Job summary
- Main area
- Pharmacy
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 7
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job ref
- 432-HR1319-25
- Employer
- East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Ipswich Hospital
- Town
- Ipswich
- Salary
- £47,810 - £54,710 per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 10/03/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 23/03/2026
Employer heading
Lead Pharmacy Technician -Patient Services
NHS AfC: Band 7
We are one of the largest NHS organisation in England. Our scale provides exciting opportunities for development, innovation, research, education and training.
Talk to us about our range of flexible working opportunities, apprenticeships and staff benefits
Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is at the heart of all we do; and it forms part of ESNEFT’s core activities. The Trust operates and relies on everyone treating each other with dignity and respect, to receive equitable and fair treatment in the implementation of Policies, Procedures and in its Practices, to foster positive work relationships, and finally to act with integrity as a professional within ESNEFT as well as a representative of the NHS as a whole. The EDI Agenda reflects the Trust values such as Optimistic, Appreciative and Kind. In line with the NHS Long Term Plan, People Plan, People Promise and a Model Employer intrinsic in the Equality Diversity and Inclusion Agenda, we consistently strive to improve, to take the learning into Action for a better ESNEFT.
If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge then we are keen to hear from you.
Job overview
We have an exciting opportunity to join ESNEFT Ipswich Hospital Pharmacy Department as a Senior Pharmacy Technician.
We are looking for a motivated individual with professional compassionate leadership experience who will oversee the operational aspects of the pharmacy dispensaries (main and cancer day unit) and Pharmacy Technician ward-based services, education and training of those staff and supporting their management, health and wellbeing.
Working collaboratively with the senior pharmacy leadership you will improve systems and processes that in turn improve patient experience, safety and outcomes. ESNEFT has recently implemented full site wide the Epic electronic patient record which includes electronic prescribing and administration, and pharmacy dispensing and stock control system. You will be central to further developing and improving workflows and processes in order to optimise dispensary and clinical pharmacy services. Epic performance data will enable you to develop demand and capacity models to assist in this ongoing review.
You will ensure efficient and cost-effective use of medicines and resources in your areas of responsibility, meeting local, regional and national requirements.
You will also participate in the delivery of the seven day pharmacy service which includes late shift and weekend working
We promote a culture of learning, competence and confidence, through facilitation of education and training for all grades of staff in our department.
Main duties of the job
To develop, in collaboration with the Chief Pharmacist and Assistant Chief Pharmacist(s), business and service plans, ensuring that these correspond with the strategic objectives of the Trust and the pharmacy department.
To organise and plan, with Pharmacy Section Managers, the work of the pharmacy department within agreed procedures, plans and financial resources.
To provide other Service and Managers with information required for priority setting, decision making and policy formation.
To establish and oversee systems which monitor workload to match staffing levels and service requirements, to ensure appropriate management of staff annual leave, lieu time and study leave.
To contribute to all aspects of the pharmacy department’s strategic planning process of quality and continuing improvement, including information management of error monitoring and skill mix requirements within the department.
To work with the Chief Pharmacist, Assistant Chief Pharmacist(s), Service Managers and Finance Managers to agree the strategy and operational impacts of individual Service Level agreements (SLA’s).
To work with the Chief Pharmacist or Assistant Chief Pharmacist(s) to negotiate, manage and monitor departmental SLA’s, reporting variance to the Operational Manager if necessary.
To provide leadership and support on projects and business case development, ensuring appropriate national standards are incorporated.
Working for our organisation
We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients’ own homes.
We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff
We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options
Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services
Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients
We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what’s widely regarded as the world’s best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients
If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you
Find out about living and working here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Recognised qualification in management/leadership, or equivalent significant demonstrable experience
- NVQ Level 3 Pharmacy Technician or equivalent qualification
- Accredited Accuracy Checker
- Accredited in Medicine Reconciliation and Medicines Management
- Registered with the GPhC
Desirable criteria
- Degree/Masters level qualification in management/leadership
- NVQ Assessor Award
- Internal Quality Assessor Award
- Train the Trainer Award
- Registered with APTUK
- CMMPT
Experience/Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Budget management
- Project management and leading implementations
- Staff management
- Business planning
- Experience of NHS working practice and the interdependencies of clinical support services
- Experience of writing SOPs, Policies and or Guidelines
- HR processes including recruitment, appraisals and personal development planning
Desirable criteria
- Contracting/SLA management
- Considerable knowledge of hospital pharmacy and other NHS departments
- Governance and audit
- Multi-site and multi-sector pharmacy experience
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Emma Travers
- Job title
- Associate Chief Pharmacist
- Email address
- [email protected]
If you have problems applying, contact
- Address
-
Colchester General Hospital
- Telephone
- 07789651269
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