Operational Lead Pharmacy Technician

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279); Worthing, Chichester; On-site; GBP 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced Operational Lead Pharmacy Technician to drive medicines optimisation, dispensary and supply services across Worthing and St Richard's hospitals. You will lead a team and collaborate with the Deputy Chief Pharmacist.

This senior role focuses on service innovation, quality improvement and workforce development while ensuring compliance with MHRA standards and cost-effective operations.

Qualifications

• Registered as a Pharmacy Technician with GPhC.
• Significant senior hospital management experience.
• Experience implementing change in a healthcare setting.
• Nationally accredited for medicines management (MOP/AIMMs).
• Diploma level management/leadership qualification.
• MHRA Responsible Person cogent training.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and assure the operational running of dispensary and supply services at Worthing and SRH.
• Develop, coordinate and maintain SOPs and competence frameworks locally and across the Trust.
• Lead a team of Pharmacy Technicians and Assistants across two sites.
• Contribute to education and development including induction and supervision.
• Support budget management and identify cost-improvement opportunities.
• Act as MHRA Responsible Person and maintain quality management systems.

Skills

GPhC Registered

Hospital management

Change management

Staff development

Budget awareness

Education

Diploma in Pharmacy Management

Job description

Go back University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Operational Lead Pharmacy Technician

The closing date is 29 September 2026

University Hospitals Sussex is seeking a skilled and dynamic senior leader to join the Pharmacy Department as Operational Lead Pharmacy Technician across the Worthing and St Richard's sites

This is a key leadership role responsible for the operational delivery and continuous development of medicines optimisation, dispensary and supply services. Working closely with the Deputy Chief Pharmacist for the sites, you will play a central role in driving service innovation, quality improvement and workforce development to support excellent patient care

You will ensure services are safe, effective and compliant with all legal and regulatory requirements, while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and patient experience

Leading a dedicated team of Pharmacy Technicians and Assistants, you will provide visible leadership and support staff development. You will also collaborate with operational leads across other Trust sites to ensure alignment of services and delivery of the wider pharmacy and organisational strategy

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced pharmacy technician leader to influence service transformation across a large and forward-thinking Trust

Main duties of the job

To oversee and assure the operational running of both the Pharmacy dispensary and supply services and the ward level Pharmacy Technician led medicines optimisation service for Worthing and St Richard's hospitals and monitor performance against agreed key performance indicators

To develop, coordinate and maintain relevant service standards, SOPs and competence frameworks locally and across the Trust

To manage and lead a team of Pharmacy Technicians and Assistants across the two sites and to act as a professional role model for these staff

To partake in the delivery or pharmacy services including labelling and dispensing of medicines (including controlled drugs) and final accuracy-checking dispensed items following completion of National accreditation

To support education and development including appropriate induction and competency training including for all new or rotational staff and to act as an Education/Practice supervisor where appropriate

To have a high level understanding of budgetary management and assist in the identification and delivery of cost-improvements programmes or other efficiency initiatives

To act as Responsible Person for the purposes of the department's MHRA Wholesale Dealers Authorisation, ensuring compliance with MHRA regulatory standards including: undertaking regular audit, maintaining the quality management system and recording and acting on deviations

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

Job responsibilities

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route however sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds (£25000), and any role-specific criteria.

A detailed job description and person specification can be found in the documents section

Role Summary

To provide senior leadership in the provision of pharmacy services to University Hospitals Sussex

The successful post holder will be the overarching operational lead for medicines optimisation, dispensary and supply services at Worthing (WOR) and St Richards (SRH) hospitals

To assist the Deputy Chief Pharmacist (WOR and SRH) in the strategic development and progress of operational pharmacy services

To develop a cutting-edge strategy for the service taking into consideration the needs of patients and the Trust management, new ways of working, best national practice, outcomes of external audits and legislative guidance

This is a substantive role which has a major contribution to the management of medicines and hence the welfare of patients and the efficiency of the organisation

To contribute to the creation and implementation of career progression pathways including innovative roles for pharmacy technicians and pharmacy assistants

The successful post holder will be expected to collaborate closely with other hospitals within the Trust

The post holder will co-ordinate and be responsible for medicines optimisation, dispensary and supply services training for all staff across WOR and SRH

The post holder will be expected to lead on the development of services including, but not limited to the provisions of services to fulfil current deficiencies in current

provision and develop services around counselling, adherence, flow co-ordination and transfer on discharge

The post holder will be responsible for the development and update of all standard operating procedures for medicines management, dispensary and supply services across WOR and SRH

The post holder may be required to collaborate with external partners such the University and ICB for the development of future workforce and pharmacy services.

Person Specification

Essential / Desirable

• Registered as a Pharmacy Technician with General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
• Significant experience in hospital management at a senior level post qualification
• Experience of implementing change
• Nationally accredited for medicines management (MOP/AIMMs)
• Diploma level management/leadership of equivalent qualification
• MHRA Responsible Person cogent training

Equality Diversity and Inclusion

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Worthing Hospital and St Richard's Hospital

£57,528 to £64,750 a yearPer annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

279-8065678-SEP26

Job locations

Worthing Hospital and St Richard's Hospital