Dispensary Lead Technician | Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust; Yateley; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

A national health service provider in the United Kingdom is seeking a Lead Dispensary Technician for a 12-month fixed-term position. In this role, you will manage the daily operations of the pharmacy dispensary, oversee a team, and ensure the safe delivery of pharmacy services using the EPIC system. This position requires strong leadership, communication skills, and experience in operational management, offering an excellent opportunity for career development within a supportive environment.

Benefits

Flexible working opportunities

Training and development programs

Supportive working environment

Qualifications

• Experience in a pharmacy environment with a focus on management.
• Proven ability to lead a team effectively.
• Knowledge of electronic prescribing systems like EPIC.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of the Dispensary and ensure efficient service delivery.
• Manage staff performance, attendance, and training.
• Investigate and respond to drug errors and complaints.
• Maintain processes for safe transport and handling of medicines.

Skills

Leadership skills

Operational management

Inventory management

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Job description

This 12-month fixed-term Band 6 Lead Dispensary Technician role offers an excellent opportunity to develop management, leadership, and operational skills within a busy hospital dispensary., Working as one of two Lead Pharmacy Technicians, you will ensure the efficient, safe, and cost-effective delivery of the dispensing service using the EPIC electronic prescribing system. The role involves coordinating daily workflow across multiple workstreams to maintain a timely service and overseeing all aspects of inventory management, including stock control, safe storage, and waste minimisation. You will be responsible for investigating discrepancies, incidents, and complaints as required. As a line manager, you will lead and support a team of Pharmacy Technicians, Dispensary Assistants, and Pharmacy Porters, undertaking recruitment, induction, appraisals, rota management, and handling performance and attendance issues to ensure high-quality, patient-focused service delivery.

• Working closely with the Dispensary Manager, the postholder will manage the day-to-day workflow and operations of the Dispensary, ensuring efficient service delivery and adherence to quality standards.
• Responsibilities include preparing staff rotas, planning and coordinating training, allocating and delegating daily tasks, and addressing operational queries to meet departmental needs.
• The role involves maintaining and enforcing processes for the safe transport and handling of medicines, including refrigerated and controlled drugs, in line with MHRA, CQC and GPhC requirements.
• The postholder will investigate and respond to drug errors and complaints, often involving sensitive and complex discussions.
• As a line manager, they will oversee staff performance, manage sickness absence, disciplinary and grievance procedures, and ensure accurate and timely documentation.
• Acting as a professional lead, the postholder will model effective communication, leadership, and negotiation skills to promote a safe, efficient and supportive working environment.

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is committed to being an inclusive and disability confident employer and has been awarded the Gold for the Armed Forces Employment Recognition Scheme. We provide first class development opportunities for all staff and have a wide range of professional, management and leadership, and clinical skills training available. Here at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, we know how important it is to have a healthy work life balance; this benefits not only individuals but the patients we care for too. We encourage applications from people who wish to work on a flexible basis, recognising that flexibility may mean a range of different working patterns and hours, we do our utmost to work with our staff to meet their needs and the needs of our service and its users.

• To be actively involved in the recruitment and selection of staff and to carry out appraisals, developing staff in line with their objectives.
• To line manage staff including monitoring sickness absence, disciplinary, grievance and performance issues, maintaining accurate documentation throughout.
• To organise and provide a detailed induction to new staff members in compliance with local and trust requirements.
• To help maintain and enter data onto the electronic 'Healthroster' system used for annual leave, entering shift patterns, sickness and overtime.
• To manage the workflow and day to day running of the Dispensary in conjunction with the dispensary manager, including preparing rotas, planning training, following up queries and allocation/delegation of daily tasks to meet the needs of the department.
• To ensure the operational pharmacy services are underpinned by appropriate SOP's and policies are developed in a manner that reflects Trust objectives, national policy and initiatives.
• To be a professional lead within the department and to demonstrate appropriate influencing and negotiating skills whilst carrying out the role.