Senior Pharmacy Technician - Procurement

Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen at LHCH. We are looking for a Band 6 Senior Pharmacy Technician to lead our Procurement team within LHCH pharmacy.

The post holder must be registered as a Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council and have evidence of demonstrable experience in hospital pharmacy.

The post holder will be responsible for:

Managing the provision of patient focused pharmaceutical care with emphasis on the technical aspects of ordering, dispensing, issuing, distribution and stock control on medicines, in conjunction with the Pharmacy Patient Services Manager.

Managing and co-ordinate the technical pharmacy staff and technical services in conjunction with the other Senior Technicians.

Managing the pharmacy computer system in conjunction with the other Senior Technicians.

Managing, monitoring and maintaining the stock control systems within the department, which includes ensuring compliance with Regional and local contracts with wholesale and other suppliers, involving the purchase, storage and distribution of medicines to all areas serviced by the department.

Assisting in co-ordinating and developing the technical aspects of dispensing and issuing medicines within the dispensary in relation to the provision of patient-focused pharmaceutical care.

Main duties of the job
Managing the provision of patient focused pharmaceutical care with emphasis on the technical aspects of ordering, dispensing, issuing, distribution and stock control on medicines, in conjunction with the Pharmacy Patient Services Manager.

Managing and co-ordinate the technical pharmacy staff and technical services in conjunction with the other Senior Technicians.

Managing the pharmacy computer system in conjunction with the other Senior Technicians.

Managing, monitoring and maintaining the stock control systems within the department, which includes ensuring compliance with Regional and local contracts with wholesale and other suppliers, involving the purchase, storage and distribution of medicines to all areas serviced by the department.

Assisting in co-ordinating and developing the technical aspects of dispensing and issuing medicines within the dispensary in relation to the provision of patient-focused pharmaceutical care.

About us
As the largest single site specialist heart and chest hospital in the UK, we, at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, have a clear vision 'to be the best cardiothoracic integrated healthcare organisation'.

We provide specialist services in cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, respiratory medicine both in the hospital and out in the community.

We serve a catchment area of 2.8 million people, spanning Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and the Isle of Man, and increasingly we receive referrals from outside these areas for highly specialised services such as aortics.

Our reputation for strong performance is important in delivering the best care for our patients and high quality clinical services. This is underpinned by a culture of research and innovation, delivered in modern estate and our encouragement of flexible working in a variety of forms.

Details
Date posted: 16 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 410-DTC-08139226
Job locations: Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Thomas Drive, Liverpool, L14 3PE, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
CLINICAL

• a) To dispense medicines from the dispensary to a diverse range of patients in correctly labelled appropriate containers in an efficient and timely manner according to the standard operating procedures and the Medicines Act 1968 including the dispensing and costing of private prescriptions
• b) To perform final accuracy checks of medicines on prescriptions which have been clinically checked by a pharmacist.
• c) To raise, amend and send orders to suppliers and receive stock into the department and then to enter the appropriate records into the computer and ensure the goods are stored correctly.
• d) To communicate with nursing staff and other health professionals within the training and experience of a senior technician referring to a pharmacist if necessary.
• e) To carry out, monitor and check the ordering, dispensing, issuing, distribution and stock control of medicines on designated wards and departments within the Trust in accordance with the standard operating procedures.
• f) To participate in out of hours, bank holidays and 7 day working provision of a pharmaceutical service.
• g) To participate in the issuing, receipt and stock control of Controlled Drugs in accordance with the departmental standard operating procedures and the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
• h) To dispense, order and maintain records for unlicensed drugs according to departmental procedures and to liaise with Regional Quality Assurance Services to determine suitability for use when necessary.
• i) To ensure that procedures are carried out in accordance with safe systems of work in the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital and those regulations in respect of the Health and Safety at Work Act, COSHH and other legislation are complied with.
• j) To organise emergency transport for medicines which are required in an emergency or are outstanding to patients.
• k) To use current technology correctly to make appropriate records and to undertake extra training as required.
• l) To participate and contribute to pharmacy meetings and to assist in the development of the Pharmacy Business Plan.
• m) To participate in the appropriate actions taken in response to drug alerts issued by the MHRA and the NPSA.
• n) To record incidents and near misses on Trust incident reporting system
• o) To cover for other technicians during periods of absence as necessary

MANAGERIAL/LEADERSHIP

• a) To monitor, co-ordinate, manage and develop the activities of technical staff within the department, ensuring their most efficient use. This includes:
  • assessment of workload and allocation of staffing resources to meet this workload
  • the counselling of technical staff following a period of sickness absence in line with the Trusts Procedure
  • writing and implementation of rotas including daily workload rotas and technical cover rotas for Bank Holidays
  • day to day supervision of ATOs, technicians and students
  • arranging cover in the event of absences
• b) To ensure that all pharmacy staff use current technology correctly and efficiently, assessing their knowledge gaps and providing training where necessary.
• c) To write, implement and review standard operating procedures for the pharmacy department in conjunction with the Chief Technician/ Patient Services Manager.
• d) To be responsible in conjunction with the other Senior Technicians (EPMA).
  • To input all information onto the system, including new products, consultant codes and changing data.
  • To ensure all housekeeping procedures are undertaken and check for incorrect stock levels.
  • To ensure that the new drug forms are completed for any changes in medicines stocked as needed as part of the contract upload processes
• e) To be responsible for the procurement requirements for the department, including:
  • Managing the process of raising and authorising orders on a daily basis and ensuring that these are sent via EDI/email as appropriate twice daily.
  • Ordering Controlled Drugs from the suppliers and ensuring they are signed for and secure upon receipt.
  • Ordering and recording unlicensed drugs, ensuring a Certificate of Analysis/ Certificate of Conformity as required are supplied from the manufacturer and stocks are stored in appropriate areas. Ensuring the information on these drugs is communicated to the designated pharmacist.
  • Completing unlicensed medicines risk assessment forms in conjunction with the designated Pharmacist for approval via the Drugs and Therapeutics committee.
  • Completing Quality Control checks on unlicensed medicines on receipt.
  • Liaising with the formulary pharmacist on changes to the Trusts formulary and adjusting orders and stock levels accordingly.
  • Maintenance of the computerised pharmacy drug files in accordance with Regional and National Purchasing Contracts, ensuring this is carried out in a timely manner.
  • Assisting in the establishment of contracts for the purchase of drugs not covered by Regional or National contracts.
  • Performing monthly contract amendments issued by MPSC (Medicines Purchasing and Supply Chain), downloading files from the Pharmacy Catalogue and uploading these into the Pharmacy dispensing system.
  • Liaising with the Pharmacy Patient Services Manager, Chief Pharmacist, Department Managers and Trusts Purchasing Manager about long term contracts.
  • Liaising with wholesalers and drug company representatives to obtain information on new products, price changes and discuss any problems regarding supply issues and contract issues, including investigation of price anomalies and verification of variances.
  • Ensuring all invoices are matched and passed for payment within the time limits as required by the Trusts Standing Financial Instructions.
  • Co-ordinate the pursuit of refunds for legitimate off contract purchases due to the contracted companys failure to supply as per the approved off contract claims process.
  • Responsible for sourcing and obtaining essential medicines, which are unavailable from normal suppliers due to manufacturing problems.
  • The development, implementation and review of procurement policies and procedures ensuring they are written in accordance with NHS guidelines.
  • Responsible for arranging and agreeing mutual aid between NHS Trusts in the region when needed for emergency supplies of medication.
  • Responsible for arranging the transport of drugs to and from other hospitals or suppliers.
  • Assist and advise the pharmacy invoicing staff with in-depth and complicated invoicing and pricing issues, liaising with drug companies to resolve problems.
  • Co-ordinate responses to Drug recalls as needed, liaising with the Pharmacy Department and Risk Team as needed.
  • Responsible for the provision of homecare services in conjunction with the Homecare team.
  • Leading weekly meetings on medicines shortages with the Senior Leadership Team in Pharmacy and all relevant Pharmacy staff.
  • Disseminating information on medicines shortages to the Pharmacy Department and Trust staff in a timely and effective manner.
  • Maintaining records of responses to recalls and shortages.
  • Ensure adherence to policies and procedures as needed for WDA.
  • Attend regional procurement meetings as needed.
• f) To act as an authorised signatory in accordance with the Trusts Standing Financial Instructions.
• g) To use the pharmacy computer system to produce in depth reports on drug usage and financial information for auditing, review and cost effectiveness of medicines by medical and specialist staff and senior pharmacists, and to be involved in these processes when necessary.
• h) To be responsible for and to perform the appraisals of staff to aid with their career development.
• i) To be an authorised key holder for the pharmacy department.
• j) To undertake selection and recruitment of technical staff, including placing advertisements and co-ordinating interviews for student technicians, ATOs and technicians.
• k) To provide reports for ward managers and consultants as requested by the Chief Pharmacist.
• l) To be involved and advise on planning and development of pharmacy services.
• m) Organising alternate equipment when problems occur with existing contracted machinery and contacting the service supplier to resolve the fault.
• n) Informing maintenance of any problems and ensuring the work is carried out to Health and Safety Standards.
• o) To be responsible for arranging the transport of drugs to and from other hospitals and / or suppliers.
• p) To co-ordinate, plan and manage the daily stock check within the department, in conjunction with the senior technician (dispensary) and the Pharmacy Patient Services Manager to resolve discrepancies and to produce reports of such discrepancies and stock value adjustments.
• q) To assist in the management of returned pharmaceuticals as per WDA requirements
• r) To be able to manage and prioritise workload as necessary, being able to maintain accuracy despite frequent interruptions and changing priorities.
• s) To deputise for other senior Technicians during periods of absence.

ORGANISATIONAL (Education & Training)

• a) To participate in the on-going on the job training of all members of staff.
• b) To assist in the induction of new technical staff within the pharmacy.
• c) Participate in the counselling of patients on the use of their medicines and any devices required to deliver those drugs to improve drug compliance.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Level 3/BTEC - Pharmaceutical Science
• Accuracy Checking Qualification
• Registration with General Pharmaceutical Council

Desirable

• Leadership/management qualification

Skills
Essential

• Demonstrable leadership skills
• Able to work on own initiative and as part of a team
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Excellent organisational and planning skills
• Excellent IT skills
• Experience of staff management, appraisal and objective setting
• Ability to work to a high specification of accuracy, even with regular interruptions
• Ward work experience

Values and Behaviours
Essential

• Enthusiastic and selfmotivated
• Projects professional image
• Available to participate in the rota for 7 day and Bank Holiday working

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.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).