Medicines Management Pharmacy Technician - MHSOP (Drug Monitoring)

NHS; North Shields; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in North Shields is looking for a motivated Pharmacy Technician to establish a new clinical pharmacy service in Mental Health Services for Older People. You'll develop a specialist drug monitoring service, collaborate in a multidisciplinary team, and lead initiatives to support safe medicine management. The ideal candidate has a passion for patient care, excellent communication skills, and relevant qualifications in pharmaceutical sciences. Competitive salary and a dynamic work environment await.

Qualifications

• Experience as a pharmacy technician in a hospital or primary care setting.
• Knowledge of Hospital Pharmacy Services operations.
• Experience in working at ward level or in a clinical setting.

Responsibilities

• Implement a specialist Drug Monitoring Service for patients.
• Provide clinical leadership within the multidisciplinary team.
• Deliver clinical pharmacy support to optimise treatment outcomes.

Skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Able to work independently

Collaborative within a team

Education

BTEC in pharmaceutical science or NVQ Level 3

Registered as a Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Go back Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Medicines Management Pharmacy Technician - MHSOP (Drug Monitoring)

The closing date is 28 December 2025

We are looking for a highly motivated and forward-thinking pharmacy technician with a passion for innovation and patient care to join our dynamic pharmacy team at Northumbria Healthcare.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead and shape a new clinical pharmacy service within our Mental Health Services for Older People (MHSOP) in the North Tyneside area. Responsible for developing and delivering a specialist drug monitoring service for patients prescribed clozapine, lithium, and antipsychotic medicines, across in‑patient and community settings. Supporting the safe initiation of high‑risk medicines in line with NICE guidelines. Managing the monitoring and side‑effect mitigation to improve treatment adherence and outcomes. Ensuring safe and coordinated transitions of care, including discharge and community follow‑up. Championing holistic care through the "Making Every Contact Count" initiative. Supporting both physical and mental health needs of patients with severe mental illness.

What We're Looking For: A proactive, adaptable pharmacy technician eager to shape a new and impactful service. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.

Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the closing date once the required number of suitable applications have been received.

Main duties of the job

You will be a motivated and proactive pharmacy technician, playing a key role in shaping a new, innovative service and strengthening the clinical pharmacy contribution within the MHSOP in North Tyneside.

Within your area of responsibility, you will work alongside the newly appointed MHSOP senior clinical pharmacist to:

• Implement a specialist Drug Monitoring Service for patients initiated on clozapine, lithium, and antipsychotic medications, ensuring safe and effective ongoing management in both in‑patient and community settings.
• Provide clinical leadership within the MHSOP team, contributing actively to the multidisciplinary team (MDT) and wider service development.
• Deliver clinical pharmacy support, helping to optimise treatment outcomes and reduce medicine‑related risks.
• Offer expert advice and guidance on medicines use, including input into clinical guidelines, patient safety initiatives, and governance processes.

You will be expected to demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work both independently and as part of a busy, multidisciplinary team. Collaboration with clinicians, nursing teams, and fellow pharmacy colleagues will be key to promoting the safe, effective, and cost‑efficient use of medicines across the care pathway. Attendance at relevant directorate or governance forums will be part of your role.

About us

In addition to our state‑of‑the‑art Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital, the first of its kind in England, we manage three major locality hospitals at North Tyneside, Wansbeck and Hexham, plus a number of smaller community hospitals and clinics from Tynemouth to Berwick on Tweed.

We also care for people in their homes and provide services from facilities in local communities such as health centres. We give people greater choice and control over their care to help them to live independently at home and avoid hospital admission where appropriate. High quality patient care is at the heart of everything we do and we strive to ensure every single patient and service user has an exceptional experience with us. We have one of the most extensive patient experience programmes of any trust in England.

Job responsibilities

To provide technical support on pharmaceutical matters, medicines management issues and medicines legislation within a delegated area of responsibility on a routine basis, but also, whenever required, to other specialist areas e.g. ward/clinical setting. The role will require team working as part of the many multidisciplinary teams as outlined above, as well as a need to be able to work independently and be self‑motivated.

To participate in a weekend pharmacy service and relevant bank holiday arrangements (unless otherwise agreed upon appointment).

To role model compassionate and inclusive leadership in order to shape the creation of a collective leadership culture within the trust. This means demonstrating a consistent leadership style which (a) engages, enables and empowers others (b) uses coaching to promote ownership of learning and quality improvement and (c) facilitates team working and collaboration within teams / departments and across organisational boundaries.

Why Join Us? This is a unique opportunity to develop a new service and make a real difference in reducing health inequalities for older adults with severe mental illness. You'll work in a supportive, innovative environment at North Tyneside General Hospital and have the chance to collaborate with both local and neighbouring mental health teams.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• oBTEC in pharmaceutical science or NVQ Level 3 supported by appropriate underpinning knowledge e.g. BTEC in Pharmaceutical Sciences, NPA or equivalent qualification.
• oRegional Qualification or equivalent for Medicines Management for Pharmacy Technicians. (If not already held there will be an expectation to achieve this when a training opportunity becomes available).
• oRegistered as a Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
• oEvidence of relevant specialist continuing professional development.
• oTo have successfully completed an appropriate accredited technician checking qualification e.g. Regional Scheme, Buttercups. Regional Qualification for Medicines Management for Pharmacy Technicians (if not already held there will be an expectation to achieve this when a training opportunity becomes available).
• oA1 or equivalent NVQ assessor qualification (if not already held there will be an expectation to achieve this when a training opportunity becomes available).
• oIT skills to include pharmacy systems, Microsoft word and Excel.
• oRelevant evidence of CPD demonstrating that their knowledge and training are current and show evidence of revalidation if appropriate.
• oThe above qualifications will ensure the post holder has the required skills for the role and has the specialist training and experience to degree or equivalent level.

Experience

• Extensive relevant experience working in Pharmacy with post‑qualification relevant experience in a hospital or primary care setting as a qualified/registered pharmacy technician.
• Knowledge of the operation of Hospital Pharmacy Services.
• The post holder will have experience of working at ward level or in a clinical setting, or primary care setting.

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.

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

£31,049 to £37,796 a year pro rata per annum