Operational Lead Pharmacy Technician

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust; Worthing; Hybrid; GBP 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust seeks an experienced Senior Pharmacy Technician Leader to oversee medicines optimisation, dispensary and supply services at Worthing and St Richard’s hospitals. You will lead a dedicated team, drive service development and ensure QA and regulatory compliance.

You will manage education and staff development, contribute to budget controls and work with the Deputy Chief Pharmacist to align services across sites.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Oversee operational running of Pharmacy dispensary and supply services at two sites.
• Lead a team of Pharmacy Technicians and Assistants; role model for staff.
• Contribute to budget and cost-improvement initiatives.
• Develop and update SOPs and competence frameworks.
• Coordinate education, induction and competency training.

Skills

Leadership

Pharmacy operations

Staff development

Education

GPhC registered Pharmacy Technician

Executive leadership qualification

Tools

MHRA compliance

Job description

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Employer University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Worthing Hospital and St Richard's Hospital Town Worthing and Chichester Salary £57,528 - £64,750 Per annum pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 29/09/2026 23:59

At UHSussex we're proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK's largest acute trusts, we're a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to deliver Excellent Care Everywhere for our patients, our people and our communities. Whatever your role here at UHSussex you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us deliver Excellent Care Everywhere. 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.

We value compassion, inclusion and respect as our core values . We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our wellbeing programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research , we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

As part of our commitment to access for all, please see the different ways you can access the application form: https://apps.trac.jobs/accessibility?_ts=1

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job overview

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

Working for our organisation

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.

Detailed job description and main 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

Toprovideseniorleadershipintheprovisionof pharmacyservicestoUniversityHospitalsSussex

The successful post holder will be the overarching operational lead for medicinesoptimisation,dispensary and supply services at Worthing ( WOR) and St Richard’s (SRH) hospitals

To assist the Deputy Chief Pharmacist (WOR and SRH) in the strategic developmentandprogress of operational pharmacyservices

To develop a cutting-edge strategy for the service taking into consideration theneeds of patients and the Trust management, new ways of working, best nationalpractice,outcomes ofexternal auditsand legislativeguidance

This is a substantive role which has a major contribution to the management ofmedicinesandhencethewelfareofpatientsandtheefficiencyoftheorganisation

To contribute to the creation and implementation of career progression pathwaysincludinginnovativerolesforpharmacytechniciansandpharmacyassistants

The successful post holder will be expected to collaborate closely with otherhospitalswithin theTrust

The post holder will co-ordinate and be responsible for medicines optimisation, dispensary and supply services trainingfor allstaff acrossWOR and SRH

The post holder will be expected to lead on the development of services including,butnotlimitedtotheprovisionsof servicestofulfilcurrentdeficienciesincurrent

provision and develop services around counselling, adherence, flow co-ordinationandtransfer ondischarge

The post holder will be responsible for the development and update of all standardoperating procedures for medicines management, dispensary and supply services acrossWOR and SRH

The post holder may be required to collaborate with external partners such theUniversityandICBforthedevelopmentoffutureworkforceandpharmacyservices.

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).

Important information for applicants:

A Note on AI Use in Applications

UHSussex values authenticity and encourages applicants to ensure that all application materials accurately reflect their own skills, experience, knowledge and motivations. Candidates may use AI and digital tools to support the preparation of applications, for example to assist with spelling, grammar, structure or accessibility needs. However, applicants remain responsible for the content submitted and should ensure that it genuinely represents their own abilities and experience. Where there are reasonable concerns that an application does not authentically reflect the applicant's own knowledge, skills, experience or suitability for the role, the Trust reserves the right to explore this further and, where authenticity cannot be satisfactorily demonstrated, to reject the application.

Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.

Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.

Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.

DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check . We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.

UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications

Further Information

For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

For help with the application process for Non-Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name Caroline Anderson Job title Deputy Chief Pharmacist Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 01903205111 Additional information For more information please contact Caroline Anderson, Deputy Chief Pharmacist: [e-mail]