Specialist Pharmacy Technician - Dispensary

Integrated Care System; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Reading is seeking a Band 6 Specialist Pharmacy Technician to lead their dispensary team. The successful candidate will ensure safe and efficient pharmacy services, manage Band 5 technicians, and support pre-registration pharmacists. This role requires excellent communication and problem-solving skills, alongside a nationally accredited checking qualification. Competitive benefits include flexible working hours and career development opportunities.

Benefits

Flexible working options

27 days' annual leave

Excellent learning opportunities

'Cycle to Work' scheme

Wellbeing services

Discounts at retailers

Qualifications

• Detailed knowledge of dispensary standards and practice.
• Experience managing and developing staff.
• Commitment to continuous professional development.

Responsibilities

• Lead the team and manage dispensary operations.
• Ensure delivery of a safe and efficient service.
• Supervise pre-reg Pharmacy Technicians.

Skills

Nationally accredited checking qualification

Substantive post-registration experience

Excellent communication skills

Ability to prioritize workload

Education

Registered pharmacy technician with GPhC

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Tools

EMIS

ARiM

Job description

Are you a confident, qualified Pharmacy Technician with an accredited checking qualification, looking for your next challenge?

We're a small, friendly, and dynamic team based at Prospect Park Hospital in Reading looking for a new Band 6 Specialist Pharmacy Technician to lead our busy dispensary.

In this role, you'll deliver a high-quality, safe, and effective pharmacy service across both in-patient wards (community health and mental health services) and out-patient services.

You'll have great time management and attention to detail and will enjoy managing a team of Band 5 technicians, alongside supporting our pre-registration technicians when on rotation with us.

You'll need to think quickly, solve problems under pressure, and work confidently with a wide range of colleagues.

You'll find our team:o Collaborative and patient focussedo A friendly, supportive and unified team where everyone has a voiceo Open to new ideas and service improvementso Promote a positive work-life balance, with hours of 9:00-17:00, Monday to Friday (plus a late shift on a rota)

Join a Trust that's rated 'Outstanding' by the CQC, highlighting our positive, supportive culture where staff feel valued.

We welcome applications for both full-time and part-time (minimum 3 days/week) and are open to job share arrangements.

Applications are processed as they are received. We would encourage you to apply asap as vacancies can close early!

Main duties of the job

• Lead the day-to-day management of the dispensary and supervise the team
• Ensure delivery of a safe, efficient, patient-focused dispensary service
• Complete regular accuracy checking sessions and support others in training
• Support the clozapine clinic team with timely preparation of medicines
• Contribute to development and implementation of pharmacy services
• Review dispensary skill mix and working methods to improve service delivery
• Ensure KPIs are relevant, reported on, and used to drive improvements
• Support and supervise pre-reg Pharmacy Technicians and support workers
• Manage and develop Band 5 Pharmacy Technicians
• Promote high standards through training, supervision, and maintaining SOPs
• Investigate near misses and quality issues, and implement improvements
• Liaise with procurement, wards, and wider pharmacy team to ensure smooth operation
• Maintain professional development and participate in clinical supervision
• Contribute to recruitment, training, and appraisal of dispensary staff

About us

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust sites

Job responsibilities

The must haves for this role:

• Nationally accredited checking qualification
• Substantive post registration experience giving the ability to effectively supervise other technicians
• Detailed knowledge of dispensary standards and practice.

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please dont hesitate to call: Catherine Moulds on 07815 485130 or email: [e-mail], wholl be delighted to help.

Please note, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

• Registered pharmacy technician with GPhC
• Nationally accredited checking technician qualification
• Nationally accredited medicines optimisation qualification (foundation level)
• Relevant degree or equivalent experience in a pharmacy setting

Continuous Professional Development

• Committed to continuing professional development (CPD)

Previous Experience

• Substantial post registration hospital experience including management, leadership supervision and development of staff
• Stakeholder relationship management
• Knowledge and experience in delivering national ACPT training programmes
• Experience of recruitment and appointment procedures
• Experience of working with multidisciplinary teams and ward environments
• Mental health experience
• Community hospital experience

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Excellent communication skills in both verbal and written formats
• Able to make judgments involving facts or situations, where there are a range of options
• Well-developed physical accuracy and dexterity
• Experience of working with EMIS and ARiM

Additional Requirements

• Ability to prioritise own workload, and work well under pressure
• Able to concentrate for extended periods where work pattern is unpredictable

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.