Pharmacy Technician

Posting date:	13 February 2026
Salary:	Not specified
Additional salary information:	Negotiable
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	03 March 2026
Location:	Plymouth, PL7 1AD
Company:	NHS Jobs
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	A1739-26-0008

Summary

Job responsibilities To undertake medicines reconciliation in accordance with practice protocols and to update patients medical records / prescribing accordingly. Carry out medication reviews whilst in patient records e.g. dose optimisation and medicines synchronisation Support the prescription clerks by helping with queries relating to prescription requests and look for ways to improve the efficiency and safety of the prescription issuing process, ensuring queries are resolved and scripts issues in line with the timeframe in the practice procedure. Interface with community and hospital pharmacy colleagues on medicines related issues. Implement and support use of monitored dosage systems and support the district nursing team with medicine optimisation for housebound patients Implement and support electronic prescribing and repeat dispensing in appropriate patients including working with the community pharmacy staff to identify appropriate patients. Review out-patient letters which include changes to drug treatment and make changes to patients repeat medication list as appropriate (or query prescribing if not in accordance with Formulary). Liaising with patients and community pharmacy regarding changes. Review out-patient discharge recommendations and issue prescriptions as requested To support the achievement of the practices prescribing Quality and Outcomes Framework targets. Work with the Lead Clinical Pharmacist, Pharmacists and Clinicians in accordance with agreed practice prescribing Working with the Clinical Pharmacist and Prescribing Lead GP to contribute to the review and development of repeat prescribing protocols / Standard Operating Procedures to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of repeat prescribing systems. To help drive quality improvements in areas of own workload that will improve Population Health management and targets set by the Improvement Investment Fund. To provide advice to GPs, staff and patients in changes to prescribing to support the improvement of prescribing safety, quality and cost effectiveness. To participate in medication audits and ensure findings are recording and shared with the wider team. To assist in the appropriate monitoring and management of prescribing the budgets and to liaise with the medicines management team at the ICB. To prepare evidence based resources and information to support the implementation of rational cost-effective prescribing. Provide supervision for the wider team to ensure staff are carrying out their duties appropriately; in accordance with local policies and SOPs. To support the team to ensure dispensing standards are met and achieved and relevant audits are completed to meet annual DSQS requirements. To support the Clinical Pharmacists to provide medication reviews, patient information leaflets, medicine awareness; and to undertake community visits as appropriate. To take a proactive approach to the safe handling of prescriptions, including assessment of risk and making recommendations for improvement. To respond to medication queries from patients and staff in a professional manner referring to the appropriate GP in accordance with practice protocols. To advise on the sourcing and safe management of medicines as appropriate. To use highly developed knowledge and skills to provide high standards of patient centred care. To work with the Care Home Pharmacist and offer Pharmacy Technician support where appropriate. This support could include reviewing and highlighting patients to the care home pharmacist in relation to structured medication reviews and support for polypharmacy, deprescribing, quality improvement, appropriate use of nutritional supplements and improving medicines related processes in care homes Undertaking patient facing and patient supporting roles to ensure effective medicines use, through shared decision-making conversations with patients To provide medication review services to patients via clinics in practices, domiciliary visits and in residential and nursing homes and to deliver pharmaceutical care plans that maximise cost-effective prescribing and improve the quality of patient care. Governance To assist the Lead Clinical Pharmacist with data analysis of prescribing behaviour in line with NICE guidance and local clinical commissioning directives. To support the safe and effective repeat prescribing of high-risk medicines ensuring that regular monitoring as per local/shared care guidance is taking place. To document interventions made to patients medications in their health care records to ensure there is a clear audit trail and changes are clearly accounted for Awareness of, and compliance with, all relevant local/clinical policies and guidelines Responsible for the contribution to service improvement, evaluation, and development. Actively identifies areas of improvement. Proactivity contributes to service development and is responsible for service improvement through the application of tested improvement tools and techniques. Medicines Optimisation Provide information and guidance to patients to improve adherence with medicines taking where practical Promote and support the use of shared decision making where practical Monitor use of drugs for patients who may be overusing or misusing drugs and alert prescribers as necessary Respond to queries from GPs and other clinical staff and contact patients where necessary Respond to queries from receptionists regarding any medicine-related matters and contact patients where necessary Support practice staff with managing a safe and robust medication review system Respond to queries with regard to transfer of prescribing from secondary to primary care Training and Personal development: Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development. Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work. Offering support and training to student placements with both Pharmacy Team trainees and the wider team. For example this could be monitoring formulary updates and highlighting and sharing with the wider team. Pharmacy Technicians can also support new staff to understand prescribing processes within the clinical system and policies across the wider group in relation to safe and effective use of medicines To suggest and offer training for the dispensing team to ensure correct standards are met. This for example could be through audit/quality improvement projects and sharing best practice from national or local bodies KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Confidentiality The post holder must maintain confidentiality, security and integrity of information relating to patients, staff and the business. In the performance of the duties outlined in this job description, the postholder will have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, practice staff and other healthcare workers. They will also have access to information relating to the practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential. Any breach of confidentiality will be regarded as gross misconduct according to the Group Staff Handbook. Equality and Diversity The postholder will positively support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues to include: Acting in a way that recognizes the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with practice procedures and policies and current legislation. Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues. Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgemental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights. Health and Safety The postholder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the practice health & safety policy, the practice health & safety manual and the practice infection control policy and published procedures. Communication The postholder should recognize the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to: Communicate effectively with other team members Communicate effectively with patients and carers Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly Link/liaise with local strategic groups to ensure work is aligned with local health and wellbeing priorities. Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment. To attend and participate in practice clinical meetings and other multi-disciplinary meetings where necessary. Quality The postholder will strive to maintain and improve quality within the practice, and will: Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk. Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision. Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance. Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients needs Contribution to the implementation of services The postholder will: Apply practice policies, standards and guidance. Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work. Participate in audit where appropriate