Senior Oncology Pharmacy Technician

NHS; Southampton; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job description

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job

Join our team at the University Hospital Southampton as a Pharmacy Technician, where you'll play a vital role in assisting with the smooth operation of our oncology pharmacy. You will work as part of the oncology pharmacy team to assemble, manufacture and deliver oncology medication to our patients.

We have opportunities available within Oncology Pharmacy for a technician. Ideally, we are looking for band 5 pharmacy technicians, but we would also consider band 4s looking for an opportunity to develop into a band 5.

About us

University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.

Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.

At UHS we're committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.

At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognizing that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We're committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.

Job responsibilities

As a band 5 pharmacy technician, you will be required to work in our aseptic suite assisting with the preparation of aseptically prepared products and completing inspection checks. Part of the role will involve acting as production supervisor and you will be expected to lead and co-ordinate the operational team to ensure efficient workflow, organise and prioritise treatments to prevent patient delays and to ensure that all processes are followed, and documentation accurately completed as per our standard operating procedures.

Full technical training will be given in all relevant areas.

As a development band 4 pharmacy technician, you will be given support and training to complete set competencies to become a band 5 Pharmacy technician. The expected timeframe to undertake and complete relevant competencies is between 6 months to a year.

You will be required to work in our aseptic suite assisting with the preparation of aseptically prepared products and working towards achieving your PIPC (pre and in-process checking) qualification. In addition to this, we will support and prepare you to undertake the role of production supervisor where you will be expected to lead and co-ordinate the operational team to ensure efficient workflow, organise and prioritise treatments to prevent patient delays and to ensure that all processes are followed as per our standard operating procedures.

We are looking for a highly motivated individual who displays positivity and leadership within a team. You must be professional and act as a good role model, whilst exhibiting a supportive nature to your peers. You need to be accurate in your working with a good attention to detail and have good communication skills. You will be expected to integrate and make a positive contribution to the team who lead the pharmacy service to cancer care.

The core hours of our service are Monday to Friday 8.30 to 17.00 and Saturdays 9.00 to 13.00; however, all staff are required to contribute to extended hours, weekends, on call and Bank Holidays.

Future service development may require cross or off site working.

Person Specification

Trust Values

• Always Improving
• Working Together

Qualifications / training required

• Registered pharmacy technician in UK by GPhC / registered Science Manufacturing Technician (Apprenticeship Standard- Level 3 Diploma in the Principles of Aseptic Pharmaceuticals processing) in UK by the Science Council
• Numerate and literate e.g. GCSE in Maths and English A* to C or equivalent or IELTS test score 7 as required by GPhC if overseas candidate
• One of the following additional pharmacy qualifications - Accredited Checking PT (ACPT) Pre and In Processing Checking (PIPC) medicine management accreditation, TAQA assessor, CIPS level 4, foundation management or equivalent demonstrable experience of day to day operational management of staff and workload.
• Experience of staff management/operational workload supervision.
• Completion of Practice supervisor programme or equivalent.
• Additional pharmacy qualifications e.g. Completed APTUK Foundation Framework Foundation management or other recognised management qualification or demonstrable management experience TAQA Medicines Management qualification PIPC ACPT CIPS level 4.

Previous or relevant experience necessary

• Accurate dispensing of medicines (in hospital or community pharmacy or aseptics)
• Dealing with customers/patients
• Hospital pharmacy experience
• Stock control/ordering experience
• Experience of JAC or similar computer labelling/ordering system
• Experience relevant to role applied for e.g.: Providing a ward based medicines management service, Clinical Trials or research experience, Aseptic services experience.

Aptitudes and skills required

• Communicate effectively with others both in speaking and in writing
• Good team worker
• Attention to detail and accurate in work e.g. dispensing, calculations
• Able to use a range of information technology programmes effectively including Pharmacy Computer system and Microsoft office programmes
• Able to use initiative, but know their own limitations and professional boundaries
• Demonstrate times when able to work effectively under pressure
• Tactful and show empathy
• Demonstrates being able to organise their and others workload and prioritise effectively.
• Effectively work as part of a team
• Experience of supervision of staff or trainees
• Participation in team meetings

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.

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust

£29,970 to £36,483 a year Per Annum (PA) Pro Rata.