Job Purpose
To support the safe, accurate, and efficient delivery of pharmaceutical services by dispensing prescriptions, managing medicines, and assisting in the delivery of NHS and private clinical services. The Pharmacy Technician / Accredited Pharmacy Dispenser will work closely with the Responsible Pharmacist and wider pharmacy team to provide high-quality patient care, promote health and wellbeing, and ensure compliance with all legal, professional, and regulatory requirements.
The postholder is expected to work within their scope of competence and, where registered as a Pharmacy Technician, maintain registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and comply with its Standards for Pharmacy Professionals.
Key ResponsibilitiesDispensing and Medicines Management
- Accurately assemble, label, and prepare prescriptions in accordance with legal and professional requirements.
- Perform accuracy checking where qualified and authorised.
- Support the Responsible Pharmacist in the safe supply of medicines.
- Manage repeat prescription workflows.
- Resolve routine prescription queries with GP surgeries and patients where appropriate.
- Process electronic prescriptions (EPS).
- Manage prescription endorsements and reimbursement requirements.
- Ensure medicines are stored safely and securely.
- Carry out stock control, stock rotation, expiry date checking, and ordering.
- Manage controlled drug records and stock where authorised.
- Assist in reducing medicines waste.
- Maintain dispensing records and documentation accurately.
Clinical and Pharmacy Services
Support and deliver NHS and private pharmacy services, including:
- NHS Pharmacy First Service
- NHS Blood Pressure Check Service
- Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (where provided)
- New Medicine Service (NMS)
- Community Pharmacist Consultation Service (where commissioned)
- NHS Contraception Service
- Seasonal Flu Vaccination Service
- COVID-19 Vaccination Service (where available)
- Travel Health Services
- Private Vaccination Clinics
- Smoking Cessation Services
- Weight Management Services
- Healthy Living Pharmacy initiatives
- Emergency Hormonal Contraception (where appropriate)
- Point-of-care testing services
- Medicines Use Reviews or successor services (where applicable)
- Any future NHS or private pharmacy services introduced by the organisation.
Responsibilities include:
- Identifying eligible patients.
- Explaining available services.
- Booking appointments.
- Completing clinical documentation.
- Preparing consultation rooms.
- Assisting pharmacists during service delivery.
- Supporting follow-up care where appropriate.
Patient Care
- Deliver outstanding patient-centred care.
- Provide advice on medicines within competence.
- Refer patients to the pharmacist when clinical intervention is required.
- Support patients with medicine adherence.
- Promote self-care and healthy lifestyle choices.
- Maintain confidentiality and dignity at all times.
Clinical Measurements
Where trained and competent:
- Carry out NHS Blood Pressure Checks.
- Record and interpret results according to agreed protocols.
- Fit ambulatory blood pressure monitors.
- Undertake point-of-care testing where commissioned.
- Maintain and calibrate clinical equipment.
- Ensure infection prevention and control standards are maintained.
Vaccination Services
Where trained, accredited, and legally authorised:
- Administer NHS and private vaccinations.
- Prepare vaccines in accordance with clinical guidance.
- Maintain cold chain requirements.
- Obtain informed consent.
- Complete electronic and paper documentation.
- Observe patients following vaccination where required.
- Report adverse events appropriately.
Medicines Optimisation
- Promote safe and effective use of medicines.
- Support medication reviews.
- Identify prescribing or dispensing discrepancies.
- Support medicines reconciliation where appropriate.
- Encourage adherence to prescribed treatments.
- Assist in medicines safety initiatives.
Administrative Responsibilities
- Maintain accurate patient records.
- Complete NHS and private service documentation.
- Process prescriptions efficiently.
- Maintain filing systems.
- Handle telephone and email enquiries.
- Assist with NHS claims and service submissions.
- Support audits and quality assurance activities.
Compliance and Governance
- Comply with GPhC Standards.
- Follow all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Adhere to NHS service specifications.
- Maintain patient confidentiality in accordance with GDPR.
- Follow safeguarding procedures.
- Comply with Health and Safety legislation.
- Report incidents, near misses, and dispensing errors.
- Participate in audits and continuous quality improvement.
Team Responsibilities
- Work collaboratively with pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, dispensers, counter assistants, and delivery staff.
- Provide guidance and support to trainee staff.
- Assist with staff induction and training.
- Attend team meetings.
- Support service development initiatives.
- Contribute to achieving pharmacy quality standards.
Leadership Responsibilities (Senior Pharmacy Technician)
Where applicable:
- Supervise dispensing workflows.
- Coordinate daily dispensary activities.
- Train and mentor junior staff.
- Monitor compliance with SOPs.
- Assist in implementing new pharmacy services.
- Support business performance and service quality.
Person SpecificationEssential
- Level 2 or Level 3 Pharmacy Dispensing qualification (for Dispenser role) or registration as a Pharmacy Technician with the GPhC (for Technician role).
- Excellent knowledge of dispensing procedures.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Good IT skills.
- Ability to prioritise workload in a busy environment.
- Commitment to patient safety.
- Professional and courteous manner.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Desirable
- Accredited Accuracy Checking Technician (ACT) qualification.
- Experience delivering NHS pharmacy services.
- Blood Pressure Check accreditation.
- Vaccination training.
- Leadership or supervisory experience.
- Healthy Living Pharmacy experience.
- Knowledge of NHS Pharmacy First pathways.
- Experience using PMR systems (e.g. ProScript Connect, Titan, Analyst PMR, RxWeb, Cegedim Pharmacy Manager).
Knowledge and Skills
- Pharmaceutical legislation.
- Safe dispensing practice.
- Medicines optimisation.
- Clinical governance.
- Infection prevention and control.
- Customer service excellence.
- Record keeping.
- Risk management.
- Time management.
- Teamworking.
- Problem-solving.
- Digital literacy.
Training Requirements
The successful candidate will maintain competency through mandatory and role-specific training, including:
- GPhC Continuing Professional Development (for registered Pharmacy Technicians).
- NHS Pharmacy First Service.
- NHS Blood Pressure Check Service.
- New Medicine Service.
- Vaccination training (where appropriate).
- Infection Prevention and Control.
- Safeguarding Adults and Children.
- GDPR and Information Governance.
- Health and Safety.
- Fire Safety.
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
- Basic Life Support.
- Controlled Drugs procedures.
- Any mandatory NHS or company training.
Working Conditions
- Working in a busy community pharmacy environment.
- Standing for prolonged periods.
- Frequent interaction with patients and healthcare professionals.
- Handling confidential patient information.
- Working accurately under pressure to meet deadlines.
- Occasional evening, weekend, or bank holiday working.
General Responsibilities
Employees are expected to:
- Always act in the best interests of patients.
- Maintain the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.
- Work within their competence and seek guidance when required.
- Participate in continuing professional development.
- Support innovation and continuous improvement in pharmacy services.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties appropriate to the role and grade.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £13.00-£13.80 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
