Job summary
Pharmacy Technician
Department: Pharmacy
Band 4 £27,485 - £30,162 per annum pro rata
Fixed-term contract until 02.06.2026
Full-time 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
Would you like a career where the limitation is your imagination? Does progression and opportunity relate to your personal drive of wanting to be the best you can be? As a Pharmacy Technician in hospital, you can make a difference in multiple areas ranging from clinical to management and from bands 4 to 8. We are looking for highly motivated individuals ready to take that next step and join a forward thinking and innovative Pharmacy Technician team here at Milton Keynes hospital that is continually progressing and growing.
Working closely with the Pharmacy Technician Dispensaries Manager and other members of the senior team, this excellent opportunity will suit both newly qualified and experienced Pharmacy Technicians as it will involve the post holder to work closely with multiple teams and be part of this exciting and developing department in an innovate trust in one of the faster growing populations in the country.
If you think you would be the right person for this challenge, please contact Neil Trew-Smith - Pharmacy Technician Dispensaries Manager on 01908 995719 or Neil.Trew-Smith@mkuh.nhs.uk or Nick Beason - Chief Technician on 01908 995705 or Nicholas.Beason@mkuh.nhs.uk
Interview date: TBC
Main duties of the job
- To participate in a comprehensive pharmaceutical service within the department and to wards and outpatient/day-case facilities, and to units in other organisations, as required.
- To assist the Chief Technician, Specialist Technicians, Principal Pharmacists and pharmacy managers with the delivery and development of the technical aspects of medicines management across the divisions and clinical service units; to support and participate in clinical pharmacy services to deliver medicines optimisation and support corporate priorities.
To be eligible to join us in this role you will have successfully completed an NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services and hold current registration with the GPhC as a Pharmacy Technician at the time of appointment.
This post is open to all registered Pharmacy Technicians both newly qualified and experienced who would like to start or continue a career in hospital pharmacy. We are a department of over 100 staff providing pharmacy services through team working and prioritising the needs of those we serve. Our Pharmacy Technicians provide a range of services in the Hospital Pharmacy including:
- Dispensing for inpatients, outpatients and discharge
- Aseptic production
- Medicines safety
- Workforce development
- Procurement
- Medicines information
- Final checking
About us
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards - and the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.
Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -
For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes
Job description
Job responsibilities
Trust responsibilities:
- To bepart of the Pharmacy team and work to enable the objectives of the Pharmacy and the Trust to be achieved.
Professional responsibilities:
- To act in a professional manner consistent with the GPhC code of conduct and as is required to ensure safe, effective and timely care for patients and appropriate support for colleagues across the health system, including communication of complex and sensitive information.
Education and training:
- To contribute to development and training programmes for all staff.
Miscellaneous:
- To participate in relevant departmental meetings and contribute to effective communication within the department.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices. We promote an inclusive workforce and encourage applications from applicants from all backgrounds.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Trust responsibilities:
- To bepart of the Pharmacy team and work to enable the objectives of the Pharmacy and the Trust to be achieved.
Professional responsibilities:
- To act in a professional manner consistent with the GPhC code of conduct and as is required to ensure safe, effective and timely care for patients and appropriate support for colleagues across the health system, including communication of complex and sensitive information.
Education and training:
- To contribute to development and training programmes for all staff.
Miscellaneous:
- To participate in relevant departmental meetings and contribute to effective communication within the department.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices. We promote an inclusive workforce and encourage applications from applicants from all backgrounds.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Registered Pharmacy Technician supported by evidence of CPD in line with GPhC requirements
- BTEC I NVQ level 3 or equivalent (e.g. in Pharmacy Services)
- Evidence of ability to plan and organise complex activities or programmes of work requiring planning and adjustment to meet changing need
- Evidence of providing advice in relation to patient care including information on common drug dosage and use; advises patients and colleagues on issues relating to medication regimes and changes to prescribing, working in partnership with pharmacists
Desirable
- Accredited Checking Technician, or demonstrate relevant competence within six months of starting in role
- Knowledge of medicines management, including relevant legislation and policies, acquired through specialist training or experience
Experience
Essential
- Hospital pharmacy or community health services pharmacy experience
- Experience of educating and training of junior staff and students
- Evidence of ability to create reports or documents including reporting on Key Performance Indicators1
Desirable
- Minimum 12 months post-registration hospital pharmacy experience
- Management Experience
- Experience of One-Stop dispensing
- Experience of using the JAC Pharmacy System
- Ward based medicines management and/or medicines optimisation activities
Skills
Essential
- IT Skills for dispensing, monitoring performance and reporting/audit
- Dedication to high quality patient care
- Flexible to meet service and patient needs
- Meeting deadlines
- Professional supervisory skills
- Evidence of analytical and judgemental skills when faced with facts or situations requiring analysis e.g. managing urgent requirements or prioritising work to meet patient and organisational need
- Evidence of undertaking workplace assessments and effective support for less experienced staff
- Evidence of implementing policies and/or proposing changes to practices or procedures for own area with an impact beyond own area and contributes effectively to wider policies and service developments
Desirable
- Good training skills
- Team builder skills
Personal and people development
Essential
- Evidence of positive commitment to CPD
- Polite and courteous
- Professional attitude
- Initiative and common sense
- Self-motivated and team player
Communication
Essential
- Good Communication skills, written and verbal.
- Evidence of ability to communicate clearly with patients, carers, hospital/ward staff and primary care or community health services and other organisations about medicines management or other technical information1
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Registered Pharmacy Technician supported by evidence of CPD in line with GPhC requirements
- BTEC I NVQ level 3 or equivalent (e.g. in Pharmacy Services)
- Evidence of ability to plan and organise complex activities or programmes of work requiring planning and adjustment to meet changing need
- Evidence of providing advice in relation to patient care including information on common drug dosage and use; advises patients and colleagues on issues relating to medication regimes and changes to prescribing, working in partnership with pharmacists
Desirable
- Accredited Checking Technician, or demonstrate relevant competence within six months of starting in role
- Knowledge of medicines management, including relevant legislation and policies, acquired through specialist training or experience
Experience
Essential
- Hospital pharmacy or community health services pharmacy experience
- Experience of educating and training of junior staff and students
- Evidence of ability to create reports or documents including reporting on Key Performance Indicators1
Desirable
- Minimum 12 months post-registration hospital pharmacy experience
- Management Experience
- Experience of One-Stop dispensing
- Experience of using the JAC Pharmacy System
- Ward based medicines management and/or medicines optimisation activities
Skills
Essential
- IT Skills for dispensing, monitoring performance and reporting/audit
- Dedication to high quality patient care
- Flexible to meet service and patient needs
- Meeting deadlines
- Professional supervisory skills
- Evidence of analytical and judgemental skills when faced with facts or situations requiring analysis e.g. managing urgent requirements or prioritising work to meet patient and organisational need
- Evidence of undertaking workplace assessments and effective support for less experienced staff
- Evidence of implementing policies and/or proposing changes to practices or procedures for own area with an impact beyond own area and contributes effectively to wider policies and service developments
Desirable
- Good training skills
- Team builder skills
Personal and people development
Essential
- Evidence of positive commitment to CPD
- Polite and courteous
- Professional attitude
- Initiative and common sense
- Self-motivated and team player
Communication
Essential
- Good Communication skills, written and verbal.
- Evidence of ability to communicate clearly with patients, carers, hospital/ward staff and primary care or community health services and other organisations about medicines management or other technical information1
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
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 (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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
