Job summary
We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Chief Pharmacy Technician to provide senior professional and operational leadership for pharmacy technical services across the Trust.
This is a key leadership role within the Pharmacy Team, offering the opportunity to shape service delivery, contribute to strategic planning, and lead the development of our pharmacy technician workforce.
You will work closely with the Chief Pharmacist and wider leadership team to ensure safe, effective and high-quality medicines management services, while driving service improvement and workforce development.
At BDCFT, we provide a wide range of mental health, community and specialist services to a diverse population across Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven. Our Pharmacy team plays a central role in supporting safe medicines use, physical health improvement and integrated care for people with complex needs.
We are a Trust that:
- Has a strong focus on quality improvement, innovation and research
- Works closely with system partners across Bradford District and Craven
- Is committed to reducing health inequalities and improving outcomes for people with severe mental illness (SMI)
- Values compassionate, inclusive leadership and staff development
Our pharmacy service is actively involved in service transformation, digital development and medicines optimisation programmes, making this an exciting time to join the team.
Main duties of the job
Some key duties will include:
- Representing Trust Pharmacy Services/ medicines management at local and system forums as delegated by the Chief Pharmacist (for example workforce, medicines supply, interface and care pathwayswork).
- Working collaboratively with external partners to support the ongoing development of the technical and wider pharmacy workforce through the provision of education, training and development opportunities.
- Providing senior operational leadership for the technical aspects of the pharmacy service and contribute to strategic planning for medicines supply and medicines management services. Ensure Trust policy isfollowed and that practice is underpinned with written procedure/ guidance. This includes ensuring there are effective systems in place to organise, manage and supervise safe, efficient service provision, assessing the service using audits and/ or performance indicators and providing the require assurance.
- Supporting and developing staff to ensure they are competent, motivated and optimally deployed across inpatient and community-based services and continue to develop in role.
Closing Date: 19/07/2026
Shortlisting Date: w/c 20/07/2026
Interview Date: 11/08/2026
About us
Everything we do is underpinned by our core values: -
We Care- We act with respect and empathy, and always value difference
We Listen- We understand people's views and respond to their individual needs
We Deliver- We develop and provide excellent services and support our partners
We will consider a variety of flexible working arrangements to enable staff to balance their work and home lives and support staff by offering a fantastic range of benefits including :
Increase mileage rates for > 4500
A wide range of health and wellbeing support packages
A range of internal and external development and learning opportunities
Plus many more.
We are also proud to pledge our support to the Armed Forces and hold a Bronze Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
BDCFT is dedicated to environmental and social sustainability by delivering on the commitments within our Green Plan. All staff are actively encouraged and supported to participate in training and to identify and implement sustainable quality improvement across all service areas and activities.
Please note that the Trust reserves the right to close the vacancy before the closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received. It is in the candidate's best interest to apply as soon as possible
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please read the attached Job description and person specification for more details about this role.
Right to Work in the UK
Applicants should be aware that for any individual who requires a visa to work in the UK, the Trust provides sponsorship for registered healthcare practitioner roles only. This is an essential requirement of the role, and the Trust is unable to offer you a role if you are unable to meet Trust requirements for sponsorship and Home Office requirements for a visa.
Prior to your appointment you will be asked to provide confirmation of your right to work and reside in the UK. During your continued employment with the Trust, you have a personal responsibility to notify your manager as soon as possible should there be any changes to your right to work status.
Regrettably, if the role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Trusts eligibility criteria, the Trust are unable to extend your employment beyond the expiration of your current visa. The Trust is not responsible or liable for ensuring that your employment continues after this period.
As a condition of continuous employment, it essential you maintain the legal right to work in the United Kingdom throughout the duration of your employment with Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust (BDCFT). Any change in your right-to-work status, including but not limited to visa expiration, revocation, or denial of renewal, may impact your eligibility for employment with the Trust. It is your responsibility to promptly inform your Line Manager of any changes in your right-to-work status immediately and to provide necessary documentation for verification purposes. Failure to obtain or renew your visa in a timely manner is a breach of employment conditions and will result in termination of your employment. We appreciate your attention to this matter and your commitment to fulfilling this requirement promptly.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please read the attached Job description and person specification for more details about this role.
Right to Work in the UK
Applicants should be aware that for any individual who requires a visa to work in the UK, the Trust provides sponsorship for registered healthcare practitioner roles only. This is an essential requirement of the role, and the Trust is unable to offer you a role if you are unable to meet Trust requirements for sponsorship and Home Office requirements for a visa.
Prior to your appointment you will be asked to provide confirmation of your right to work and reside in the UK. During your continued employment with the Trust, you have a personal responsibility to notify your manager as soon as possible should there be any changes to your right to work status.
Regrettably, if the role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Trusts eligibility criteria, the Trust are unable to extend your employment beyond the expiration of your current visa. The Trust is not responsible or liable for ensuring that your employment continues after this period.
As a condition of continuous employment, it essential you maintain the legal right to work in the United Kingdom throughout the duration of your employment with Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust (BDCFT). Any change in your right-to-work status, including but not limited to visa expiration, revocation, or denial of renewal, may impact your eligibility for employment with the Trust. It is your responsibility to promptly inform your Line Manager of any changes in your right-to-work status immediately and to provide necessary documentation for verification purposes. Failure to obtain or renew your visa in a timely manner is a breach of employment conditions and will result in termination of your employment. We appreciate your attention to this matter and your commitment to fulfilling this requirement promptly.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree (or equivalent level NVQ/ BTEC qualification) in Medicines Management/ Pharmacy Services (or similar) and/ or Leadership/ Management with master's degree-level experience.
- Leadership, management and quality improvement experience and/ or qualification.
- Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council and undertaking continued professional development, peer discussion and reflective practice as required for annual GPhC revalidation.
- Completed technician accuracy checking (either hospital in house, or accredited qualification)
Desirable
- Project management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2 Foundation or equivalent)
- Quality improvement training
Training
Essential
- Training in governance, risk management and incident investigation
- Training in workforce management, appraisal and performance processes
Desirable
- Equality, diversity and inclusion training beyond mandatory level
Experience
Essential
- Experience of leading and managing a technical pharmacy service
- Experience of managing complex HR matters
- Experience of leading service development or transformation initiatives
Desirable
- Experience of leading digital or systems transformation
- Experience within mental health services
Knowledge
Essential
- In-depth knowledge of pharmacy technical services and medicines supply systems
- Knowledge of national NHS policy affecting pharmacy services
Skills
Essential
- Ability to advise and influence senior colleagues within agreed governance frameworks
- Ability to manage competing priorities in a complex environment
- Strategic thinking and planning skills
Desirable
- Data analysis and workforce modelling capability
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree (or equivalent level NVQ/ BTEC qualification) in Medicines Management/ Pharmacy Services (or similar) and/ or Leadership/ Management with master's degree-level experience.
- Leadership, management and quality improvement experience and/ or qualification.
- Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council and undertaking continued professional development, peer discussion and reflective practice as required for annual GPhC revalidation.
- Completed technician accuracy checking (either hospital in house, or accredited qualification)
Desirable
- Project management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2 Foundation or equivalent)
- Quality improvement training
Training
Essential
- Training in governance, risk management and incident investigation
- Training in workforce management, appraisal and performance processes
Desirable
- Equality, diversity and inclusion training beyond mandatory level
Experience
Essential
- Experience of leading and managing a technical pharmacy service
- Experience of managing complex HR matters
- Experience of leading service development or transformation initiatives
Desirable
- Experience of leading digital or systems transformation
- Experience within mental health services
Knowledge
Essential
- In-depth knowledge of pharmacy technical services and medicines supply systems
- Knowledge of national NHS policy affecting pharmacy services
Skills
Essential
- Ability to advise and influence senior colleagues within agreed governance frameworks
- Ability to manage competing priorities in a complex environment
- Strategic thinking and planning skills
Desirable
- Data analysis and workforce modelling capability
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).
