Lead Technician (Pharmacy Dispensary services)

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has presented for an experienced Pharmacy Technician to develop their skills in this 9-month secondment operational role. We are looking for Lead Pharmacy Technicians to cover maternity leave in the QMC Controlled Drugs room at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.

Joining a group of Lead Technicians, this role supports the Chief Technicians to ensure delivery of a safe and high-quality Pharmacy dispensary service. Working within the Lead Technician group, this role will manage the day-to-day coordination of the controlled drug room to ensure a timely and accurate top-up service. Additional duties include:

• Providing training and assessment for Pharmacy Dispensary staff, in line with the Trust's CD policies to ensure high-quality service.
• Managing stock holding and accuracy of stock balances, investigating discrepancies immediately in line with the Trust CD policies.
• Ordering and receiving Controlled drugs from suppliers.
• Completing legal paperwork and filing appropriately.

This role offers a great opportunity to develop leadership and organisational skills within a busy hospital Pharmacy setting.

Main duties include:

• Supporting staff training, aligned with the Trust's CD procedures and staff validations, in collaboration with the Pharmacy Education and Training team.
• Dispensing and checking Controlled drugs to wards, ensuring they are on ward stock lists, and liaising with clinical ward teams if not.
• Overseeing daily stock management and ordering in the QMC controlled drugs room.
• Organising and leading regular stock takes, ensuring procedures are followed to maintain accurate stock balances, and investigating discrepancies in liaison with a Chief Technician.
• Destruction of Patient Own Medicines (POM).
• Monitoring service Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to ensure quality, effectiveness, and efficiency.
• Reviewing and improving service standards and provisions as needed.
• Supporting staffing management during absences, in line with the Trust's Wellbeing and Attendance Management policy.
• Participating in recruitment and selection of Pharmacy Dispensary staff.

About us

The Pharmacy Department at NUH is innovative and committed to delivering excellent patient care through modernization, including robotics and automation projects.

As one of the city's largest employers with over 19,000 staff, NUH plays a key role in research, education, and community health and wellbeing. We value diversity and encourage new ideas to foster a dynamic team environment. We offer extensive personal development opportunities and aim to turn your job into a fulfilling career.

We particularly welcome applications from individuals who identify as Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic, or Disabled, to enhance our diversity.

Details:

• Posted on: 24 April 2025
• Pay scheme: Agenda for Change
• Band: Band 5
• Salary: £29,970 to £36,483 per annum
• Contract: Secondment
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: 164-7147197
• Location: Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Derby Road, Nottingham, NG7 2UH

Job responsibilities

Please view the full job description and person specification attached to the advert for complete details.

Person Specification

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours - Essential

• Must demonstrate behaviors aligned with the Trust's standards.

Training & Qualifications - Essential

• Qualified Pharmacy Technician registered (or eligible to register) with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
• Committed to ongoing learning and personal development.

• Management/training qualifications or equivalent experience managing staff, services, or resources (Desirable).

Experience - Essential

• Validated Pharmacy controlled drugs dispenser and accuracy checker.
• Knowledge of pharmacy stock control and management systems.
• Some supervisory or staff management experience.
• Understanding of the Lead Technician role in a hospital pharmacy.

• Ability to train individuals and small groups (Desirable).

Communication & Relationship Skills - Essential

• Effective communication with diverse staff, professionals, and patients.
• Leadership skills and approachability.
• Teamwork and independence.

Analytical & Judgement Skills - Essential

• Accuracy and competency under pressure.
• Self-awareness of limitations and when to escalate.

Physical Skills - Essential

• Accurate work with variable workload and potential interruptions.
• Ability to perform manual handling activities.

Additional considerations include compliance with DBS checks, UK registration, and sponsorship requirements, as detailed in the original description.