Pharmacy Assistant - Cancer and Aseptics

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; England; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in the United Kingdom is looking for a Pharmacy Assistant to prepare aseptic products, maintain compliance with health standards, and support the pharmacy team. You will have opportunities for progression to Band 3 with necessary training provided. This full-time role offers flexible working arrangements and a range of benefits including free on-site parking, discounted gym membership, and a generous leave policy.

Benefits

Free on-site parking

Flexible working arrangements

Discounted gym membership

Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme

On-site nursery

Qualifications

• Experience in a pharmacy environment preferred.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Willingness to learn and progress to Band 3.

Responsibilities

• Prepare aseptic products as required.
• Participate in pharmacy rotas including weekends.
• Maintain sterile equipment and compliance with Health & Safety standards.

Skills

Aseptic technique

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

Level 2 Pharmacy qualification

Job description

We care, we communicate, we collaborate, we contribute. ''NHS Survey, 2024'' 7.10 out of 10 feel they experience a safer workplace and focus on wellbeing, supporting one another and prioritising over all wellbeing, this scoring has increased from last year.

We are a department of over 100 staff providing pharmacy services through team-working and prioritising the needs of those we serve. Based in the Aseptic Unit you will provide an excellent service to the trust ensuring prompt and efficient production and supply of medicines.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Prepare a range of aseptic products when required.
• Carry out environmental monitoring and cleaning of the aseptic unit.
• Accurately dispense or check outsourced IV treatment, oral and concurrent medications.
• Dispensing for Inpatients, Outpatients and Discharge.
• Participating in the Pharmacy Weekend and Bank Holiday rotas.
• To be part of the pharmacy team and work with staff within the pharmacy department and across the Trust to enable the objectives of the Trust to be achieved.
• To contribute to the Trust compliance with Medicines Management standards and the Clinical Governance and Risk Management agendas.
• To prevent avoidable wastage within pharmacy to help reduce the cost the trust pays resulting from wasted medicines.
• To carry out and log the isolators pressures and room pressure readings daily reporting any anomalies to the Aseptic Services Manager or Accountable Pharmacist, as directed.
• To clean the isolators, clean room and preparation area as defined in the appropriate standard procedures.
• To maintain the appropriate quantity of sterile equipment and raw materials required for use within the clean room and preparation area.
• To ensure the Pharmacy department is compliant with relevant statutory and professional standards on Health & Safety, COSHH, Clinical Governance, and Medicines Management by ensuring your actions take account of all guidance provided.
• To fulfil the duties assigned from time to time as required to meet the needs of the Trust, its patients, staff and visitors; to participate in rotas and flexible arrangements to maintain the services required as defined by the chief pharmacist or pharmacy staff to whom those decisions are delegated.
• To be an active part of the cancer & aseptic services team providing timely medications to patients.
• To contribute to pharmaceutical stock control within the department and for wards & departments to which the pharmacy provides a service; duties to include.
• To receive prescriptions for inpatients and outpatients via the dispensary reception and undertake other relevant reception duties to complement and supplement the work of our staff.
• To co-operate with staff in other disciplines to help ensure the safe, effective and economic use of drugs.
• To participate in providing services on weekends, bank holidays and end of day, undertaking duties assigned according to training, experience and competence, according to a planned rota to ensure continuity of pharmacy services.

About Milton Keynes University Hospital

Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting‑edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.

As a medium‑sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.

We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state‑of‑the‑art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.

Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards – a new ward block featuring two 24‑bed wards – and the recently approved Women and Children’s Centre, set to open by 2030.

Benefits

• Free on‑site parking including EV charging
• Complimentary refreshments
• Flexible working arrangements
• Discounted gym membership
• Salary sacrifice car scheme
• Generous annual leave, with the option to bank holiday entitlement
• Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme
• On‑site nursery (charges apply)
• A wide‑ranging staff health and wellbeing programme including EAP
• VIVUP products to support your mental, physical, and financial wellbeing, Band 2 – 3 progression

Hours: 37.5 per week (all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working).

Progression from Band 2 to 3

The intention of the role is to progress Pharmacy Assistants into a Band 3 role once performance targets have been achieved. You will be given support and training to complete set competencies in order to become a Band 3. The expected timeframe to undertake and complete relevant competencies is between 12 to 18 months. Tasks which must be completed to progress include:

• Level 2 Pharmacy qualification completed via external training programme
• Completion of in‑house validations including handwashing, transfer sanitisation and broth test.
• Completion of all in‑house training knowledge training modules
• Completion of all dispensing activity logs

Interview date: 12.12.2025