University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Band 5 - Critical Care Pharmacy Technician
The closing date is 27 April 2026
An excellent opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated clinical pharmacy technician to join our diverse team supporting the Critical Care service at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB).
The successful candidate will work within Pharmacy Services to support critical care and the wider pharmacy team. They will be responsible for working alongside other healthcare professionals to manage the provision and supply of medications, complete medicines reconciliation, support cost‑saving initiatives, and deliver excellent patient care across the critical care service at the QEHB site. The role involves supporting drug history taking and discharge planning across the wards, as well as working closely with the dispensary team.
You must have excellent organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills, and be able to demonstrate that you are self‑motivated, able to work autonomously, and flexible in your approach to meet the needs of our developing service.
You will need to be a qualified and registered pharmacy technician who has completed the accredited accuracy checking qualification. Hospital pharmacy experience is essential; experience in critical care is desirable but not essential.
Participation in late shifts, weekends, and bank holidays on a rotational basis will be required.
📧 Contact: Helen Laws (Deputy Pharmacy Operations Manager QE) – helen.laws@uhb.nhs.uk, 0121 627 8730
📧 Zain Hussain (Advanced Clinical Pharmacist – Critical Care) – zain.hussain2@uhb.nhs.uk
Responsibilities
* Support the Pharmacy department in providing complete pharmaceutical care to patients.
* Deliver a high‑quality ward‑based medicines optimisation service.
* Act as a role model and provide training and mentoring to junior staff.
* Support the in‑patient dispensary where required.
* Carry out accuracy checking duties.
Key Person Specification
* Nationally recognised pharmacy technician qualification, with current GPhC registration.
* At least one year post‑qualification experience as a registered pharmacy technician.
* Nationally recognised accredited accuracy checking qualification.
* Professional attitude, with ability to motivate self and others.
* Ability to stay calm under pressure.
* Ability to work effectively with complex and difficult patients.
* Flexible approach and commitment to accommodate the needs of the service.
* Strong attention to detail.
* Desirable: experience working as a clinical pharmacy technician or in a similar capacity.
Qualifications
* GCSEs in Mathematics and English (Grade B/5) and four other subjects.
* Alternative: GCSEs in Mathematics, English, and Science (Grade C/4 or equivalent) and two other GCSEs (Grade C/4).
* Alternative: Three A‑levels, one relevant science subject, and Mathematics B/5 (or equivalent GCSE).
* Alternative: Degree in science or humanities and Mathematics B/5 (GCSE or equivalent).
* Level 3 Diploma in Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians.
* BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science and Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Pharmacy Service Skills, or equivalent as defined by the GPhC.
* Dispensing Accuracy Accreditation, West Midland scheme, or equivalent.
* Evidence of Continued Professional Development.
* Professional Registration with the GPhC (National Framework).
Experience and Knowledge
* Two years’ work experience in pharmacy pre‑qualification.
* Currently practising as a band 4 or above with post‑qualification experience within an acute setting.
* Significant experience within a pharmacy setting and specialist functions.
* Experience organising staffing workload and managing staff.
* Experience working to policies and procedures, dispensing, stock control, supply, IT systems and processes.
* Knowledge of Good Distribution Practice (GDP) and health and safety regulations such as COSHH.
* Understanding of code of practice, customer care and medicines knowledge, including side effects and further information sources.
* Experience delivering cost‑effective service and reducing waste.
* Experience as a clinical pharmacy technician or similar capacity.
* Deputising for senior personnel and coordinating daily workflow and staff management.
* Experience in setting up new working practices or procedures, training and mentoring staff.
* Understanding of ward environment.
Additional Criteria
* Ability to work in a team and be a good team player.
* Enthusiastic, reliable, trustworthy and displays a mature attitude.
* Good time management and careful, accurate work.
* Diplomatic, fair and objective.
* Flexible to the demands of the post and other staff needs.
* Self‑motivated with sound use of own initiative.
* Committed to improving and developing the pharmacy service and the concept of technician‑led services.
* Able to demonstrate timely referral to senior staff appropriately.
* Ability to travel to other Trust sites.
* Committed to abiding by the Trust Vision and Values.
* Aware of future developments within pharmacy.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will require a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
About us
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust strives to have an inclusive culture where everyone feels like they belong, can thrive, knows that they add value and feels valued. We do this by developing compassionate and culturally competent leaders, being values‑driven in all that we do and by creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace that thrives on the diversity of our people. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments for staff with a disability, including physical disability, long‑term health condition, mental health or neurodiverse condition, to carry out their role.
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