Pharmacy TechnicianNHS

Job summary

Pharmacy Technicians play a vital role within the primary care multidisciplinary team, supporting the safe, effective and efficient use of medicines. Working alongside GPs, Clinical Pharmacists and other healthcare professionals, they help to optimise prescribing processes, improve patient outcomes and ensure compliance with medicines management policies and procedures.

The role focuses on the delivery of high-quality prescribing support, including medicines optimisation, repeat prescribing management, medication reviews, medicines reconciliation and reducing medicines waste. Pharmacy Technicians contribute to improving patient safety by identifying and resolving medication-related issues, supporting prescribing audits and implementing best practice guidance.

As an integral member of the practice team, the Pharmacy Technician helps to streamline prescribing systems, enhance operational efficiency and support the delivery of patient-centred care, ensuring that medicines are used safely, appropriately and cost-effectively across the practice population.

Main duties of the job

Main Duties and Skills

• Qualified to BTEC or NVQ Level 3 in Pharmaceutical Sciences (or equivalent), with a minimum of two years' post-qualification experience.
• Demonstrates a strong understanding of primary care prescribing and the ability to review, monitor and improve prescribing practices, with a focus on patient safety, clinical effectiveness and cost efficiency.
• Possesses excellent communication, interpersonal and leadership skills, enabling effective collaboration with Pharmacists, GPs, and administrative teams.
• Self-motivated and proactive, with the ability to work independently, prioritise tasks effectively, manage workloads and meet deadlines.
• Supports the delivery of high-quality patient care by developing and implementing safe, effective and efficient prescribing processes, including repeat prescribing systems, medicines optimisation initiatives, reduction of medicines waste and other prescribing improvement activities.
• Works under the guidance of the Clinical Pharmacist Team to promote best practice, improve prescribing outcomes and enhance patient safety across the practice.

Job description

Pharmacy Technicians play an important role alongside Clinical Pharmacists, Community Pharmacists, and other members of the multidisciplinary team (MDT).

The purpose of this role is to support improvements that maximise safe, cost-effective prescribing and medicines optimisation to enhance the quality of patient care. You will help patients get the best from their medications by implementing agreed prescribing protocols, supporting repeat prescribing processes within general practice, minimising risks associated with medicines use, and helping to reduce medication waste.

You will also promote a better understanding of the safe and effective use of medicines. This will involve supporting the achievement of national requirements, the implementation of NICE guidance, and the delivery of medicines optimisation initiatives to improve patient outcomes.

Essential Skills and Knowledge

• Awareness of GP clinical systems and prescribing processes.
• Strong understanding of medicines optimisation and patient safety principles.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
• Good organisational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of current prescribing guidance and best practice standards.

About us

Newquay Health Centre is a busy and forward-thinking GP practice serving a growing population of approximately 17,500 patients. We are committed to providing high-quality healthcare services in a friendly, supportive and positive environment for both our patients and staff.

Our multidisciplinary team includes GPs, nurses, healthcare professionals and a dedicated administrative team, all working together to deliver excellent patient care. We also have a well-established pharmacy team comprising a Clinical Pharmacist, Pharmacy Technician and Pharmacy Administration Support staff, who play a key role in medicines optimisation, prescribing management and improving patient outcomes.

We are committed to continuous improvement and staff development, offering opportunities for role progression, skill enhancement and professional growth within a collaborative and supportive working environment.