Pharmacy Technicians are responsible for the preparation, supply and administration of medicines. They are key members of the pharmacy department at ROH and play a vital role in helping patients get the best outcome from their medicines. We asked Daniel Randle, Lead Pharmacy Technician – Dispensary & Education, to tell us about his role and why it’s a great career choice for those looking to work in pharmacy.
What does a typical day look like for a pharmacy technician?
A typical technician’s day often starts with checking and preparing medication orders for our wards and departments, ensuring everything is safe, accurate, and ready when patients need it. Liaising with the ward teams to maintain our timely discharges.
We also support stock management, check prescriptions, and collaborate with the wider multidisciplinary team to make sure patients receive the best possible care.
At the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, we work closely with nurses, doctors, and pharmacists, so communication and teamwork are a big part of every day.
What are the key responsibilities of a pharmacy technician?
Pharmacy technicians play a vital role in making sure medicines are used safely and effectively. We’re responsible for dispensing and checking prescriptions, managing medicine supplies, and maintaining accurate records.
Many of us are also involved in training, quality improvement, and supporting clinical services — helping to make sure the right medicines reach the right patients, at the right time.
Here at the ROH the technicians are one of the driving forces for digitalisation. We have a large involvement in the implementation and management of digital systems such as PICS (ePMA), Omnicell, Assa Abloy, Hanwell and the dispensing robot.
What qualifications do you need to become a pharmacy technician?
To become a registered pharmacy technician, you need to complete a GPhC-accredited qualification, which includes both academic study and practical training. This involves the Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians, alongside work-based experience in a pharmacy setting.
Once qualified, you register with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and commit to ongoing professional development throughout your career.
Where can a career as a pharmacy technician take you?
There are so many opportunities! Pharmacy technicians can specialise in areas like clinical services, medicines management, aseptic preparation, procurement, education, and training, or even move into leadership roles.
At ROH, our pharmacy technicians are involved in both ward-based and dispensary work, and some progress into advanced roles supporting clinical teams directly on the wards. It’s a role that can really grow and develop with you. We’ve recently implemented a new role for an antimicrobial stewardship technician who has made great progress with ‘allergy de-labelling’.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
For me, it’s the variety of the role and the sense of making a real difference. Every day, I get to work alongside amazing colleagues and contribute to patient care in a tangible way.
There’s a real team spirit in the ROH pharmacy — everyone supports each other, and we all share the same goal: making sure our patients receive safe and effective treatment. Seeing the impact of that work is incredibly rewarding.
