Senior Pharmacy Assistant - Cancer Services

NHS; Bedford; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Bedford is seeking an organised and enthusiastic pharmacy assistant to join their experienced team in the Oncology/Haematology department. This role involves assisting with pharmaceutical duties, dispensing chemotherapy medicines, and ensuring excellent customer care. Ideal candidates will have prior pharmacy experience, strong communication skills, and the ability to work effectively within a team environment. The position offers a salary between £24,937 and £26,598, with options for full-time or flexible working arrangements.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a pharmacy is essential.
• Must have experience using computer systems.
• Prior experience in clinical administrative work is essential.

Responsibilities

• Assist with pharmaceutical duties and organizational support.
• Dispense chemotherapy and supportive medicines according to prescription.
• Monitor stock and ensure proper storage.

Skills

Good communication skills (written and verbal)

Ability to work as part of a team

Excellent attention to detail

Education

GCSE or equivalent in English & Maths

Vocational qualification in IT skills

NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services

Tools

Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word)

Job description

Job Summary

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 including 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

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.

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.

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications

• GCSE or equivalent in English & Maths

Desirable Qualifications

• Vocational qualification in IT skills
• NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services

Experience

Essential Experience

• Experience working in a pharmacy
• Experience using computer systems
• Experience of clinical administrative work

Desirable Experience

• Experience working in Hospital pharmacy Aseptics
• Experience working in a team
• Previous interest/experience in cancer services

Knowledge

Essential Knowledge

• Good communication skills (written and verbal)
• Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word)

Desirable Knowledge

• Knowledge of pharmacy JAC computer system
• Knowledge of an oncology prescribing computer system

Skills

Essential 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

Desirable 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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab)

Employer Details

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Bedford Hospital South Wing
Kempston Road
Bedford
MK42 9DJ

Salary and Contract

Salary: £24,937 to £26,598 a year Pro‑ratio

Band: Band 3

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full‑time, Part‑time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number: 418‑COR3415‑MR

Job location: Bedford Hospital South Wing, Kempston Road, Bedford, MK42 9DJ

Important Notice

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.