Pharmacy Technician

Job Summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Pharmacy Technician to join the Jurassic Coast Primary Care Network pharmacy team.

Working across our member practices in Bridport, Beaminster and Lyme Regis, you will support the safe, effective and efficient use of medicines and help improve outcomes for patients. As part of a supportive multidisciplinary team, you will work closely with clinical pharmacists, GPs and other healthcare professionals, combining patient-facing work with medicines optimisation, medication reconciliation, safety audits and prescription management.

This is a varied role offering the opportunity to work independently within appropriate clinical supervision, build strong relationships with patients and colleagues, and contribute to the ongoing development of pharmacy services across the PCN. We are looking for someone who is organised, proactive and able to manage their own workload, with excellent communication skills and a strong attention to detail.

The post is for 30 hours per week and may involve travel between our PCN practices.

Main Duties of the Job

• Undertaking patient-facing medicines optimisation work and supporting patients to use their medicines effectively
• Completing medicines reconciliation following hospital discharge or transfers between care settings
• Supporting medication reviews, including for patients living in care homes
• Carrying out medication safety audits and reviewing the use of high-risk medicines
• Supporting prescription processes, repeat prescribing systems and the Electronic Prescription Service
• Helping to improve medication ordering processes and reduce medicines waste
• Supporting antimicrobial stewardship, shared care protocols and prescribing improvement work
• Contributing to clinical audits, quality improvement initiatives and enhanced services
• Providing medicines-related advice, training and support to practice teams
• Working closely with pharmacists, GPs, community pharmacies and the wider multidisciplinary team

The postholder will manage their own workload within appropriate clinical supervision and travel between PCN member practices as required.

About Us
Jurassic Coast Primary Care Network (PCN) is a group of GP practices based in rural West Dorset, working together to provide high-quality, personalised healthcare to the local community. The PCN includes a mix of healthcare professionals like social prescribers, clinical pharmacists, digital care coordinators, and admin staff. These teams work across several hubs in the area to make sure everyone can access the care they need.

The PCN prides itself on being supportive and inclusive, with a real focus on staff well-being as a key part of delivering great patient care. Its built on values like respect, attention to detail, active listening, openness, empowering patients, and always learning and improving.

People who work there often describe it as fast-paced, lively, and caring. Theres a real sense of teamwork and making a difference to the lives of local patients, with the beautiful surroundings of the Jurassic Coast providing an added bonus.

Job Responsibilities
Job Summary
The Pharmacy Technician will be an integral member of the Jurassic Coast Primary Care Network pharmacy team, supporting the safe, effective and efficient use of medicines across our member practices.

Working under the supervision of the Lead Clinical Pharmacist, the postholder will undertake a combination of patient-facing, clinical, technical and administrative duties. They will work closely with pharmacists, GPs, practice teams, community pharmacies, care providers and other healthcare professionals to improve medicines safety and patient outcomes.

Main Responsibilities

• Undertake patient-facing and patient-supporting work to help patients understand and use their medicines effectively.
• Use shared decision-making and consultation skills to support patients with their medication.
• Complete medicines reconciliation for patients following hospital discharge or transfer between care settings.
• Support medication reviews, including reviews for patients who are newly admitted to care homes.
• Create medication reminder charts and other resources to support patients with taking their medicines safely.
• Carry out medication safety audits and support the monitoring of patients prescribed high-risk medicines.
• Provide appropriate lifestyle and public health advice within the postholders level of competence.
• Support pharmacists and the wider multidisciplinary team with prescribing information, medicine availability and medicines-related queries.
• Participate in shared care arrangements and liaise with specialist pharmacists when supporting patients with complex needs.
• Contribute to antimicrobial stewardship work to help reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing.
• Support medicines management incentive schemes, national prescribing policies, enhanced services and Quality and Outcomes Framework activity.
• Participate in clinical audits and quality improvement work, including audits relating to antibiotic use and medication safety.

Medicines management and prescribing systems

• Work with the multidisciplinary team to improve medication ordering and return processes and help reduce medicines waste.
• Support practice reception and administrative teams to appropriately triage routine prescription requests, enabling pharmacists and GPs to focus on more complex clinical queries.
• Support the effective use of electronic prescriptions, repeat prescribing systems and the Electronic Prescription Service.
• Help ensure that monitoring for high-risk medicines is completed safely and within appropriate timescales.
• Provide training and support to practice staff on safe medicines handling and medicines optimisation processes.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with pharmacy technicians, pharmacists and other professionals across primary care, community pharmacy, secondary care and social care.

Working arrangements

• The postholder will be expected to plan and manage their own workload, working independently within agreed procedures and appropriate clinical supervision.
• The role will involve working across the PCNs member practices: Ammonite Health Partnership, Barton House Medical Practice and Lyme Bay Medical Centre.
• Independent travel between PCN sites and attendance at meetings hosted by other organisations will be required. Hot desking may be necessary depending on room availability.

General Responsibilities

• Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with all relevant information governance and data protection requirements.
• Follow the health and safety, incident reporting, safeguarding, equality and diversity policies of the PCN and its member practices.
• Treat patients, colleagues and visitors with dignity and respect.
• Take responsibility for continuing professional development and keeping knowledge of medicines management, primary care pharmacy and relevant guidance up to date.
• Undertake any other duties appropriate to the role that support the effective operation and development of the PCN pharmacy service.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Registered Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)

Desirable

• Enrolled in, undertaking, or qualified from an approved training pathway such as: Primary Care Pharmacy Educational Pathway (PCPEP), Medicines Optimisation in Care Homes (MOCH), Courses approved by the Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK (APTUK) or other approved pathways aligned with the UK-wide APTUK/PCPA National Competency Framework

Experience
Essential

• Demonstrated competency in delivering patient-facing and supporting roles within primary care or similar settings
• Proficiency in medicines optimisation tasks, including medication reviews, reconciliation, and techniques for effective medicine use
• Understanding of clinical protocols, shared care frameworks, and antimicrobial stewardship
• Proven experience in medicines management, clinical audits, and contributing to quality improvement measures within healthcare frameworks (e.g., QOF)

Desirable

• Experience in working with multi-disciplinary teams within primary care, including knowledge of the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS)
• Experience in providing public health and lifestyle advice, especially to reduce local health inequalities

Skills and Knowledge
Essential

• Strong clinical and technical skills in medicines management
• Effective communication skills with patients and the ability to engage in shared decision-making
• Ability to work autonomously within clinical supervision and contribute actively to a healthcare team
• Leadership skills to support medicines optimisation systems and train other staff members in safe handling and efficient use of medicines
• Commitment to continuous professional development and staying updated with relevant policies and best practices in primary care pharmacy

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. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).