Job summary
Ready to lead and grow others? We're seeking a Lead Pharmacy Technician (Band 6) to champion medicines procurement and distribution while building the capability of our technical workforce. You'll use national contracts to secure best value, keep services running during supply pressures, and optimise stock systems (Ascribe). You'll coordinate induction, competency-based training and CPD for technicians and assistants, acting as an Educational Supervisor. Based at Kingsley Green, you'll work with ward, dispensary and community teams across Hertfordshire and beyond. Join HPFT--an Outstanding-rated, values-driven Trust--and make your expertise count.
Main duties of the job
- Procurement & distribution: Lead pricing, purchasing and stock control; ensure compliance with contracts (e.g. NHS CMU) and legal/professional standards; manage shortages and continuity of supply Trust-wide (including medical gases, FP10s and unlicensed medicines).
- Operational services: Oversee distribution services (ward top-ups, expiry checks, stock list reviews, safe storage) and maintain accurate systems (Ascribe) for ordering, costing and invoicing.
- Education & training: Plan and deliver induction, training programmes, competency assessment and CPD support for pharmacy technicians/assistants; act as Educational Supervisor and optimise technical workforce utilisation.
- Clinical & professional practice: Contribute to patient-facing, ward and dispensary services (e.g. medicines reconciliation, counselling, discharge); uphold HPFT values; support audits, SOPs and continuous improvement.
- Leadership: Line manage junior staff, coordinate workflow, and deputise for the Team Manager - Operations when required.
Base & travel: Based at Kingsley Green, Radlett, with travel to HPFT sites across Hertfordshire, Norfolk and North Essex. Ability to travel is required; reasonable adjustments will be considered where applicable.
About us
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from theCare Quality Commission.
Our family of over 4,500 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:
Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Essential qualifications/experience
- GPhCregistered Pharmacy Technician; BTEC/NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent); Accredited Checking Technician; accreditation in Medicines Management; evidence of CPD.
- Significant postqualification experience in secondarycare hospital pharmacy, with proven procurement/distribution expertise; experience of staff training, supervision and service improvement/audit.
Skills & knowledge
- Strong communication, IT (including Excel/PowerPoint), prioritisation and leadership skills; knowledge of medicines legislation, procurement regulations and stock management systems (e.g. Ascribe).
Additional information
- Participation in late duty, weekend, bank holiday and oncall rotas may be required to support equitable sevenday services.
- HPFT is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion; we welcome applications from all backgrounds and will consider flexible working.
For full details of role, please read through job description and person specification.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Essential qualifications/experience
- GPhCregistered Pharmacy Technician; BTEC/NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent); Accredited Checking Technician; accreditation in Medicines Management; evidence of CPD.
- Significant postqualification experience in secondarycare hospital pharmacy, with proven procurement/distribution expertise; experience of staff training, supervision and service improvement/audit.
Skills & knowledge
- Strong communication, IT (including Excel/PowerPoint), prioritisation and leadership skills; knowledge of medicines legislation, procurement regulations and stock management systems (e.g. Ascribe).
Additional information
- Participation in late duty, weekend, bank holiday and oncall rotas may be required to support equitable sevenday services.
- HPFT is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion; we welcome applications from all backgrounds and will consider flexible working.
For full details of role, please read through job description and person specification.
Person Specification
Qualifications/Education/Training
Essential
- BTEC/NVQ Level 3 in Pharmaceutical Sciences or equivalent
- Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) as a pharmacy technician (with no restrictions)
- Accredited Checking Technician status
- Accreditation in Medicines Management
- Practice educational supervisor qualification
- Evidence of and commitment to CPD
Desirable
- Additional training (leadership, management)
Experience
Essential
- Significant and demonstrable post-qualification experience working in secondary care hospital pharmacy
- Proven experience in hospital pharmacy procurement and distribution
- Experience of staff education, training, supervision, and performance management
- Experience of team management, including appraisals and supervision
- Experience of working within, writing and reviewing Standard Operating Procedures
- Ability to manage workload independently and work under pressure
- Experience of carrying out clinical supervision
Desirable
- Knowledge of Ascribe (Optum) Pharmacy stock and dispensing system
- Experience in using Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (EPMA) systems
Skills/Communication
Essential
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to prioritise, plan, delegate, and manage workload for self and others
- Advanced IT skills and comprehensive use of Microsoft office including power point and excel
- Ability to appraise performance and identify training needs
- Working knowledge of regulations and legislation relating to pharmaceutical procurement and distribution
- Highly developed physical skills in dispensing, preparing, and checking of medicines involving a high level of accuracy.
- Confident, able to influence and assertive when dealing with other professionals.
- Able to prioritise and meet deadlines
- Demonstrates attention to detail, accuracy, and numeracy skills
Desirable
- Experience of delivering training to staff
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of medicines optimisation and medicines management principles
- Knowledge in pharmacy stock management
Ability
Essential
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Able to deal with conflicting demands on workload and frequent interruptions
Physical Skills
Essential
- Able to travel using own vehicle to various Trust and other locations across Hertfordshire to meet the needs of the service. *Car driver (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010 which prevents you from driving)
Person Specification
Qualifications/Education/Training
Essential
- BTEC/NVQ Level 3 in Pharmaceutical Sciences or equivalent
- Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) as a pharmacy technician (with no restrictions)
- Accredited Checking Technician status
- Accreditation in Medicines Management
- Practice educational supervisor qualification
- Evidence of and commitment to CPD
Desirable
- Additional training (leadership, management)
Experience
Essential
- Significant and demonstrable post-qualification experience working in secondary care hospital pharmacy
- Proven experience in hospital pharmacy procurement and distribution
- Experience of staff education, training, supervision, and performance management
- Experience of team management, including appraisals and supervision
- Experience of working within, writing and reviewing Standard Operating Procedures
- Ability to manage workload independently and work under pressure
- Experience of carrying out clinical supervision
Desirable
- Knowledge of Ascribe (Optum) Pharmacy stock and dispensing system
- Experience in using Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (EPMA) systems
Skills/Communication
Essential
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to prioritise, plan, delegate, and manage workload for self and others
- Advanced IT skills and comprehensive use of Microsoft office including power point and excel
- Ability to appraise performance and identify training needs
- Working knowledge of regulations and legislation relating to pharmaceutical procurement and distribution
- Highly developed physical skills in dispensing, preparing, and checking of medicines involving a high level of accuracy.
- Confident, able to influence and assertive when dealing with other professionals.
- Able to prioritise and meet deadlines
- Demonstrates attention to detail, accuracy, and numeracy skills
Desirable
- Experience of delivering training to staff
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of medicines optimisation and medicines management principles
- Knowledge in pharmacy stock management
Ability
Essential
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Able to deal with conflicting demands on workload and frequent interruptions
Physical Skills
Essential
- Able to travel using own vehicle to various Trust and other locations across Hertfordshire to meet the needs of the service. *Car driver (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010 which prevents you from driving)
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).
