At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Pharmacy Procurement Team to manage medication shortages and ensure patient-centred care.
- Company: Be part of Newcastle Hospitals, a leading NHS foundation trust with a commitment to quality healthcare.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, competitive salary, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: This role offers a chance to develop skills in a dynamic team while making a real impact on patient care.
- Qualifications: No prior experience needed; just bring your enthusiasm and a relevant pharmacy qualification.
- Other info: We value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 £ per year.
Main area: Procurement and Homecare
Grade Band: 5
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Part time, Flexible working 15 hours per week (We are open to flexible working requests - e.g. 2 days at 7.5 hours per day or 4 days at 3.75 hours per day etc.)
Employer: The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Site: Royal Victoria Infirmary
Salary: £29,970 - £36,483 pro rata
Salary period: Yearly
Closing date: 14/07/2025 23:59
Interview date: 30/07/2025
Job overview: We are delighted to offer this exciting opportunity to join the Pharmacy Procurement Team. We have a 15 hours per week permanent position for a Clinical Pharmacy Technician to work within the Pharmacy Procurement Service. This area provides a specialist service for all patients treated at the Trust. The Clinical Technician would work alongside the pharmacy procurement team to provide a valued service bringing their clinical knowledge to the procurement process with the aims of managing shortages, promoting best value procurement and maintaining a patient centred approach. We are looking for an enthusiastic team player who wishes to develop their existing skills and expertise in this area as well as integrating within the well-established team. This is a fairly new role and we are looking for an innovative, motivated person to join the team.
Main duties of the job:
- Based in the Pharmacy Procurement team, you will collaborate with your team and the wider pharmacy professional team to deliver a person-centred approach to managing shortages and procuring medication for the Trust.
- You will undertake reviews of medication that we purchase to ensure that we are getting the best value procurement e.g. for unlicensed medication and over-labelled packs, involving the wider pharmacy clinical, distribution and medicines management teams as appropriate.
- There are opportunities to develop project management and audit skills.
- You will be a team-player with excellent communication, prioritisation, influencing, problem solving and negotiating skills.
- No previous experience in pharmacy procurement is required, as full training will be provided.
Working for our organisation: Our staff oversee over 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from various sites including Royal Victoria Infirmary, Health Innovation Neighbourhood, Newcastle Dental Hospital, Newcastle Fertility Centre, Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria, and Northern Genetics Service.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities:
- 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 enquiries.
- Effectively communicate with pharmaceutical wholesalers, manufacturers, homecare companies and external agencies 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.
- 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.
- Excellent oral and written communication.
- Excellent customer care.
- Working knowledge of pharmacy, hospital and/or general practice computer systems.
- 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.
- 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.
Important note on completion of reference section of Application Form: All references from current and previous employers will be sought and must cover a minimum of 3 years employment. Therefore, when completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current/previous line managers that cover 3 years employment. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.
Employer certification / accreditation badges: You must have appropriate UK professional registration. The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Pharmacy Technician Medicines Procurement employer: Transformationunitgm
Contact Detail:
Transformationunitgm Recruiting Team
emily.pearson8@nhs.net
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Pharmacy Technician Medicines Procurement
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific procurement processes used in pharmacy settings. Understanding how medicines are sourced and managed will give you a significant edge during discussions with the interview panel.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. They can provide valuable insights into the team culture and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach during the interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your problem-solving skills, especially in relation to managing stock shortages or procurement issues. Think of examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to handle such challenges effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Show your enthusiasm for continuous learning and development. Since this role is relatively new, expressing your willingness to adapt and grow within the team will resonate well with the hiring managers.
We think you need these skills to ace Pharmacy Technician Medicines Procurement
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Pharmacy Technician Medicines Procurement position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the job description.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Even if you don't have direct experience in pharmacy procurement, emphasise any relevant clinical pharmacy experience or transferable skills. Mention your knowledge of pharmacy processes and any customer care experience that showcases your communication skills.
Craft a Strong Personal Statement: Use your personal statement to express your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation. Discuss your motivation for joining the Pharmacy Procurement Team and how you can contribute to their goals, particularly in managing shortages and promoting best value procurement.
Check Your References: Ensure that your references cover a minimum of three years of employment as required. Provide accurate contact details for your previous line managers to avoid any delays in processing your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at Transformationunitgm
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly read the job description and understand the responsibilities of a Pharmacy Technician in Medicines Procurement. Familiarise yourself with the procurement processes and how they relate to patient care.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As this role involves liaising with various stakeholders, be prepared to demonstrate your excellent communication skills. Think of examples where you've effectively communicated with team members or external partners to resolve issues.
✨Highlight Teamwork Experience
This position requires a strong team player. Be ready to discuss your previous experiences working in teams, particularly in a clinical or pharmacy setting, and how you contributed to achieving common goals.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving and prioritisation skills. Think about potential challenges in pharmacy procurement and how you would approach them, keeping patient care at the forefront.