Dispensary and Systems Manager

The closing date is 11 August 2026

Job summary
As one of the pioneering Trusts in the region to implement accuracy checking for Senior Pharmacy Assistants, we are committed to continuously advancing our pharmacy services to improve outcomes for both patients and staff. We are seeking an ambitious and forward-thinking Dispensary and Systems Manager to join our team at Kent and Canterbury Hospital. This is an exciting leadership opportunity for an experienced pharmacy technician to play a key role in delivering a safe, effective, and innovative dispensary service. As a leader, you will motivate and inspire your team, ensuring a smooth and efficient workflow, full compliance with regulatory standards, and the delivery of high-quality patient care.

Main duties of the job
To oversee the daily operations of the Kent and Canterbury Hospital dispensary and to manage key pharmacy systems. You will be responsible for ensuring efficient and safe medication dispensing, managing staff and operation of all automated dispensary systems and software.

We are looking for a Pharmacy Technician with 2 years post qualification experience with some previous line management and systems background.

About us
We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 800,000 people. Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people'. Everything we do is guided by our values: 'People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference'. We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called 'We care'. It's about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day. We're looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.

Please note that if you require a Certificate of Sponsorship to work in the UK you must declare this on your application form, even if you currently have a certificate of sponsorship or a work permit for another role and are already working in the country. Please note we are only able to sponsor candidates for a Skilled Worker Visa for roles that are eligible at the time of application.

Details
Date posted: 04 August 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: 344-0514DBH
Job locations:
Kent and Canterbury Hospital
Ethelbert Road
Canterbury
CT1 3NG
United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

• To liaise closely with ward and clinical pharmacy teams to maintain an efficient and professional dispensary service responsive to the needs of its users.
• To ensure dispensary performance e.g. waiting times, dispensing errors/near misses; stock write offs/expired stock, lost drugs, is recorded inputting into our Monthly Performance Review Meeting.
• Ensuring that DATIX reports are completed appropriately.
• To support the Dispensary Service lead Pharmacy Technician in identifying areas where improvements in the operation of the Dispensary service may be developed and to monitor any actions taken.
• To maintain an effective skill-mix in dispensary, ensuring that all staff involved in dispensary services undergo adequate induction and training and are competent to work in accordance with agreed protocols and standards of practice. Maintaining training records appropriately and addressing individual competency issues.
• To support the training of all pharmacy staff within the dispensary and escalate concerns through the appropriate channels eg via Dispensary Service lead pharmacy technician
• To ensure all dispensing, counselling and information provided to the patient is accurate and meets the needs of the patient.
• To ensure all patient medication records and drug files are maintained confidentially and accurately.
• To ensure dispensary stock, including controlled drugs, unlicensed medicines and clinical trial drugs, are managed safely and effectively with regard to stock levels, storage conditions, record keeping and rotation to reduce wastage. Reporting any discrepancies to senior staff immediately.
• To participate in the receipt, dispensing, checking and issuing of all prescriptions including controlled drugs, clinical trial, unlicensed medications and cytotoxic drugs as required by the service within own competency.
• To be responsible for the receipt and safe custody of all money for prescription charges or sales.
• To ensure that the security of the dispensary, dispensary stock and equipment is maintained at all times.
• To be an active member of the Pharmacy Dispensary Services team, participating in the organising and planning of operational issues and to be responsible for updating and communicating changes to the dispensary team including updating pharmacy SOPs.
• To participate in 121 meetings and the Performance review process to fully participate in team meetings and briefings to ensure good two-way communication.
• To manage key pharmacy systems including CMM, PTS and ROWA/Pyxis/CII Safe. Including leading on system upgrades, testing, implementation in collaboration with other stakeholders.
• Development of system SOPs, training and user guides
• Leads on system procurement process when a new system is proposed/developed.
• To act as a nominated senior systems user to ensure the efficient operation of all automated dispensary systems and software packages.
• To ensure any Health and Safety/Manual Handling issues identified are risk assessed and work is carried out to reduce risk and DATIX reports completed as appropriate.
• To conduct and participate in audits or projects as required by all areas of the Pharmacy service.
• To participate in recruitment and to line manage staff allocated according to Trust policies.
• To maintain own personal competencies and mandatory training.
• To take part in weekend, bank holiday and late duty Pharmacy services. Daily hours are adjusted to provide for an average of 37.5 hours per week.
• To work in other hospitals within the Trust, to provide pharmacy services as required.
• To undertake such other duties as may be required by the Director of Pharmacy in the interest of the service, appropriate for grade and agreed with the post holder.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Registration as a member of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) as a Pharmacy Technician maintaining mandatory revalidation requirement
• Pharmacy Technician qualification enabling GPhC registration
• Accuracy Checking
• Leadership/management training

Desirable

• Practice Supervisor/Educational Supervisor or equivalent
• Medicine Optimisation

Skills and Experience
Essential

• 2 years post qualification experience
• Previous line management experience
• Excellent organisational and coordination skills
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiating skills
• Ability to work effectively under pressure while maintaining a high level of accuracy
• Drive and enthusiasm
• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills
• Ability to work independently assessing priorities and managing own and others workload
• Ability to multitask and delegate appropriately
• Experience of managing pharmacy systems

Desirable

• Experience in a hospital dispensary setting
• Good organisational Skills
• Innovative
• Car driver
• Team leader

Governance
Essential

• Working knowledge of current legislation and good practice relating to dispensary and systems practice

Desirable

• Experience of participating in audits and giving feedback
• Experience of writing action plans

Skills
Essential

• Self-motivated and ability to motivate others and act as a role model.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure while maintaining a high level of accuracy
• Positive can do attitude and enthusiasm for the role of pharmacy in promoting patient safety
• Good analytical skills - able to access and abstract data from relevant and sometimes complex sources Able to appraise options and make clear decision
• Can prioritise work and organise own workload as well as that of other staff
• Effective leadership and team building skills
• Ability to concentrate with interruptions to provide advice to other staff

Other Requirements
Essential

• To be aware of and adhere to the Trust's Vision, Mission and Values

Desirable

• Member of APTUK

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.

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.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Ethelbert Road, Canterbury, CT1 3NG, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through our website

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Lead Pharmacy Technician for Dispensary Services
Sarah Edwards
View email address on meeveem.com
View phone number on meeveem.com