East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Lead Pharmacy Technician -Patient Services

The closing date is 10 March 2026

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity to join ESNEFT Ipswich Hospital Pharmacy Department as a Senior Pharmacy Technician.

We are looking for a motivated individual with professional compassionate leadership experience who will oversee the operational aspects of the pharmacy dispensaries (main and cancer day unit) and Pharmacy Technician ward-based services, education and training of those staff and supporting their management, health and wellbeing.

Working collaboratively with the senior pharmacy leadership you will improve systems and processes that in turn improve patient experience, safety and outcomes. ESNEFT has recently implemented full site wide the Epic electronic patient record which includes electronic prescribing and administration, and pharmacy dispensing and stock control system. You will be central to further developing and improving workflows and processes in order to optimise dispensary and clinical pharmacy services. Epic performance data will enable you to develop demand and capacity models to assist in this ongoing review.

You will ensure efficient and cost-effective use of medicines and resources in your areas of responsibility, meeting local, regional and national requirements.

You will also participate in the delivery of the seven day pharmacy service which includes late shift and weekend working

We promote a culture of learning, competence and confidence, through facilitation of education and training for all grades of staff in our department.

Main duties of the job

To develop, in collaboration with the Chief Pharmacist and Assistant Chief Pharmacist(s), business and service plans, ensuring that these correspond with the strategic objectives of the Trust and the pharmacy department.

To organise and plan, with Pharmacy Section Managers, the work of the pharmacy department within agreed procedures, plans and financial resources.

To provide other Service and Managers with information required for priority setting, decision making and policy formation.

To establish and oversee systems which monitor workload to match staffing levels and service requirements, to ensure appropriate management of staff annual leave, lieu time and study leave.

To contribute to all aspects of the pharmacy department's strategic planning process of quality and continuing improvement, including information management of error monitoring and skill mix requirements within the department.

To work with the Chief Pharmacist, Assistant Chief Pharmacist(s), Service Managers and Finance Managers to agree the strategy and operational impacts of individual Service Level agreements (SLA's).

To work with the Chief Pharmacist or Assistant Chief Pharmacist(s) to negotiate, manage and monitor departmental SLA's, reporting variance to the Operational Manager if necessary.

To provide leadership and support on projects and business case development, ensuring appropriate national standards are incorporated.

About us

We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients' own homes.

We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff

We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options

Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services

Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients

We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what's widely regarded as the world's best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you

Find out about living and working here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A

Details

Date posted

27 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

432-HR1319-25

Job locations

Ipswich Hospital

Heath Road

Ipswich

IP4 5PD


Job description

Job responsibilities

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Recognised qualification in management/leadership, or equivalent significant demonstrable experience
  • NVQ Level 3 Pharmacy Technician or equivalent qualification
  • Accredited Accuracy Checker
  • Accredited in Medicine Reconciliation and Medicines Management
  • Registered with the GPhC

Desirable

  • Degree/Masters level qualification in management/leadership
  • NVQ Assessor Award
  • Internal Quality Assessor Award
  • Train the Trainer Award
  • Registered with APTUK
  • CMMPT

Experience/Knowledge

Essential

  • Budget management
  • Project management and leading implementations
  • Staff management
  • Business planning
  • Experience of NHS working practice and the interdependencies of clinical support services
  • Experience of writing SOPs, Policies and or Guidelines
  • HR processes including recruitment, appraisals and personal development planning

Desirable

  • Contracting/SLA management
  • Considerable knowledge of hospital pharmacy and other NHS departments
  • Governance and audit
  • Multi-site and multi-sector pharmacy experience
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Recognised qualification in management/leadership, or equivalent significant demonstrable experience
  • NVQ Level 3 Pharmacy Technician or equivalent qualification
  • Accredited Accuracy Checker
  • Accredited in Medicine Reconciliation and Medicines Management
  • Registered with the GPhC

Desirable

  • Degree/Masters level qualification in management/leadership
  • NVQ Assessor Award
  • Internal Quality Assessor Award
  • Train the Trainer Award
  • Registered with APTUK
  • CMMPT

Experience/Knowledge

Essential

  • Budget management
  • Project management and leading implementations
  • Staff management
  • Business planning
  • Experience of NHS working practice and the interdependencies of clinical support services
  • Experience of writing SOPs, Policies and or Guidelines
  • HR processes including recruitment, appraisals and personal development planning

Desirable

  • Contracting/SLA management
  • Considerable knowledge of hospital pharmacy and other NHS departments
  • Governance and audit
  • Multi-site and multi-sector pharmacy 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

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Ipswich Hospital

Heath Road

Ipswich

IP4 5PD


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Ipswich Hospital

Heath Road

Ipswich

IP4 5PD


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Associate Chief Pharmacist

Emma Travers

emma.travers@esneft.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

27 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

432-HR1319-25

Job locations

Ipswich Hospital

Heath Road

Ipswich

IP4 5PD


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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