Pharmacy Technician - Rotational Band 4-5

NHS; Southampton; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Southampton is seeking Pharmacy Technicians for a rotational position. The role offers extensive training in dispensary-based and hospital environments. Ideal candidates will be registered or shortly qualifying technicians who excel in communication and teamwork. Candidates will engage in dynamic rotations supporting patient care and pharmacy operations, working at multiple sites, and must meet specific professional competencies.

Benefits

Learning and development opportunities

Supportive work environment

Experience across multiple locations

Qualifications

• Registered pharmacy technician in UK by GPhC or working towards qualifications suitable for registration.
• Minimum GCSE in Maths and English A* to C or equivalent.
• Experience in hospital pharmacy, stock control, and aseptic pharmacy.

Responsibilities

• Dispensary-based training at hospitals and pharmacy.
• Issuing medications and taking medication histories from patients.
• Supervising junior staff and ensuring medication levels for ambulances.

Skills

Accurate dispensing of medicines

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Team player

IT proficiency

Education

BTEC in Pharmaceutical Sciences or NVQ level 3

Tools

JAC or pharmacy based computer systems

Job description

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us as a Pharmacy Technician - Rotational Band 4-5.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for registered or soon-to-be registered pharmacy technicians to join our enthusiastic and motivated team based at Southampton General Hospital (SGH). These are progressive band 4 to 5 posts; however, applications from current band 5s are welcome.

This exciting, fully supported rotational post would be ideal for pharmacy technicians soon to qualify and register with the GPhC. You must be a team player, have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and be keen to develop yourself.

The role will take place in various areas of our versatile pharmacy department of over 300 staff and will include cross-site working with our partner site, the Royal South Hants Hospital (RSH) and South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS).

Within the pharmacy department, we pride ourselves on the development of our staff. You will be supported to complete the pathway framework by collecting relevant evidence towards a set of core competencies. Once complete and signed off, your post will be upgraded to band 5.

Applicants who can demonstrate that they already meet the required competencies may be offered a Band 5 contract upon appointment.

About us

University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.

Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.

Job responsibilities

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

The main outline of rotations will include:
- Dispensary-based training at Southampton General Hospital and The Royal South Hants Hospital, where you will be trained through competency-based learning to dispense and label accurately.
- Issuing medications to patients will also be covered.
- Experience working with the team at South Central Ambulance Service, ensuring appropriate levels of medication for ambulances across the region are maintained and supervising junior staff to meet workload demands.
- Ward-based learning where you will spend time with patients taking an accurate medication history, discussing the medications they have brought into the hospital and offering advice.
- Experience in our large aseptic units learning how to produce IV antibiotics, Total Parental Nutrition (TPN) and Cytotoxic IV/Infusions.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking diligent and enthusiastic Pharmacy Technicians who are committed to enhancing patient care and collaborating with the pharmacy and UHS teams in all areas of pharmacy and at the ward level.

Applicants must be Registered Pharmacy Technicians with the General Pharmaceutical Council. They must possess the following: BTEC in Pharmaceutical Sciences or NVQ level 3 supported by appropriate underpinning knowledge, e.g. BTEC in Pharmaceutical Sciences or NPA. Applicants working towards the relevant qualifications will be considered.

Person Specification

Qualifications, knowledge and experience

• Registered pharmacy technician in UK by GPhC or working towards qualifications suitable for registration as a pharmacy technician with the GPhC within the next six months.
• Numerate and literate e.g. GCSE in Maths and English A* to C or equivalent or IELTS test score 7 as required by GPhC if overseas candidate
• Accurate dispensing of medicines (in hospital or community pharmacy or aseptics)
• Maintaining continuous professional development requirements or training portfolio
• Dealing with customers and / or patients
• Able to use a range of information technology programmes
• Demonstrates being able to organise own and others workload and prioritise effectively
• Able to work antisocial hours, weekends and bank holidays as per rota.
• Able to travel to and work at RSH / SGH and other sites if required
• Hospital pharmacy experience
• Stock control / ordering experience
• Providing a ward-based medicines management service
• Aseptic pharmacy experience
• Clinical trials or research experience
• Experience of using JAC or similar pharmacy based computer systems
• Experience of supervision of staff or trainees

Trust Values

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We are committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities.