Senior Pharmacy Technician - Patient services

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Service Delivery

Provide pharmacy services in line with professional standards and clinical governance.

Ensure the dispensary meets local and national standards for turnaround times, accuracy, stock control, and patient satisfaction.

Dispense and check prescriptions across a wide range, including outpatients, inpatients, controlled drugs, clinical trials, HIV/paediatrics, homecare, discharge, and tertiary hospital requests.

Act as a ‘super-user’ for the automated dispensing system (robot).

Oversee the safe supply of oral chemotherapy and other high-risk medicines.

Counsel patients on medicines use, including warfarin, inhalers, and devices.

Maintain a safe and tidy dispensary environment, ensuring good practice, stock rotation, and expiry checks.

Participate in late-night, weekend, and bank holiday rotas.

Governance & Quality

Support the implementation, review, and adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Monitor and report on service accuracy, safety, and quality, including error tracking and incident reporting.

Review and communicate performance data (e.g., turnaround times, waiting times) and contribute to continuous improvement.

Ensure compliance with legislation, including the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971), Home office CD regulations, MHRA Wholesaler dealer regulations, GPHC registration and departmental SOPs.

Staff Management & Training

Support the management, deployment, and supervision of technical staff, including technicians and pharmacists.

Prepare daily and weekly rotas in conjunction with section leads and arrange cover for staff absences.

Ensure staff are appropriately deployed to meet workload demands, maintaining sufficient cover at all times.

Contribute to recruitment, induction, and appraisals of assistants and technicians.

Act as line manager for designated staff (B2–B4) and support career development.

Deliver and support induction, training, and ongoing competency assessments for all staff working within the area.

Act as a practice supervisor for pre-registration trainees, pharmacists, technicians, and assistants.

Assist in the development and delivery of  training programmes and materials.

To keep up to date with relevant training and develop skills and knowledge by maintaining an agreed programme of development and complying with CPD requirements.  

To participate positively in regular supervision and annual appraisal  

Stock Control & Systems

Maintain effective stock control, including stock levels, balances, and expiry checks.

Ensure accurate system transactions, including daily transaction checks (e.g., KTAKEM) and investigation of discrepancies.

Act as a superuser for Pharmacy robot and guided pick systems.

Manage controlled drug top-ups and checks.

Oversee pharmacy till reconciliation and transfer of monies to the general office.

Ensure adherence to Health & Safety, legislative, and departmental housekeeping guidelines.

Communication & Collaboration

Maintain effective communication with pharmacy staff, service users, and other healthcare professionals.

Circulate and, when required, chair weekly dispensary meetings in the absence of the Dispensary Manager.

Lead improvement huddle meetings and help staff to progress improvements within the department.

Liaise with service users to implement and support service improvements.

Encourage adherence to Trust and local prescribing policies to promote safe, cost-effective use of medicines.

Work collaboratively with the wider pharmacy team and multidisciplinary colleagues to deliver high-quality services

Clinical Pharmacy: 

To be an accredited Medicines Management Technician (MMT) to support the pharmacy ward service, as required.  

To provide ward based pharmacy technician services, as required. 

Other :

Manages own time effectively.  

To undertake any other duties as may be required. 

May support any department within pharmacy using the skills and knowledge of a senior pharmacy technician subject to training and accredition with required competancies.

To maintain an active portfolio of continuing professional development (CPD) All pharmacy staff must show confidentiality with regard to any information about patients, confidential information about the Trust and commercial information (e.g. drug prices).  

To participate in the departmental late night, weekend and bank holiday rota in accordance with the service provision required at the time of practice. 

To uphold the principles of Clinical Governance within the Trust.  

All work will be carried out in accordance with the relevant laws, the guidelines of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain and the General Pharmaceutical Council, Trust and departmental procedures and standards of professional practice.  

Participate in late night, weekend and bank holiday rotas.  

Carry out any other duties as may reasonable be requested in line of provision of services