Pharmacy Technician

Jurassic Coast Primary Care Network; Dorchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A primary care network in Dorset is looking for a Pharmacy Technician to support effective medicines optimisation and patient care. The ideal candidate will lead in patient-facing roles and collaborate with healthcare teams. This role demands strong communication, clinical skills, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Competitive hourly wage with a focus on continuous improvement and patient-centered care.

Qualifications

• Proficiency in conducting patient-facing roles and supporting tasks.
• Understanding clinical protocols and antimicrobial stewardship.
• Experience with multi-disciplinary teams in primary care.

Responsibilities

• Conduct patient-facing activities to optimise medication use.
• Supervise prescription management and triage requests.
• Participate in clinical audits and quality improvement measures.

Skills

Patient-facing roles

Medicines optimisation tasks

Communication skills

Teamwork

Leadership skills

Education

Registered Pharmacy Technician with the GPhC

Qualified from an approved training pathway

Job description

The pharmacy technician will be an integral part of the Primary Care Networks (PCN) healthcare team, supporting the delivery of effective medicines optimisation, safety, and patient care.

Working collaboratively with pharmacists, GPs, and other healthcare professionals, the Pharmacy Technician will take on a blend of clinical, technical, and administrative responsibilities to ensure the safe, effective, and efficient use of medicines.

Main duties of the job

This role will involve patient-facing activities, optimising medication use through direct patient interactions, and carrying out key medicines management functions under appropriate clinical supervision.

We seek individuals with good communication and interpersonal skills, who can work proactively as both part of the team and independently, with an eye for detail and an ability to find new ways of working.

The ideal candidate needs to be enthusiastic and highly motivated, with an ability to manage and plan their own workload in line with the needs of the PCN.

About us

Jurassic Coast PCN is a primary care network based in West Dorset. Our member practices are Ammonite Health Partnership, Lyme Bay Medical and Barton House Medical Practice.

Our vision for the future of Jurassic Coast PCN is to create a patient care system that includes everyone. A system where member practices work closely together and in collaboration with health and social care, voluntary sectors, community groups and local people to deliver efficient and timely personalised care. To make the best use of available resources to ensure that everyone gets the right support, in the right place, at the right time.

Job responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

a. Clinical Responsibilities:

• Conduct patient-facing and patient-supporting roles to promote effective medicine use through shared decision-making conversations.
• Perform medicines optimisation tasks, such as checking inhaler techniques, supporting medication reviews, and conducting medicines reconciliation.
• Use consultation skills to work in partnership with patients to support effective medicine use.
• Perform medication safety audits and review use of high-risk medication.
• Assist in medication reviews, particularly for new care home patients, and in medicines reconciliation for patients transferring between care settings.

Specialist Expertise:

• Provide lifestyle advice and public health support within competency to address the social and health needs of patients, reducing local health inequalities.

Clinical Protocols & Antimicrobial Stewardship:

• Participate in shared care protocols and liaise with specialist pharmacists for complex patients.
• Support antimicrobial stewardship initiatives to minimize inappropriate antibiotic use.
• Contribute to medicines management incentive schemes, patient safety audits, and the implementation of national prescribing policies within the PCN.
• Participate in clinical audits, such as those focusing on antibiotic use, and contribute to Quality Improvement measures, including the Quality and Outcomes Framework and enhanced services.

b. Technical and Administrative Responsibilities:

• Work with the PCN multi-disciplinary team to implement efficient ordering and return processes, reducing medicine wastage.
• Prescription Management Supervision: Oversee practice reception teams to triage general prescription requests, allowing clinical pharmacists and GPs to focus on complex requests.
• Leadership in Medicines Optimisation Systems: Lead on the integration of Electronic Prescriptions and repeat prescribing systems, ensuring timely monitoring of high-risk medicines.
• Training & Legal Compliance: Provide training and support for safe handling of medicines, including implementing the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS).
• Multi-disciplinary Collaboration: Build relationships with other pharmacy technicians, pharmacists, and healthcare professionals across primary care, community pharmacy, and social care settings to support integrated patient care.

Health and Safety/Risk Management

The post-holder must comply at all times with the Practices Health and Safety policies, in particular by following agreed safe working procedures and reporting incidents using the organisations Incident Reporting System.

The post-holder will comply with the Data Protection Act (1984) and the Access to Health Records Act (1990).

Equality and Diversity

The post-holder must co-operate with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment. Co-workers, patients and visitors must be treated equally irrespective of gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion etc.

Respect for Patient Confidentiality

The post-holder should always respect patient confidentiality and not divulge patient information unless sanctioned by the requirements of the role.

Special Working Conditions

The post-holder is required to travel independently between PCN sites, and to attend meetings etc. hosted by other agencies.

Job Description Agreement

This job description is intended to provide an outline of the key tasks and responsibilities only. There may be other duties required of the post-holder commensurate with the position. This description will be open to regular review and may be amended to consider development within the PCN and member practices.

All members of staff should be prepared to take on additional duties or relinquish existing duties to maintain the efficient running of the PCN.

Person Specification

Experience

• Demonstrated competency in delivering patient-facing and supporting roles within primary care or similar settings. Proficiency in medicines optimisation tasks, including medication reviews, reconciliation, and techniques for effective medicine use. Understanding of clinical protocols, shared care frameworks, and antimicrobial stewardship. Proven experience in medicines management, clinical audits, and contributing to quality improvement measures within healthcare frameworks (e.g., QOF).
• Experience in working with multi-disciplinary teams within primary care, including knowledge of the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS). Experience in providing public health and lifestyle advice, especially to reduce local health inequalities. Experience working in Primary Care

Qualifications

• Registered Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
• Enrolled in, undertaking, or qualified from an approved training pathway such as: - Primary Care Pharmacy Educational Pathway (PCPEP) - Medicines Optimisation in Care Homes (MOCH) - Courses approved by the Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK (APTUK) or other approved pathways aligned with the UK-wide APTUK/PCPA National Competency Framework.

Key Skills and Attributes

• Strong clinical and technical skills in medicines management. Effective communication skills with patients and the ability to engage in shared decision-making. Ability to work autonomously within clinical supervision and contribute actively to a healthcare team. Leadership skills to support medicines optimisation systems and train other staff members in safe handling and efficient use of medicines. Commitment to continuous professional development and staying updated with relevant policies and best practices in primary care pharmacy.

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.

£15.81 to £16.86 an hourdepending on experience