Lead Dispensary & Procurement Pharmacy Technician

A Vacancy at South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust.

The SWLSTG pharmacy team have an excellent opportunity for a highly motivated and skilled Pharmacy Technician to join our friendly department. This role supports the delivery of our dispensary and procurement services. Our pharmacy currently operates Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, with no weekend, bank holiday, or late duty shifts.

Key Responsibilities

The postholder will report to the Chief Pharmacy Technician and work closely with the wider pharmacy team to improve the quality of patient care. The postholder will also be responsible for:

• Efficient day‑to‑day operational management of the dispensary.
• Technical pharmacy duties, including dispensing, checking and supplying medication to patients.
• Accredited accuracy checking of prescriptions in a technician‑led dispensary.
• Deputising for the Chief Pharmacy Technician as required.
• Procurement of pharmaceuticals, ensuring cost‑effective purchasing, appropriate stock control, and compliance with procurement governance arrangements.
• Safe and efficient operation of the clozapine supply service.
• Supervision, training, appraisal and development of pharmacy technicians, assistants, and pharmacy porters to maintain high professional standards.

Managed Services

Management of the Clozapine Supply Service, including:

• Implementation and coordination of an efficient and safe pharmacy system for monitoring and supplying clozapine.
• Training and supervising technicians, pre‑registration trainee pharmacists, pharmacists and assistants.
• Responding to enquiries and requests from staff, patients and carers.
• Ensuring clozapine prescriptions are updated in a timely manner.
• Providing training and advice to ward, nursing and medical staff related to clozapine.

Purchasing Duties

• Procurement of pharmaceuticals following national guidance.
• Maintaining systems of work in collaboration with the Chief Technician (Patient Services Manager).
• Implementing changes to standard operating procedures in purchasing and invoicing as necessary.
• Training and supervising staff involved in procurement, invoicing and receipt of goods.
• Ensuring adequate stocks are available to meet demand and maintain agreed stock holding.
• Purchasing against agreed contracts and in accordance with Standing Financial Instructions.
• Updating the pharmacy computer system to reflect contract changes.
• Conducting daily rolling stock takes, investigating discrepancies and adjusting computer stock levels as appropriate.
• Setting up new medicines in the electronic medicines management system accurately and promptly.
• Providing high‑quality information from the computer, interrogating databases, and advising staff on interpretation.
• Attending London Purchasing Consortium meetings as appropriate.

General Dispensary Duties

• Dispense medication in compliance with procedures and ready for a final accuracy check.
• Counsel patients on medication use where appropriate.
• Maintain Accredited Accuracy Checking Technician status and perform final accuracy checks of prescriptions.
• Provide reciprocal cover for the patient services senior technician in his or her absence.
• Responsible for safe, accurate and timely supply of medicines in line with stock lists.
• Participate in the receipt, processing, storage and stock control of medicines and supplies.
• Respond to enquiries from staff, patients and carers according to policy.
• Maintain dispensary computer systems.
• Train all staff on the use of electronic dispensing software and prescription tracking.
• Maintain Accreditation in Medicines Management (HEELASE or equivalent).
• Participate in a high‑quality, patient‑focused Medicines Management model at ward and community team level.
• Undertake medicines reconciliation in line with Trust policies and procedures.

Management and Leadership

• Supervise and appraise pharmacy assistants in line with department policy.
• Assist in induction of new staff and in‑house training.
• Deputise for the Chief Technician when required.
• Act as a role model for junior technicians and assistants.
• Support training and development of pharmacy assistants, pre‑registration trainee pharmacy technicians and other technicians.
• Ensure Trust policies on recruitment, sickness absence, equal opportunities, Health and Safety and other national legislation are followed.
• Participate in recruitment of mental health pharmacy staff.
• Supervise the internal training scheme for pharmacy assistants/student technicians leading to NVQ Level 2/3.

Research & Development

• Assist with departmental and Trust‑wide quality audits.
• Identify areas of service needing development and plan and implement changes, auditing them as necessary.
• Manage clinical trials administration in cooperation with the Specialist Pharmacist responsible for clinical trials.
• Participate in pharmacy‑related service development projects, including QII methodology.

Additional Duties

• Attend departmental and medicines management meetings as required.
• Maintain high professional and technical standards by enforcing good dispensing practice.
• Assist in setting measurement of performance indicators, including workload data, error rates and service quality information.
• Develop, update and implement changes to pharmacy procedures.
• Participate in weekend, bank holiday and late duty rota as required.

Training and Development

• Undertake mandatory and statutory training as required by Trust policy.
• Participate in annual Development Review/Appraisal.
• Undertake personal development as identified in the Personal Development Plan (PDP).
• Perform development reviews with other staff as appropriate.
• Obtain and maintain technician accreditations in accordance with Trust policy.

We offer flexible working, career development and a variety of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment.

The advert closes on Wednesday 6 May 2026.

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