Oncology Pharmacy Assistant Dispensary

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave

NHS Pension Scheme

Blue Light card eligibility

Job summary

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust is seeking a pharmacy assistant to gain oncology experience at the Maidstone site. The role supports the delivery of high-quality patient care in the Kent & Medway area.

You will dispense outpatient medications using ARIA and WellSky, assist with trial meds, and help maintain stock. Hospital pharmacy experience is desirable; opportunities for PTPT qualification exist.

Qualifications

• GCSE English Literature and Maths at grade C or above.
• NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services is required.
• Experience dealing with the public in a service role is necessary.
• Experience in a hospital or healthcare setting is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Dispense outpatient and supportive medications using ARIA and WellSky.
• Dispense oral systemic anti-cancer treatments (SACTs), High Cost Drugs and Immunoglobulin therapy.
• Maintain stock including ordering patient-specific High Cost Drugs.
• Assist in research by dispensing novel clinical trial medication and completing accountability docs.

Skills

Good command of English

IT literate

Communication skills

Dispensing accuracy

Organisational skills

Customer care

Education

GCSE English & Maths (Grade C)

NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services

Tools

ARIA

WellSky

Job description

We are an ever-expanding team with a high profile within the Cancer Centre and Kent & Medway Cancer Network. In order to meet the demands and challenges of a growing service, we require forward thinking, talented individuals who are keen to contribute to the delivery of high-quality patient focused services.

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a pharmacy assistant to gain oncology experience within our team. The position is currently based at the Maidstone site.

The oncology facilities at the Maidstone site are under review and we are in the process of re-designing our dispensary. This will enable us to meet the requirements of the increasing demand of oral anti-cancer treatments for patients within the Kent & Medway area.

We are looking for a dynamic, enthusiastic, highly motivated and versatile technician with excellent communication and organisational skills to join our pro-active team.

Main duties of the job

Duties will include:

• Using the departmental electronic prescribing system (ARIA) and WellSky dispensing program to dispense outpatient and supportive medications, including oral systemic anti-cancer treatment (SACT's), High Cost Drugs and Immunoglobulin therapy.
• Participating in research and development by the dispensing of novel clinical trial medication and the completing of relevant accountability documentation.
• Maintenance of stock including ordering of patient-specific High Cost Drugs to ensure patients receive their medication in a timely manner.

We will welcome applications from community based pharmacy assistants with a desire to move into a hospital environment. Experience working in a hospital pharmacy is desirable but not essential. There will be the opportunity for further courses including PTPT qualification.

About us

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey.

We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.

Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.

Looking for flexible working?We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it's adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.

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Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:

• At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
• Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a employer contribution of 23.7% and life assurance benefits
• Blue Light card eligibility
• And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below

Job responsibilities

Weve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.

Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children)

All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed.

Please note: This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship. In line with the UK Immigration Rules and Home Office Sponsorship Guidance, employers may only sponsor individuals for roles that meet strict eligibility, salary, and compliance requirements. Where a role does not meet these criteria, organisations are prohibited from assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship. Applicants must therefore already hold a valid immigration status and ongoing right to work in the UK in order to be considered.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• GCSE Grade C or above in English Literature and Maths.
• NVQ level 2 in pharmacy services

Experience/Knowledge

• Experience of dealing with members of the public in a service capacity
• Experience of working in a hospital or other healthcare environment
• Experience of working in pharmacy
• Some experience using computers (ECDL)
• Knowledge of prescription charges and exemptions

Skills

• Good command of the English Language
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Ability to plan, prioritise and organise workload
• IT literate
• Proven customer care skills
• Quick and accurate dispensing

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£25,272 to £27,476 a yearper annum pro rata