Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Pharmacy Technician - Dispensary - Band 4 to Band 5 Progression

The closing date is 11 December 2025

Job summary

We're looking for an enthusiastic Pharmacy Technician to join our modern, automated dispensary team. You'll support daily dispensing activities and help ensure smooth, efficient service delivery.

This is a fantastic opportunity to grow your career in a busy hospital setting. Once key criteria are met, you'll progress to a Senior Pharmacy Technician role with leadership and line management responsibilities.

We're seeking someone proactive, dynamic, and passionate about patient care. You should be eager to try new roles, support innovation, and contribute to service development. On-the-job training in staff supervision will be provided.

An ACPT qualification is desirable, but if you don't have it, we'll support you through accreditation. Newly qualified Pharmacy Technicians and Pre-registration Trainees due to qualify are welcome to apply.

Bedford Pharmacy operates a 7-day service, so late and weekend shifts will be required.

Main duties of the job

  1. Support the senior technicians in the day to day running of the dispensary service by being a team lead and fulfilling duties as per dispensary procedures
  2. To provide patients with information on appropriate use of their medication
  3. To provide training in dispensary in accordance with competency frameworks on the use of pharmacy stock control software and dispensing cabinets
  4. To act as a professional role model for pre-registration trainee pharmacy technicians and pharmacy assistants
  5. Accurately dispense inpatients/outpatients/discharge prescriptions/controlled drugs for a wide range of specialities
  6. Maintain high quality data input of patient and drug information in to pharmacy JAC system
  7. To support with daily robot stock maintenance and be available to trouble shoot as appropriate
  8. To participate in audits necessary for service developments as set out by dispensary management
  9. To assist with the maintenance of efficient stock control, including management of returns
  10. To be an ACPT, undertaking the final check for dispensed prescriptions which have been clinically screened by a pharmacist for accuracy before release, subject to successful completion and conditions of the ACPT scheme accreditation

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.

We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.

Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.

Details

Date posted

02 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £37,796 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

418-AHP0818-SJ-A

Job locations

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Bedford Hospital, Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ


Job description

Job responsibilities

The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities

  • Accurately receive prescriptions in to the dispensary and ensuring prescription charges are collected where appropriate
  • Accurately dispense inpatients/outpatients/discharge prescriptions/controlled drugs for a wide range of specialities
  • Maintain high quality data input of patient and drug information in to pharmacy JAC system
  • Support with daily robot stock maintenance and be available to trouble shoot as appropriate
  • Undertake patient consultations when handing out medication and ensure patients are given appropriate advice to support

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities

  • Accurately receive prescriptions in to the dispensary and ensuring prescription charges are collected where appropriate
  • Accurately dispense inpatients/outpatients/discharge prescriptions/controlled drugs for a wide range of specialities
  • Maintain high quality data input of patient and drug information in to pharmacy JAC system
  • Support with daily robot stock maintenance and be available to trouble shoot as appropriate
  • Undertake patient consultations when handing out medication and ensure patients are given appropriate advice to support

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
  • BTEC or NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent qualification
  • Evidence of commitment to CPD

Desirable

  • Accredited Checking Pharmacy Technician
  • Leadership qualification

Experience

Essential

  • Good dispensing practice
  • Working within a team
  • Recognises own limitation
  • Medication counselling to patients

Desirable

  • Previous experience of working in a hospital pharmacy
  • Participation in training staff
  • Experience of supporting junior staff
  • Procedure writing
  • Supervisory skills
  • Participation in audits
  • Co-ordinating daily work flow

Knowledge

Essential

  • Working knowledge of a broad range of medicines
  • Demonstrate ability to perform calculations
  • Accurate dispensing skills
  • Computer skills (MS Word, Excel and pharmacy stock control system)

Desirable

  • Understanding of the running of a dispensary service
  • Understanding of Health & Safety requirements
  • Knowledge of JAC computer system
  • Knowledge of Omnicell RDS and automated cabinet

Personal Skills

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
  • Methodical with attention to detail
  • Ability to work under pressure whilst maintain accuracy
  • Customer care skills

Desirable

  • Ability to seek advice appropriately from senior staff
  • Ability to cascade information to pharmacy staff accurately and timely
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
  • BTEC or NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent qualification
  • Evidence of commitment to CPD

Desirable

  • Accredited Checking Pharmacy Technician
  • Leadership qualification

Experience

Essential

  • Good dispensing practice
  • Working within a team
  • Recognises own limitation
  • Medication counselling to patients

Desirable

  • Previous experience of working in a hospital pharmacy
  • Participation in training staff
  • Experience of supporting junior staff
  • Procedure writing
  • Supervisory skills
  • Participation in audits
  • Co-ordinating daily work flow

Knowledge

Essential

  • Working knowledge of a broad range of medicines
  • Demonstrate ability to perform calculations
  • Accurate dispensing skills
  • Computer skills (MS Word, Excel and pharmacy stock control system)

Desirable

  • Understanding of the running of a dispensary service
  • Understanding of Health & Safety requirements
  • Knowledge of JAC computer system
  • Knowledge of Omnicell RDS and automated cabinet

Personal Skills

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
  • Methodical with attention to detail
  • Ability to work under pressure whilst maintain accuracy
  • Customer care skills

Desirable

  • Ability to seek advice appropriately from senior staff
  • Ability to cascade information to pharmacy staff accurately and timely

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Bedford Hospital, Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ


Employer's website

https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Bedford Hospital, Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ


Employer's website

https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Principal Pharmacy Technician - Dispensary

Elizabeth Harley

Elizabeth.harley@bedfordhospital.nhs.uk

01234355122

Details

Date posted

02 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £37,796 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

418-AHP0818-SJ-A

Job locations

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Bedford Hospital, Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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