Pharmacy Technician

DrPA Recruitment; Kidlington; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency for healthcare professionals is seeking a registered Pharmacy Technician to deliver pharmaceutical services in a secure environment. The role involves comprehensive medicines reconciliation, conducting audits, and ensuring compliance with drug safety regulations. Candidates should possess NVQ Level 3/BTEC in Pharmacy Services, strong communication skills, and the ability to work in challenging settings. The position plays a crucial role in supporting vulnerable patients and optimizing medication safety.

Qualifications

• Registered Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
• Relevant NVQ Level 3 / BTEC in Pharmacy Services (or equivalent).
• Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills.

Responsibilities

• Undertake comprehensive medicines reconciliation for new receptions.
• Conduct regular audits on prescribing, reconciliation, and administration.
• Promote and monitor medicines safety and compliance.

Skills

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Knowledge of medicines safety

Education

Registered Pharmacy Technician with GPhC

NVQ Level 3 / BTEC in Pharmacy Services

Job description

About the Role

This role may be starting before we go live to provide local support and help setting up. During this period, you will be helping prepare documentation, set the pharmacy up, go through processes, ensure we have the right stock, and much more.

Job Summary

To deliver a safe, effective, patient‑centred pharmacy and medicines optimisation service, supporting the health needs of people in a secure environment in line with Royal Pharmaceutical Society Professional Standards for Optimising Medicines in Secure Environments, NICE guidelines on medicines reconciliation and medicines safety, national standards, NHS England specifications for primary care in secure settings, and local policies.

Key Responsibilities & Duties

• Undertake comprehensive medicines reconciliation for new receptions and transfers, ensuring accurate and timely identification of current therapy, reducing medication errors and wastage.
• Identify and resolve discrepancies, liaising with prescribers, community pharmacies, and external healthcare providers as needed.
• Perform medication checks to optimise therapy, reduce polypharmacy, and support adherence.
• Support the pharmacist in delivering Medicines Use Reviews (MURs) and patient counselling to improve understanding and safe use of medication.
• Provide clear, individualised advice on in‑possession medicines, side effects, and correct use.
• Recognise and elevate signs of drug or alcohol withdrawal.
• Support patients with substance misuse concerns and those at risk of self‑harm or suicide, working closely with healthcare and IRC staff.

Audit, KPI Reporting & Formulary Oversight

• Conduct regular audits on prescribing, reconciliation, administration, and formulary compliance.
• Monitor use of the allocated formulary, identifying opportunities for cost‑effective prescribing.
• Provide accurate data and insights for KPI and contract performance reports.

Drug Safety & Controlled Drugs

• Promote and monitor medicines safety, ensuring compliance with controlled drug legislation and secure custody protocols.
• Maintain meticulous, contemporaneous records of all pharmacy activities.
• Communicate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, prison officers, and external agencies, both verbally and in writing.
• Participate in clinical meetings and governance activities to drive continuous improvement in pharmacy services.
• Take direction from the pharmacist and chief pharmacist to support service development.

Professional Practice & Development

• Function autonomously within scope of competence while serving as a role‑model and resource to junior staff.
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of best practice, guidelines, and professional standards.
• Engage in continuous professional development to meet GPhC requirements.

Criteria

• Registered Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
• Relevant NVQ Level 3 / BTEC in Pharmacy Services (or equivalent).
• Accreditation in medicines reconciliation or accuracy checking (desirable).
• Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills to manage workload in a challenging environment.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, particularly with patients who may be vulnerable or distressed.
• Commitment to medicines safety, audit processes, and high standards of record keeping.
• Previous experience within a secure setting.
• Ability to participate in multi professional teamwork.