The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Pharmacy Technician–Medicines Procurement & Homecare

The closing date is 10 August 2025

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a new Pharmacy Technician position in the Pharmacy Homecare team who will both support the service and CIP delivery plus act as a deputy to the Pharmacy Homecare Manager.

Our substantial Pharmacy Homecare service currently consists of over 8,500 patients across 23 therapy areas utilising 12 service providers . Year on year we continue to grow and expand for CIP savings with new services and biosimilar / generic switches, plus existing service growth is around 10% per year.

The successful candidate will have a good clinical foundation and be able to work well both individually and as part of a team. They will work closely with the Homecare Manager and the wider Homecare Team to effectively resolve Homecare queries, enhance existing services and liaise between Pharmacy and the clinical directorates.

Deputising for the Homecare Manager's role will form a key part of the responsibilities and may extend to provide some support for the Pharmacy Purchasing Team if necessary.

As a qualified Pharmacy Technician, the candidate will support with oversight and management of the Homecare Service as well facilitating working relationships between the Trust and the Homecare Providers.

As an organisation we support flexible working and are happy to accommodate reasonable requests that align with service provision requirements after completion of a comprehensive induction programme.

Main duties of the job

Technical and management aspects of the Homecare Service such as:

  • Approval of orders raised against Homecare prescriptions.
  • Supporting with recruitment of Homecare admin staff.
  • Management of the Homecare team in the absence of the Homecare Manager.
  • Taking part in quarterly meetings with representatives from our Homecare Providers, to resolve significant issues and discuss how the providers are maintaining and effective service.
  • Resolution of variance of contracted drug lines within our established supply chains.

Liaising with internal staff groups to gain a better insight into the level of service each individual directorate requires for its patients. These groups will include Consultants, Nurse Specialists, Medical Secretaries as well as Pharmacists and Technicians within the Trust.

Liaising with external staff groups to maintain the quality of our Homecare services as set out in our agreements with the Homecare providers who deliver medicines to our patients.

Daily investigation of queries to affect swift and efficient resolution for patients and staff alike.

Investigation into issues affecting existing Homecare services with outcomes and solutions being suggested and shared across a range of staff levels both within the Trust and with our providers.

Extended technical support to the Pharmacy Purchasing team if required:

  • Chasing drug lines.
  • Approval of purchase orders against requests.
  • Placing of purchase orders when necessary to support the team.

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.

Our staff oversee over 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:

o Freeman Hospital

o Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)

o Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)

o Newcastle Dental Hospital

o Newcastle Fertility Centre

o Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria

o Northern Genetics Service

o Cramlington Manor Walks

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

Details

Date posted

31 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

317-2025-31-14-DR

Job locations

Royal Victoria Infirmary

317 02 Royal Victoria Infirmary

NE1 4LP


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Interview Date Tuesday, 19th August 2025
  • 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

  • To practice as an experienced pharmacy technician
  • To practice as a registered pharmacy technician
  • Responsible for providing day to day support to the pharmacy procurement function of the directorate, including dealing with stock shortages, MHRA drug recalls and procurement related problems and enquires
  • Effectively communicate with pharmaceutical wholesalers, manufactures, homecare companies and external agencies e.g., CMU, regarding the safe, efficient, and cost-effective procurement and supply of medicines
  • Liaise with homecare providers, clinical teams, and patients to resolve queries, thus ensuring patients receive their medicines in a timely manner
  • Deputise for the Pharmacy Purchasing Manager & Pharmacy Homecare Procurement Manager when necessary.

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Interview Date Tuesday, 19th August 2025
  • 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

  • To practice as an experienced pharmacy technician
  • To practice as a registered pharmacy technician
  • Responsible for providing day to day support to the pharmacy procurement function of the directorate, including dealing with stock shortages, MHRA drug recalls and procurement related problems and enquires
  • Effectively communicate with pharmaceutical wholesalers, manufactures, homecare companies and external agencies e.g., CMU, regarding the safe, efficient, and cost-effective procurement and supply of medicines
  • Liaise with homecare providers, clinical teams, and patients to resolve queries, thus ensuring patients receive their medicines in a timely manner
  • Deputise for the Pharmacy Purchasing Manager & Pharmacy Homecare Procurement Manager when necessary.

Person Specification

KNOWLEDGE

Essential

  • Knowledge and understanding of all technical aspects of pharmacy patient services, supported by practical experience gained by practical experience of an approved training programme
  • In addition, successful completion of an in-house competency-based training programme or previous relevant post qualification relevant clinical experience which provides an equivalent level of additional experience

Desirable

  • Knowledge and understanding of pharmacy procurement processes

SKILLS

Essential

  • Excellent oral and written communication
  • Excellent customer care
  • Working knowledge of pharmacy, hospital and/or general practice computer systems

EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • Practical experience of working in a relevant clinical pharmacy environment

Desirable

  • Practical experience of working as a designated checker
  • Familiar with Medicines Information enquiry answering resources

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

  • S/NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services and approved underpinning knowledge e.g. BTEC in Pharmaceutical Science or equivalent recognised pharmacy technician qualification plus experience to degree equivalent.
  • Registered with GPhC

Desirable

  • Medicines Management qualification
  • Formal management qualification
  • NVQ Assessor qualification
  • An Accredited Accuracy Checking Qualification
Person Specification

KNOWLEDGE

Essential

  • Knowledge and understanding of all technical aspects of pharmacy patient services, supported by practical experience gained by practical experience of an approved training programme
  • In addition, successful completion of an in-house competency-based training programme or previous relevant post qualification relevant clinical experience which provides an equivalent level of additional experience

Desirable

  • Knowledge and understanding of pharmacy procurement processes

SKILLS

Essential

  • Excellent oral and written communication
  • Excellent customer care
  • Working knowledge of pharmacy, hospital and/or general practice computer systems

EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • Practical experience of working in a relevant clinical pharmacy environment

Desirable

  • Practical experience of working as a designated checker
  • Familiar with Medicines Information enquiry answering resources

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

  • S/NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services and approved underpinning knowledge e.g. BTEC in Pharmaceutical Science or equivalent recognised pharmacy technician qualification plus experience to degree equivalent.
  • Registered with GPhC

Desirable

  • Medicines Management qualification
  • Formal management qualification
  • NVQ Assessor qualification
  • An Accredited Accuracy Checking Qualification

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

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Victoria Infirmary

317 02 Royal Victoria Infirmary

NE1 4LP


Employer's website

https://careers.nuth.nhs.uk/why-us (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Victoria Infirmary

317 02 Royal Victoria Infirmary

NE1 4LP


Employer's website

https://careers.nuth.nhs.uk/why-us (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Homecare Procurement Manager

Paul Blackwell

p.blackwell@nhs.net

01919330314

Details

Date posted

31 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

317-2025-31-14-DR

Job locations

Royal Victoria Infirmary

317 02 Royal Victoria Infirmary

NE1 4LP


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)