Job summary
A new opportunity has arisen for an experienced clinical technician to join the Clinical Pharmacy team at Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals, working within the Adult Rheumatology team at the Freeman Hospital.
As the Rheumatology Department hosts supra-regional services, many of their medications are delivered via Pharmacy Homecare. This role is to lead on the organisation and verification of homecare prescriptions from a clinical perspective. As a GPhC registered Pharmacy Technician you will be required to work autonomously, referring to senior colleagues when required to do so. You will be expected to use your professional judgement to make decisions, and the role will include close working with Medics, Nurse Specialists and Pharmacists.
There will be opportunities for personal and professional development within the role. Links with the school of pharmacy and Newcastle University, alongside the wider MDT, will present opportunities to be involved in research and education. There is opportunity to develop your supervision and management skills.
As a department we are supportive of flexible working, including 9 day fortnights and slightly reduced working hours, and would welcome a discussion about this with any potential applicants.
- Interview Date Wednesday 14 January 2026
- 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week
- You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.
NO AGENCIES PLEASE
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will undertake a comprehensive training package and have formal sign off for homecare verification. They will then be responsible for clinical verification of different prescription types.
The right candidate will also be able to:
- Lead ward, day case unit and outpatient-based audits related to medicines management and governance
- Support the implementation of electronic prescribing solutions for the rheumatology team.
- Work as a clinical technician on the wards doing medicines reconciliation at the point of admission and discharge for rheumatology patients
- Work cohesively as part of our dispensary team; have allocated checking slots and helping out during busy periods
- Take on a leadership role, act as a role model and organise teams when required
- Contribute to extended working hours (late nights, weekends and bank holidays)
- Work independently, with the support of the wider team
- Liaise and work in partnership with multi-disciplinary teams
- Have a strong understanding of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society homecare professional standards and yearly audit
- The right candidate must have excellent organisational skills, be a strong communicator and confident using IT systems
About us
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
With around 2 million contacts with patients every year, we deliver care from:
- Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
- Freeman Hospital
- Newcastle Dental Hospital
- Cramlington Manor Walks
- Urgent treatment centres
- Newcastle Fertility Centre
- Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
- Northern Genetics Service
These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To perform the role of an experienced pharmacy technician including giving comprehensive advice, providing supervision and co-operating with colleagues, particularly in relation to the delivery of clinical pharmacy services and promoting the safe use of high-risk medication
- To contribute to the strategic review and development of clinical pharmacy services, to improve efficiency, patient safety and establish greater integration
- To assist the Patient Services Operations Manager and the Specialist Lead Pharmacy Technician in delivering efficient and safe medicine supply processes
- To co-ordinate the safe expansion and development of clinical pharmacy services throughout the Trust
- To support the training and assessment of technical staff within clinical services
- To act as an accredited checking technician
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To perform the role of an experienced pharmacy technician including giving comprehensive advice, providing supervision and co-operating with colleagues, particularly in relation to the delivery of clinical pharmacy services and promoting the safe use of high-risk medication
- To contribute to the strategic review and development of clinical pharmacy services, to improve efficiency, patient safety and establish greater integration
- To assist the Patient Services Operations Manager and the Specialist Lead Pharmacy Technician in delivering efficient and safe medicine supply processes
- To co-ordinate the safe expansion and development of clinical pharmacy services throughout the Trust
- To support the training and assessment of technical staff within clinical services
- To act as an accredited checking technician
Person Specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential
- S/NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services and approved underpinning knowledge e.g. BTEC in Pharmaceutical Science or equivalent recognised pharmacy technician qualification
- Regional medicines management course or equivalent (or working towards this)
- Recognised Accredited Checking Technician qualification
- Registered with GPhC
Desirable
- Management qualification
- A1 (D32/33) Assessor award
- Level 4 Clinical Diploma for Pharmacy Technicians
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Significant post qualification experience of working in a hospital environment as a pharmacy technician, during which time the following has been achieved
- Significant experience of working at ward level as a medicines management technician
- Experience as an accredited checking technician. Knowledge and understanding of all technical aspects of pharmacy patient services, supported by practical experience and completion of an approved training programme
- Evidence of professional CPD
Desirable
- Awareness of NHS strategic documents affecting pharmacy and trust vision and values. Practical experience of working as an NVQ
- Assessor
- Proven ability to manage staff
- Proven ability in change management in quality improvement
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Excellent oral and written communication
- Excellent customer care
- Working knowledge of pharmacy computer systems
- Ability to analyse and overcome barriers in implementation of change
- Ability to use Microsoft word
- Good workload and time management skills
Desirable
- Ability to use excel programmes
- Management experience
Person Specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential
- S/NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services and approved underpinning knowledge e.g. BTEC in Pharmaceutical Science or equivalent recognised pharmacy technician qualification
- Regional medicines management course or equivalent (or working towards this)
- Recognised Accredited Checking Technician qualification
- Registered with GPhC
Desirable
- Management qualification
- A1 (D32/33) Assessor award
- Level 4 Clinical Diploma for Pharmacy Technicians
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Significant post qualification experience of working in a hospital environment as a pharmacy technician, during which time the following has been achieved
- Significant experience of working at ward level as a medicines management technician
- Experience as an accredited checking technician. Knowledge and understanding of all technical aspects of pharmacy patient services, supported by practical experience and completion of an approved training programme
- Evidence of professional CPD
Desirable
- Awareness of NHS strategic documents affecting pharmacy and trust vision and values. Practical experience of working as an NVQ
- Assessor
- Proven ability to manage staff
- Proven ability in change management in quality improvement
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Excellent oral and written communication
- Excellent customer care
- Working knowledge of pharmacy computer systems
- Ability to analyse and overcome barriers in implementation of change
- Ability to use Microsoft word
- Good workload and time management skills
Desirable
- Ability to use excel programmes
- Management experience
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.
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 (Opens in a new tab).
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 (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
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 (Opens in a new tab).
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 (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).