Principal Pharmacy Technician

Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A local healthcare provider in Greater London is seeking a motivated Principal Pharmacy Technician for a 12-month maternity cover. In this leadership role, you will oversee the operational management of dispensaries, ensuring efficient and patient-centered services. You will provide technical leadership, maintain high professional standards, and support staff development. Ideal candidates possess ACPT status, strong communication skills, and a passion for developing others. This role offers a unique opportunity to enhance your leadership experience while impacting patient care positively.

Qualifications

• ACPT status is required.
• Strong communication skills and proven supervisory experience are essential.
• Genuine passion for developing others is crucial.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational running of the dispensaries.
• Provide technical leadership to the Patient Services team.
• Maintain ACPT status and carry out final accuracy checks.
• Oversee stock management including orders and expiry checks.
• Counsel patients on safe use of medicines.
• Coordinate staff training and development.
• Produce rota arrangements for daily operations.
• Lead on reporting and investigating incidents.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Proven supervisory experience

Passion for developing others

Accuracy checking

Stock management

Education

ACPT status

Job description

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

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.

Qualifications

ACPT status is required. Strong communication skills, proven supervisory experience, and a genuine passion for developing others are essential.

About the Trust

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.