Pharmacy Technician

St. Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust; Ormskirk; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Mersey West Lancashire NHS Trust is seeking a proactive Band 5 Pharmacy Technician to join the Pharmacy Procurement and Stores Team at Ormskirk Hospital. You will help procure, store and distribute medicines safely, while supporting clinical functions such as medicines reconciliation and patient counselling.

You will work with the Pharmacy Technician Lead to ensure compliance with GDP/WDA standards and contribute to safe, efficient pharmacy services across multiple sites.

Qualifications

• BTEC, NC & NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Service skills or GPhC recognised equivalent.
• Registered as a practising Pharmacy Technician with the GPhC.
• Substantial post-qualification experience in a pharmaceutical environment.
• Experience of dispensing for discharge and medicines management.

Responsibilities

• Support daily management of the Purchasing & Stores section, including staff supervision and rota management.
• Use the EMIS pharmacy system to manage efficient ordering, aligned with contracts.
• Communicate product shortages and supply changes promptly across the department.
• Source safe, suitable alternatives when contracted items are unavailable.
• Review contract changes and contribute to procurement improvements.
• Ensure unlicensed medicines are purchased safely and in line with guidance.
• Provide ward-based technician support and CPD/ACT development.
• Participate in audits, stock checks, and quality improvement activities.

Skills

Motivate team performance

Verbal communication

Patient communication

Concentration under pressure

Attention to detail

Time management

Administration and record keeping

Negotiation skills

Education

BTEC/NC/NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Service skills or GPhC equivalent

Tools

EMIS pharmacy system

LEAN principles

Job description

After applying via NHS Jobs, your submitted application will be imported into our preferred Third-party recruitment system. All subsequent information regarding your application will be generated from apps.trac.jobs. You will not be able to track the progress of your application or receive messages through the NHS Jobs website, and furthermore, as an employer, we will not be able to respond to any e-mails sent to us via the NHS Jobs website. By applying for this post you are agreeing to "name of trust" transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are appointed to a post information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

Job overview

We are seeking a proactive, enthusiastic Band 5 Pharmacy Technician to join our dynamic Pharmacy Procurement and Stores Team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys variety, responsibility and working as part of a supportive, forward-thinking department. This is an exciting time to come on board, as the Pharmacy Department at Ormskirk Hospital has undergone significant redevelopment over the last two years - including the installation of a new Omnicell automated robotic dispensing system.

In this role, you will work closely with the Procurement and Stores Pharmacy Technician Lead to ensure the safe, efficient and compliant procurement, storage and distribution of medicines across the organisation. You will play a key part in maintaining high standards in line with Good Distribution Practice and Wholesale Dealer Authorisation requirements.

Alongside your procurement responsibilities, you will make a direct and meaningful contribution to patient care. You will be involved in dispensary services, medicines optimisation, medicines reconciliation, and patient counselling, helping to ensure patients receive safe, effective and compassionate care.

This position offers a great opportunity to develop your skills, broaden your experience and be part of a team that values innovation, quality and professional growth.

Interview date to be confirmed.

Main duties of the job

• Support daily management of the Purchasing & Stores section, including staff supervision and rota coordination.
• Manage ordering through EMIS in line with national, regional and local contracts.
• Communicate product shortages and supply issues promptly to colleagues.
• Assist in sourcing safe and appropriate alternatives when contracted items are unavailable.
• Support safe procurement and quarantine release of unlicensed medicines.
• Maintain accurate stock control, including expiry monitoring and compliance with GDP/WDA standards.
• Support the use and optimisation of Omnicell automated systems and the efficient running of the stores environment.
• Participate in audits, stock checks, supplier liaison and quality improvement activities within Procurement & Stores.

Working for our organisation

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 10,500 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.

Our services

Acute Care

Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.

Primary Care

Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.

Community Services

Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.

Specialist Regional Services

We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.

Achievements

• Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
• Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
• National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. Support the daily running of the Purchasing & Stores section, gaining experience in staff supervision and rota management.
2. Use the EMIS pharmacy system to manage efficient ordering, developing strong digital and procurement skills aligned with national and regional contracts.
3. Share timely updates on product shortages and supply changes, helping shape clear communication pathways across the department.
4. Assist in sourcing safe, suitable alternatives when contracted items are unavailable, building confidence in problem-solving and supplier liaison.
5. Take an active role in reviewing contract changes, contributing to continuous improvement and value-based procurement.
6. Work with the Procurement & Stores Manager to ensure unlicensed medicines are purchased safely and in line with best practice.
7. Support the 'purchasing for safety' policy, promoting modern, safety-focused procurement principles.
8. Assess and release unlicensed medicines from quarantine, strengthening your knowledge of governance and quality assurance.
9. Provide ward-based technician support when required, expanding your clinical exposure and patient-facing experience.
10. Maintain CPD and ACT accreditation, supporting your professional growth and future career progression.
11. Help develop and optimise digital systems, including the Omnicell robot, Omnicell cabinets and EMIS reporting.
12. Support the rollout of electronic ordering and invoicing, contributing to the department's digital transformation.
13. Assist in managing drug recalls following MHRA notifications
14. Promote patient safety and efficiency, playing a key role in a modern, forward-thinking pharmacy service.
15. Undertake staff appraisals and objective reviews, developing leadership and people-management skills.
16. Act as an Accredited Checking Technician across Mersey and West Lancashire sites, enhancing your checking and dispensary expertise.
17. Participate in late-night, weekend and bank-holiday rotas, supporting a reliable 7-day service.

Clinical & Professional Responsibilities

1. Maintain GPhC registration and uphold high professional standards.
2. Keep CPD up to date, supporting your long-term career development.
3. Attend study days and courses, ensuring your skills remain current.
4. Complete training and assessments to maintain competency across all duties.
5. Ensure safe storage and security of medicines in accordance with departmental policies and procedures
6. Ensure compliance with legal and professional requirements, supporting safe practice across the Trust.

Teaching & Training Responsibilities

1. Provide training and supervision for pharmacists and student technicians, developing your teaching and mentoring skills.

Financial Responsibility

1. Support delivery of a cost-effective service, contributing to responsible resource management.

Research & Audit

1. Participate in audits and research projects, helping shape service development and innovation.

Person specification

Our values

Essential criteria

• We are Kind
• We are Open
• We are Inclusive

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• BTEC, NC & NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Service skills or GPhC recognised equivalent
• Registered as a practising Pharmacy Technician with the GPhC

Desirable criteria

• BTEC accredited checking qualification or equivalent recognised by the dept or willing to work towards within 12 months of starting employment

Knowledge & Experience

Essential criteria

• Substantial post-qualification experience working in a pharmaceutical environment
• Experience of dispensing for discharge and medicines management

Desirable criteria

• Experience in using the EMIS pharmacy computer system
• Knowledge of LEAN principles

Skills

Essential criteria

• Demonstrates ability to motivate team performance to achieve objectives
• Good verbal communication skills both face to face and using telephones
• Ability to talk to patients, staff and other senior health care professionals
• Ability to concentrate for long periods of time and able to work under pressure
• Ability to work accurately and efficiently with good attention to detail
• Well organised with good time management skills
• Good administration skills including accurate record keeping

Desirable criteria

• Good negotiation skills

Other

Essential criteria

• Ability to participate in the department rota for 7 day working
• Supportive of colleagues of all grades

Thank you for considering an application to work for Mersey West Lancashire NHS Trust. MWL is an exciting and forward-thinking NHS Trust who are one of the best places to work for in England.

Given sometimes we receive a high volume of applications to work for us, please be aware, that we may close a vacancy earlier than stated should a sufficient number of applications be received from which a shortlist can be confirmed. Therefore, you are advised to apply at your earliest convenience.

The Trust may contact you during the recruitment process for your feedback on your experience. We always aim for continuous improvement in our practice.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

We actively cultivate a professional environment of fairness, equality, dignity, and respect for all individuals. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and value the unique skills, perspective and experience you bring. We are grounded in the belief that diversity enhances our collective strength, fostering innovation and excellence within our workforce. We welcome all applications irrespective of people's race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we commit to offering an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.

If you are having difficulty completing an online application, or require any disability reasonable adjustments, to the application process, please contact