Job summary
We are looking for a highly motivated and forward-thinking pharmacy technician with a passion for innovation and patient care to join our dynamic pharmacy team at Northumbria Healthcare.
This is an exciting opportunity to lead and shape a new clinical pharmacy service within our Mental Health Services for Older People (MHSOP) in the North Tyneside area. Responsible for developing and delivering a specialist drug monitoring service for patients prescribed clozapine, lithium, and antipsychotic medicines, across in-patient and community settings. Supporting the safe initiation of high-risk medicines in line with NICE guidelines. Managing the monitoring and side-effect mitigation to improve treatment adherence and outcomes. Ensuring safe and coordinated transitions of care, including discharge and community follow-up. Championing holistic care through the "Making Every Contact Count" initiative. Supporting both physical and mental health needs of patients with severe mental illness.
What We're Looking For: A proactive, adaptable pharmacy technician eager to shape a new and impactful service. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the closing date once the required number of suitable applications have been received.
Main duties of the job
You will be a motivated and proactive pharmacy technician, playing a key role in shaping a new, innovative service and strengthening the clinical pharmacy contribution within the MHSOP in North Tyneside.
Within your area of responsibility, you will work alongside the newly appointed MHSOP senior clinical pharmacist to:
Implement a specialist Drug Monitoring Service for patients initiated on clozapine, lithium, and antipsychotic medications, ensuring safe and effective ongoing management in both in-patient and community settings.Provide clinical leadership within the MHSOP team, contributing actively to the multidisciplinary team (MDT) and wider service development.Deliver clinical pharmacy support, helping to optimise treatment outcomes and reduce medicine-related risks.Offer expert advice and guidance on medicines use, including input into clinical guidelines, patient safety initiatives, and governance processes.
You will be expected to demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work both independently and as part of a busy, multidisciplinary team. Collaboration with clinicians, nursing teams, and fellow pharmacy colleagues will be key to promoting the safe, effective, and cost-efficient use of medicines across the care pathway. Attendance at relevant directorate or governance forums will be part of your role.
About us
In addition to our state-of-the-art Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital, the first of its kind in England, we manage three major locality hospitals at North Tyneside, Wansbeck and Hexham, plus a number of smaller community hospitals and clinics from Tynemouth to Berwick on Tweed.
We also care for people in their homes and provide services from facilities in local communities such as health centres. We give people greater choice and control over their care to help them to live independently at home and avoid hospital admission where appropriate. High quality patient care is at the heart of everything we do and we strive to ensure every single patient and service user has an exceptional experience with us. We have one of the most extensive patient experience programmes of any trust in England.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide technical support on pharmaceutical matters, medicines management issues and medicines legislation within a delegated area of responsibility on a routine basis, but also, whenever required, to other specialist areas e.g. ward/clinical setting. The role will require team working as part of the many multidisciplinary teams as outlined above, as well as a need to be able to work independently and be self-motivated.
To participate in a weekend pharmacy service and relevant bank holidayarrangements (unless otherwise agreed upon appointment).
To role model compassionate and inclusive leadership in order to shape the creation of a collective leadership culture within the trust. This means demonstrating a consistent leadership style which (a) engages, enables and empowers others (b) uses coaching to promote ownership of learning and quality improvement and (c) facilitates team working and collaboration within teams / departments and across organisational boundaries.
Why Join Us? This is a unique opportunity to develop a new service and make a real difference in reducing health inequalities for older adults with severe mental illness. You'll work in a supportive, innovative environment at North Tyneside General Hospital and have the chance to collaborate with both local and neighbouring mental health teams.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide technical support on pharmaceutical matters, medicines management issues and medicines legislation within a delegated area of responsibility on a routine basis, but also, whenever required, to other specialist areas e.g. ward/clinical setting. The role will require team working as part of the many multidisciplinary teams as outlined above, as well as a need to be able to work independently and be self-motivated.
To participate in a weekend pharmacy service and relevant bank holidayarrangements (unless otherwise agreed upon appointment).
To role model compassionate and inclusive leadership in order to shape the creation of a collective leadership culture within the trust. This means demonstrating a consistent leadership style which (a) engages, enables and empowers others (b) uses coaching to promote ownership of learning and quality improvement and (c) facilitates team working and collaboration within teams / departments and across organisational boundaries.
Why Join Us? This is a unique opportunity to develop a new service and make a real difference in reducing health inequalities for older adults with severe mental illness. You'll work in a supportive, innovative environment at North Tyneside General Hospital and have the chance to collaborate with both local and neighbouring mental health teams.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- oBTEC in pharmaceutical science or NVQ Level 3 supported by appropriate underpinning knowledge e.g. BTEC in Pharmaceutical Sciences, NPA or equivalent qualification.
- oRegional Qualification or equivalent for Medicines Management for Pharmacy Technicians. (If not already held there will be an expectation to achieve this when a training opportunity becomes available).
- oRegistered as a Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
- oEvidence of relevant specialist continuing professional development.
- oTo have successfully completed an appropriate accredited technician checking qualification e.g. Regional Scheme, Buttercups. Regional Qualification for Medicines Management for Pharmacy Technicians (if not already held there will be an expectation to achieve this when a training opportunity becomes available).
- oA1 or equivalent NVQ assessor qualification (if not already held there will be an expectation to achieve this when a training opportunity becomes available).
- oIT skills to include pharmacy systems, Microsoft word and Excel.
- oRelevant evidence of CPD demonstrating that their knowledge and training are current and show evidence of revalidation if appropriate.
- oThe above qualifications will ensure the post holder has the required skills for the role and has the specialist training and experience to degree or equivalent level.
Experience
Essential
- Extensive relevant experience working in Pharmacy with post-qualification relevant experience in a hospital or primary care setting as a qualified/registered pharmacy technician.
- Knowledge of the operation of Hospital Pharmacy Services.
- The post holder will have experience of working at ward level or in a clinical setting, or primary care setting.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- oBTEC in pharmaceutical science or NVQ Level 3 supported by appropriate underpinning knowledge e.g. BTEC in Pharmaceutical Sciences, NPA or equivalent qualification.
- oRegional Qualification or equivalent for Medicines Management for Pharmacy Technicians. (If not already held there will be an expectation to achieve this when a training opportunity becomes available).
- oRegistered as a Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
- oEvidence of relevant specialist continuing professional development.
- oTo have successfully completed an appropriate accredited technician checking qualification e.g. Regional Scheme, Buttercups. Regional Qualification for Medicines Management for Pharmacy Technicians (if not already held there will be an expectation to achieve this when a training opportunity becomes available).
- oA1 or equivalent NVQ assessor qualification (if not already held there will be an expectation to achieve this when a training opportunity becomes available).
- oIT skills to include pharmacy systems, Microsoft word and Excel.
- oRelevant evidence of CPD demonstrating that their knowledge and training are current and show evidence of revalidation if appropriate.
- oThe above qualifications will ensure the post holder has the required skills for the role and has the specialist training and experience to degree or equivalent level.
Experience
Essential
- Extensive relevant experience working in Pharmacy with post-qualification relevant experience in a hospital or primary care setting as a qualified/registered pharmacy technician.
- Knowledge of the operation of Hospital Pharmacy Services.
- The post holder will have experience of working at ward level or in a clinical setting, or primary care setting.
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).
