Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust

Pharmacy Technician - (band 4 with progression to band 5)

The closing date is 04 March 2026

Job summary

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.

About us

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 acronymICORE; 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.

Details

Date posted

18 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

Depending on experience Band 4 until all competencies achieved then progression to band 5

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

297-7772545

Job locations

Queen Elizabeth Hospital,

Queen Elizabeth Avenue, Sheriff Hill

Gateshead

NE9 6SX


Job description

Job 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.

Job description

Job 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

  • 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

  • Accredited checking qualification
  • Any previous accreditation if any of the Medicines Management Modules
  • Experience within a Hospital Pharmacy Environment

Skills

Essential

  • 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
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • 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

  • Accredited checking qualification
  • Any previous accreditation if any of the Medicines Management Modules
  • Experience within a Hospital Pharmacy Environment

Skills

Essential

  • 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

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Queen Elizabeth Hospital,

Queen Elizabeth Avenue, Sheriff Hill

Gateshead

NE9 6SX


Employer's website

https://www.qegateshead.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Queen Elizabeth Hospital,

Queen Elizabeth Avenue, Sheriff Hill

Gateshead

NE9 6SX


Employer's website

https://www.qegateshead.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Lead Pharmacy Technician Education and Training

Alison Bullock

alison.bullock3@nhs.net

01914456345

Details

Date posted

18 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

Depending on experience Band 4 until all competencies achieved then progression to band 5

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

297-7772545

Job locations

Queen Elizabeth Hospital,

Queen Elizabeth Avenue, Sheriff Hill

Gateshead

NE9 6SX


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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