NHSCT_Encompass Lead Pharmacy Technician Band 7

Job details

• Branch: Northern HSC Trust Area
• Location: NHSCT Encompass Hub - Trust Wide
• Directorate: Medical Directorate
• Functional Area: Pharmacy Services
• Salary: Band 7 (£47,810 - £54,710)
• Contract Type: Temporary
• Opening Date: 13/05/26
• Closes: Wed, 27 May 2026 @ 5:00 PM
• Interview Dates: To be confirmed

Notes

If you are submitting a manual application, please post it to: Recruitment Shared Services, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital Site, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh, BT61 7PR. Applications received after the advertised closing date/time cannot be considered, so please allow enough time for postage. “A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026”. Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created- regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week.” Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards. Flexible Working We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role. Find out more about flexible working options on our website.

Job Description

encompass Lead Pharmacy Technician

Job Description

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT) is responsible for the delivery of safe and effective health and social care (HSC) services to the population of the Northern Trust area in Northern Ireland.

We provide compassionate care with our community in our community. In order to do this we require the commitment of a highly skilled and professional workforce that meets the need of the service.

The diagram below outlines our values and our objectives which support the delivery of compassionate care within our community.

The below diagram details the values and associated behaviours that we expect staff working within Health and Social Care (HSC) to display at all times;

HSC Value

What does this mean?

What does this look like in practice? - Behaviours

Working Together

We work together for the best outcome for people we care for and support. We work across Health and Social Care and with other external organisations and agencies, recognising that leadership is the responsibility of all.

I work with others and value everyone’s contribution

I treat people with respect and dignity

I work as part of a team looking for opportunities to support and help people in both my own and other teams

I actively engage people on issues that affect them

I look for feedback and examples of good practice, aiming to improve where possible

Compassion

We are sensitive, caring, respectful and understanding towards those we care for and support and our colleagues. We listen carefully to others to better understand and take action to help them and ourselves.

I am sensitive to the different needs and feelings of others and treat people with kindness

I learn from others by listening carefully to them

I look after my own health and well-being so that I can care for and support others

Excellence

We commit to being the best we can be in our work, aiming to improve and develop services to achieve positive changes. We deliver safe, high-quality, compassionate care and support.

I put the people I care for and support at the centre of all I do to make a difference

I take responsibility for my decisions and actions

I commit to best practice and sharing learning, while continually learning and developing

I try to improve by asking ‘could we do this better?’

Openness & Honesty

We are open and honest with each other and act with integrity and candour.

I am open and honest in order to develop trusting relationships

I ask someone for help when needed

I speak up if I have concerns

I challenge inappropriate or unacceptable behaviour and practice

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: encompass Lead Pharmacy Technician (temporary)

BAND: 7

DIRECTORATE/DIVISION: Medical and Governance

INITIAL LOCATION: NHSCT encompass Hub – Trust wide

REPORTS TO: encompass Trust Pharmacy Professional Lead

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Head of Pharmacy and Medicines Management

FLEXIBLE WORKING

PROVISIONS AVAILABLE: Full-time working, Fixed working patterns, Part-time working, Compressed/elongated hours, Job-share

Secondments accepted - if this post is being sought on secondment then the individual MUST have the permission of their line manager IN ADVANCE of making application.

JOB SUMMARY

The pharmacy technician encompass technical Lead will be responsible to the Trust encompass Lead Pharmacist for all matters relating to the encompass. Ensuring the service is aligned, efficient, responsive and well led, with a clear focus on the delivery of encompass.

The post holder will

Be responsible for the technical management of pharmacy systems to support encompass.

Lead and develop the day-to-day technical operation of the encompass within NHSCT pharmacy.

Be responsible for leading on pharmacy technical project management, systems setup including robotics and other systems to support the use, stabilisation and optimisation of encompass across NHSCT.

Manage people and resources in order to ensure the effective operation of the service.

Be responsible for individual performance and personal development plans of staff they directly line manage.

Initiate, review and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure safe systems of work with encompass.

KEY RESULT AREAS / MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Management Responsibility

To be responsible for the planning, organisation and delivery of local configuration of pharmacy systems.

To deputise for encompass pharmacist lead in accordance as required.

Be a role model demonstrating leadership to staff, service users and stakeholders of encompass.

The post holder will communicate and engage with key stakeholders including staff internal and external to pharmacy and the trust.

They will facilitate transformation and change in relevant service areas both in pharmacy and across the trust.

Extract complex financial and clinical information from the epic pharmacy system to support pharmacy compliance with benchmarking and statutory requirements.

Design and create bespoke reports to extract complex clinical and financial information and then interpret and present data in a way that readily understood to both internal and external stakeholders.

To support the encompass lead in the development of a workable capacity plan for stabilisation and optimisation of encompass.

To lead in development of projects in support of business objectives.

To develop new systems of encompass workflows to meet the changing needs of the service.

To ensure the delivery of the clinical governance directives in relation to pharmacy encompass workflows.

Act as main point of contact for pharmacy technical enquiries for encompass.

Work with encompass and epic teams in the stabilisation and optimisation of encompass.

To monitor and record internal and external incidents, taking corrective action if necessary.

To ensure an effective working relationship with the pharmacy, trust and regional encompass teams

To ensure an effective working relationship with the external contractors

To contribute to pharmacy encompass business planning process and the wider Trust Pharmacy Management Plan.

To ensure that available staff are appropriately trained to respond to encompass stabilisation and optimisation.

To be line manager to senior specialist technician staff including appraisal, personal development plans, absenteeism, performance, and ensuring their contribution meets the objectives agreed.

To delegate authority appropriately to senior technical and support staff.

Contribute to and develop encompass pharmacy policies, strategies and plans to ensure that pharmacy technical services meet quality standards and KPIs.

Work closely with the Lead Pharmacy Technicians across pharmacy sections in planning and implementing strategies for encompass including but not limited to training, workflow improvements and reporting.

Develop, deliver and monitor a comprehensive, safe and high quality communication, on-boarding training, workflow guides and other aspects of technical pharmacy services within encompass.

Ensure that encompass working practices meet requirements of medicines legislation; professional, local and national guidelines and that medicines are available in the appropriate quantities, places and times to meet the clinical needs of all patients.

Provide expert advice regarding current and anticipated demands on operational services by the encompass programme.

Advise and communicate with the Lead Pharmacy Technicians about the day-to-day management of technical staff, and dispensary and distribution activities with respect to encompass.

Technical

Work closely with encompass and trust integration teams to support and test interfaces with encompass and pharmacy systems.

Liaise with Pharmacy suppliers for robotics to stabilise and optimise encompass.

To provide specialised technical advice to service users as necessary both internal and external to pharmacy on all matters relating to encompass and pharmacy interfaces and integration.

To ensure appropriate systems are in place for process design, integration and validation, including maintenance of records.

Responsible for tracking and reporting on progress with encompass stabilisation and optimisation including procurement, inventory management and interfaces.

To provide specialist technical advice on all matters relating to encompass and interface and integration.

Lead in the development of policy, strategies and standard operating procedures for key groups of pharmacy staff and wider MDT in using the encompass system.

To maintain a quality assurance programme covering all encompass interfaces and integration with pharmacy systems.

To participate in a programme of internal and external audits.

Support business continuity planning and developing of response plan for pharmacy encompass applications.

Act as an accredited pharmacy technician responsible for supply of medicines on discharge prescriptions and ward requisitions.

Act as a mentor for accredited pharmacy technicians.

To participate in in-patient, outpatient and discharge dispensing including controlled drugs.

Lead responsibilities

Develop a culture of belonging which champions inclusive and authentic leadership, challenges inclusion and diversity barriers and promotes positive mental health and wellbeing

Act as a mentor and role model, providing support and guidance to all team members, showing leadership in the absence of other lead technicians as required

Undertake appropriate in-house and external training in support of line management function e.g. appropriate diploma or equivalent qualification.

Support the Lead Technicians in analysing and managing staff performance relating to use of encompass and associated workflows.

Report, monitor and act upon sickness, annual leave and time off in lieu according to trust guidelines ensuring staff re-directed to cover as required.

Help and support with disciplinary issues lead on where required.

Education & Training Management

To make recommendations and take an active part in the development of training packages to enhance the encompass training of Pharmacy staff.

Ensure that encompass training is provided to new staff upon induction, and rotational and permanent staff. To ensure that all staff are aware of their role and responsibilities.

Be in support of mandatory training for all technical staff and ensure training records are maintained

To facilitate and, where applicable, deliver training to meet the needs of pharmacy, nursing, medical and other staff

Act as an Educational Supervisor and mentor for Pharmacy Technicians, students and pharmacy assistants on accredited programs, where appropriate

To undertake all relevant personal training to support this role, demonstrate and maintain commitment to CPD and be informed of current issues in Pharmacy practice.

To design and implement audits related to training services - collect data, analyse and present findings/recommendations.

Leading on looking into possible future roles of technical staff in all sections of the department and training required. Attend courses & training, meetings & seminars to ensure skills, knowledge & pharmacy practise are current and up to date. This may be identified at appraisal and/or CPD.

Participate in encompass training & educating nursing staff and other healthcare professionals throughout the Trust, as appropriate.

Participate in and contribute to Trust initiatives related to staff training, education, wellbeing and staff development and staff experience, e.g. Investors in People award.

Pharmacy Services

Develop, monitor, report and manage metrics relating to the safe management of medicines and the activity of patients services and lead on improvement initiative.

Support relevant Senior Technicians and Pharmacists in the optimisation of pharmaceutical product use (drugs, dressings, medical and surgical consumables) by ensuring monitoring of stock levels, product costs, expiry dates, management of non-stock items and processing of returns

To participate in departmental and multidisciplinary external audits

To identify potential areas for development and introduce new technologies, working practices, products and Patient focused schemes designed to improve the efficiency of the service or improve Patient care.

To identify and promote best practice and develop extended roles and responsibilities for pharmacy technicians

Competent in the operation of encompass and other Pharmacy computer & information systems used, including robotics, Microsoft Office software, Trust email / intranet, as appropriate

Maintain competency as an Accredited Checking Pharmacy Technician (ACPT) to facilitate final accuracy checking on dispensing of discharge medication.

Health & Safety

Responsible for maintaining the security of the pharmacy department in conjunction with Trust security personnel ensuring that the security of staff, equipment and medicines is maintained at a departmental level and promoting good practice regarding the security of medicines during transit

Act as an approver for medicine incidents on DatixWeb

Responsible for the investigation and follow up of encompass related medication incidents including dispensing errors and near misses occurring in their responsible area

Responsible for sharing learning from relevant compliments, complaints and incident investigations

To comply with all relevant registration and CPD requirements and continue to develop clinical knowledge in specialist areas, defined by the needs of the service.

General management responsibilities

Ensure the appropriate governance and risk management arrangements are in place for the services you are responsible for and take appropriate action to identify and manage risk and to maintain safety of users, staff and others in accordance with relevant regulations, policies and procedures;

It is essential to ensure that the highest standards of infection prevention and control are maintained to ensure patient and client safety and maintain confidence in the Trust. As a Manager, you must ensure that you implement all instructions/ policy in this area and that all staff are made aware of and fully comply with these;

Where the post-holder has responsibility for managing a budget, ensure that services are managed and developed both in accordance with agreed and funded priorities as set out on a yearly basis and in accordance with Standing Financial Instructions, particularly ensuring your compliance with payroll documentation procedures and timescales;

Ensure the necessary arrangements are in place in regard to the ‘Knowledge and Skills Framework’ outlines, where this applies, for the posts for which you have management responsibility and ensure that each member of staff has an annual development and performance review, a personal development plan and that arrangements are in place to ensure that staff have maximum opportunity to progress through gateways in their pay bands and to contribute effectively towards our objectives;

Promote a culture of continuous service improvement amongst your staff, encouraging their participation and that of service users in reviewing and modernising current services and in service development;

Make sure you are trained and competent in the relevant policies and procedures which apply to the management of staff and other resources and abide by these policies; seeking advice as necessary from senior management or specialist staff as necessary;

Communicate effectively with staff and maintain productive working relationships amongst your staff and with others;

Delegate appropriate responsibility and authority to staff in order to ensure optimum and effective service delivery and decision-making, whilst retaining overall accountability and responsibility for outcomes;

Promote a culture of learning and development and facilitate arrangements for and participate in training and development of staff as agreed for the performance of their duties. Where training is in accordance with relevant standards make sure you have the relevant competences in order to carry out this responsibility;

Promote equality of opportunity for all by personal action, both in the management of your staff and in the provision of care to service users in accordance with the Trust’s Equality of Opportunity Policy and Equality Scheme;

Take responsibility for ensuring appropriate standards of environmental cleanliness and for encouraging staff to maintain standards in their work area. Have an awareness of environmental issues and take appropriate action, for example to ensure the efficient use of energy and other resources, recycling etc.;

Make sure that staff are aware of Trust policies regarding the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and Records Management and that they must not disclose, withhold, retain or dispose of any information unless legally authorised.

General responsibilities

Employees of the Trust will be required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible and:-

At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner

At all times demonstrate practice the HSC values of Working Together, Excellence, Openness & Honesty and Compassion

Carry out their duties and responsibilities in a manner which assures patient and client safety

Comply with all instructions in regard to Infection Prevention and Control

Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them

Comply with the Trust’s Smoke Free Policy

Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with health and safety policy and statutory regulations

Adhere to equal opportunities policy throughout the course of their employment

Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in service provision

Adhere to the Code of Conduct for HSC Employees which aims to guide staff, managers and employers in the work that they do and the decisions and choices they have to make. Professional staff are expected to follow the code of conduct for their own professions as well as this code.

The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency. The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the NHSCT Raising Concerns Policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

RECORDS MANAGEMENT

All employees of the Northern Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including e-mails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant and to comply with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust policies on Information Governance including (for example) the ICT Security Policy, Data Quality and Data Protection Policy and Records Management Policy and to seek advice if in doubt.

SALARY

£ 47,810 - £ 54,710 per annum (pro-rata for part-time)

RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UK

Please note this role may not meet the requirements for a Skilled Worker visa (including a Heath and Care Worker visa) and the Trust therefore would be unable to employ anyone that requires Sponsorship. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration).

HOURS

Normal full-time hours of duty are 37½ hours per week, exclusive of meal times

MEDICAL

Appointment will be subject to a successful pre-employment health assessment.

HOLIDAYS

27 days each year; 29 days after 5 years’ service; 33 days after 10 years’ service and 10 statutory and public holidays.

PENSION

The post-holder can participate in the Health Social Care Pension Scheme.

NORTHERN TRUST BENEFITS

You can explore the benefits on offer to you in the Northern Trust by clicking here

PROBATIONARY PERIOD

You will serve a probationary period of normally six months.

WAITING LIST

A waiting list will not be created for this position.

PAY PROTECTION

Legacy Trust Staff who apply for a promotion after 1 April 2011 should be aware that they will lose their legacy protection arrangements and will be entitled to pay protection in accordance with circular HSS (JNF)(1) 2011. This circular will also apply to legacy staff who are currently in receipt of protection and who move post on promotion.

Completed application forms should be returned to the BSO Recruitment and Selection Shared Services Centre, on or before the closing date as stated in the advertisement.

Canvassing, either directly or indirectly, will be an absolute disqualification.

We will review this Job Description and it may include any other duties and responsibilities we determine in consultation with the jobholder. We do not intend it to be rigid and inflexible but rather to provide guidelines within which the jobholder works.

March 2026

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

Title of Post: encompass Lead Pharmacy Technician

Band of Post: 7

Notes to applicants

You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.

Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.

Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

Volunteering experience may be considered appropriate in particular for roles within the context of direct patient/client care.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Qualifications/ Registration

Experience

Have two years of hospital experience as a Band 5 Pharmacy technician or above

Have a postgraduate diploma or equivalent in a relevant discipline or be willing to undertake within 18 months

If qualified after June 2009

BTEC and NVQ3 in Pharmacy Services, or equivalent Pharmacy qualifications.

If qualified before June 2009

BTEC level 3 National Certificate in Pharmacy Services or equivalent Pharmacy qualification.

or

NVQ 3 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent Pharmacy qualification.

Candidates must hold a current Accredited Checking Pharmacy Technician certificate.

Experience of leading and directing staff in a supervisory/management capacity.

Have experience in the relevant area of pharmacy

Proven management experience

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other

Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment.

This criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post.

Shortlisting by Application Form

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Skills / Abilities

Must be competent using desktop IT and willing to learn new skills in this area

In depth working knowledge of Pharmacy based IT systems

Demonstrate evidence of managing and leading change within an organisation

Have worked with a range of stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes

Demonstrate evidence of implementing IT and digital projects

Excellent leadership skills with evidence of being an effective team player

Ability to work independently on own initiative and organise workload, allocating work as necessary.

Ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues.

Able to perform at a high level in the face of uncertainty and can recognise priorities among a range of activities

Highly developed skills in communicating and influencing service users and multi-professional audiences at local and regional level including excellent presentation skills

Excellent interpersonal and managerial skills. Able to manage and resolve conflict and facilitate discussion in complex or challenging situations

Demonstrates tact, empathy and diplomacy in dealing with and communicating sensitive information

Demonstrates record of completing projects to time. Able to work under pressure and to deadlines

Ability to train, mentor and assess competency of other staff

Ability to lead and collaborate with a team or group of stakeholders to deliver a change in service delivery that delivers improved patient care, efficiency and productivity

Interview

Knowledge

Detailed Understanding of current and future Pharmacy technician and Pharmacy Assistant training

Knowledge of the current progress towards the regulation of Pharmacy Technicians in NI

Knowledge of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Professional Standards for Hospital Pharmacy Services Version 4, 2022

Knowledge of legislation and Trust policies relating to the management of Controlled Drugs

Knowledge of electronic patient records (EPR), and electronic prescribing and administration systems (EPMA) and closed loop medicines administration

Knowledge of current trends in Health and Social Care (HSC) in NI

Knowledge of future pharmaceutical service developments

Interview

Value Based Recruitment

Value Based Recruitment is a process adopted by the Northern Trust to attract and select employees on the basis that their individual values and behaviours align with those of the Trust.

It focuses on the ‘how’ and ‘why’ people do what they do.

Candidates who are short-listed for interview will need to demonstrate at interview that they have the required knowledge, skills, competencies and values to be effective in this new role.

In answering the value based questions you have the opportunity to share examples of when you have demonstrated values relevant to the Northern Trust.

Criminal Offences, Investigations and Charges

Having a criminal record will not necessarily debar you from working with the Trust. This will depend on the nature of the position, together with the circumstances and background of your offences or other information contained on a disclosure certificate. Where it is necessary to obtain an Access NI disclosure the Trust operates in line with the Access NI Code of Practice (www.nidirect.gov.uk/publications/accessni-code-practice).

If you require further information or a copy of the policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders or the policy on the Secure Handling, Use, Storage and Retention of Disclosure Information, please contact the Trust Human Resources Department.

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for the Trust to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

THE NHSCT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

Successful applicants

may be required to attend for a Health Assessment

can expect to be placed at the minimum point of the pay scale, although a higher starting salary, within the range of the pay band may be available if the person appointed has experience relevant & equivalent to the post. If the successful candidate is an existing HSC employee moving to a higher band, AfC Pay on Promotion will apply.

have the right to request Flexible Working from the 1st day of their employment. A number of flexible working provisions are offered by all HSC Organisations including Full-time working, Fixed working patterns, Part-time working, Flexi-time, Compressed/elongated hours, Average hours working patterns, Term-time working, Job-share or Homeworking for some or all of the working pattern, depending on the role being undertaken. Successful applicants are encouraged to discuss with their manager what Flexible Working provisions may be available in the role they are taking up, prior to commencing employment, to help them achieve a positive Work/Life Balance.

March 2026