Pharmacy technician

Gmmh; Manchester; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Greater Manchester Mental Health Foundation Trust is seeking a Band 5 Pharmacy Technician to deliver high-quality services within HMP Manchester. The role covers dispensing, medicines administration, governance and staff training in a secure prison setting.

You will lead in designated areas, supervise junior staff and contribute to service development while ensuring compliance with legal and Trust standards. Applications from experienced prison healthcare staff are welcomed.

Qualifications

• Registered Pharmacy Technician with GPhC.
• BTEC Level 3 Professional Diploma in principles and practice for pharmacy technicians or equivalent.
• Evidence of post-qualification training e.g. Certificate in management or supervision.

Responsibilities

• Dispense medications accurately, including complex regimens and compliance aids.
• Administer medications at designated points; conduct medicines reconciliation and compliance checks.
• Lead in designated areas, handle supply issues and liaise with manufacturers.
• Coordinate with prescribers, nursing staff and external services for safe medication use.
• Supervise and train pharmacy staff, students and nursing staff; act as Technician in Charge as needed.
• Participate in audits, policy development and CPD in line with GPhC standards.

Education

Registered Pharmacy Technician with GPhC

BTEC Level 3 Professional Diploma in principles and practice for pharmacy technicians or equivalent

Evidence of post-qualification training e.g. Certificate in management or supervision

Job description

Main area Mental Health Grade Band 5 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 22.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday) Job ref 437-8343092

Site Pharmacy department, HMP Manchester Town Manchester Salary £32,073 - £39,043 Per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 30/10/2026 23:59

Job overview

The Band 5 Pharmacy Technician is responsible for delivering high-quality, effective pharmacy services within a prison healthcare setting. This includes both technical and clinical services aimed at improving patient care. The role involves pharmacy-based duties in addition to safe and timely medication administration, supporting medicines management, and contributing to the education and training of pharmacy and nursing staff.

The postholder will play a key role in medicines reconciliation, In Possession Risk Assessments, and the management of specialist medications and controlled drugs. They will liaise with multidisciplinary teams to ensure continuity of care, support compliance and adherence strategies, and contribute to the development and implementation of pharmacy policies and procedures.

Working within their professional scope, the technician will also supervise and train junior staff, support service development initiatives, and ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and Trust standards. The role requires a high level of accuracy, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work effectively in a secure and often challenging environment.

Main duties of the job

1. Dispensing and Supply

• Accurately dispense medications, including complex dose regimens and compliance aids.
• Participate in labelling, dispensing, and accuracy checking.
• Manage Controlled Drugs in line with legal and Trust policies.
• Maintain stock levels and ensure timely procurement of medications.

2. Medicines Administration and Patient Care

Administer medications on allocated Medication Administration Points.

• Conduct medicines reconciliation, compliance checks, and In Possession Risk Assessments.

Provide advice to patients and staff on medication use.

3. Technical and Clinical Support

• Act as lead technician in designated areas, ensuring continuous supply and service quality.
• Handle supply issues, liaise with manufacturers, and resolve routine clinical queries.
• Monitor cold-chain and storage compliance.

4. Communication and Collaboration

• Liaise with prescribers, nursing staff, and external services to ensure safe and effective medication use.
• Coordinate with other healthcare professionals for specialist medication supply.

5. Training and Supervision

• Supervise and train pharmacy staff, students, and nursing staff.
• Act as Technician in Charge in the absence of the Team Lead.
• Participate in postgraduate training delivery and staff development.

6. Governance and Development

• Contribute to policy development and implementation.
• Undertake audits and support service improvement initiatives.
• Maintain CPD and adhere to GPhC standards.

Working for our organisation

Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations.

We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford,Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.

Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.

Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.

Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached job description and person specification

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years

Person specification

Education/Qualification

• Registered Pharmacy Technician with GPhC
• BTEC Level 3 Professional Diploma in principles and practice for pharmacy technicians or equivalent
• Evidence of post-qualification training e.g. Certificate in management or supervision

Experience

• Relevant post qualification experience including recent employment as registered technician
• Experience in procurement of drugs and computerised ordering systems
• Experience of working in a Prison as a pharmacy technician

Important Information about working for GMMH:

All positions within the Trust are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, for further information on the checks required please visit the NHS Employers website www.nhsemployers.org

The Trust mandates all post holders who require a DBS for their role to subscribe to the DBS Update Service. You will be required to enrol for this service for a fee of £16 per year and maintain registration throughout your employment with GMMH.

Applicants are encouraged to apply for posts at Greater Manchester Mental Health who have direct experience of mental health, learning disability or drug and alcohol services either as a service user or a carer.

The Trust is also committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We are aspiring to ensure our workforce is representative of the diverse communities that we serve, and we are strongly committed to removing barriers to employment for candidates from under-represented groups, for example BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ communities. If you would like to have an informal chat about the recruitment process for this role or would value some additional support, we’d love to hear from you.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when writing job applications

A candidate may utilise the help of AI when writing job application.The assessment of an application is made on its entirety and most times AI-generated content does not fully grasp the context and requirements of the job one applies for thus producing inaccurate and misleading information, especially in the supporting statement section of an application that can lack real life examples of one’s achievements, success and challenges.

We have added a disclaimer to our application process advising that the use of AI is monitored. GMMH reserves the right to follow up with a candidate at the interview on specific responses and those examples used in the supporting statement to explore it further.

Sponsorship

We are proud to be an approved sponsor for the Skilled Worker visa. Applications from individuals who require sponsorship will be considered alongside all other applications. Please be aware that not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible roles and salary requirements on the UK Government’s website – click here .

If you are offered a role with us and you require sponsorship, we will check your eligibility in line with the information on the above website. Your offer of employment could be withdrawn if the role is not eligible for sponsorship, and you are not otherwise able to evidence your right to work in the UK.

The Home Office introduces new changes from 22/07/2025 that impact the health and care sector, you may wish to familiarise with it here .

Do you have experience outside the NHS?

We want to attract and retain people with diverse skills and experience, to deliver inclusive healthcare services to our communities.

We will consider relevant experience outside the NHS to calculate your salary on appointment. Please contact our Recruitment Team for more information.

**Please note, this vacancy may be closed at any time if sufficient applications have been received**

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.

As a service user, relative or carer using our services, sometimes you may need to turn to someone for help, advice, and support.