Job Overview
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.
Please see below for the detailed job description of the role.
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.
Working for our organisation
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.
We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalizing your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.
At UHS we're committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.
At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognizing that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We're committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.
Your Responsibilities
Detailed job description and main 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.
Informal enquiries are welcome. Please contact or email for more information.
Person specification
Qualifications, Knowledge And Experience
Essential criteria
* 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
Desirable criteria
* Additional pharmacy qualifications e.g. Completed APTUK Foundation Framework Management training Practice supervisor or TAQA Medicines Management qualification PIPC or ACPT
* 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
Essential criteria
* Patients First
* Always Improving
* Working Together