Practice Pharmacy Technician
Job Description
Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Pharmacy Technician to join our friendly and supportive General Practice team for 30 hours per week . The role is offered with the salary based on Agenda for Change Band 4 or Band 5 , dependent on experience.
This is an exciting opportunity to work as part of a multidisciplinary primary care team, supporting safe, effective and efficient medicines management for our patients. You will play a key role in medicines reconciliation following hospital discharge, repeat prescribing processes, medication queries, high-risk drug monitoring, audits and medicines optimisation work.
You will work closely with GPs, our Lead Clinical Pharmacist, clinical pharmacists, nurses, administration teams, community pharmacies, care homes and patients to help improve prescribing safety, reduce medicines-related risk and support high-quality patient care.
We are looking for someone who is organised, proactive, has excellent attention to detail and is confident working both independently and as part of a team. Experience in primary care is desirable.
In return, we offer a varied and rewarding role within a supportive practice environment, where your contribution will make a real difference to patients and the wider team.
Main duties of the job
The Pharmacy Technician will support the practice with the safe and efficient management of medicines across our patient population.
The role will include reviewing repeat prescription requests, supporting medicines reconciliation following hospital discharge and clinic letters, dealing with medication-related queries, and identifying issues that need escalation to a GP or pharmacist.
You will help ensure patients have appropriate monitoring in place for high-risk medicines, support medication review processes, assist with prescribing safety searches and audits, and contribute to medicines optimisation work within the practice.
The role will involve regular communication with patients, carers, community pharmacies, hospital teams and members of the wider multidisciplinary team. You will also support improvements to prescribing processes, clinical coding, data quality and patient safety systems.
This is a varied role requiring good organisation, attention to detail, effective communication skills and the ability to work within agreed protocols and your own level of competence.
About us
We are a busy, friendly and forward-thinking General Practice team committed to providing high-quality, patient-centred care to our local population.
Our practice has a strong multidisciplinary team approach, with GPs, nurses, lead practice pharmacist, pharmacist, pharmacy technicians, care navigators, administrators and management colleagues working together to support patients and each other. We value teamwork, clear communication, kindness and professionalism, recognising the important contribution every member of staff makes to the smooth running of the practice.
The successful candidate will be joining a supportive environment where medicines management is seen as a key part of safe and effective patient care. You will work closely with clinical and non-clinical colleagues and will be encouraged to contribute ideas, improve processes and develop within the role.
We understand the pressures within primary care and aim to create a workplace where staff feel valued, supported and able to make a meaningful difference. We offer a varied role, opportunities for learning and development, and the chance to be part of a committed team working to improve outcomes for patients.
Job responsibilities
Job DescriptionJob Title: Pharmacy Technician Hours: 30 hours per week Band: Agenda for Change Band 4 or Band 5, dependent on experience Responsible to: Practice Manager / Lead Pharmacist / GP Partners Accountable to: GP Partners
Job PurposeThe Pharmacy Technician will work as part of the practice multidisciplinary team to support safe, effective and efficient medicines management across the practice population.
The post holder will support repeat prescribing processes, medicines reconciliation, medication queries, high-risk drug monitoring, prescribing safety audits and medicines optimisation work. The role will involve working closely with GPs, pharmacists, nurses, administrative teams, community pharmacies, care homes, hospital teams, patients and carers.
The post holder will work within agreed protocols, professional competence and practice policies, escalating clinical or safety concerns to the GP or pharmacist as appropriate.
Main Duties and Responsibilities Medicines ReconciliationThe post holder will:
- Support medicines reconciliation following hospital discharge, outpatient letters and other clinical correspondence.
- Identify medication changes, discrepancies and actions required.
- Update patient medication records accurately and in a timely manner.
- Escalate medication discrepancies, safety concerns or complex queries to the GP or pharmacist.
- Liaise with patients, carers, community pharmacies, care homes and hospital teams where required.
- Support safe transfer of care between secondary care and primary care.
The post holder will:
- Support the safe and efficient processing of repeat prescription requests.
- Review prescription requests in line with practice protocols.
- Identify overdue medication reviews, monitoring requirements and potential prescribing safety issues.
- Support repeat medication synchronisation where appropriate.
- Respond to medication queries from patients, pharmacies, care homes and practice staff.
- Promote safe, appropriate and cost-effective prescribing.
- Escalate complex or clinical queries to the pharmacist or GP.
The post holder will:
- Support medicines optimisation work across the practice.
- Assist with preparation for medication reviews by pharmacists and GPs.
- Identify patients who may benefit from medication review, including those on multiple medicines or high-risk medicines.
- Support patients to understand their medicines and reduce medicines waste.
- Assist with formulary switches and prescribing improvement work in line with local guidance.
- Contribute to improving prescribing quality, safety and efficiency.
The post holder will:
- Support monitoring systems for high-risk medicines.
- Identify patients who are overdue monitoring and support recall processes.
- Assist with medicines safety searches, audits and action plans.
- Support the implementation of medicines safety alerts and local prescribing guidance.
- Record actions accurately in the clinical system.
- Escalate urgent medication safety concerns appropriately.
The post holder will:
- Undertake searches and audits to support prescribing safety, medicines optimisation and quality improvement.
- Support accurate medicines-related clinical coding and data quality.
- Assist with action plans arising from audits and searches.
- Maintain accurate records of work completed.
- Support reporting requirements where required.
The post holder will:
- Communicate effectively with patients, carers and healthcare professionals.
- Work closely with GPs, pharmacists, nurses, reception, administration and management teams.
- Liaise with community pharmacies, hospital teams and other external organisations.
- Attend relevant meetings where required.
- Support improvements to practice prescribing processes.
- Contribute to a positive, professional and supportive team culture.
The post holder will:
- Support patients with medication-related queries within their competence.
- Provide clear information about prescription processes and medication changes.
- Signpost patients appropriately to community pharmacy, Pharmacy First, NHS services or clinical colleagues.
- Promote patient safety, adherence and understanding of medicines.
- Maintain confidentiality and professionalism at all times.
The post holder will:
- Work within professional competence and seek advice when required.
- Maintain registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council where applicable.
- Follow practice policies, procedures and protocols.
- Maintain accurate and contemporaneous patient records.
- Complete mandatory training and role-specific training.
- Participate in appraisal, supervision and ...
