Pharmacy Technician–Medicines Procurement & Homecare

Integrated Care System; North East; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in the UK is seeking a qualified Pharmacy Technician to manage the Homecare service and act as a deputy to the Homecare Manager. The ideal candidate will ensure efficient medicine procurement and enhance the quality of service for over 8,500 patients. A strong clinical foundation and excellent communication skills are essential. Flexible working arrangements are supported to meet service needs.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Comprehensive induction program

Qualifications

• Registered with GPhC.
• An Accredited Accuracy Checking Qualification.
• Practical experience of working in a relevant clinical pharmacy environment.

Responsibilities

• Approve orders against Homecare prescriptions.
• Manage the Homecare team in the absence of the Homecare Manager.
• Liaise with homecare providers and clinical teams to resolve queries.

Skills

Excellent oral and written communication

Excellent customer care

Working knowledge of pharmacy systems

Education

S/NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services

Job description

Go back The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Pharmacy Technician–Medicines Procurement & Homecare

The closing date is 10 August 2025

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

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 responsibilities

• Interview Date Tuesday, 19th August 2025
• 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

• 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
• Knowledge and understanding of pharmacy procurement processes

SKILLS

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

EXPERIENCE

• Practical experience of working in a relevant clinical pharmacy environment
• Practical experience of working as a designated checker
• Familiar with Medicines Information enquiry answering resources

QUALIFICATIONS

• 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
• 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.

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust