Principal Pharmacy Technician

Job summary

Working at both the Epsom and St Helier Hospitals as required, you will be responsible for the development, management and day to day running of the Pharmacy Stores, Distribution and Procurement teams, ensuring consistent systems are introduced across the Trust sites.

Working closely with the other principal technician in stores and procurement and with the medicines management team you will be responsible for maintaining DOHSC and local contracting information on the pharmacy CMM system to ensure compliance.

The post holder will deputise for the Pharmacy Computer System Manager, working to improve and maintain the system. Previous experience in using the CMM system is essential.

You must be a highly motivated and innovative GPhC registered Pharmacy Technician with good organisational and communication skills and the ability to work both independently and as a member of a team. You must also demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills and be able to motivate colleagues and undertake assessments and staff appraisal. You must have excellent time management and be able to adapt to the ever changing demands of a busy hospital pharmacy store.

We are a technician led service and we support and encourage personal development

Main duties of the job

The main duties of the role include but are not limited to

To supervise and co-ordinate the distribution team, working in accordance with standard operating procedures, in conjunction with the Senior Pharmacy Stores Assistant(s).

To oversee and participate in the running of the Pharmacy Purchasing Office. To participate in and ensure the safe and efficient receipt, storage and distribution of pharmaceuticals. To participate in the ordering of pharmaceutical products and liaise with pharmaceutical manufacturers/wholesalers to ensure the resolution of associated problems e.g. outstanding orders, drug shortages, substitutions, pricing queries.

To supervise the stock control processes e.g. KTAKEM, within the pharmacy stores.

To oversee stock list maintenance, amending lists following approval by the ward/senior pharmacist and following contract/supplier changes.

To maintain and update all CMM pharmacy computer system and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) contract files, ensuring they reflect current contract prices.

To contribute to and participate in the training, development and appraisal programme for pharmacy staff in particular that related to pharmacy assistants andprocurement officers and plan and implement the training programme to meet NVQ Level 2 for pharmacy assistants.

To inform the shortages Team of any long term problems with the availability of medicines. To contribute to and participate in the training and development programme for pharmacy staff..

About us

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).

After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.