Pharmacy Technician

Job summary
Gateshead Healthcare is looking for a registered Pharmacy Technician to join our growing pharmacy team. This is a site-based role at our Ernesettle Medical Centre (PL5 2ST) Site in Plymouth, working as part of our Plymouth-based team to support a Gateshead GP practice. Although the team works out of our Ernesettle Practice, we welcome applicants for on-site, hybrid, or fully remote working

This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated and patient-focused Pharmacy Technician who enjoys working in general practice, medicines optimisation and safe, efficient prescribing processes. You will work closely with our Clinical Pharmacists and Pharmacy Team Coordinator, contributing to high-quality patient care and supporting the wider multidisciplinary team.

We are looking for someone who is organised, accurate and confident communicating with patients and colleagues. Previous GP practice experience is desirable, but we are most interested in candidates who bring strong professional standards, a proactive approach and a commitment to safe and effective medicines management.

We offer free parking, a birthday day off, and the opportunity to be part of a supportive and growing team environment where your contribution will be valued.We welcome applications from candidates who meet the essential requirements of the role and are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment.

Main duties of the job
In this role, you will support the safe, accurate and efficient management of medicines within general practice. This is a fully site-based, office-based role at Ernesettle Medical Centre in Plymouth, with the majority of duties undertaken using clinical systems, electronic prescribing processes and patient records. Applicants should be comfortable working in a computer-based environment as part of a structured pharmacy team.

Working closely with the Clinical Pharmacists and Pharmacy Team Coordinator, you will manage and process repeat prescriptions efficiently and safely, supporting timely and accurate prescribing in line with agreed protocols. You will also support medicines reconciliation, liaising with community pharmacies and colleagues where needed to help ensure continuity of care.

The role will involve using both EMIS and SystmOne to maintain accurate patient records, respond to appropriate medicines-related queries, and provide patient education and support around medication use. You will assist with prescription audits, medication safety processes, stock management and improvements to pharmacy workflows.

You will collaborate with the pharmacy and clinical teams to streamline medicines management systems, reduce medication waste and support safe prescribing, while working within your professional competence and maintaining high standards of confidentiality, safeguarding and patient safety.

About us
Location: Plymouth, Devon (we also welcome Hybrid and Remote applications)
We are excited to expand our pharmacy team and are currently recruiting for one Pharmacy Technician to join our ever-growing and dynamic workforce.

Based in Devon, with primary sites in Plymouth, this role offers the opportunity to work on-site to support our wider network of practices across the region.

This is a full-time role, though we are happy to discuss flexible working arrangements that support work-life balance.

As part of our collaborative team, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality medicines optimisation, supporting long-term condition management, and contributing to safe, effective prescribing within our primary care network (PCN).

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary
• Flexible working arrangements
• Free on-site parking
• Birthday day off
• Friendly, supportive team culture with excellent peer and clinical supervision

If you're passionate about improving patient outcomes and want to be part of a forward-thinking and supportive team, we'd love to hear from you.

Please be advised we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications.

Job responsibilities
Role duties
Medication Management Support:

• Collaborate with Clinical Pharmacists and clinicians to adhere to agreed practice prescribing and standard operating procedures.
• Process repeat medication requests, including the conversion of acute requests to repeat prescriptions, adjusting quantities, and processing prescriptions in accordance with agreed clinical protocols.
• Assist in managing shared care protocols and support Clinical Pharmacists with complex patient cases.

Medication Reviews and Reconciliation:

• Support medication reviews/monitoring and medicines reconciliation post-discharge or other transfers of care, particularly focusing on synchronizing medicines for patients transferring between care settings.
• Organise necessary monitoring tests prior to Structured Medication Reviews (SMR) as determined by the PCN.

Patient Interaction:

• Undertake patient support roles to ensure effective medicines use through shared decisionmaking conversations.
• Provide a contact point for patients and colleagues with medication related queries, enhancing patient support and care continuity.

Record Management:

• Maintain accurate patient medication records on the practices clinical computer system, recording advice given and actions taken.
• Assist the Pharmacist with data analysis related to prescribing behaviour to align with NICE guidance and local clinical commissioning directives.

System Utilisation and Training:

• Implement and support the use of the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS), Electronic Repeat Dispensing (eRD), and online ordering systems to streamline processes and reduce medication wastage.
• Provide training and support on the legal, safe, and secure handling of medicines.

Operational Efficiency:

• Develop efficient ordering and return processes to minimize medication wastage.
• Support the promotion and maintenance of eRD and the optimization of repeat prescribing processes.

Interprofessional Collaboration:

• Foster relationships with other pharmacy professionals and members of the multidisciplinary team to support integration across health and social care sectors including primary care, community pharmacy, and secondary care.
• Assist in developing and reviewing medicines audits and practice reception team protocols for general prescription requests to allow GPs and clinical pharmacists to focus on clinically complex patients.

Policy and Compliance:

• Support the implementation of national prescribing policies and guidance within GP practices, care homes, and other primary care settings.
• Assist in reviewing and developing practice policies to meet CQC requirements and support the PCN in delivering on the QIPP agenda, QOF, and locally commissioned enhanced services.

Professional Standards:

• Work within competencies and maintain professional indemnity for the role.
• Promote a culture that values equality and diversity, complying with relevant policies and actively promoting related issues.

Safety and Safeguarding:

• Acquire appropriate levels of safeguarding knowledge and practice required for the post, complying with the organisations safeguarding policies.
• Report any infection prevention and control issues to the line manager as required.

Person Specification
Experience
Essential

• Experience
• Proven experience as a Pharmacy Technician within a primary care setting, demonstrating familiarity with clinical pharmacy operations and medication management protocols.
• Experience in medication reconciliation, prescription handling, and supporting clinical audits and reviews.

Other Skills
Essential

• Technical Skills
• Proficiency in using clinical computer systems, including Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) and Electronic Health Records (EHR).
• Skilled in managing, ordering, and dispensing medications in accordance with standard operating procedures and legal requirements.
• Clinical Competencies
• Strong understanding of medication management systems, drug interactions, and contraindications.
• Ability to support clinical pharmacists in conducting Structured Medication Reviews (SMR) and medication synchronisation across care settings.
• Communication Skills
• Excellent communication skills, capable of effectively handling queries from patients and collaborating with multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
• Ability to provide training and support to practice staff on the safe and effective use of medicines and related systems.
• Previous SystmOne & EMIS web software usage is an advantage

Qualifications
Essential

• Educational Background
• Vocational qualification in Pharmacy Technology, NVQ Level 3 in Pharmaceutical Sciences, or equivalent is essential.
• Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) or equivalent regulatory body as a Pharmacy Technician (if available).

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).

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.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.