Senior Pharmacy Technician
Job summary
This post is responsible for the implementation, upgrade and subsequent system maintenance of ChemoCare for both CHFT and MYTT, as part of the South Sector non-surgical oncology collaboration.
The post will initially be hosted by CHFT and will be jointly line managed by the Lead Pharmacist - Digital Medicines at MYTT and Oncology Pharmacist at CHFT. The post-holder will be expected to work cross-site at both CHFT and MYTT.
This role offers an exciting opportunity to support the implementation and optimisation of Digital Medicines systems across multiple NHS Trusts.
Focusing on oncology and chemotherapy systems Chemocare, the role will involve supporting the validation of haematology and oncology-specific workflows, aseptic worksheets and labels to ensure compliance with clinical and regulatory standards. Working closely with oncology teams, the post holder will help refine processes to enhance patient safety and treatment efficiency. Additionally, they will be expected to engage with governance and safety protocols, ensuring adherence to national and local policies, including data protection and medicines management regulations.
This is a dynamic and evolving role that offers the chance to work at the forefront of digital transformation in medicines management. This position is ideally suited to an individual with a keen interest in digital healthcare, a commitment to improving patient outcomes, and the ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary environment.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will support the implementation, and optimisation of ChemoCare across two NHS Trusts. A key focus will be on chemotherapy prescribing systems, working closely with clinical and technical teams to integrate solutions into existing workflows while maintaining compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
Providing technical support and training is essential to ensure system users are confident and competent. Responsibilities include troubleshooting, assisting with user queries, and ensuring systems function effectively to support safe prescribing. The post holder will also contribute to project documentation, including risk assessments, communication plans, and implementation schedules.
A key duty includes validating haematology and oncology-specific workflows, worksheets, and labels to ensure accuracy and compliance. The post holder will work with oncology teams to improve system integration, enhancing efficiency and patient safety.
Governance and safety responsibilities include assisting in the development and review of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and ensuring compliance with local and national policies.
Collaboration is vital, requiring engagement with clinical and technical teams to address operational challenges. The post holder will also mentor junior staff, support cross-site working, and represent the pharmacy team in relevant meetings and forums to ensure effective system implementation and optimisation.
About us
We employ more than 6,500 staffwho deliver compassionate care from our two main hospitals,Calderdale Royal Hospital and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary as well as in community sites, healthcentres and in patients' homes. We also are incredibly proud to have almost 150 volunteers here at CHFT.
We provide a range of services including urgent and emergency care; medical; surgical; maternity; gynaecology; critical care; children's and young people's services; end of life care and outpatient and diagnostic imaging services.
We provide community health services, including sexual health services in Calderdale from Calderdale Royal and local health centres. These include Todmorden Health Centre and Broad Street Plaza.
We continue to modernise and invest in our health services to build on our strong reputation.Foundation trusts are public leaders in improving quality in health services. They are part of the NHS- yet decisions about what they do and how they do it are driven by independent boards. Boardslisten to their Council of Governors and respond to the needs of their members - patients, staff andthe local community.
Foundation trusts provide what the health service wants, yet are also free to invest quickly in thechanges to the local community needs, in striving to be the best, and in putting their patients first.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Digital Medicines Projects
Assist in the implementation and maintenance of Digital Medicines systems across participating Trusts under the guidance of the Lead Pharmacist Digital Medicines.
Support system upgrades and new implementations, including those related to chemotherapy prescribing systems, ensuring technical and operational efficiency.
Contribute to the development and maintenance of project documentation, including risk logs, communication plans, and implementation schedules.
Participate in user training and provide technical support to ensure system users are competent and confident in their use of Digital Medicines systems.
Assist in managing project timelines, coordinating team activities, and ensuring the successful implementation of Digital Medicines systems and upgrades.
Oncology/Chemotherapy Specific ResponsibilitiesProvide technical support for chemotherapy prescribing systems, such as Chemocare, under the supervision of senior pharmacists.
Assist in the validation of haematology/oncology-specific workflows, worksheets, and labels, ensuring compliance with clinical and operational standards.
Collaborate with oncology teams to support the integration of Digital Medicines systems into existing workflows.
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING
- Registered qualified Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
- NVQ/BTEC Level 3 in Pharmacy Services skills and Pharmaceutical Science or other equivalent qualification recognised by the General Pharmaceutical Council.
- Qualified to practising technician level.
- Commitment to CPD.
- Commitment to future developments in Pharmacy.
KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE
- Able to demonstrate recent relevant experience of leadership within pharmacy
- Significant experience of managing staff
- Substantial experience of training and supervision of others
- Significant experience of using computer systems
- Significant experience in all aspects of hospital pharmacy
- Ability to use the EMIS computer system
- Clear ideas on how their practice contributes to patient care
- Able to produce reports and other materials using Microsoft office applications
- In depth knowledge of pharmaceutical practice relevant to homecare services
- A good working knowledge of medicines frequently supplied via homecare services
- Good knowledge of Medicines Management and Pharmacy
- Clinical audit
- Incident and error reporting
- Risk assessments
- Significant experience in pharmacy homecare services
- Recent relevant experience as pharmacy technician band 6
- Demonstrate experience of implementing new services and procedures
- Significant experience of audit
- Able to demonstrate finance/accountancy knowledge or experience
- Substantial experience dealing with external agencies
- Good understanding of the NHS pharmaceutical purchasing
- Good understanding of NHS pharmaceutical contract process and negotiation
- Knowledge of Trust standing financial instructions
COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS (INCLUDING MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES)
- Excellent organisational skills and time management
- Prioritisation and problem-solving ability
- Demonstrates people management ability
- Excellent professional standards
- Ability to work under pressure whilst maintaining standards
- Ability to lead and drive change
- Trustworthy with strong sense of responsibility
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team
- Self-motivating and the ability to influence others
- To be competent to deal calmly and professionally with patients, relatives and work colleagues in a confidential and sensitive manner
- Hardworking
- Diplomatic, assertive
- Education & Training skills
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.
Employer details
Employer name
Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Calderdale and Huddersfield Hospitals NHS Trust
Pharmacy Department, Huddersfield Royal Infirmary
Acre Street, Huddersfield
HD3 3EA
Employer's website
https://www.cht.nhs.uk