Pharmacy Technician Band 4-5 Progressive role

Job overview

As a member of the Pharmacy technician team, you will provide safe and effective pharmacy support to the dispensary and adult wards within UHBW. You will develop your existing professional, technical and clinical skills through your own continuing professional development to provide and service of excellence to both patients and staff alike. This role includes 4 days a week commitment to dispensing and checking of medicines within the dispensary and 1 day a week embedded in one of the ward-based adult clinical teams: medicine, surgery, cardiac services and critical care.

The post holder will be required to work shifts including late duties, weekends and Bank Holidays on a rota basis.

Progression from a band 4 to band 5 will be subject to successful completion of the 4/5 pathway framework.

Main duties of the job

• Provide patient-facing pharmacy services within specialist clinical teams.
• Complete medicines reconciliation and verify medication histories.
• Support safe and effective use of medicines throughout admission and discharge.
• Assist pharmacists in identifying and resolving medication-related issues.
• Support Patient Own Drugs (PODs) and One-Stop Dispensing (OSD) schemes.
• Undertake final accuracy checking of dispensed medicines where accredited.
• Liaise with patients, carers, ward staff, prescribers, and community healthcare providers.
• Prioritise workload to ensure timely and safe patient care.
• Maintain accurate records using pharmacy and electronic patient systems.
• Support staff training, induction, and supervision.
• Participate in audits, quality improvement, and service development initiatives.
• Maintain professional competence through continuing professional development.
• Work collaboratively across pharmacy services to ensure effective service delivery.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Dispensing Services

• Dispense medication accurately for inpatients, outpatients, day cases and patients being discharged.
• Assess prescriptions for completeness and clarify discrepancies with pharmacists, prescribers and nursing staff when appropriate.
• Accurately generate dispensing labels and assemble medicines according to prescriptions and SOPs.
• Maintain accurate dispensing records using pharmacy computer systems.
• Ensure all medicines are supplied safely and within required timescales

Ward-Based Services

• Participate in ward-based pharmacy services.
• Assist with the management of patients' own drugs and One-Stop Dispensing schemes.
• Liaise with ward staff regarding medication supply issues.
• Support the timely discharge of patients by facilitating prompt medication supply.

Accuracy and Quality

• Maintain high standards of accuracy in all pharmacy activities.
• Undertake final accuracy checking if accredited and authorised to do so.
• Identify and report dispensing incidents, near misses and risks.
• Contribute to service improvement and patient safety initiatives.

• Monitor and maintain stock levels within dispensary and ward areas.
• Ensure medicines are stored correctly and securely.
• Participate in stock rotation and expiry date checking.
• Assist with receipt, storage and distribution of pharmaceutical products.
• Support management of controlled stationery and emergency stock items as required.

• Communicate effectively with patients, carers and healthcare professionals.
• Respond professionally to medication and supply enquiries.
• Escalate complex clinical or operational issues to senior staff.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with Information Governance requirements

• Support the induction and training of pharmacy assistants, apprentices and new staff.
• Share knowledge and promote good practice within the team.
• Participate in competency assessments where appropriate.
• Act as a positive role model for professional behaviour and patient-centred care.
• INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

• Use pharmacy computer systems and electronic prescribing systems effectively.
• Maintain accurate electronic records relating to dispensing and medicines management.
• Ensure data quality and compliance with Trust documentation standards. [technician...template) | Word]

• Maintain registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
• Adhere to GPhC Standards for Pharmacy Professionals.
• Participate in continuing professional development (CPD) and mandatory training.
• Work within own competency and seek support when required.
• Contribute to audits, quality improvement projects and service developments