Medicines Optimisation Pharmacy Technician | The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

Posting date:	29 December 2025
Salary:	Not specified
Additional salary information:	£38,682 - £46,580 per annum pro rata
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	28 January 2026
Location:	Manchester, M20 4BX
Company:	The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	7705759/413-101375-CNS-SD

Summary

We are now investing in our Medicines Optimisation Team to underpin this expansion and are looking for an enthusiastic and self-motivated Pharmacy Technician who is ready for the next step in their career.

This is largely a project-based role to support the development, coordination and successful delivery of the Trust’s Medicines Optimisation and Pharmacy Strategy by supporting the Trust value improvement programme, development of a Trust medicines formulary and supporting the Trust Drug & Therapeutics Committee (DTC) processes.

Under the leadership of the Principal Pharmacist Medicines Optimisation you will work with a wide range of stakeholders that includes our in-house pharmacy teams at The Christie, our collaborative partners at The Christie Pharmacy (outsourced pharmacy supply chain logistics and dispensary services), Baxter Healthcare (for aseptically-dispensed intravenous SACT), peripheral and outreach service satellites across the local cancer network and NHS England, to support the optimisation of medicines across the whole patient pathway from commissioning to procurement to distribution to patients. Ensuring that all patients receive their medicines in the most efficient and cost-effective manner to ensure that resources are used wisely and effectively providing opportunity to improve health outcomes, reduce health inequalities, deliver medicine value and maintain a thriving, financially viable health economy.



For a comprehensive overview of roles and responsibilities please read our Job Description. Main duties of the role include:

To support the development, review and maintenance of the Trust medicines formulary and treatment guidelines in order to facilitate the safe, effective and cost-effective use of medicines within the Trust.
To work closely with disease group pharmacists to identify medicines information/optimisation requirements to support the medicines optimisation work of the department.
Identify, scope and implement Value Improvement programme (VIP) scheme opportunities relating to our medicine’s expenditure, to support the divisions to implement potential VIP plans relating to medicines and to provide monthly reporting
Develop an expertise in reporting and analysis of prescribing trends across all pharmacy systems (EPMA and dispensing/ procurement systems) to optimise medicines usage.
To interpret data and have the skills to explain prescribing, financial and quality data to internal and external stakeholders.
Provide professional secretarial support in conjunction with the pharmacy business support team to the Trust Drugs & Therapeutics Committee (DTC) by advising on the content of agendas, accompanying papers, minutes and actions.


PLEASE REFER TO THE JOB DESCRIPTION FOR A FULL LIST OF DUTIES.

The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.

We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years.

We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES



Medicines Optimisation

Identify, scope and implement Value Improvement programme (VIP) scheme opportunities relating to our medicine’s expenditure, to support the divisions to implement potential VIP plans relating to medicines and to provide monthly reporting.


Facilitate changes to prescribing practice where benefits have been identified by engaging with all stakeholders and developing an agreed implementation plan. Liaise with clinical, nursing, procurement, distribution staff to ensure the changes are achieved efficiently by clearly communicating often complex and contentious information with a need to influence stakeholders regarding rationale for change.


To work closely with clinicians and pharmacy staff to assist in horizon scanning and the managed entry of new medicines into the Trust with specific interest in the implementation of cost-effective therapies.


Be responsible for the preparation of complex data for our medicine budget setting meetings with commissioners. Prediction of estimated expenditure in the next financial year with a narrative for any changes in expenditure.


As part of the budget setting process, required to carry out a horizon scanning exercise for new medicines to the market, patent expiries that are imminent, biosimilar pipeline, clinical trial discontinuation and any new guidance or appraisals from NICE which may impact our expenditure in the next financial year.


Develop an expertise in reporting and analysis of prescribing trends across all pharmacy systems (EPMA and dispensing/ procurement systems) to optimise medicines usage.


To interpret complex data and have the skills to explain and influence prescribing, financial and quality data to internal and external stakeholders.


Collate data on, and provide expert analysis of, expenditure on medicine usage across the Trust. Liaise with the Principal Pharmacist Medicines Optimisation and finance department to track high value medicines to ensure their usage is within National, regional or local guidance.


Responsible for tracking compliance with NICE guidance and technology appraisals, ensuring that our prescribing meets the required criteria and actioning change where appropriate to improve compliance.


Provide support to the income and finance teams – create complex reports on expenditure and highlight areas of concern, both clinical and financial. Offer advice on possible solutions and horizon scanning for future cost pressures.


Use the Define/Refine IT solutions to identify areas of concern regarding our prescribing practices and/or to identify potential cost savings, create cost benefits figures from potential substitutions.


Support finance with any medicine related commissioner challenges and compile monthly reports.


Monitor monthly IVIG supply and compliance with guidelines and national database reporting, act as link to the Sub-Regional Immunoglobulin Panel completing data requirements for discussion at monthly review meetings.


Support the Procurement and Homecare Lead Technician to identify possible VIP opportunities, be aware of forthcoming Regional and National procurement tenders and the potential benefit/deficit that the tender award may bring.

Record these benefits or cost pressures as part of the VIP monitoring documentation.

Provide support with new drug files and management of out-of-date or returned medicines.


To assist in the investigation of errors and complaints in relation to Medicines Optimisation agenda.


To actively participate and support the medicines optimisation activities of the department including the management of unlicensed drugs, medicines recalls and product shortages.

To actively participate in the MHRA drug recall process, in conjunction with the third-party provider, regarding clinical service implications and resulting communications with the Trust.


To liaise with the pharmacy stores/stock function to ensure adequate stock drugs supplies are available at ward level taking into account prescribing variances.


Attend relevant internal and regional meetings to network, develop standards for clinical pharmacy practice / medicines optimisation initiatives and participate in benchmarking and regional audit.


Develop, and implement new systems of working to improve service quality and efficiency.



Drug & Therapeutics Committee (DTC)

To co-ordinate and support DTC processes, in line with its Terms of Reference, working with consultants and disease group pharmacists.


Provide professional secretarial support in conjunction with the pharmacy business support team to the Trust DTC by advising on the content of agendas, accompanying papers, minutes and actions.


Provide advisory support to ensure that DTC information is available on the Intranet and Internet sites is accurate and up to date.


Attend DTC when required and support managed entry of new medicines applications and new published NICE Technology Appraisals.


To support the communication of changes in relation to medicines optimisation activities to hospital management, nursing staff, pharmacy staff and patients via formal meetings, presentations, reports and discussion.


To co-ordinate and support the preparation of correspondence and complex papers, reports and audits as directed by managers.



Medicines formulary/guidelines

To support the development, review and maintenance of the Trust medicines formulary and treatment guidelines in order to facilitate the safe, effective and cost-effective use of medicines within the Trust.


To promote the use of medicine related policies, guidelines and procedures by other healthcare professions to ensure the safe, effective, cost effective and timely use of medicines.


To effectively communicate, influence and negotiate with stakeholders in the implementation processes of medicines optimisation change requirements within the Trust


To participate in the production and dissemination of Trust prescribing guidelines/drug formulary liaising with disease group pharmacists, medical staff and nursing staff, ensuring, where necessary, the following is carried out: training, advertising, audit, updates and that an audit trail maintained.


To work closely with disease group pharmacists to identify medicines information/optimisation requirements to support the medicines optimisation work of the department.



General

To build strong working relationships with regular two-way communication with other Lead Pharmacy Technicians within the clinical service and provide support during periods of absence.


To assist in the investigation of incidents related to technical pharmacy services in accordance with Trust policies and assess processes to mitigate risk of future incidents.


To provide cover for pharmacy procurement tasks as necessary.
Ensure medication errors and incidents are reported and managed according to Trust policy.


Can use Microsoft office applications and healthcare software, e.g. electronic SACT prescribing systems, EPMA and scheduling software including proficient and accurate keyboard and computer skills to provide relevant documentation and report generation.


To actively contribute and participate in regular training and development opportunities to maintain continuing professional development.


To be fully aware and have a working knowledge of COSHH regulations including the handling of cytotoxic, SACT and clinical trial materials to interpret and provide guidance to relevant members of the multidisciplinary team.


To contribute to audits of clinical pharmacy services to ensure a high-quality service provision is maintained and to identify and contribute to future service improvements, developments, or initiatives.


Maintain a Clinical Pharmacy Technician role for designated wards, advocating patient centred care communicating complex information to patients/clients/carers regarding medicines, adapting communication styles if required.

To be responsible and assist the ward pharmacist in ensuring and organising the efficient supply of medication during the patient’s stay in hospital and on discharge from the hospital including an accurate assessment and review of the suitability of medication for discharge.


To participate in weekend working and bank holiday rotas as required by the clinical pharmacy service to meet the needs of the Trust.



Clinical / Managerial responsibilities

To support the Chief Clinical Pharmacy Technician in:



Maintenance of a high-quality patient focused pharmacy service regarding integration and training of Pharmacy Technicians, Pharmacy Assistants and Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technicians (PTPT) across the clinical service in line with defined service standards, ensuring medicines are optimised across medicine reconciliation, medication provision and patient counselling.


To oversee the management of Pharmacy Technicians, Pharmacy Assistants and PTPTs within the clinical pharmacy service.


To participate in the recruitment of staff in accordance with recruitment and selection policies and induction programmes.


Ensure staff have at least one performance and development review annually.


Ensure staff have their sickness managed in accordance with Trust policies, particularly the Management of Attendance Policy.


Ensure staff have their education and training needs regularly assessed.
To support and assist the planning and development of clinical service rotas including weekend and bank holiday rotas.


Assess and approve annual leave requests for technical clinical staff.
Lead, direct and motivate staff, acting as a role model and mentor for Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, Pharmacy Assistants, Foundation Year Pharmacists and PTPTs.

PLEASE REFER TO THE JOB DESCRIPTION FOR A FULL LIST OF DUTIES.




This advert closes on Monday 19 Jan 2026

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