Lead Pharmacy Technician - Virtual Wards, Hospital at Home and OPAT

NHS; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider is seeking a Lead Pharmacy Technician to support innovative healthcare models by ensuring safe and efficient medication use for patients at home. This role involves working with multidisciplinary teams, conducting medicines reconciliation, and contributing to policy development. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication and leadership skills along with relevant pharmacy qualifications and experience.

Qualifications

• Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
• Extensive experience as a ward-based Medicines Management Technician.
• Training, mentoring, and supervision of staff.

Responsibilities

• Conduct medicines reconciliation for patients in the Virtual Ward.
• Support specialist nursing teams in providing medicines management.
• Contribute to the strategic development of medicines management in domiciliary settings.

Skills

Communication skills

Leadership skills

Medicine reconciliation

Education

BTEC National Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science or NVQ level 3 Pharmacy Services

Accredited accuracy checking technician

Job description

Overview

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Lead Pharmacy Technician to support the Virtual Ward (VW), Hospital @ Home (H@H), and Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) services. This role aims to ensure the safe, effective, and efficient use of medicines for patients receiving treatment at home. You will work with multidisciplinary teams to conduct medicines reconciliation, identify and resolve discrepancies, and support specialist nursing teams in medication-related care. Effective communication with hospital teams, GPs, community pharmacies, and social care providers is essential to ensure seamless transitions of care and accurate medication handovers. The role also focuses on reducing medication-related problems, preventing avoidable hospital admissions, and minimising medicine waste. You will contribute to policy development, medication safety governance, and cost-effective prescribing within the service.

We are looking for a highly organised and proactive pharmacy technician with excellent communication and leadership skills. Experience in medicines reconciliation, clinical pharmacy services, and multidisciplinary working is desirable.

If you are passionate about improving patient care and supporting innovative healthcare models, we would love to hear from you!

Main duties and responsibilities

• Promote a high-quality approach to medicines reconciliation for patients in the Virtual Ward (including VW step-up, VW step-down, H@H, and OPAT) through effective communication with hospital teams, patients/carers, primary and social care colleagues, and by promoting multidisciplinary and multi-way communications.
• Conduct medicines reconciliation for patients in the Virtual Ward (including VW step-up, VW step-down, H@H, and OPAT services), identify discrepancies, and resolve them with appropriate clinicians.
• Proactively support specialist nursing teams in planning and providing medicines management for patients in the Virtual Ward and related services.
• Improve patient care by reducing medication-related problems, avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions, and reducing drug costs and waste.
• Contribute to the strategic development of medicines management in domiciliary settings, aligning Trust, hospital, community stakeholders, and patient needs.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and surrounding areas, with two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. The Trust offers A&E, obstetrics-led maternity, and paediatrics, and provides high-quality training and development opportunities. The Trust is committed to delivering excellent patient care using current clinical knowledge and technology.

Our values

We recruit based on qualifications and experience and on behaviours that reflect our core values. We use values-based recruitment and are committed to equality, diversity, and an inclusive culture.

Details

Date posted: 19 September 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for Change

Band: Band 6

Salary: £38,682 to £46,580 per annum

Contract: Fixed term

Duration: 24 months

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference: 418-DTO6385-KA-C

Job locations: Luton and Dunstable Hospital, Lewsey Road, Luton, LU4 0DZ

Qualifications and experience

Essential

• Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
• BTEC National Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science, NVQ level 3 Pharmacy Services or equivalent
• Accredited accuracy checking technician

Desirable

• AIMM accreditation or relevant equivalent
• Train the Trainer qualification or relevant equivalent
• APTUK

Experience

• Extensive experience as a ward-based Medicines Management Technician
• CPD portfolio demonstrating competent pharmacy practice as a senior pharmacy technician
• Customer-oriented service and experience
• Training, mentoring, and supervision of staff
• Report writing

Knowledge

• Understanding of customer care and Information Governance/confidentiality
• Up-to-date knowledge of medicines use

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A DBS check will be required.

Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers who require Skilled Worker sponsorship will be considered. See UK Visas and Immigration guidance for details.

UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. See NHS Careers for more information.

Employer details

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Luton and Dunstable Hospital, Lewsey Road, Luton, LU4 0DZ

Website: https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/