Principal Pharmacy Technician

NHS; Epsom; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider is seeking a Principal Pharmacy Technician to cover maternity leave for 12 months. This role involves managing dispensaries, providing technical leadership, and supporting staff development. Candidates should have strong communication skills, supervisory experience, and relevant qualifications, including BTEC Level 3. This position offers a competitive salary in a supportive environment that values teamwork and personal growth.

Qualifications

• BTEC / NVQ Level 3 or equivalent is required.
• Must be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
• Experience in supervising staff is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operational running of the dispensaries.
• Ensure safe, timely, and accurate dispensing of medicines.
• Oversee stock management and staff training.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Proven supervisory experience

Accuracy checking

Stock management

Education

BTEC / NVQ Level 3 or equivalent

Registration with General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)

Tools

CMM pharmacy computer system

Datix

Job description

Principal Pharmacy Technician

The closing date is 25 December 2025

We are looking for a motivated and forward-thinking Principal Pharmacy Technician to join us for a 12-month maternity leave cover, starting 2 March 2026. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced, confident technician to step into a key leadership role within our busy Patient Services team at Epsom and St Helier.

In this pivotal position, you will take responsibility for the operational management of our dispensaries, ensuring we deliver a safe, efficient and patient‑centred service. You’ll provide technical leadership to the team, oversee workflow and staffing, maintain high professional standards, and contribute to ongoing service improvements.

You’ll work closely with senior pharmacists and technicians, support staff induction and training, and help drive developments that enhance both patient experience and operational performance. Your expertise in accuracy checking, stock management, supervision and day‑to‑day organisation will be central to the smooth running of the service.

If you are an ACPT with strong communication skills, proven supervisory experience and a genuine passion for developing others, we would be delighted to welcome you into our friendly and supportive team. This fixed‑term role offers a fantastic opportunity to make a real impact while advancing your leadership experience.

Main duties of the job

• Lead the day‑to‑day operational running of the inpatient, outpatient and discharge dispensaries, ensuring safe, timely and accurate dispensing.
• Provide technical leadership to the Patient Services team, supporting staff across all aspects of dispensing, workflow and service delivery.
• Maintain ACPT status and carry out final accuracy checks in line with departmental protocols.
• Oversee stock management, including ordering, stock levels, expiry checks and the provision of emergency and resuscitation boxes.
• Support the dispensing and documentation of clinical trial medicines.
• Counsel patients and carers on the safe and effective use of their medicines.
• Coordinate induction, training and development for technicians, assistants, trainees and work experience students.
• Produce and maintain rota arrangements, ensuring appropriate cover and skill mix for daily operations, weekends and Bank Holidays.
• Contribute to service development, audits, performance monitoring and the implementation of updated procedures.
• Lead on the reporting and investigation of incidents, errors and complaints in line with Trust policy.
• Deputise for the Principal Pharmacist, Patient Services when required.

About us

ESTH is an incredibly diverse workplace, which is reflected in our pharmacy team. Celebrating our differences together is something truly valued by all our staff, we foster a supportive and collaborative work environment where pharmacy technicians feel valued and respected for their contributions.

Overall, we have created a genuinely friendly workplace where pharmacy technicians feel supported, valued, and motivated to excel in their careers - and we also love to laugh!

St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey. Our sites include St George's Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC).

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in ensuring safe, efficient, and cost‑effective medicines management within the Trust. If you're ready to step up and lead, we'd love to hear from you.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Skills

• BTEC / NVQ Level 3 or equivalent. Registration with General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
• Experience with the CMM pharmacy computer system
• Familiarity with Datix.
• Risk assessment, Complaint and incident investigation experience

Experience

• Experience in supervision of staff.
• Knowledge and experience of appraisal.
• Knowledge of NVQ process

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.

Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust

£44,485 to £52,521 a yearpa pro rata incl. HCAS outer