Pharmacy Technician

Theale Medical Centre; Reading; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local healthcare provider in Reading seeks a Pharmacy Technician to manage prescriptions and support patient care within a multidisciplinary team. Candidates must be GPhC-registered and have experience in handling prescriptions and medicines reconciliation. The role involves monitoring high-risk drugs and contributing to quality improvement initiatives. A commitment to patient safety and effective communication is essential. Competitive salary offered.

Benefits

Support for ongoing professional development

Diversified team environment

Qualifications

• Experience working as a qualified Pharmacy Technician.
• Ability to handle prescriptions, medicines reconciliation, and medication queries.
• Experience working in primary care settings.

Responsibilities

• Manage prescription workflows effectively.
• Monitor high-risk drugs and ensure timely checks.
• Support chronic disease management and audits.

Skills

Prescription Management

Medicines Safety

Teamwork

Communication skills

Education

GPhC-registered Pharmacy Technician

NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent

Tools

EMIS

Docman

SystmOne

Job description

The Pharmacy Technician will support safe, effective, and efficient medicines management across the practice. Working as part of the multidisciplinary team, the postholder will manage prescription workflows, reconcile medications from clinical correspondence, support chronic disease management, and ensure high‑quality patient care. The role includes responsibility for monitoring high‑risk drugs, supporting QOF/PQS targets, assisting with dispensary duties, and undertaking structured medication‑related reviews within competency.

Main Duties of the Job

Prescription Management: Triage and action prescription requests in line with protocols. Handle prescription queries, out‑of‑stock items, alternatives, and synchronise repeat batches. Support the dispensary and ensure all prescriptions are safe, legal, and appropriate.

Medicines Reconciliation & Docman: Review and action medication‑related correspondence. Reconcile discharge summaries, update records, highlight issues to clinicians, and add or amend medications according to policy.

Medicines Safety & Monitoring: Action drug alerts, MHRA notifications, and recalls. Monitor high‑risk drugs (e.g. DMARDs), ensure blood tests are up to date, recall overdue patients, and document all actions.

QOF/PQS & LTC Support: Contribute to QOF/PQS targets and medicines‑related audits and quality improvement.

COCP Reviews: Review questionnaires, update records, issue prescriptions within competence, ensure BP/BMI/smoking checks are current, and arrange reviews where needed.

ADHD & Denosumab Monitoring: Maintain recalls, ensure required checks are completed, arrange tests and appointments, and raise concerns.

Teamwork: Provide medicines optimisation advice, work with the MDT, support audits and governance, maintain confidentiality, and engage in ongoing professional development.

About Us

Theale Medical Centre is a well‑established NHS GP practice providing high‑quality, patient‑centred primary care services to the community of Theale and the surrounding areas. Our organisation is committed to delivering safe, effective, and compassionate healthcare through a multidisciplinary team approach.

We offer a comprehensive range of clinical and administrative services including general medical consultations, chronic disease management, urgent care, preventive health services, childhood and adult immunisations, women's health, and minor surgery. We work proactively to improve the health and wellbeing of our patient population by focusing on continuity of care, evidence‑based practice, and robust clinical governance.

The practice is supported by a diverse team including GPs, practice nurses, nurse associates, healthcare assistants, clinical pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, social prescribers, mental health practitioners, reception and administrative staff, and a dedicated management team.

We utilise modern digital systems including EMIS for clinical records, Accurx for patient communication, Docman for document management, FootFall for online triage, and X‑on for telephony.

Key Responsibilities

• Prescription Management
  • Triage and action incoming prescription requests promptly in line with practice protocols.
  • Manage prescription queries including out‑of‑stock items, sourcing safe alternatives, and synchronising repeat batches.
  • Support the dispensary team as needed to maintain smooth workflow.
  • Ensure prescriptions are safe, legal, and appropriate before processing.
• Medicines Reconciliation & Document Management (Docman)
  • Review and action all medication‑related correspondence from hospitals, specialists, and private providers.
  • Reconcile discharge summaries accurately, updating medication records and notifying clinicians of changes or issues.
  • Add or amend medications in patient records in accordance with practice policy and clinical governance requirements.
• Medicines Safety and Monitoring
  • Review and action relevant drug alerts, MHRA notifications, and medication recalls.
  • Monitor patients on high‑risk medications (e.g. DMARDs)
    • Ensure blood test monitoring schedules are maintained.
    • Identify and recall overdue patients.
  • Ensure robust documentation of all actions taken.
• Long‑Term Condition Support & QOF/PQS
  • Support delivery of QOF and PQS targets allocated by the Practice Manager or Clinical Pharmacist.
  • Support medication‑related aspects of long‑term condition management, audits, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Contraception (COCP) Reviews
  • Review patient COCP questionnaires.
  • Update records, issue prescriptions within scope of competence, and arrange clinician review where needed.
  • Ensure safety checks (BP/BMI/smoking status) are up to date.
• ADHD Medication Monitoring
  • Maintain accurate recall systems for all patients on ADHD medication.
  • Ensure 6‑monthly physical health checks are completed and recall overdue patients.
  • Liaise with clinicians regarding concerns or missed monitoring.
• Denosumab (Prolia) Monitoring
  • Ensure blood tests and review appointments are arranged in a timely manner before the next injection is due.
  • Maintain robust recall processes for monitoring and appointments.
• Teamwork and Professional Practice
  • Provide medicines optimisation advice to clinicians, staff, and patients within scope.
  • Work collaboratively with the wider multidisciplinary team including GPs, nurses, clinical pharmacists, and admin teams.
  • Participate in practice meetings, audits, and clinical governance activities.
  • Maintain confidentiality and adhere to GDPR and safeguarding responsibilities.
  • Commit to ongoing professional development and keep competencies up to date.

Person Specification

• Qualifications Essential
  • GPhC‑registered Pharmacy Technician.
  • Evidence of CPD and ongoing professional development.
• Qualifications Desirable
  • Primary care or GP‑based training (CPPE or equivalent).
  • Additional training in high‑risk drug management, contraception, or long‑term condition pathways.
  • NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent.
• Experience Essential
  • Experience working as a qualified Pharmacy Technician.
  • Experience handling prescriptions, medicines reconciliation, and medication queries.
  • Experience working with clinical correspondence and prescription systems.
• Experience Desirable
  • Experience in primary care, PCN roles, or GP practices.
  • Experience with EMIS, SystmOne, or Docman.
  • Experience with drug monitoring, recalls, or QOF support.
• Personal Attributes
  • Professional, reliable, and self‑motivated.
  • Excellent communication skills with patients and colleagues.
  • Commitment to patient safety and continuous improvement.
  • Able to remain calm under pressure and manage competing priorities.
  • Willingness to learn, adapt, and develop within the role.

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.