Medicines Management Pharmacy Technician - Cancer Services

The Royal Berkshire; Reading; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

The Royal Berkshire in Reading is seeking a passionate and motivated Pharmacy Technician to join the Clinical Cancer Pharmacy Team. You will provide specialist medicines management across Cancer Services, supporting patients receiving systemic anti‑cancer therapy (SACT) and those admitted to cancer clinical areas.

The role involves medicines reconciliation, accurate drug histories, patient discharge planning and collaboration with oncology and haematology teams, Homecare, and community

Qualifications

• Specialist medicines management for cancer inpatients and SACT units.
• Capability to take and verify accurate drug histories.
• Support development of medicines management pathways for SACT and homecare.

Responsibilities

• Provide a specialist medicines management service across cancer inpatient wards, SACT day units and other relevant clinical areas.
• Undertake comprehensive medicines reconciliation and drug history taking using patient interviews, electronic prescribing systems, GP records, community pharmacy information and other appropriate sources.
• Proactively support medicines management for patients commencing systemic anti‑cancer therapy, including medicines reconciliation before or around the first treatment cycle where appropriate.
• Support the safe management of patients receiving oral, intravenous and subcutaneous SACT, in accordance with agreed protocols, competencies and local procedures.
• Facilitate safe and timely patient discharge by supporting medicines supply, providing appropriate medicines counselling and communicating relevant information to community pharmacies, GPs and other healthcare providers.
• Work collaboratively with the Cancer Pharmacy and Homecare teams to establish, implement and maintain suitable homecare pathways for patients receiving oral and subcutaneous SACT.
• Maintain accurate, complete and auditable records of medicines histories, interventions, communications and homecare arrangements.
• Participate in clinical audit, service evaluation, quality improvement and the development of medicines management procedures and pathways.

Skills

Medicines reconciliation

Drug history taking

Medicines optimisation

Oral/IV/Subcutaneous SACT care

Education

BOPA SACT Pharmacy Technician Passport

Tools

Electronic prescribing systems

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for a passionate and motivated individual to join our Clinical Cancer Pharmacy Team. In this role, you will need to provide a specialist medicines management pharmacy technician service across Cancer Services, supporting patients receiving or commencing systemic anti‑cancer therapy (SACT) and those admitted to cancer clinical areas. The role involves undertaking comprehensive medicines reconciliation, obtaining accurate drug histories, identifying and resolving medicines‑related discrepancies, supporting medicines optimisation, and facilitating safe and timely discharge.

The postholder works collaboratively with oncology and haematology pharmacists, medical and nursing teams, pharmacy colleagues, Homecare services and the wider multidisciplinary team to ensure safe, effective and continuous medicines management throughout the cancer treatment pathway. The role also supports the development of medicines management pathways for patients commencing SACT, including proactive assessment before or around their first treatment cycle, and the development of appropriate homecare pathways for patients receiving oral and subcutaneous cancer treatments.

The role requires ongoing professional development, completion of relevant cancer pharmacy competencies, including the BOPA SACT Pharmacy Technician Passport, and adherence to professional standards, Trust policies and patient safety requirements.

• Provide a specialist medicines management service across cancer inpatient wards, SACT day units and other relevant clinical areas.
• Undertake comprehensive medicines reconciliation and drug history taking using patient interviews, electronic prescribing systems, GP records, community pharmacy information and other appropriate sources.
• Proactively support medicines management for patients commencing systemic anti‑cancer therapy, including medicines reconciliation before or around the first treatment cycle where appropriate.
• Support the safe management of patients receiving oral, intravenous and subcutaneous SACT, in accordance with agreed protocols, competencies and local procedures.
• Facilitate safe and timely patient discharge by supporting medicines supply, providing appropriate medicines counselling and communicating relevant information to community pharmacies, GPs and other healthcare providers.
• Work collaboratively with the Cancer Pharmacy and Homecare teams to establish, implement and maintain suitable homecare pathways for patients receiving oral and subcutaneous SACT.
• Maintain accurate, complete and auditable records of medicines histories, interventions, communications and homecare arrangements.
• Participate in clinical audit, service evaluation, quality improvement and the development of medicines management procedures and pathways.

Diversity makes us interesting… Inclusion is what will make us outstanding.

Inequality exists and the journey to eliminate it is not easy. Every step we take will be a purposeful step forward to deliver a truly inclusive culture where all our people are enabled to deliver outstanding care, where background is no barrier, and where everyone can be their authentic self and we truly represent our patient community.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where possible. All applicants who have a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the post can opt for a guaranteed interview.

We support flexible working wherever possible, with requests considered on an individual basis taking into account service requirements, operational needs and the requirements of the role.

Our primary method of communication will be via email. However, if you would prefer to be contacted through a different method, please inform the recruitment team.

If you need additional help with your application please get in touch by calling the recruitment team on 0118 322 6997 or 0118 322 5342.

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Achilleas Kyriazopoulos Job title: Senior Lead Pharmacist - Oncology & Haematology Email address: [e-mail] Telephone number: 07767901308