Band 6 Pharmacy Dispenser

Job description

Location: London

Pay rate: £25 - £35 p/h

JOB SUMMARY

• To organise services and activities within the dispensary taking a lead role to develop, manage and coordinate a safe, efficient and high quality customer orientated technician led dispensary service.
• To take the lead in ensuring all staff are adequately trained and standard operating procedures are in place.
• To work autonomously using own initiative, taking appropriate decisions and responsibility within own competencies, planning, prioritising and managing the work of the dispensary.
• To deputise for the Dispensary & Distribution Manager as appropriate

DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Dispensary

1. To manage pharmacy technicians and pharmacy assistants within the Main Pharmacy Dispensary at 20 DP and 22 DP, to ensure workload and workflow systems of the dispensaries are managed efficiently.
2. To develop and support a programme of continual dispensary service improvements to ensure safe, timely and accurate dispensing and supply of medications to Clinic clients and safe and secure handling of medicines.
3. To carry out final checking of dispensed items (with national accreditation qualification).
4. To provide medication counselling and drug information within professional abilities and limitations.
5. To participate and co-ordinate the ordering, receipt, supply and accuracy checking of controlled drugs, ensuring accurate records are maintained and stock checks are performed. Manage stock discrepancies and perform regular audits to confirm accuracy of paper and computer records.
6. To oversee the management of dispensary equipment, consumables and stationary orders.
7. To support the analysis and production of workload and performance data as required.
8. To assist the Dispensary & Distribution Manager in effectively dealing with complaints by collecting information and investigating issues.
9. To monitor the adherence to dispensing standards within the dispensary, record dispensing incidents/errors and take appropriate action.
10. To ensure safe dispensing of clinical trials in accordance with the dispensing protocol, GCP guidelines and European Directive under the direction of the clinical trials co-ordinator and pharmacist.
11. To input and maintain accurate computer and register records for unlicensed drugs and named-patient medication according to departmental procedures
12. To ensure auditable systems & resources are in place for the monitoring of dispensary stock control in conjuction with the Dispensary & Distribution Manager.
13. To ensure routine daily stock checks and periodic stock takes are planned in and implemented.
14. To ensure stock and expiry date checks are regularly performed in accordance with pharmacy procedures and financial audit requirements. To review and implement any required actions producing reports where required.
15. To be responsible for ensuring discrepancies are recorded and investigated daily and that expired stock is destroyed promptly and safely and in accordance with The Clinics policy on waste disposal.
16. To be responsible for ensuring monthly checks of controlled drugs are carried out and that any discrepancies are investigated immediately and reported to the Pharmacy Support Services Manager as necessary.
17. To manage the Emergency Drug Cupboard (EDC).
18. To ensure all Hazard recalls/Drug alerts issued by MRHA and NPSA are dealt with in the dispensary promptly and appropriately in accordance with procedures.

Education and training

1. To lead and contribute to the induction of new pharmacy staff in the dispensary.
2. To support the training pipeline of the pharmacy technical team for assistants and technicians, including the training of the NVQ level 2 pharmacy assistants and NVQ level 3 pre-registration technicians.
3. To be a mentor/facilitator for the NVQ level 2 and 3 Pharmacy Services Apprentices.
4. To Assist the Education and Training Operations Manager with the facilitation of the Accuracy-checking training programme.
5. To contribute to the maintenance, development and co-ordination of the dispensary induction plan for all staff.
6. To be responsible for own Technician Registration and to ensure Accreditation certification is achieved and maintained.
7. To participate in relevant education and training and CPD activities as appropriate to ensure professional development.

People Management

1. To take responsibility for the direct line management of the pharmacy technicians in the dispensary and to oversee the management of assistants, including undertaking appraisals.
2. To ensure that all staff working in the dispensary adhere to agreed dispensary procedures and complete necessary documentation.
3. To deputise for the Dispensary and Distribution where appropriate during periods of absence.
4. To assist the Dispensary & Distribution Manager to implement Human Resources policies, tools and techniques, including interviewing, conducting performance reviews, performance coaching and formal HR processes when required.
5. Ensure that appropriate action is taken to deal with issues of staff discipline, grievance, poor performance and sickness.
6. Work with other senior pharmacy technical staff to coordinate rosters and ensure smooth interfaces between all pharmacy services.
7. To provide leadership to the dispensary team for any change management programmes.

Health, Safety and Security

• Be accountable for and ensure own competence in practice.
• Promoting pharmacy practice and care delivery in line with relevant research and evidence base and with reference to clinic policies and guidelines.
• Identify potential risks for all staff, patients and visitors and ensure adherence to relevant incident reporting procedures.
• Ensure the safe custody of drugs in accordance with clinic policy and legal requirements.

Service Improvement

• Participate in the development, implementation and monitoring of pharmacy practice standards, guidelines, protocols and policies.
• Provide input to ad hoc initiatives and projects as required.

Quality

• Maintain own and others’ awareness of the national, professional and local quality issues relevant to the delivery of pharmacy services.
• Uphold quality initiatives that improve ‘customer care’ and enhance the interface between staff, patients and visitors and other wards and departments within the clinic.
• Participate in audit processes for monitoring and reviewing the quality and effectiveness of pharmacy teaching interventions.

Other

• To formulate and contribute to the review and update of procedures and policies in line with current legislation and best practice.
• To coordinate and contribute to the effective recruitment of staff.
• To carry out performance appraisals of technicians and pharmacy assistants.
• To participate in the Pharmacy Late Duty service, weekend service, and Bank Holiday service on a rota basis.
• To contribute to the training and development of technicians, pharmacy assistants and porters.
• To participate with annual stock take each year.
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post or at the request of the Head of Pharmacy.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications

• Current registration as a Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council of Great Britain
• BTEC/NVQ level 3 in Pharmaceutical sciences or equivalent
• Accredited Checking Pharmacy Technician (ACPT) qualification

Experience

• A minimum of 3 years consecutive post registration experience in a hospital pharmacy.
• Two years post qualification experience in a managerial /supervisory capacity
• Experience of working effectively within a multidisciplinary team
• Experience of Facilitation and tutoring of pharmacy staff
• Experience of developing standard Operating Procedures
• Experience of managing stock control systems

Knowledge

• Up to date knowledge of national guidelines and legislation relating to medicines use and pharmacy practice.
• Clinical governance, medication incidents and risk management
• Evidence of continuing professional development.

Skills

• Strong problem solving acumen
• Able to respond to unpredictable work patterns
• Excellent communication; verbal and written
• Able to demonstrate a professional approach at all times and under pressure
• Able to hold others to account for agreed targets.
• Ability to adapt personal style in order to influence others and gain support for ideas.
• Support the development of and share learning with other members of staff
• Computer literate (Word and Excel) – intermediate level

Extra information

Status

Open

Education Level

Secondary School

Location

London Area

Type of Contract

Full-time jobs

Published at

02-07-2026

Profession type

Health / Medical

Full UK/EU driving license preferred

No

Car Preferred

No

Must be eligible to work in the EU

No

Cover Letter Required

No

Languages

English