Pharmacy Technician - Patient Services

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS organization is seeking qualified Pharmacy Technicians to join their Ipswich pharmacy team. The role involves supporting a 7-day pharmacy service at ward level, managing prescriptions, and conducting medicines reconciliation. Ideal candidates will hold an Accredited Checking Technician qualification and possess strong communication skills. The organization offers a supportive environment, professional development, and a comprehensive benefits package including 27 days of annual leave and NHS discounts.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

27 days annual leave

NHS discounts

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Must follow written procedures and work accurately under supervision.
• Previous experience or qualifications in pharmacy will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Conduct end-checks on validated prescriptions.
• Support ward-based clinical pharmacy activities.
• Transcribe medicine needs from drug charts.
• Conduct Medicines Reconciliation.
• Counsel patients on medication regimens.
• Support senior pharmacy colleagues on departmental issues.

Skills

Accredited Checking Technician qualification

Medicines Reconciliation

Effective communication

Team player

Job description

Position Overview

We are looking for qualified, registered Pharmacy Technicians to join our pharmacy team. You will work clinically at ward level, within the dispensary, and will be required to support our 7‑day pharmacy service (on a rota basis) for the Ipswich site. Undertake pharmacy duties as dictated by management, including supporting Medicines Management and Optimisation on the wards and in the Dispensary.

Key Responsibilities

• End‑check on prescriptions previously validated by a pharmacist (ACPT).
• Support the ward‑based clinical pharmacy team by assessing Patients Own Drugs (PODs) for suitability of use, discussing future supply with patient/care provider and ordering required medicines from Pharmacy.
• Transcribe medicine requirements from drug charts onto a ward pharmacy sheet.
• Undertake Medicines Reconciliation (having completed accredited training course), checking patient medication history, comparing with prescribed medications on the in‑patient prescription chart.
• Counsel patients or carers (having completed in‑house or accredited training) including those with complex medication regimens, medication compliance concerns and communication barriers such as disabilities, confusion or deliberate non‑compliance.
• Complete re‑validation Continuing Professional Development requirements and maintain registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
• Proactively support senior pharmacy colleagues to ensure that all relevant dispensary or ward issues are highlighted to all appropriate departmental staff.

Qualifications & Experience

• For Band 5: Accredited Checking Technician qualification, Medicines Reconciliation (or started) and relevant experience. If not held, position will be considered as a developmental role starting in Band 4 while supported in completing required skills and competencies (development length determined by prior experience and completion of the Self‑Led Education and Development Scheme (SLEDS) training programme).
• Previous experience, qualification and accreditations will be considered.
• Must be able to follow written procedures, work under supervision and complete tasks accurately to set deadlines.

Personal Attributes

• Team player with the ability to work flexibly, react positively to change, and understand the limitations of the role.
• Effective communication with patients, carers and the multi‑disciplinary team.

About ESNEFT

We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients’ own homes. We are the largest NHS organisation in East Anglia, employing more than 12,000 staff.

Our Commitment to Staff

We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options. Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro‑rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offers a variety of services.

Our Philosophy

Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients. We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what is widely regarded as the world’s best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.

How to Apply

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.

Find out about living and working here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A