Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Band 5 Medicines Optimisation Pharmacy Technician

The closing date is 25 November 2026

Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and forward-thinking Pharmacy Technician to join our Medicines Optimisation Team at Musgrove Park Hospital. We are committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care and are seeking a motivated and adaptable individual who is keen to contribute to an innovative and supportive service.

As part of a growing multidisciplinary team of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and assistants, you will play a key role in delivering safe, effective medicines management and optimisation across the hospital site. You will work closely with ward teams to ensure the highest standards of patient care, supporting safe and efficient use of medicines.

This role offers excellent opportunities for professional development, with strong support for further study and career progression. You will be working within a modern environment, supported by electronic prescribing systems and a newly refurbished pharmacy department designed to enhance both patient care and staff experience.

If you are passionate about improving patient outcomes and want to develop your career within a progressive and dynamic team, we would love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job
In this role, you will support the delivery of safe, effective and patient-centred medicines optimisation across Musgrove Park Hospital. You will undertake medicines reconciliation on admission and contribute to accurate transfer of medicines information at discharge, ensuring continuity of care.

Working closely with pharmacists, nursing staff and the wider multidisciplinary team, you will help identify and resolve medicines-related issues and promote the safe and appropriate use of medicines to improve patient outcomes. You will also provide advice and support to ward staff and patients on medicines management, including administration, storage and adherence.

You will contribute to the effective use of electronic prescribing and medicines administration systems and support medicines safety initiatives, audits and quality improvement projects. Maintaining accurate documentation of clinical activity and contributing to service development will form an important part of the role.

In addition, you will assist in the training and supervision of junior staff and students where appropriate, while maintaining your own professional development through ongoing training and education. You will play a key role in supporting a high-quality pharmacy service within a collaborative and forward-thinking team.

About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset?
Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Details
Date posted: 11 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 184-OL-PU-6211
Job locations: Musgrove Park Hospital, Musgrove Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 5DA, United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

Applications are welcomed from candidates who do not yet fully meet the Band 5 criteria. For suitable applicants, appointment may be made at Band 4 with support through a structured development programme to progress to Band 5 on completion of agreed competencies.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• NVQ Level in 3 Pharmacy Services or equivalent and BTEC in Pharmaceutical Science or equivalent.
• Accredited Accuracy Checking Technician or willing to work towards Accredited Accuracy Checking Technician.
• Accredited Medicines Optimisation Technician Managing Patients medicines requirements (PODs & One-stop) PWDS or equivalent and Medicine Reconciliation PWDS or equivalent.

Desirable

• Medicines Optimisation Technician Discharge facilitation PWDS or equivalent.
• Pro-pharmace educational supervisor course
• APTUK membership

Experience
Essential

• Sound knowledge of hospital pharmacy practice.
• Experience of dispensing medicine for patients and counselling and providing advice for patients/carers.

Desirable

• Understanding of medicine optimisation in mental health environment.
• Working as part of a multi-professional team within a clinical/ward environment.
• Contribution to audit and project work.
• Demonstrated experience of delivering high quality training to multiple staff groups such as Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacy Assistants.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Musgrove Park Hospital, Musgrove Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 5DA, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Hiring Manager, Georgia White, georgia.white@somersetft.nhs.uk, 01823342727

Supporting documents
Privacy notice: Somerset NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice