Job summary
- Main area
- Pharmacy
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent: Progression from band 4 to 5 upon completion of training and competencies
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (1 in 7 weekends, two late nights per month and one bank holiday per year)
- Job ref
- 297-7772545
- Employer
- Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital,
- Town
- Gateshead
- Salary
- Band 4 until all competencies achieved then progression to band 5
- Closing
- 04/03/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 16/03/2026
Employer heading
Pharmacy Technician - (band 4 with progression to band 5)
NHS AfC: Band 4
In the event of excessive applications being received this vacancy may close earlier than the stated closing date, you are encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible
IMPORTANT NOTE ON COMPLETION OF REFERENCE SECTION OF APPLICATION FORM
All references from current and previous employers will be sought and MUST cover a minimum of 3 years employment. Therefore, when completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current/previous line managers that cover 3 years employment. Where possible this should be from two separate employers. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.
PLEASE NOTE it is a requirement of this Trust that all successful applicants pay for their DBS certificate if a check is required for the post. This will be done through deduction from your monthly pay over a maximum of three months. It is also a requirement that all successful applicants register or are registered with the DBS update service where a DBS is required.
All new entrants to the NHS will be appointed on the minimum of the pay scale in line with Terms & Conditions.
Job overview
To undertake a broad range of pharmaceutical activities and by participation in the structured rotational programme, gain the knowledge and experience and demonstrate competence to become a Band 5 Clinical Technician
Act as a key member of the pharmacy team, taking part in the delivery of the ward-based services as well as the dispensing and accuracy checking of medicines within the Inpatient Pharmacy.
Main duties of the job
Work closely with ward based Clinical Technicians and Clinical Pharmacists to ensure pharmacy services meet the needs to patients and service users.
Working for our organisation
Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.
Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.
We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.
Our values should be the ‘golden thread’ which runs through everything we do – they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronym ICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.
We have a number of staff networks including the Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women’s Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our Armed Forces network is one of our emerging networks.
The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our ‘Balance’ programme balancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Prioritise and carry out timely drug history and medicines reconciliation on patients admitted to the trust.
Carry out discharge medicines reconciliation at ward level once Medicines Management modules completed.
Supply clear information to patients about their medicines taking care to ensure full understanding.
Maximise the use of patients own drugs (PODs) and assess them to ensure they are suitable for continued use whilst in hospital.
Act as an Accredited Checking Technician within the inpatient dispensary ensuring the timely turnaround and accuracy or discharge prescriptions and inpatient orders.
Contribute to the delivery of an efficient pharmacy service at all points of the supply chain, including procurement, dispensing, and ensuring medicines are available in a timely manner for patients.
Operate Anti-coagulation Clinics in the community and in the out-patients department once trained to do so and other competencies achieved.
To provide training to other staff, students and trainees as required.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Pharmacy Service Skills (or equivalent)
- Level 3 Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science (or equivalent)
- Registered as a Pharmacy Technician with GPhC
- Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD)
- Previous experience working in Pharmacy
Desirable criteria
- Accredited checking qualification
- Any previous accreditation if any of the Medicines Management Modules
- Experience within a Hospital Pharmacy Environment
Skills
Essential criteria
- Good organisational skills, including planning and prioritising
- Good communication skills
- Ability to be flexible and adaptable to change
- Problem solver
- Team player and ability to build good relationship with colleagues
- Skill set to use Microsoft Office and Pharmacy software
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Alison Bullock
- Job title
- Lead Pharmacy Technician Education and Training
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 0191 445 6345
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