Pharmacy Technician (General Practice)

The Garden City Surgery; Watford; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Garden City Surgery is a GP practice looking for a motivated Pharmacy Technician to join our team. You will support medicines optimisation and safe prescribing alongside GPs, Clinical Pharmacists, nursing staff and administrators.

You will report to the GP team, participate in repeat prescribing, medication reconciliation, and maintain accurate patient records within the practice system, ensuring high-quality patient care.

Qualifications

• Experience in pharmacy services.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Support medicines optimisation and safety initiatives.

Skills

Experience in pharmacy services

Medicines management

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Education

GPhC-registered Pharmacy Technician

Recognised Pharmacy Technician qualification

Job description

Job summary

Garden City Surgery is seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Pharmacy Technician to join our friendly multidisciplinary team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in supporting safe, effective and high-quality patient care within a busy GP practice. Working alongside our GPs, Clinical Pharmacists, Nursing Team and Administrative Staff, you will support medicines optimisation, improve prescribing processes and help deliver excellent patient care.

Main duties of the job

• Support medicines optimisation and medication safety initiatives.
• Process medication requests and undertake medication reconciliation following hospital discharge.
• Assist with prescription queries from patients, community pharmacies and other healthcare professionals.
• Conduct structured medication reviews within your scope of practice.
• Support the management of repeat prescribing systems.
• Carry out audits relating to prescribing and medicines management.
• Work collaboratively with the wider practice team to improve patient outcomes.
• Maintain accurate clinical records using the practice clinical system.

About us

Garden City Surgery is a well-established, forward-thinking two partner GP practice committed to providing high-quality, patient-centred healthcare to our local community. We pride ourselves on delivering safe, compassionate and accessible care through a collaborative multidisciplinary team, including GPs, nurses, pharmacists, healthcare assistants and administrative staff. We are committed to continuous improvement, innovation and staff development, creating a supportive working environment where every team member is valued. Our focus is on delivering excellent clinical care while embracing new ways of working to meet the evolving needs of our patients.

Job responsibilities

Medicines Management

• Process and manage repeat prescription requests in accordance with practice protocols.
• Undertake medication reconciliation following hospital discharge and outpatient appointments.
• Support medicines optimisation to improve prescribing quality and patient safety.
• Identify prescribing issues and refer complex clinical matters to the GP or Clinical Pharmacist.
• Assist with medication monitoring programmes and ensure patients receive appropriate reviews.
• Liaise with community pharmacies, hospitals and care homes regarding medication queries.

Prescription Management

• Resolve prescription queries from patients and community pharmacies.
• Support the management of acute and repeat prescribing systems.
• Monitor high-risk medicines in accordance with practice protocols.
• Assist in reducing medicines waste and promoting cost-effective prescribing.

Patient Care

• Communicate effectively with patients regarding medication-related queries within the scope of the role.
• Provide advice on medication use where appropriate and refer complex issues to a clinician.
• Support patients in understanding changes to their medication following hospital discharge or clinical review.

Clinical Administration

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date patient records using the clinical system.
• Code clinical information accurately where appropriate.
• Support the implementation of prescribing alerts, recalls and medication safety initiatives.

Quality Improvement

• Participate in prescribing audits and quality improvement projects.
• Support compliance with NHS, ICB and CQC requirements relating to medicines management.
• Contribute to Significant Event Analysis (SEA) and learning activities where appropriate.
• Assist with achieving Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) and Enhanced Service targets where relevant.

Communication

• Develop effective working relationships with GPs, nurses, administrative staff, community pharmacists and external healthcare professionals.
• Attend practice meetings and multidisciplinary team meetings as required.
• Escalate concerns regarding medication safety promptly to the appropriate clinician.

Information Governance

• Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
• Comply with GDPR, NHS Information Governance requirements and practice policies.
• Ensure accurate documentation within the clinical record.

Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
• Undertake mandatory and role-specific training.
• Maintain Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
• Work within the scope of competence and seek advice where appropriate.
• Comply with all practice policies, procedures and professional standards.

General Responsibilities

• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Maintain a professional and courteous manner at all times.
• Participate in appraisal and personal development.
• Comply with Health and Safety legislation and infection prevention policies.
• Undertake any other duties appropriate to the role and grade, as reasonably requested by the Partner GPs or Practice Manager.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Experience working in pharmacy services.
• Good understanding of medicines management.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.

Desirable

• Previous experience working in General Practice or Primary Care.
• Knowledge of SystmOne/TPP clinical software or other GP clinical systems.
• Experience of repeat prescribing and medication reconciliation.
• Understanding of QOF, Enhanced Services and medicines optimisation.
• Experience undertaking prescribing audits.
• Knowledge of NHS prescribing guidance and primary care pathways.

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
• Recognised Pharmacy Technician qualification.

Personal Attributes

• Professional and approachable.
• Patient-focused.
• Reliable and flexible.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to continuous learning and service improvement.
• Able to maintain confidentiality and professionalism at all times.

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