Pharmacy Technician

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; Bristol; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting for a Pharmacy Technician (Band 4-5) to provide safe and efficient dispensing and ward-based support. The role includes 37.5 hours per week with flexible and compressed working patterns, on-site at Bristol Royal Infirmary.

The successful candidate will dispense and check medicines, participate in medicines reconciliation, and work across dispensary and ward-based teams to ensure high-quality patient care.

Qualifications

• Registered Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council (or in progress)
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD)
• Accredited Medicines Optimisation Technician within 12 months
• Accredited Accuracy Checking Technician within 12 months

Responsibilities

• Dispense medication accurately for inpatients, outpatients, day cases and discharge patients.
• Assess prescriptions for completeness and clarify discrepancies with pharmacists and staff.
• Maintain accurate records using pharmacy IT systems.
• Support ward-based pharmacy services and medicines management schemes.
• Liaise with patients, carers, and healthcare staff to ensure timely medication supply.
• Contribute to audits, quality improvement and service development initiatives.

Skills

Dispensing medicines

Communication

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Education

Registered Pharmacy Technician (GPhC)

CPD evidence

Accredited Medicines Optimisation Technician

Accredited Accuracy Checking Technician

Tools

GPhC standards

Job description

Main area Pharmacy Grade Band 4-5 Contract Permanent Hours

• Full time
• Flexible working
• Compressed hours

37.5 hours per week (The post holder will be required to work shifts including late duties, weekends and Bank Holidays on a rota basis.) Job ref 387-DT0757-NG-A

Employer Bristol NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Main Dispensary, Bristol Royal Infirmary Town Bristol Salary £28,392 - £39,043 pa pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 29/09/2026 23:59

Band 4-5

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1 st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people. Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust. Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job overview

As a member of the Pharmacy technician team, you will provide safe and effective pharmacy support to the dispensary and adult wards within UHBW. You will develop your existing professional, technical and clinical skills through your own continuing professional development to provide and service of excellence to both patients and staff alike.

This role includes 4 days a week commitment to dispensing and checking of medicines within the dispensary and 1 day a week embedded in one of the ward - based adult clinical teams: medicine, surgery, cardiac services and critical care.

The post holder will be required to work shifts including late duties, weekends and Bank Holidays on a rota basis.

Progression from a band 4 to band 5 will be subject to successful completion of the 4/5 pathway framework.

Previous applicants need not apply. This vacancy may close earlier than advertised.

Main duties of the job

• Provide patient-facing pharmacy services within specialist clinical teams.
• Complete medicines reconciliation and verify medication histories.
• Support safe and effective use of medicines throughout admission and discharge.
• Assist pharmacists in identifying and resolving medication-related issues.
• Support Patient Own Drugs (PODs) and One-Stop Dispensing (OSD) schemes.
• Undertake final accuracy checking of dispensed medicines where accredited.
• Liaise with patients, carers, ward staff, prescribers, and community healthcare providers.
• Prioritise workload to ensure timely and safe patient care.
• Maintain accurate records using pharmacy and electronic patient systems.
• Support staff training, induction, and supervision.
• Participate in audits, quality improvement, and service development initiatives.
• Maintain professional competence through continuing professional development.
• Work collaboratively across pharmacy services to ensure effective service delivery.

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of 2.6 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom.

Chaired by Ingrid Barker and led by Maria Kane as Chief Executive, Bristol NHS Foundation Trust aims to transform the way healthcare is delivered locally with a clear focus on making a difference for what we call our Four Ps:

• Better outcomes for ourPatients
• More opportunities for our People
• Fairer more consistent care for ourPopulation
• Best Value for Public Purse

Our vision for five years from now:

• Patients will wait less time to be diagnosed and treated, and they will have the same high-quality experience and outcomes, regardless of who they are or where they live.
• We will meet rising demand by maximising the use of our available resources.
• More care will be delivered nearer to patients, in their homes or the community.
• Digital technologies will have transformed the way we work and the way we deliver care.
• Our people will feel engaged, energised and empowered by their work.
• We will be known as a place where people enjoy working, training and building a career.
• Our volume of globally renowned research and innovation will have grown significantly.
• We will contribute to system financial balance

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Dispensing Services

• Dispense medication accurately for inpatients, outpatients, day cases and patients being discharged.
• Assess prescriptions for completeness and clarify discrepancies with pharmacists, prescribers and nursing staff when appropriate.
• Accurately generate dispensing labels and assemble medicines according to prescriptions and SOPs.
• Ensure all medicines are supplied safely and within required timescales

Ward-Based Services

• Participate in ward-based pharmacy services.
• Assist with the management of patients' own drugs and One-Stop Dispensing schemes.
• Liaise with ward staff regarding medication supply issues.
• Support the timely discharge of patients by facilitating prompt medication supply.

Accuracy and Quality

• Maintain high standards of accuracy in all pharmacy activities.
• Undertake final accuracy checking if accredited and authorised to do so.
• Identify and report dispensing incidents, near misses and risks.
• Contribute to service improvement and patient safety initiatives.

Stock Management

• Monitor and maintain stock levels within dispensary and ward areas.
• Ensure medicines are stored correctly and securely.
• Participate in stock rotation and expiry date checking.
• Assist with receipt, storage and distribution of pharmaceutical products.
• Support management of controlled stationery and emergency stock items as required.

Communication

• Communicate effectively with patients, carers and healthcare professionals.
• Respond professionally to medication and supply enquiries.
• Escalate complex clinical or operational issues to senior staff.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with Information Governance requirements

Training and Supervision

• Support the induction and training of pharmacy assistants, apprentices and new staff.
• Share knowledge and promote good practice within the team.
• Participate in competency assessments where appropriate.
• Act as a positive role model for professional behaviour and patient-centred care.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

• Use pharmacy computer systems and electronic prescribing systems effectively.
• Maintain accurate electronic records relating to dispensing and medicines management.
• Maintain registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
• Adhere to GPhC Standards for Pharmacy Professionals.
• Participate in continuing professional development (CPD) and mandatory training.
• Work within own competency and seek support when required.
• Contribute to audits, quality improvement projects and service developments

Please be aware that this vacancy may be closed prior to the advertised closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Person specification

Education and Qualification

• Registered Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council (Or in-process) E (A)
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Accredited Medicines Optimisation Technician (Essential within 12 months of appointment)
• Accredited Accuracy Checking Technician (Essential within 12 months of appointment)

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Good oral and written communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Good time management
• Ability to work alone and in a team
• Flexible and adaptive approach
• Committed to providing a high quality pharmacy service
• Evidence of self-motivation and direction

Experience

• Previous experience of working within a clinical patient-facing environment
• Proven ability to dispense medicines accurately without errors
• Previous experience of supporting, training and teaching of others
• Previous participation in audit or quality improvement work

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.

BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.

If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.

The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.

By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

IMPORTANT:

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. Therefore, please apply for this post as soon as you can, if you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.

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.