Pharmacy Assistant - Progression role

NHS; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider is seeking a Pharmacy Assistant in Milton Keynes, offering a progression opportunity to a Band 3 position based on achieved competencies. The role involves preparing aseptic products, dispensing medications, and supporting team operations. Candidates should have an NVQ level 2 in Pharmaceutical Sciences and relevant hospital pharmacy experience. Join a supportive team dedicated to high-quality patient care.

Qualifications

• Education Supervisor / Train the trainer or equivalent required.
• Experience in a Pharmacy aseptic environment is preferred.
• Experience in a hospital pharmacy department is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Prepare aseptic products and ensure quality service delivery.
• Monitor and maintain standards in the clean room.
• Dispense and check medications accurately.

Skills

IT Skills for dispensing

Dedication to high quality patient care

Good training skills

Analytical and judgemental skills

Education

NVQ level 2 Pharmaceutical Sciences

GCP Training

Tools

JAC Computer system

Job description

Overview

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Pharmacy Assistant - Progression role

Pharmacy Assistant - Cancer and Aseptics

Band 2 - 3 Progression Role

(all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working)

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

If successful, you will be joining a supportive team that encourages both professional and personal development. Are you the person to help us make this happen? If so, we look forward to hearing from you.

We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role

Interview date: 12.12.2025

Main duties of the job

''NHS Survey, 2024'' 7.10 out of 10 feel they experience a safer workplace and focus on wellbeing, supporting one another and prioritising overall wellbeing, this scoring has increased from last year.

We are a department of over 100 staff providing pharmacy services through teamwork 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.

• 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.

About us

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.

Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -

For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes

Job responsibilities

Trust Responsibilities

• 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.

On Completion of In-House competencies

• 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.

Professional Responsibilities

• 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

Operational Responsibilities

• 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.

Please refer to the job description for further details.

Person Specification

Qualifications and knowledge

• Education Supervisor / Train the trainer or equivalent
• GCP Training (or willing to undertake).
• NVQ level 2 Pharmaceutical Sciences (or BTEC, City and Guilds equivalent).

Experience

• Experience of working in a Pharmacy aseptic environment.
• Education and training of staff.
• Experience of working in a hospital pharmacy department.
• Experience of using the JAC Computer system.
• Experience in stock control management

Skills

• IT Skills for dispensing, monitoring performance and reporting/audit
• Dedication to high quality patient care
• Flexible to meet service and patient need
• Good training skills
• Evidence of analytical and judgemental skills when faced with facts or situations requiring analysis e.g. managing urgent requirements or prioritising work to meet patient and organisational need
• Evidence of effective support for less experienced staff
• Evidence of implementing policies and/or proposing changes to practices or procedures for own area with an impact beyond own area and contributes effectively to wider policies and service developments

Personal and people development

• Positive Commitment to CPD
• Polite and courteous
• Professional attitude
• Initiative
• Self motivated and team player

Communication

• Good Communication skills, written and verbal.
• Evidence of ability to communicate clearly with patients, carers, hospital/ward staff and primary care or community health services and other organisations about medicines management or other technical information

Specific requirements

• Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations

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.

Employer name

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust