Job summary
Make a Real Difference in Delivering Safe and Effective Pharmacy Services
We're looking for an enthusiastic and experienced pharmacy technician to take on an exciting leadership role within our Inpatient Dispensary. As a Senior Pharmacy Technician - Inpatient Dispensary Specialist, you'll play a key role in ensuring the safe, efficient and timely supply of medicines to our patients.
Working as part of a supportive and friendly pharmacy team, you'll use your expertise to support the Inpatient Dispensary Managers in optimising dispensary services, streamlining processes, and upholding the highest standards of patient care.
In this role, you'll lead on the training and development of all pharmacy staff, ensuring colleagues are confident and competent in every aspect of inpatient dispensing, accuracy checking, and best practice. Your leadership will help foster a culture of learning, excellence and continuous improvement within the dispensary.
If you're a motivated, detail-focused technician with excellent communication skills and a passion for improving patient experience, we'd love to welcome you to our team.
Join us and be part of a team that makes a difference every day.
Main duties of the job
This role supports the efficient operational management of the Inpatient Dispensary, working closely with the Dispensary Managers to ensure the smooth day-to-day running of services. Key responsibilities include assisting with the coordination of dispensary activities, dispensing and accuracy-checking of prescriptions and ensuring the safe and effective management of stock. You will also lead and support the induction and competency-based training of new staff, maintain up-to-date training records, and contribute to ongoing quality improvement and service development within the department.
About us
Our Trust
Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values - Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent - are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.
CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:- applied for a Graduate visa- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employment
For NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough based roles, all applicants from NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who have identified that they are at risk of redundancy will be prioritised over those not at risk. However, interviews cannot be guaranteed.
This vacancy will close at midnight on 9th November 2025
Interviews are due to be held on 17th November 2025
Why choose Cambridge University Hospitals?
Our values and reputation for outstanding care Opportunities to experience a range of specialities Career and development opportunities Preceptorship and mentoring programmes delivered by a dedicated clinical education support team Research experience and opportunities Lovely location and quality of life Excellent schools/colleges and transport links (road, rail and air)
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:- applied for a Graduate visa- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employment
For NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough based roles, all applicants from NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who have identified that they are at risk of redundancy will be prioritised over those not at risk. However, interviews cannot be guaranteed.
This vacancy will close at midnight on 9th November 2025
Interviews are due to be held on 17th November 2025
Why choose Cambridge University Hospitals?
Our values and reputation for outstanding care Opportunities to experience a range of specialities Career and development opportunities Preceptorship and mentoring programmes delivered by a dedicated clinical education support team Research experience and opportunities Lovely location and quality of life Excellent schools/colleges and transport links (road, rail and air)
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registration with General Pharmaceutical Council
- Minimum qualification NVQ3 Pharmacy Services, BTEC Pharmaceutical Science or CGLI/Apothecaries Hall pre 1985 certificates or equivalent.
- Checking accreditation, one or all of: Accredited Checking Technician (National Framework), Medicines Management Accreditation (CMMPT or national equivalent) and Preparative Services Checking Accreditation.
Desirable
- Member of Association of Pharmacy Technicians (APTUK)
- Management accreditation or qualification
- IT qualification
- Accredited as an Educational Supervisor for the ACPT scheme
- Attendance at Train the Trainer course
Experience
Essential
- Hospital pharmacy experience or equivalent relevant area of practice
- Experience of pharmacy computer systems for ordering, stock control and manage pharmaceuticals.
- Experience of co-ordinating a team and people management
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) to create documents and spread sheets and extract information.
Desirable
- Working with electronic prescribing and administration systems
- Experience of stock control management
- Experience of line management
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of Pharmacy computer systems.
- Awareness of NICE, NSF and NPSA and involved in implementation of relevant guidance.
- Policies and procedures
- Hospital Pharmacy Dispensary practices
- Controlled Drug Legislation
- Formulary management
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
- An understanding of Pharmacy Governance
- Experience of leading a team or small scale service or service change
- Experience of communicating with a broad range of stakeholders
Skills
Essential
- Communicate effectively in both written and verbal formats with staff and patients.
- Able to prioritise in response to competing demands.
- Be methodical in approach.
- IT skills (Microsoft Word, Excel)
- Good communication skills
- Accurate Dispensing skills
Desirable
- Ability to influence and negotiate
- Ability to review and adapt plans as circumstances dictate
- Ability to train different staff groups
Additional Requirements
Essential
- The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent.
- Ability to think ahead and plan accordingly
- Ability to prioritise and organise routine daily tasks using own initiative
Desirable
- Willingness to undertake further training as required
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registration with General Pharmaceutical Council
- Minimum qualification NVQ3 Pharmacy Services, BTEC Pharmaceutical Science or CGLI/Apothecaries Hall pre 1985 certificates or equivalent.
- Checking accreditation, one or all of: Accredited Checking Technician (National Framework), Medicines Management Accreditation (CMMPT or national equivalent) and Preparative Services Checking Accreditation.
Desirable
- Member of Association of Pharmacy Technicians (APTUK)
- Management accreditation or qualification
- IT qualification
- Accredited as an Educational Supervisor for the ACPT scheme
- Attendance at Train the Trainer course
Experience
Essential
- Hospital pharmacy experience or equivalent relevant area of practice
- Experience of pharmacy computer systems for ordering, stock control and manage pharmaceuticals.
- Experience of co-ordinating a team and people management
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) to create documents and spread sheets and extract information.
Desirable
- Working with electronic prescribing and administration systems
- Experience of stock control management
- Experience of line management
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of Pharmacy computer systems.
- Awareness of NICE, NSF and NPSA and involved in implementation of relevant guidance.
- Policies and procedures
- Hospital Pharmacy Dispensary practices
- Controlled Drug Legislation
- Formulary management
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
- An understanding of Pharmacy Governance
- Experience of leading a team or small scale service or service change
- Experience of communicating with a broad range of stakeholders
Skills
Essential
- Communicate effectively in both written and verbal formats with staff and patients.
- Able to prioritise in response to competing demands.
- Be methodical in approach.
- IT skills (Microsoft Word, Excel)
- Good communication skills
- Accurate Dispensing skills
Desirable
- Ability to influence and negotiate
- Ability to review and adapt plans as circumstances dictate
- Ability to train different staff groups
Additional Requirements
Essential
- The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent.
- Ability to think ahead and plan accordingly
- Ability to prioritise and organise routine daily tasks using own initiative
Desirable
- Willingness to undertake further training as required
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Addenbrookes Hospital-Division B
Hills Road
Cambridge,
CB2 0QQ
Employer's website
https://www.cuh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)