Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Pharmacy Technician

The closing date is 20 November 2025

Job summary

We have a great opportunity within our busy friendly department for highly motivated pharmacy technicians to join our established Medicines Management team delivering a high quality, patient-focused medicines management service.Our Medicines Management Technicians are valued members of the multidisciplinary team based primarily at ward-level. You will gain experience across a variety of medical and surgical specialities during your three monthly rotations. These include cardiology, gastroenterology, frailty, respiratory, stroke, orthopaedics, urology, ENT, and emergency admissions.

Main duties of the job

Your main duties will include: Medication History taking & Medication Reconciliation Timely ordering and supply of medicines for individual patients Assessing the suitability of patient's own drugs (PODs) for continued use in hospital Providing patients with advice and counselling on their medicines Facilitating timely supply of medicines for discharge Ward based and dispensary final checking of prescriptions Acting as a role model and supervisor for Medicines Management Assistants, PTPTs and Trainee Pharmacists.Applicants should be enthusiastic, self-motivated and able to get on well with others. You will be eager to take on a new challenge, and be open to change with a flexible attitude. Good organisational and time management skills are essential.You should be able to problem-solve, work well under pressure and take responsibility for prioritising your daily workload in liaison with your ward Pharmacist. We welcome friendly team players who are keen to help patients make the most of their prescribed medication.Previous experience of medicines management is desirable, but not essential, as full training will be provided.

You MUST be an Accredited Checking Pharmacy Technician (ACPT) or nearing completion of the course.

About us

Royal Surrey is a compassionate and collaborative acute and community Trust. Recognising that our 5000 colleagues are our greatest strength, we offer a comprehensive health and wellbeing program along with a commitment to developing and advancing your career. Our diverse and welcoming Royal Surrey family will ensure you that you feel valued from your initial interview through your entire tenure.

We are clinically led and provide joined up care by bridging the gap between hospital and community services alongside regional specialist cancer care. Our main acute hospital site is in Guildford with community hospital sites at Milford, Haslemere and Cranleigh. We provide adult community health services in homes across Guildford and Waverley.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) have given us an overall rating of Outstanding.

Royal Surrey has a strong reputation and history to build on. We are proud of our achievements and we are investing in our colleagues through our commitment to supporting professional development as well as investing more than £45 million in our physical environment and new equipment in the next few years. There has never been a better time to join us.

Although it isn't the Trusts normal practice, adverts may close early, so you are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.

A video about the Royal Surrey - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R96pMboIYdo

Details

Date posted

06 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£32,602 to £39,686 a year Per annum pro rata including high cost area supplement

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

384-LG-EMF19194-B5

Job locations

Royal Surrey

Guildford

GU2 7XX


Job description

Job responsibilities

Provide a technical MM service to medical and surgical wards on a daily basis at the RSCH. Provide cover to outside hospitals when required by the service. Interpret prescriptions and refer to ward clinical pharmacist regarding dosing, route of administration, timescales and methods of drug delivery. Responsible for taking accurate medication reconciliation. Responsible for the assessment, suitability and quality of patients own drugs (PODs) for extended use on the wards according to local procedures. Accurately re-label medicines for patients where doses and /or frequencies have changed. Organise timely supplies of new, additional or absent medicines, accurately transcribe for individual patients for use in hospital, and at discharge as part of the one stop dispensing procedure. Identify the need for, where necessary, compliance aids for individual patients prior to discharge from hospital (e.g. blister packs, pink cards etc). Responsible for the management of patients own medications in their bedside locker during their stay. This includes PODS on admission and regular POD checks to ensure continuation of care and avoiding missed dosing, whilst also anticipating discharge. When necessary, assist the Ward Pharmacist with final checking of all clinically screened discharge medication at ward level. Ensure there is a sufficient supply in line with Trust Guidelines. Counsel patients on the medication they receive at ward level to ensure compliance. Provide advice on formulary guidance in liaison with a ward clinical pharmacist to medical and nursing staff and encourage PODs to be brought in. Provide advice on the availability of medicines to pharmacy, nursing and medical staff at ward level. Receive information and answer or refer queries from patients, doctors, nurses and other members of the multidisciplinary team relating to the technical aspects of the MM service within the scope of your practice. Report any technical issues, problems with daily ward visits and any issues from other members of the multidisciplinary team regarding their MM service to the Lead Technician Medicines Management (LTMM). Communicate with the Nurses/Nurse In Charge regarding new patients and patients for discharge, problems relating to POD lockers & keys, and any medication queries within the scope of your practice. Prioritise own workload to ensure the smooth running of the service and ensure turnaround times are met. Proactively anticipate MM admission and discharge issues relating to provision of seamless care and take appropriate action.

Clinical

Counsel patients on the medication they receive. Provide technical advice on the medication, administration, dose and any changes in dose and frequency to ensure patient compliance. Provide compliance aids as needed. Provide advice and information to other healthcare professionals and patients under the guidance of a pharmacist. Liaise closely with clinical pharmacists and nursing staff to ensure the legality and clarity of all prescriptions. Interpret prescriptions and intervene regarding dosing, route of administration, timescales, and methods of drug delivery and appropriateness of treatment under the supervision of a pharmacist. Assist in completing all necessary paperwork for requests for non-formulary and/or unlicensed drugs in liaison with a pharmacist. Deal with chronically ill, distressed or verbally aggressive patients on a daily basis.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Provide a technical MM service to medical and surgical wards on a daily basis at the RSCH. Provide cover to outside hospitals when required by the service. Interpret prescriptions and refer to ward clinical pharmacist regarding dosing, route of administration, timescales and methods of drug delivery. Responsible for taking accurate medication reconciliation. Responsible for the assessment, suitability and quality of patients own drugs (PODs) for extended use on the wards according to local procedures. Accurately re-label medicines for patients where doses and /or frequencies have changed. Organise timely supplies of new, additional or absent medicines, accurately transcribe for individual patients for use in hospital, and at discharge as part of the one stop dispensing procedure. Identify the need for, where necessary, compliance aids for individual patients prior to discharge from hospital (e.g. blister packs, pink cards etc). Responsible for the management of patients own medications in their bedside locker during their stay. This includes PODS on admission and regular POD checks to ensure continuation of care and avoiding missed dosing, whilst also anticipating discharge. When necessary, assist the Ward Pharmacist with final checking of all clinically screened discharge medication at ward level. Ensure there is a sufficient supply in line with Trust Guidelines. Counsel patients on the medication they receive at ward level to ensure compliance. Provide advice on formulary guidance in liaison with a ward clinical pharmacist to medical and nursing staff and encourage PODs to be brought in. Provide advice on the availability of medicines to pharmacy, nursing and medical staff at ward level. Receive information and answer or refer queries from patients, doctors, nurses and other members of the multidisciplinary team relating to the technical aspects of the MM service within the scope of your practice. Report any technical issues, problems with daily ward visits and any issues from other members of the multidisciplinary team regarding their MM service to the Lead Technician Medicines Management (LTMM). Communicate with the Nurses/Nurse In Charge regarding new patients and patients for discharge, problems relating to POD lockers & keys, and any medication queries within the scope of your practice. Prioritise own workload to ensure the smooth running of the service and ensure turnaround times are met. Proactively anticipate MM admission and discharge issues relating to provision of seamless care and take appropriate action.

Clinical

Counsel patients on the medication they receive. Provide technical advice on the medication, administration, dose and any changes in dose and frequency to ensure patient compliance. Provide compliance aids as needed. Provide advice and information to other healthcare professionals and patients under the guidance of a pharmacist. Liaise closely with clinical pharmacists and nursing staff to ensure the legality and clarity of all prescriptions. Interpret prescriptions and intervene regarding dosing, route of administration, timescales, and methods of drug delivery and appropriateness of treatment under the supervision of a pharmacist. Assist in completing all necessary paperwork for requests for non-formulary and/or unlicensed drugs in liaison with a pharmacist. Deal with chronically ill, distressed or verbally aggressive patients on a daily basis.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services plus underpinning knowledge from BTEC in Pharmaceutical Science or an equivalent accredited qualification.
  • Successful completion of Accredited Checking Technician Scheme (ACPT) or an equivalent accredited qualification. If undertaking this course, applicants should be over half way through the course.
  • Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council(GPhC)

Desirable

  • Partake and complete the NVQ Assessor award (A1) or an equivalent accredited qualification
  • Practice supervisor
  • MM Facilitator or Educational Supervisor
  • Management qualification e.g. Edward Jenner

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Experience of pharmacy practice as a Pharmacy Technician
  • Experience dealing with the public
  • Training experience

Desirable

  • Extensive hospital pharmacy experience
  • Educational supervisor experience
  • Previous management/line management experience
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services plus underpinning knowledge from BTEC in Pharmaceutical Science or an equivalent accredited qualification.
  • Successful completion of Accredited Checking Technician Scheme (ACPT) or an equivalent accredited qualification. If undertaking this course, applicants should be over half way through the course.
  • Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council(GPhC)

Desirable

  • Partake and complete the NVQ Assessor award (A1) or an equivalent accredited qualification
  • Practice supervisor
  • MM Facilitator or Educational Supervisor
  • Management qualification e.g. Edward Jenner

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Experience of pharmacy practice as a Pharmacy Technician
  • Experience dealing with the public
  • Training experience

Desirable

  • Extensive hospital pharmacy experience
  • Educational supervisor experience
  • Previous management/line management experience

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.

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.

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

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Surrey

Guildford

GU2 7XX


Employer's website

https://www.royalsurrey.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Surrey

Guildford

GU2 7XX


Employer's website

https://www.royalsurrey.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Lead Medicines Management Pharmacy Technician

Rebecca White

01483571122

Details

Date posted

06 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£32,602 to £39,686 a year Per annum pro rata including high cost area supplement

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

384-LG-EMF19194-B5

Job locations

Royal Surrey

Guildford

GU2 7XX


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