Senior Pharmacy Assistant SDU

The Royal Marsden; Sutton Coldfield; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cancer treatment provider in Sutton Coldfield is looking for a Senior Pharmacy Assistant to join their SDU team. The role involves dispensing, coordinating workload, and supporting audits while ensuring quality service. Candidates should have GCSEs in English and Maths, experience in pharmacy, and strong communication skills. This position offers the opportunity to work closely with healthcare professionals in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Recent experience of working in hospital or retail pharmacy.
• Ability to train and coach other assistants.

Responsibilities

• Participate in dispensing batches to the correct day unit according to SOPs.
• Coordinate dispensary workload and manage time effectively.
• Assist the Lead Pharmacy Technician with audits and SOP reviews.

Skills

Effective communication

Team collaboration

Time management

Organizational skills

Microsoft Office skills

Education

GCSEs in English and Maths

NVQ L2 Pharmacy Services

Tools

Pharmacy computer stock control systems

EPIC computer system

Job description

Job overview

An exciting and unique opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, dynamic and self-motivated professional to join our SDU team at the Sutton site of the Royal Marsden.

You will be part of a team consisting of Pharmacy Technicians and Assistants, who are always striving for excellence in all aspects of our work. We are working collaboratively as part of a Multi-Disciplinary Team to ensure we always deliver outstanding care to our patients.

It is an exciting time to join the Royal Marsden Hospital SDU Department. Our service is built around providing a high-quality service to our patients and staff of the Trust. The department works closely with the Institute of Cancer Research, and the post-holder will be supporting the development of innovative new cancer medicines as these drugs enter early phase clinical trials. The Oak Cancer Centre (a new, state-of-the-art treatment and research facility) opened in June 2023 in Sutton which will speed up the translation of world-leading research into breakthroughs in treatment and care, transforming the lives of cancer patients at The Royal Marsden and beyond.

Main duties of the job

The Job Description outlines the roles of the Senior Pharmacy Assistant, SDU. You will work closely with and support the Lead Technician and Senior Technicians in the day to day running of the unit, providing a quality, GMP compliant service, supplying outsourced medicines in a timely manner to all service users.

You will work closely with our 3rd party providers to order, process, and distribute bought-in pre-ordered IV products. You will become fully trained and accredited in all processes appropriate to the Band 3 role. Full training will be given in all aspects of the role.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Participate in all aspects of dispensing batches and PS doses to the correct day unit / ward in good time ahead of patients chair time according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s).
• Co-ordinate the dispensary to efficiently manage and prioritise own workload, be proactive and use initiative.
• Ensure good communication by working closely with the aseptic unit staff, stores / procurement team, clinical trials and all other relevant pharmacy teams.
• To support data collection for audits to enhance the needs of the service to the patients.
• Assist the Lead Pharmacy Technician with reviewing SOP’s to comply with external standards e.g. ‘Good Dispensing Practice’ guidance from the GPhC and ‘Good Clinical Practice’ to maintain high standards and ensure staff are made aware of any changes.
• Assist in keeping patient records up to date by entering all the necessary information on the computer.
• Responsible for unpacking and checking deliveries of Batches and PS deliveries.
• Produce stock reports, assist with stock checks and expiry date checks as per SOP to actively minimise wastage.
• Ensure storage condition records are maintained by daily temperature monitoring of fridges and room temperature locations and to ensure temperature records are accurately filed and archived for future reference.
• Identify when batches are unavailable or running low and assist with the ordering of batched and PS doses ensuring correct quantities are ordered.

Person specification

Experience

Essential criteria

• Recent experience of working in hospital or retail pharmacy

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working with pharmacy computer stock control systems and other computer software including a working knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Experience of preparing and dispensing prescriptions .
• Experience of ordering and stock management
• Working with and liaising with other healthcare professionals

Education / Qualifications

Essential criteria

• GCSE level (Grade A-C in English and Maths) or Numeracy and Literacy functional skills level 2 (or equivalent).
• NVQ L2 Pharmacy Services / Buttercups dispensing course or equivalent qualification, or will be required to be undertaken as per required timeframes

Skills Abilities / Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Ability to communicate effectively in clear English with members of the public and with other health care professionals.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and with staff at all levels.
• Time management / Organisational / Problem solving Skills; ability to priorities own workload and that of others and to manage own time effectively.
• Computer skills : ability to use Microsoft Office applications eg Word, Excel, Outlook

Desirable criteria

• Training Skills : ability to train / coach / teach tasks to other assistants
• Experience with EPIC -computer system

The Royal Marsden values diversity and is committed to the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority groups. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates with disabilities.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are working to create a workplace that enables all staff to reach their full potential. We are committed to this because we know that greater diversity and inclusion will lead to an even greater positive impact for the people we serve.

Due to the high volumes of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close any adverts before the published closing date once we have received a sufficient number of applications. We advise you to submit your application as early as possible to prevent disappointment.

Flu Vaccination – What We Expect of our Staff

At The Royal Marsden we have an immune compromised patient population who we must protect as much as we can against the flu virus. Each year, seasonal flu affects thousands of people in the UK. Occurring mainly in winter, it is an infectious respiratory disease capable of producing symptoms ranging from those similar to a common cold, through to very severe or even fatal disease.

The wellbeing of our staff and patients is of the upmost importance to us, and it is the expectation of The Royal Marsden that all patient-facing staff have an annual flu vaccination, provided free of charge by the Trust.