Pharmacy Technicians

NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare trust in Liverpool is looking for enthusiastic and motivated Pharmacy Technicians to join their team. The role involves coordinating dispensing operations, ensuring effective workflow, and providing high standards of patient care. Applicants should hold a BTEC in Pharmaceutical Sciences and be registered with GPHC. The position offers full-time hours across multiple sites and involves participating in weekend and holiday rotas, encouraging personal development and a commitment to equality and diversity.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Professional development opportunities

Commitment to equality and diversity

Qualifications

• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Experience with pharmacy computer systems is essential.

Responsibilities

• Dispense prescriptions and manage the workflow within the dispensary.
• Co-ordinate a team to ensure accuracy and safety in dispensing.
• Act as a role model for student technicians.

Skills

Dispensing a varied range of medicines

Stock control management

Patient counselling

Clear communication

Excellent time management skills

Education

BTEC in Pharmaceutical Sciences and NVQ level 3 in Pharmacy Services

Registration with GPHC

Job description

Job Overview

We will welcome applications from Pharmacy Technicians currently working in all settings and those who are due to qualify in the next few months. At LUHFT we are looking for registered pharmacy technicians who are keen to realise their potential and who can make the most of the scope this post offers to deliver a patient‑centred approach to our service delivery across all sites.

We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated Pharmacy Technicians, with good communication and teamwork skills. If you can work under pressure and are keen to develop yourself, we would like to hear from you.

Please contact us to arrange a visit if you would like to look around.

Main duties of the job

With the support of the Senior Technicians in our dispensaries, you will be required to co‑ordinate a team to ensure safe and efficient workflow of the section you are overseeing. You will need excellent organisational skills, a good eye for detail, and the ability to prioritise your workload, meet deadlines and commit to delivering high standards in a patient‑focused service. You will be expected to share your skills and knowledge to train pharmacy assistants, trainee pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. We will enrol you on a mentor training programme to support you in this role.

This is a full‑time (37.5 hrs) position based across all LUHFT sites. The Pharmacy Department operates a 7‑day service. The successful candidate will be required to participate in weekend, late‑night and bank‑holiday rotas.

Detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities

• Dispense prescriptions, including extemporaneous prescriptions, unlicensed drugs, controlled drugs, in‑patient and out‑patient prescriptions in accordance with safe systems of work.
• Participate in daily stock checks, adjusting stock levels and escalating discrepancies to the Senior Technical Team.
• Process daily “stock to‑follows” and liaise with stores staff for ordering and out‑of‑stock medicines.
• Co‑ordinate dispensing teams to ensure efficient workflow and prioritisation of critical medicines.
• Accuracy check assembled items such as cardiac arrest boxes and controlled drugs after competency training.
• Co‑operate in staff rotation within pharmacy departments, including the aseptic department and out‑patient area.
• Observe recommendations in the Guide to Good Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Practice and assist in ensuring work complies with it.
• Undertake special dispensing and manufacturing using aseptic techniques under direction of the Aseptic Services Manager.
• Prepare cytotoxic reconstitution and dispensing in accordance with guidelines and COSHH regulations.
• Provide a “topping‑up” service on wards for patient drug supplies under the Senior Technical Team’s direction.
• Maintain reasonable stock levels, correct storage and turnover, and accurate record keeping of controlled drugs.
• Answer telephone and face‑to‑face queries, referring appropriate ones to the relevant pharmacy team member.
• Liaise with pharmacy team and ward staff to solve problems and ensure best patient service.
• Provide instruction, demonstration and counselling to patients regarding drug therapy.
• Dispense clinical trials in accordance with dispensing protocols, ICH GCP guidelines and European directives.
• Act as a role model for student technicians and other staff, providing mentoring, induction and training.
• Participate in training courses, encourage staff to undertake further training and engage in continuous professional development.
• Assist in receipt and issue of goods, checking delivery notes and invoices.
• Participate in ward‑based stock audits and in the development of computerised stock‑control and medical speciality costing systems.
• Meet pharmacy objectives set by the Trust and national agencies, improving clinical outcomes and ensuring compliance with standards.
• Undertake continuing professional development to keep knowledge current and comply with GPHC registration requirements.
• Observe health and safety and data protection regulations.
• Undertake any other related duties as required.

Person specification

Knowledge – Essential criteria

• Dispensing & final checking processes
• Pharmacy computer systems use
• Stock control procedures

Knowledge – Desirable criteria

• Modern hospital pharmacy processes including those on wards

Qualifications – Essential criteria

• BTEC in Pharmaceutical Sciences and NVQ level 3 in Pharmacy Services (or equivalent)
• Registration with GPHC (or in application process)

Qualifications – Desirable criteria

• Accredited Technical Checking

Experience – Desirable criteria

• Ability to train staff

Core Skills

• Dispensing a varied range of medicines
• Stock control management
• Prioritising dispensary workload
• Audit work
• Patient counselling
• Managed a service development project
• Extemporaneous dispensing

Essential Personal Attributes

• Clear communication – English language
• Excellent time management skills
• Good written communication skills
• Attention to detail / Ability to work accurately
• Adaptability and willingness to change
• Team working

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The Trust is committed to promoting a healthy work‑life balance and achieving fair, equitable and consistent practice. We welcome flexible working requests and will consider a variety of flexible working arrangements from day one of your employment. The Trust is committed to promoting equality and diversity; we value the contribution of individual talent, skills, knowledge and experience and aim for a workforce demography representative of the local community. We encourage applicants from under‑represented groups – black, Asian and minority ethnic, lesbian, gay, bisexual and Transgender (LGBTQ+), disabled, male and 16–24 year olds.

Applicants must have appropriate UK professional registration. The post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order and Disclosure and Barring Service checks are required.

Contact information

Name: Ceri Collins
Job title: Deputy Lead Pharmacy Technician – Dispensary
Email: (email)
Telephone: [phone]

Lead Pharmacy Technician – Dispensary Services: Kathryn Finneran – 0151 706 2025