Pharmacy Technician - Medicines Optimisation

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust; Haywards Heath; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust for a Pharmacy Technician. This position involves working within a dedicated team to provide essential services, including medication management and patient counseling, while benefiting from comprehensive in-house training and development. The Trust values diversity and inclusion, fostering a supportive environment for its staff.

Qualifications

• Registered or eligible to register as a Pharmacy Technician with the GPhC.
• Hospital pharmacy experience desirable.

Responsibilities

• Dispense medications accurately for in-patients and out-patients.
• Conduct drug histories and medication reconciliation.
• Check patients' own medicines and support discharge processes.

Skills

Good interpersonal skills

Problem solving

Teamwork

IT skills

Education

NVQ level 3 - Pharmacy Services or equivalent

Job description

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Band 4-5

Main area Pharmacy Grade Band 4-5 Contract Permanent Hours

• Full time
• Part time
• Flexible working

Job ref 279-7273766-JUN25

Employer 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Princess Royal Hospital Town Haywards Heath Salary £26,530 - £36,483 per annum pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 30/06/2025 23:59

About our Trust

At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts , we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First . In fact our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated pharmacy technician to join the existing, inclusive and dedicated team of Pharmacy Technician at The Princess Royal Hospital.

The Pharmacy Technician team at UHSussex is a growing, dynamic and skilled workforce, with the successful candidate joining a unified and developing team across multiple sites. The successful candidate can expect a supported induction period, training and development opportunities, clear leadership and management, including governance and structures and an expanding health and wellbeing focus to support a highly engaged technical workforce

You will need to be caring, responsible and highly motivated with good interpersonal and IT skills. You should be good at working in a team and under pressure, at problem solving, meeting deadlines and supporting staff in their development.

If you are already a Band 5 Pharmacy Technician within the NHS, and can demonstrate the required competencies, you could be appointed into a Band 5 role immediately. However we are offering a comprehensive training package which will develop your skills in order for you to progress from a Band 4 to 5 Pharmacy Technician.

Please note we would welcome applications from pre-registration Pharmacy Technicians due to qualify and register in 2025 and early 2026.

We welcome applications from those who are looking for full time, part time or bank work and we are open to discussions around hours and shift patterns.

Main duties of the job

If, upon completion of the training provided, you are able to demonstrate the required competencies you will progress into a Band 5 Pharmacy Technician position.

On a four month rotation you may experience work in Acute and General Medicine, Care of the Elderly, Trauma and elective surgery, Stroke and rehabilitation, Respiratory, Women's and Children's health . For each rotation you will be assigned a practice supervisor and your development will be supported using our internal appraisal system with your designated educational supervisor.

You will be involved in the provision and development of medicines management services, and will check patients' own medicines, take drug histories, initiate further supplies, counsel patients on their medicines and help to co-ordinate discharge.

You will also work in our busy dispensary, where you will label, dispense, and check prescriptions for in-patients, discharge and out-patients.

Comprehensive in-house training will be provided including working towards achieving an accreditation as an Accredited Checking Pharmacy Technician if not already qualified and internal medicines management training. Support from dedicated, experienced facilitators will be provided to enable you to progress.

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Candidate Information Pack

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main duties for dispensary services:

• Prepare labels using the pharmacy computer system (CMM) from a requisition/prescription for both in-patients and out-patients, ensuring accurate data entry.
• Dispense for in-patients and out-patients from a requisition/prescription ensuring each item is accurately dispensed, and in the correct packaging, according to SOPs.
• Accurately record the batch numbers and expiry dates of named patient medications, unlicensed medications and human blood products according to pharmaceutical SOPs and national requirements.
• To perform the final accuracy check on dispensed items, from clinically screened prescriptions, on completion of National Accreditation – Accredited Checking Technician course.
• Upon completion of in-house training and competencies, to label, dispense and check controlled drugs for wards/departments against a ward stock order, without the need for a final check.

· Complete in-house medicines optimisation training/competencies and work towards completion of medicines optimisation course by external providers

· Check patients own medicines brought into hospital on admission against the patients’ drug chart, according to patients own drugs (PODs) guideline

· Undertake drug history and medication reconciliation early in the admission process, making referrals as appropriate to a pharmacist.

· Resolve queries relating to patients’ medications, referring when necessary to pharmacists, hospital doctors, GP’s, nurses and other health care professionals

· Transcribe for supply medications labelled for discharge, on an individual patient basis, against the patients’ drug chart, for patients on wards. According to POD guidelines

Please see job description for further details.

Person specification

Professional registration

• Registered (or eligible to register) as a Pharmacy technician with the GPhC

Qualifications

• NVQ level 3 - Pharmacy Services or equivalent (or working towards)
• Hospital pharmacy experience

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

Important information for applicants:

A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.

Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.

Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.

Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.

DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check . We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.

UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications

Further Information

For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

For help with the application process for Non-Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Application numbers

This advert has been capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, it will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in this post to prevent you from missing out on applying for this opportunity.