the pharmacy technician.
• Support in the training and development of pharmacy assistants, pre-registration trainee pharmacy technicians and technicians
• Ensure Trust policies on recruitment, sickness absence, equal opportunities, Health and Safety and other national legislation are followed and understood by dispensary technical and other staff.
• Participate in the recruitment of Mental Health Pharmacy technical staff and more junior staff.
• To supervise the internal training scheme for pharmacy assistants/student technicians leading to NVQ Level 2/3, in line with London Education & Training guidance, and achieve A1 assessor status as required/appropriate.

Research & development

• To assist with departmental and Trustwide quality audits to demonstrate compliance with Medicines Management and optimisation policies
• Together with the Chief Technician and other staff, identify areas of service in need of development and plan and implement changes, auditing them as necessary.
• To be responsible for the smooth running and administration of clinical trials on a day to day basis, in co-operation with the Specialist Pharmacist responsible for clinical trials
• To participate in any pharmacy related service development projects including use of QII methodology.

Other

• To participate in, arrange and document, on request, dispensary team meetings,
• To participate in and attend departmental CE and medicines management meetings, as required.
• To maintain high professional and technical standards by adopting and enforcing good dispensing practice and by implementing and monitoring safe systems at work
• To assist in setting and measurement of performance indicators of the service provided, including workload data, error rates and service quality information.
• To develop, update and implement changes to pharmacy procedures as necessary.
• To participate in the weekend / Bank Holiday/late duty rota as required

Training and Development

• To undertake mandatory and statutory training as required by Trust policy.
• To contribute and commit to undertaking an annual Development Review/appraisal.
• To undertake personal development as identified in the Personal Development Plan (PDP).
• To perform development reviews with other staff as appropriate.
• To obtain and maintain technician accreditations in accordance with Trust policy