Prison Services Dispensary Technician (ACT)

Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust; Rochester; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in healthcare is looking for a dedicated Prison Services Dispensary Technician. This role involves providing vital medicines management services within a prison setting, ensuring accuracy in dispensing, and maintaining high standards in pharmaceutical practices. You will work closely with a multidisciplinary team, contributing to the health and wellbeing of offenders while promoting healthy lifestyles. If you are passionate about making a difference in healthcare and have the required qualifications and experience, this opportunity is perfect for you. Join a team committed to improving lives through exceptional care.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of pharmacy experience required.
• Must have NVQ level 3 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Provide medicines management services to allocated prisons weekly.
• Oversee ordering/supply of repeat prescriptions and supervise assistants.
• Ensure high standards of work in the dispensary and adhere to SOPs.

Skills

Good oral communication skills

Good interpersonal skills

Knowledge of SOPs

Ability to work independently

Ability to work as part of a team

Education

NVQ level 3 Pharmacy Services or equivalent

Working towards Accredited Checking or MM Technician Certificate

Evidence of CPD Registration with GPhC

Job description

Prison Services Dispensary Technician (ACT)

Band 5

Main area: Offender Healthcare

Grade: Band 5

Contract: Fixed term - 12 months (Maternity cover)

Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week

Job ref: 277-6774384-ROCH-D

Site: HMP Rochester

Town: Rochester

Salary: £31,970 - £38,483 pa (inc pro rata)

Salary period: Yearly

Closing: 05/03/2025 23:59

Job overview

To provide a medicines management service to allocated prisons, working in the dispensary at HMP Rochester Pharmacy. Provide final accuracy checks on dispensed medicines as an accredited checking technician (ACT).

Working days: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday

Note: This role is 30 hours per week and maternity cover for 12 months.

Main duties of the job

1. Provide a medicines management service to allocated prisons weekly with the professional support of a prison services pharmacist.
2. Oversee the ordering/supply of repeat prescriptions.
3. Supervise assistants in providing dispensing services for all the prisons.
4. Be an accredited checking technician (ACT) providing final accuracy checks.
5. Ensure high standards of work in the dispensary and adhere to all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
6. Assist the senior prisons technician with writing, updating, and monitoring the use of medicines management SOPs.

Working for our organisation

Oxleas offers a wide range of NHS healthcare services to people in community and secure environment settings. Our multidisciplinary teams work in close partnership with other parts of the NHS, local councils, and the voluntary sector. We manage hospital sites and are the largest NHS provider of prison health services.

Our purpose is to improve lives by providing the best possible care to our patients and their families.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Management responsibilities: Manage own workload when providing medicines management services.

Clinical: Provide weekly clinical visits to the allocated prison(s) under the professional supervision of a pharmacist, including:

1. Undertaking a stock top-up service for all areas in which medicines are stored.
2. Reviewing expiry dates and storage facilities for all such medicines.
3. Assisting the prison service pharmacist in providing advice about the appropriate use of medicines.
4. Undertaking 3-monthly controlled drugs stock checks.

Promote healthy lifestyles for offenders in line with local and national guidelines.

Administer medicines to offenders against a valid prescription on the house blocks.

Demonstrate ongoing continual professional development (CPD) and be responsible for self-development within the field of pharmacy.

Research: Participate in clinical and departmental audits as required.

Communication: Internally with pharmacy staff and prison staff; externally with GP surgeries, Community Pharmacies, and Hospitals.

Custodial Responsibilities: Assume personal responsibility for the security of issued keys, comply with all security requirements, and report breaches of order and discipline.

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ: All applicants must be willing to undertake National Security Vetting as part of the pre-employment checks.

Person specification

Education/Qualification

• NVQ level 3 Pharmacy Services or equivalent
• Working towards Accredited Checking or MM Technician Certificate
• Evidence of CPD Registration with GPhC as a pharmacy technician

Experience

• 2 years’ experience of working in a pharmacy
• Previous prison or mental health pharmacy experience

Skills

• Good oral communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Good knowledge of working within a set of SOPs
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that welcomes and supports individuals of all abilities. If you meet the minimum criteria for this role and have a disability, you can be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.

If you require any adjustments to participate fully in the interview process, please let us know.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Name: Karen Post

Job title: Senior Prison Services Technician (Band 7)

Email address: [e-mail]

Telephone number: 01634 803276