Lead Pharmacy Technician - Dispensary

Job overview

Previous applicants do not need to reapply

This is a challenging and rewarding role requiring strong leadership, organisational, and communication skills, together with the ability to work independently, prioritise effectively, and manage a varied workload.

The post holder will have line management responsibility for a number of staff within the Pharmacy department, providing leadership, support, and guidance to the team.

This is an exciting time to join the department as we continue to develop and expand our Senior Dispensary Team. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing development of the service and support the delivery of high-quality pharmacy services.

Applicants must be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) as a Pharmacy Technician and hold Accredited Checking Technician (ACT) status.

Main duties of the job

• Lead and coordinate the day-to-day work of the Pharmacy Dispensary Team, as directed by the Principal Pharmacy Technician – Dispensary, ensuring an effective and efficient service.
• Prioritise workload and allocate staff appropriately across dispensary areas, maintaining flexibility to meet operational and service demands.
• Work collaboratively with the Principal Pharmacy Technician – Dispensary to promote a positive team approach and support the delivery of high-quality pharmacy services.
• Maintain accountability for the quality of your own work and the performance of staff within your area of responsibility.
• Support the planning, implementation, and evaluation of service developments and improvements.
• Provide line management and day-to-day support to designated members of the Dispensary Team.
• Oversee the day-to-day operation of the electronic Controlled Drug management system, acting as the system manager.
• Work closely with the Lead Pharmacy Technician for IT and Automation to support the Prescription Tracking System (PTS), resolving issues and ensuring effective use to maintain workflow.
• Support the investigation of dispensing errors and near-misses, identifying trends and contributing to improvements in practice.
• Develop, review, and maintain dispensary procedures, ensuring they remain accurate, current, and aligned with relevant policies and standards.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Ensure high standards of customer care are consistently maintained, with a strong focus on patient needs and experience.
• Supervise and coordinate the day-to-day activities of the Dispensary, seeking guidance from the Principal Pharmacy Technician – Dispensary where required.
• Oversee the technical aspects of the dispensing process undertaken by pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pre-registration/trainee technicians, senior pharmacy assistants, and trainee pharmacists.
• Receive prescriptions into the Dispensary, ensuring prescription charges are collected where applicable and in accordance with departmental procedures.
• Participate in the labelling and dispensing of inpatient, outpatient, controlled drug, day-case, and discharge prescriptions, ensuring compliance with departmental procedures and relevant standards.
• Provide support and guidance to staff in resolving operational issues, including liaising with other healthcare professionals where appropriate.
• Undertake line management responsibility for designated members of the Dispensary Team, as agreed with the Principal Pharmacy Technician – Dispensary.
• Monitor near-miss dispensing errors, identify trends, and support the development and implementation of appropriate actions to address identified issues or training needs.
• Support the Principal Pharmacy Technician – Dispensary in investigating dispensary-related incidents, including near-misses and Trust-wide reports, and contribute to learning and service improvement.
• Support the safe and efficient operation of the robotic dispensing system, working with the Lead Pharmacy Technician for IT and Automation and contributing to the robot maintenance rota as required.

Please refer to the attached JD

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.