Senior Pharmacy Technician - Supply

Job overview

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Senior Pharmacy Technician to join our team. The post holder will be a reliable and professional individual with a strong work ethic and the ability to lead by example.

The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to motivate, support, and develop others within the team. They will be approachable and adaptable, able to work independently as well as collaboratively, and committed to delivering high‑quality, patient‑focused services.

Applicants must demonstrate a clear commitment to the NHS values, including treating colleagues and service users with respect and dignity, promoting equality and inclusion, and contributing to a positive and supportive working environment. Strong organisational skills, professionalism, and a proactive approach to problem‑solving are essential.

This is a full‑time post, working 37.5 hours per week (7.5 hours per day), Monday to Friday. While there may be some flexibility in working hours, the role requires at least one late evening shift until 6:30 pm and participation in weekend cover on a rota basis, which are essential requirements of the post.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Main duties of the job

To be responsible for ensuring the accurate and efficient supply of all medicines to University Hospitals Plymouth and external customers.

To manage the day-to-day operational performance of all areas of the Supply Department including Dispensary, Distribution and Logistics. To ensure that all activity is being completed in a timely manner to meet internal and external deadlines.

To manage the day-to-day transport and logistics services ensuring that contractual conditions are met and all courier services deliver pharmaceuticals in line with Good Distribution Practice, Medicines Healthcare and Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Home Office guidelines.

To ensure that all activity relating to external customers complies with the requirements of the Wholesale Dealers Authorisation (Human) and any relevant contractual arrangements.

To support, and where needed, deputise for the Lead Pharmacy Technician – Commercial Services in attendance at service and contract review meetings with internal and external customers.

To support the Senior Lead Pharmacy Technician – Supply & Commercial Services with the development and delivery of an exemplar patient centric supply service.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

OPERATIONAL

• Schedule and manage the daily workload for the Dispensary, Distribution and Logistics services, allocating resources appropriately depending on demand.
• To ensure that work is processed in a timely manner to ensure compliance with cut-off times and delivery schedules.
• To manage and ensure all processes are carried out in accordance with standard operating procedures, safe systems of work and the legal framework for the supply of medicines.
• To be responsible for the performance of the Supply team ensuring that patient flow is maintained.
• To use Salus, EPMA and any other relevant sources to prioritise the dispensary TTA workload appropriately.
• Ensure the timely completion of complex discharge patients have their TTA’s completed in time to meet discharge times or booked transport as identified by the Site Team.
• To monitor operational performance throughout the day, flexing resources as appropriate to ensure that patient flow for the organisation is maintained.
• Identify bottlenecks relating to poor performance and escalating issues to the Assistant Director of Pharmacy when necessary.
• To be responsible for the effective management of stock, ensuring that accurate stock levels are maintained.
• To be responsible for monitoring and minimising medicines obsolescence that have to be discarded because they have become out of date or wasted, including stock held in the robot.
• To ensure that ward stock lists are regularly reviewed to meet the demands of the clinical areas.
• To be responsible for ensuring the day-to-day compliance with regulatory requirements relating to wholesale dealing and good distribution.
• To be responsible for the appropriate and continued supply of medicinal products to pharmacies and persons who may lawfully sell such products or who may lawfully supply them in circumstances corresponding to retail sale so that the needs of UK patients are met.
• To ensure the effective management of any temperature excursions in line with Good Distribution Practice and the licensed conditions.
• To support in the management of medicines recalls and alerts.
• To undertake general dispensary duties, in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures and the legal framework for the supply of medicines;
• Reception; Receive prescriptions, take payments when necessary.
• Issue drugs to patients and carers, counselling patients and carers as appropriate, including giving sensitive information on drug therapies.
• Issue drugs to healthcare professionals, giving advice when necessary.
• Labelling; generate medication labels.
• Dispensing; Inpatient, Outpatient and Discharge prescriptions, Clinical Trials, Cytotoxics and Controlled Drugs.
• Checking; perform a final accuracy check on items dispensed by other members of staff (after completion of National Technician Checking Accreditation).
• Supervision of Pharmacy Technicians, PSA, SPSA, Pre-registration Pharmacy Technicians and Foundation Pharmacists.
• To investigate dispensary stock balance discrepancies and amend on the computer system when necessary, ensuring all appropriate documentation is maintained, ensuring medicines are available when required.
• To be ensure that schedule 3-5 stock checks are conducted, investigate discrepancies and provide reports, escalating concerns to the Director of Pharmacy.

For further details please see attached JD & PS