Pharmacy Technician- Stores and Distribution Manager

Job overview

We are looking for a motivated individual who is able to work calmly and accurately under pressure to lead our pharmacy Stores and Distribution team at the Princess Royal University Hospital.

The successful candidate will need to embrace change with a positive attitude, and be able to work well in a team as well as working on their own using their own initiative.

Main duties of the job

The Pharmacy Technician – Stores and Distribution Manager will have the following responsibilities:

• Under the direction of the Principal Technician – Procurement and Distribution, the post holder is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Pharmacy Procurement and Distribution Team.
• This post carries managerial responsibility for the staff working in the Procurement and Distribution Team.
• The post holder will be responsible for ensuring the efficient and effective operation of the pharmacy stores and distribution areas at The Princess Royal University Hospital, including the clinical top-up service, stock control processes and GDP.
• To oversee the cost-effective ordering of medications for use within the hospital and the external sites it serves.
• To contribute to the development and implementation of improvements to the Pharmacy Procurement and Distribution Services.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

DISTRIBUTION AND STORAGE MANAGEMENT

• To be responsible for supervising the day-to-day activities of staff working within the Pharmacy Procurement and Distribution Team, ensuring the efficient and effective operation of the storage and distribution activities.

• To organise and prepare the monthly distribution service rota, ensuring all tasks are completed in a timely manner and escalating concerns as necessary when staffing levels are insufficient.

• To ensure that Pharmacy Porters (KFM/ICS) complete all required daily deliveries, escalating any concerns to the Portering Managers as appropriate.

• To be responsible for the relevant training of all staff working in Pharmacy Distribution including but not limited to, stock distribution, control, handling functions and Omnicell.

• To be responsible for maintaining Good Distribution Practice (GDP), including but not limited to the correct receipt, storage, and safe handling of all pharmaceuticals and products held within the Pharmacy, and ensuring that stock expiry dates are checked on a continuous rolling basis, with cycle counts undertaken. To also ensure effective management of the Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD).

• To be responsible for ensuring that written Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are in place for all activities undertaken by the Pharmacy Distribution Team, and for regularly reviewing and updating these procedures.

• To ensure effective stock management, with guidance from Principal Technician – Procurement and Distribution by undertaking:

• To update ward stock lists on Epic and Omnicell (where required), in response to changes such as contract amendments, drug shortages, or other operational requirements.

• Support medication shortage management by undertaking stock redistribution, updating of Omnicell configurations (where required), including stock lists, par levels, and alternative products, in line with agreed changes to ward stock and supply arrangements in response to medicines shortages.

• To maintain effective schedules for the distribution of pharmaceutical supplies to wards, departments, and community clinics, including liaison with nursing staff as required.

• To manage the dispensing robot, from error clearing regular shutdowns and responding to hardware/software issues.

• To ensure all staff working in the stores area apply and adhere to safe handling techniques when dealing with cytotoxic and flammable pharmaceuticals.

• Pharmacy based cycle counts
• Ward based cycle counts for automated top-up areas
• Investigating stock level discrepancies
• Ensuring stock rotation is completed by stores staff
• Monitor medication levels to ensure appropriate stock holdings
• Monthly expiry checks

STAFF MANAGEMENT & TRAINING

• To act as a role model for all pharmacy staff providing Pharmacy Distribution and Procurement service
• To be a line manager and take for the following, according to Trust procedures:
• Appraisals of performance and objective setting
• Sickness absence, disciplinary and grievance matters
• Recruitment and selection.
• Personal development.
• Departmental workload allocations.
• To undertake CPD to ensure that knowledge is continually updated in the fields of Pharmacy Distribution and Procurement services.
• To support the training of new Procurement and Distribution staff, appropriate to their role, ensuring competency in procurement, distribution, and relevant systems.
• To support the training and induction of pharmacy staff, appropriate to their role, ensuring competency in procurement, distribution, an

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• To participate in a 7-day pharmacy service including weekends.

• To participate in the out-of-hours service (where appropriate).

• To maintain satisfactory personal performances and professional standards and to achieve, where possible, agreed objectives described in the Annual Staff Appraisal system undertaken by the Director of Pharmacy.

• All employees of Kings College Hospital NHS Trust are required to carry out their duties regarding the Fair Access Policy and respect the cultural beliefs and customs held by clients and staff.

• To ensure compliance with the Health and Safety at work Act and all other relevant legislation, national and local policies and procedures.

• To uphold the principles of Clinical Governance within the Trust.

• To uphold and comply with the Standing Orders and Standing Financial Instructions of Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

• To undertake any other relevant duties, as may be required by the Director of Pharmacy.

• Nothing omitted or written here shall absolve the pharmacist from at all times ensuring that correct, professional techniques, ethics, attitudes and procedures are maintained by the staff for whom he/she is responsible.