Job summary
We are looking for a enthusiastic, organised and friendly technician to join our education and training team.
The successful candidate will work predominantly at the Freeman Hospital to deliver training for pharmacy undergraduate students within the trust.
You will also work to support the needs of the clinical pharmacy service across the trust and work collaboratively with the pharmacy E&T team to deliver training to other staff members when appropriate.
- Interview Date: 5th September 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
Main duties of the job
To support and coordinate the training and assessment of up to 140 Pharmacy undergraduates per year.
Communicates with Trust pharmacy operational leads and representatives from Newcastle University to ensure the needs of both organisations are met, which often involves negotiation and the ability to persuade parties on the required course of action.
Communicates complex and sensitive matters to the Assistant Director of Pharmacy and Education and Training Pharmacist that can be uncovered during observational work.Communicates with patients directly or by telephone on complex matters regarding their medication.Counsels patients about their medication. This requires the post holder to explain the instructions about their medication to a diverse group of the public, who may be upset, angry or ill. The post holder is required to communicate with patients where English is not their first language, this requires a great deal of patience and understanding.
Helps organise work experience placements and vocational placements.Ensures that the working environment is safe in terms of the Health and Safety requirements of undergraduates.
About us
Our staff oversee around 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
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Technically checks work dispensed by other staff and is expected to identify possible errors (e.g. incorrect calculation, misinterpretation of a prescriber / pharmacist intentions, wrong drug / strength / dose etc.) ensuring dispensing errors are rectified before the medicine is issued to the patient.
- Provides information to patients and ward staff on routine drug dosage and use.
- May be required to participate in evening, Saturday, Sunday and public holiday working rosters relating to dispensary services.
Job purpose
- To deliver, support and coordinate the education, training and development of all pharmacy undergraduates working in the Trust, particularly in relation to the dispensing of medicines.
- To work directly with Newcastle University School of Pharmacy and trust pharmacy operational leads to ensure timetables are developed and adhered to,which meet the needs of both organisations.
- To assess pharmacy undergraduates in accordance with standards set by the University which form part of the Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) degree qualification.
- To assist the Assistant Director of Pharmacy and the Education and Training Pharmacist with the preparation and delivery of training needs to meet the changing demands of the pharmacy service.
- To undertake a broad range of technical pharmaceutical activities in the pharmacy department including providing advice to patients and other healthcare staff.
- To undertake the role of NVQ Assessor and Internal Verifier for both pre-registration technicians and assistants.
- To practise as an experienced, registered Pharmacy Technician.
- To practise as an accredited checking Technician and to mentor Technicians training to become accredited checking Technicians
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Technically checks work dispensed by other staff and is expected to identify possible errors (e.g. incorrect calculation, misinterpretation of a prescriber / pharmacist intentions, wrong drug / strength / dose etc.) ensuring dispensing errors are rectified before the medicine is issued to the patient.
- Provides information to patients and ward staff on routine drug dosage and use.
- May be required to participate in evening, Saturday, Sunday and public holiday working rosters relating to dispensary services.
Job purpose
- To deliver, support and coordinate the education, training and development of all pharmacy undergraduates working in the Trust, particularly in relation to the dispensing of medicines.
- To work directly with Newcastle University School of Pharmacy and trust pharmacy operational leads to ensure timetables are developed and adhered to,which meet the needs of both organisations.
- To assess pharmacy undergraduates in accordance with standards set by the University which form part of the Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) degree qualification.
- To assist the Assistant Director of Pharmacy and the Education and Training Pharmacist with the preparation and delivery of training needs to meet the changing demands of the pharmacy service.
- To undertake a broad range of technical pharmaceutical activities in the pharmacy department including providing advice to patients and other healthcare staff.
- To undertake the role of NVQ Assessor and Internal Verifier for both pre-registration technicians and assistants.
- To practise as an experienced, registered Pharmacy Technician.
- To practise as an accredited checking Technician and to mentor Technicians training to become accredited checking Technicians
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge and understanding of all technical aspects of pharmacy patient services, supported by practical experience.
- Knowledge of the legal and regulatory requirements relating to staff training and qualifications.
Desirable
- Knowledge of the organisational requirements for training.
- Knowledge of current issues affecting pharmacy and education
- Knowledge of Clinical Pharmacy services
Skills
Essential
- Excellent oral and written communication
- Excellent customer care
- Working knowledge of pharmacy computer systems.
- Ability to analyse and overcome barriers in implementation of staff training
- Ability to create and monitor complex rotas that is agreeable to all the stakeholders
- Ability to use Microsoft Word and Excel
- Excellent workload and time management skills
Experience
Essential
- Significant post qualification experience of working in a hospital environment as a pharmacy technician, during which time the following has been achieved; Working at band 5 or above, Experience as an accredited checking technician, Experience of providing training or supporting the development of others, Experience of organising rotas, Have proven ability of supervising staff of all grades including pharmacists to achieve set outcomes
Desirable
- Experience of designing and implementing training programmes
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
- Recognised Accredited Checking Technician Qualification
- Registered with GPhC
Desirable
- NVQ Assessor qualification
- NVQ Internal verifier qualification
- Education Qualification
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge and understanding of all technical aspects of pharmacy patient services, supported by practical experience.
- Knowledge of the legal and regulatory requirements relating to staff training and qualifications.
Desirable
- Knowledge of the organisational requirements for training.
- Knowledge of current issues affecting pharmacy and education
- Knowledge of Clinical Pharmacy services
Skills
Essential
- Excellent oral and written communication
- Excellent customer care
- Working knowledge of pharmacy computer systems.
- Ability to analyse and overcome barriers in implementation of staff training
- Ability to create and monitor complex rotas that is agreeable to all the stakeholders
- Ability to use Microsoft Word and Excel
- Excellent workload and time management skills
Experience
Essential
- Significant post qualification experience of working in a hospital environment as a pharmacy technician, during which time the following has been achieved; Working at band 5 or above, Experience as an accredited checking technician, Experience of providing training or supporting the development of others, Experience of organising rotas, Have proven ability of supervising staff of all grades including pharmacists to achieve set outcomes
Desirable
- Experience of designing and implementing training programmes
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
- Recognised Accredited Checking Technician Qualification
- Registered with GPhC
Desirable
- NVQ Assessor qualification
- NVQ Internal verifier qualification
- Education 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.
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).
