Job Description

Must be a qualified pharmacy technician and have GPHC registration or the ability to register in September/October 2025.



Undertake further education and training to advance the role of Pharmacy Technicians within the department.



Support the work of the main dispensary including controlled drug dispensing and daily running of supplies to external customers and support and co-ordinate the Out patient Service.



To support in the provision of an extended hour's service.



A pharmacy technician is required to support the rotational pharmacy team in our very busy pharmacy department. This is a challenging position combines the duties of in-patient dispensary and out-patient service, ward work, procurement of medicines, aseptic production and the supervision and training of assistants and students.



All applicants must have proven experience and ability of delivering pharmaceutical services within a pharmacy environment. Total flexibility of working hours is a necessity. Applications from community pharmacy technicians with the relevant qualifications and those awaiting registration will be considered, as full training and support will be given. For any candidates awaiting registration an interim contract will be issued until registration is finalised with the GPHC.



Qualifications necessary are NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services, BTEC (Pharmaceutical Science), Open Awards or equivalent, and registration or the ability to register with the General Pharmaceutical Council is essential.



As part of the role is the requirement for accreditation to final check dispensed medicines before release to patients and wards. Candidates not holding this certification are expected to complete an Accredited Checking Course.



Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is an integrated Trust and the only provider of NHS acute care in Walsall, serving a population of 286,700, providing inpatient and outpatient services at the Manor Hospital as well as a wide range of services in the community. Walsall Manor Hospital houses the full range of district general hospital services under one roof. The 170 million development of our Pleck Road site was completed in 2010 and the continued upgrading of existing areas ensures the Trust now has a state-of-the-art Critical Care Unit, Neonatal Unit, Obstetric Theatre, and Integrated Assessment Unit facilities. Work continues on its multi-million pound new Urgent and Emergency Care Centre which will house a new Emergency Department (including Children's Emergency Department), co-located Paediatric Assessment Unit, Acute Medical Unit and Urgent Care Centre. This is scheduled for completion this year. We provide high quality, friendly and effective community health services from some 60 sites including Health Centres and GP surgeries. Covering Walsall and beyond, our multidisciplinary services include rapid response in the community and home-based care, so that those with long-term conditions and the frail and elderly, can remain in their own homes to be cared for wherever appropriate.



To participate in the rotational pharmacy technician rota within the department and provide technical pharmaceutical services in all areas, to include:



Out Patients Services - predominantly



Dispensary Services



Ward based medicines management



Aseptic preparation



Pharmacy Procurement



Pharmacy distribution



Receipt of orders from wholesalers



To operate at all times within the local Standard Operating Procedures relevant to the area of work.



To receive, interpret, validate, dispense and issue routine and non-routine prescriptions for in-patients and out-patients, external hospices, controlled drug dispensing, seeking advice from senior staff where appropriate.



To dispense and self-check medications both manually and with the use of a computerised automated dispensing system.



To undertake the receipt of prescriptions direct from patients, operating the cash register and receiving monies and card payments from the general public.



To take all appropriate action to ensure that patients receive the correct medication, with advice and counselling and that all directions associated with medicines are fully understood.



To prepare aseptic products after training and completion of a broth test. This will require manipulation within an isolator to produce if required:



Cytotoxic reconstitution



Other aseptically prepared products on an ad hoc



To participate in the work in pharmacy stores, including the ordering of pharmaceuticals, goods receipt, invoice reconciliation and the maintenance of the Homecare Patient service.



To participate in the supply, distribution and return of stock to and from wards, departments and community clinics including



The top up service



Automated cupboard replenishment



To provide a ward based stock control service as necessary, working with the appropriate ward pharmacist, technician and nursing staff to ensure efficient ward stock control.



To dispense and record appropriate details, according to written protocols for unlicensed and named patient medicines within pharmacy.



To dispense and replenish controlled drugs completing the necessary legal documentation.

To work on wards completing the following tasks:

Drug histories



Patients Own Drugs (PODs) assessment



Medication supply for patient specific medicines



Locker checks



Replenishment of stock medicines



Participation in audits



Completing in-house Medicines Management Training pack.



Post qualification and with significant experience working within the dispensary, to work towards gaining Accredited Checking Pharmacy Technician status (ACPT) and complete the final accuracy of medicines prior to issue to patient.



To dispose of medicines if unsuitable for use according to SOPs working under the supervision of a technician or pharmacist.



To arrange for medicines to be re-labelled where necessary working to local SOPs under the supervision of a registered technician or pharmacist.



To demonstrate on request appropriate tasks to unqualified and support staff.



To participate in education and training programmes when appropriate and ensure that accurate records are kept of Continuous Professional Development, to ensure continued registration.



To develop skills and knowledge in order to extend the professional service offered by pharmacy technicians to patients and staff within the Trust.



To undertake the in-house rotational technician training programme, passing competencies proving ability in each area.



To provide feedback on procedures when requested to by the Senior, Lead and Operational Technician(s).



To participate in the provision of extended hours of service, including late night working, Saturdays and Sundays and bank holidays, according to formal rota arrangements.



To report any suspected or observed defects in medicinal products and equipment to the appropriate person.



To be familiar with, and maintain, safe standards of work and adequate records of all processes.



To have due regard for, and to conform at all times with, those aspects of the General Pharmaceutical Council Code of Professional Ethics that apply to registered professionals.



To have due regard for all statutory guidance applicable to the pharmacy, including Health and Safety at Work, Manual Handling and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH).



To maintain at all times the rules relating to patient confidentiality.



To maintain a clean and tidy department, organising the removal of waste to designated areas and transferring them for incineration.



To have due regard for the Trust policies on discrimination.



This list of duties is not exhaustive, and is subject to review at all times and in particular in the light of further developments in pharmaceutical services.