Pharmacy Technician

Newquay Health Centre; Newquay; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Newquay Health Centre is seeking a Pharmacy Technician to join its GP practice MDT. The role focuses on medicines optimisation, repeat prescribing management, and reviews to improve patient outcomes and ensure cost-effective use of medicines.

The post requires GPhC registration, a BTEC/NVQ Level 3 in Pharmaceutical Sciences, and a minimum of two years post-qualification experience. NHS values and teamwork are essential.

Qualifications

• Professional registration with GPhC.
• Minimum two years post-qualification experience.
• Strong understanding of primary care prescribing and patient safety.

Responsibilities

• Support medicines optimisation and prescribing processes in general practice.
• Conduct medicines reconciliation and reviews to reduce waste and improve outcomes.
• Promote patient safety and cost-effective prescribing under Clinical Pharmacist guidance.

Skills

GPhC registration

Primary care prescribing

Medication safety

Team collaboration

Education

BTEC/NVQ Level 3

Job description

Job summary

Pharmacy Technicians play a vital role within the primary care multidisciplinary team, supporting the safe, effective and efficient use of medicines. Working alongside GPs, Clinical Pharmacists and other healthcare professionals, they help to optimise prescribing processes, improve patient outcomes and ensure compliance with medicines management policies and procedures.

The role focuses on the delivery of high-quality prescribing support, including medicines optimisation, repeat prescribing management, medication reviews, medicines reconciliation and reducing medicines waste. Pharmacy Technicians contribute to improving patient safety by identifying and resolving medication-related issues, supporting prescribing audits and implementing best practice guidance.

As an integral member of the practice team, the Pharmacy Technician helps to streamline prescribing systems, enhance operational efficiency and support the delivery of patient-centred care, ensuring that medicines are used safely, appropriately and cost-effectively across the practice population.

Main Duties and Skills

• Qualified to BTEC or NVQ Level 3 in Pharmaceutical Sciences (or equivalent), with a minimum of two years' post-qualification experience.


• Demonstrates a strong understanding of primary care prescribing and the ability to review, monitor and improve prescribing practices, with a focus on patient safety, clinical effectiveness and cost efficiency.


• Possesses excellent communication, interpersonal and leadership skills, enabling effective collaboration with Pharmacists, GPs, and administrative teams.


• Self-motivated and proactive, with the ability to work independently, prioritise tasks effectively, manage workloads and meet deadlines.


• Supports the delivery of high-quality patient care by developing and implementing safe, effective and efficient prescribing processes, including repeat prescribing systems, medicines optimisation initiatives, reduction of medicines waste and other prescribing improvement activities.


• Works under the guidance of the Clinical Pharmacist Team to promote best practice, improve prescribing outcomes and enhance patient safety across the practice.

About us

Newquay Health Centre is a busy and forward-thinking GP practice serving a growing population of approximately 17,500 patients. We are committed to providing high-quality healthcare services in a friendly, supportive and positive environment for both our patients and staff.

Our multidisciplinary team includes GPs, nurses, healthcare professionals and a dedicated administrative team, all working together to deliver excellent patient care. We also have a well-established pharmacy team comprising a Clinical Pharmacist, Pharmacy Technician and Pharmacy Administration Support staff, who play a key role in medicines optimisation, prescribing management and improving patient outcomes.

We are committed to continuous improvement and staff development, offering opportunities for role progression, skill enhancement and professional growth within a collaborative and supportive working environment.

Job responsibilities

Pharmacy Technicians play an important role alongside Clinical Pharmacists, Community Pharmacists, and other members of the multidisciplinary team (MDT).

The purpose of this role is to support improvements that maximise safe, cost-effective prescribing and medicines optimisation to enhance the quality of patient care. You will help patients get the best from their medications by implementing agreed prescribing protocols, supporting repeat prescribing processes within general practice, minimising risks associated with medicines use, and helping to reduce medication waste.

You will also promote a better understanding of the safe and effective use of medicines. This will involve supporting the achievement of national requirements, the implementation of NICE guidance, and the delivery of medicines optimisation initiatives to improve patient outcomes.

Essential Skills and Knowledge

• Awareness of GP clinical systems and prescribing processes.


• Strong understanding of medicines optimisation and patient safety principles.


• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary healthcare team.


• Good organisational, communication, and problem-solving skills.


• Knowledge of current prescribing guidance and best practice standards.

Qualifications

Essential

• Professional registration with GPhC


• BTEC/NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in Pharmaceutical Sciences


• Evidence of Continued Professional Development

Desirable

• Experience of working as a qualified, registered pharmacy technician in primary care, community or hospital pharmacy


• Ability to demonstrate how to influence and persuade partners of the respective merits of different options, innovations, new opportunities and challenges

Experience

Essential

• An appreciation of the NHS agenda and Government targets


• Awareness of the systems to support management of patients in a primary care setting, delivering pharmaceutical input and support


• Good clinical pharmacy knowledge and terminology


• Knowledge and understanding of pharmacy law and ethics and current legislation

Desirable

• Awareness of GP management systems


• An appreciation of the nature of primary care prescribing, concepts of rational prescribing and strategies for the improvement of prescribing

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name: Newquay Health Centre

Address: The Health Centre, St. Thomas Road, Newquay, Cornwall, TR7 1RU, United Kingdom

Employer's website: https://www.newquayhealthcentre.co.uk/

Contact Information

For questions about the job, contact:

Practice manager Jane Meachem

[e-mail]

01637850002

Job Details

Pay scheme: Other

Salary: Depending on experience

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number: A4355-26-0005

The closing date is 23 November 2026.