Senior Pharmacy Assistant - Cancer Services

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Bedford; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional NHS Trust in Bedford is seeking a Senior Pharmacy Assistant specializing in Oncology. The role involves providing organizational support, accurately dispensing chemotherapy, monitoring medication, and contributing to patient care. Ideal candidates will have previous pharmacy experience and a commitment to excellence in customer care. The position requires meticulous attention to detail and strong interpersonal skills. Flexible working hours are available along with a competitive salary.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a pharmacy.
• Experience using computer systems.
• Experience of clinical administrative work.
• Experience working in Hospital pharmacy Aseptics.
• Experience working in a team.
• Previous interest/experience in cancer services.

Responsibilities

• To carry out assistant pharmaceutical duties and provide support to senior colleagues.
• To dispense outsourced parenteral chemotherapy treatment accurately.
• To monitor storage and expiry dates of chemotherapy drugs.
• To update patient details within the daily pharmacy aseptic diary management system.
• To participate in dispensary late evenings, weekends, and bank holidays.

Skills

Good communication skills (written and verbal)

Excellent organisational skills

Methodical, excellent attention to detail

Ability to work as part of a team

Good interpersonal skills

Shows initiative

Calm and able to work under pressure

Time management skills and prioritisation skills

Education

GCSE or equivalent in English & Maths

Vocational qualification in IT skills

NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services

Tools

Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word)

Pharmacy JAC computer system

Oncology prescribing computer system

Job description

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Pharmacy Assistant - Cancer Services

The closing date is 04 January 2026

We are looking for an organised and enthusiastic pharmacy assistant to join our experienced and friendly team dedicated to providing an Oncology/Haematology pharmacy service and supply of aseptic products to the Trust.

This role will suit candidates with previous pharmacy experience and previous involvement in dispensing chemotherapy medicines would be an advantage.

We have recently completed a Pharmacy Transformation Programme to include refurbishment of the department and adoption of the latest technology to include a Chemotherapy EPMA system, automated robotic and controlled drug dispensing and e‑Rostering.

There will be participation in dispensary late evenings, weekends and bank holiday on a rota.

Main duties of the job

To carry out assistant pharmaceutical duties and provide organisational support to senior colleagues in the Pharmacy Aseptic Supply Unit (ASU).

Duties are varied and numerous depending on service demands. The role requires meticulous accuracy and attention to detail in the pursuit of excellent customer care as well as good interpersonal skills.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics‑led Maternity and Paediatrics.

You will be joining a friendly, high‑performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.

We have state‑of‑the‑art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.

Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.

Job responsibilities

To be part of the ASU Team responsible for the delivery of the safe, effective and efficient supply of aseptically prepared chemotherapy and other medicinal products in accordance with work instructions.

To prepare documentation to expedite supply of ready‑made aseptically prepared products.

To accurately dispense outsourced parenteral chemotherapy treatment, ensuring product is fit for purpose and the batch number and expiry dates are recorded accurately.

To dispense oral chemotherapy and supportive medicines on electronic prescriptions from the Oncology and Haematology department, according to specific drug requirements.

To ensure materials are stored appropriately according to manufacturers requirements; to monitor expiry dates optimising drug usage. (Many chemotherapy drugs have short expiry dates and are high cost drugs).

To organise and maintain documentation and records, archiving according to legal requirements.

To report to Senior/Lead Aseptic staff any incidents and procedural deficiencies which require corrective and preventative actions.

To work with the Aseptic Technical Team to ensure all required chemotherapy is ordered and allocated to patients and the relevant databases updated to reflect correct patient treatment stage.

To work with the Aseptic Technical Team ordering patient‑specific chemotherapy doses from external aseptic compounding companies, communicating and problem solving issues regarding dose changes and cancellations.

To be responsible for ordering and receipting chemotherapy doses for patients, allocating doses appropriately using the in‑house ordering database and highlighting defective products all in accordance with the MHRAs GDP.

To deliver checked and released patient specific chemotherapy to the Oncology day unit at start of day, relaying back to senior colleagues any queries from nursing staff regarding that days chemotherapy patient list.

To receive calls from the Primrose Oncology Unit, Haematology and Day Treatment Unit and ensure the smooth running of day to day activities e.g. updating the daily patient chemotherapy list and receiving blood results from nursing staff, responding to queries in an efficient manner, referring to a Pharmacist, Pharmacy Technician or relevant healthcare professional when necessary.

To update and maintain accurate patient details within the daily pharmacy aseptic diary management system against the oncology Clinic lists, reporting discrepancies.

To work with the Aseptic Technical Team and be responsible for compiling workload statistics and other management information, through data entry on the pharmacy computer systems.

To monitor expired stock and minimise wastage; to be part of the team that maintains the stock wastage database.

To be responsible for monitoring storage of parenteral nutrition held on Howard Ward maintaining records of used and wasted products and those for destruction. To be responsible for training other aseptic staff to cover this process.

To be responsible for the development of clear precise Work Instructions for processes and work undertaken and to support the development of other Aseptic Work Instructions.

To undertake training to NVQ Level 2 Pharmacy Service, if not already achieved.

To regularly attend and actively participate in discussions at Aseptic Services staff meetings.

To obtain GCP qualification and maintain Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and annual updates regarding Clinical Trials.

To accurately dispense clinical trial prescriptions to Pharmacy Aseptics standards after completing documented trial specific training for each trial after appropriate training and competency assessment/achievement of Pharmacy Aseptics dispensing standards.

To train and participate in statutory temperature monitoring of clinical trial drugs and all other drugs held for chemotherapy and haematology use.

To ensure the disposal and recycling of chemotherapy and other medicinal products is carried out in a safe and efficient manner within the Aseptics Unit in accordance with Health & Safety (H & S), COSHH regulations and departmental work instructions.

To participate in the training and induction of students, technicians and assistants when required to do so by the Senior Aseptics Co‑Ordinator.

To co‑ordinate First Aid training across the Pharmacy Department, to ensure sufficient qualified first‑aiders are on hand to support staff and patients in this workplace where no nursing or medical staff are available.

To be part of the Health & Safety Team for Pharmacy and take part in Health & Safety assessments to ensure a safe environment for working.

To participate in dispensary late evenings, weekends and bank holidays on a rota.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• GCSE or equivalent in English & Maths
• Vocational qualification in IT skills
• NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services

Experience

• Experience working in a pharmacy
• Experience using computer systems
• Experience of clinical administrative work
• Experience working in Hospital pharmacy Aseptics
• Experience working in a team
• Previous interest/experience in cancer services

Knowledge

• Good communication skills (written and verbal)
• Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word)
• Knowledge of pharmacy JAC computer system
• Knowledge of an oncology prescribing computer system

Skills

• Shows initiative
• Honest and Trustworthy, reliable
• Ability to work as part of a team, supporting others
• Methodical, excellent attention to detail
• Excellent organisational skills
• Calm and able to work under pressure
• Good interpersonal skills
• Evidence of time management skills and prioritisation skills

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.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

£24,937 to £26,598 a yearPer annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full‑time,Part‑time,Job share,Flexible working