Senior Technical Pharmacy Assistant

NHS; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity within the NHS for a motivated individual to join the Pharmacy Technical Services Unit, focusing on preparing medicines for cancer treatment. This role requires supervision, training of staff, and ensuring safety procedures are followed in the Chemotherapy Preparation Unit. Enjoy comprehensive training, career development opportunities, and numerous employee benefits including a generous pension scheme.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

NHS discounts

27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata)

Access to Staff Health and Wellbeing programme

Qualifications

• Numerate and literate to level 1 key skills.
• Experience in contributing to and working as part of a team.
• Completion of band 2 competencies or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Support the oncology pharmacy team in service delivery.
• Assist and supervise the Chemotherapy Preparation Unit.
• Manufacture products following standard operating procedures.

Skills

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

GCSE or equivalent in Maths and English (grade C / 5 or above)

Completion of band 2 competencies or equivalent

Job description

Job summary

An opportunity has arisen for enthusiastic and motivated individuals to work within our busy Pharmacy Technical Services Unit. This service covers the preparation of medicines used within the treatment of cancer.

You should ideally have some experience of supervising / co-ordinating staff and workflow.You must be flexible and react positively to change. You must be able to follow written procedures, work under supervision and complete tasks accurately to set deadlines. This role will involve providing specialist support to the Technical Services team and includes supervising, training and mentoring staff. You will also assist in managing stock control as well as the assembly and preparation of various pharmaceuticals and working in our cleanrooms.

Consideration will be given for strong candidates who may not meet the essential criteria to undertake this role on a developmental basis with set competency targets. These roles will be banded lower than originally advertised until competency targets are met.

If you are interested in contributing to the care of patients using practical skills with an ability to work under your own initiative, good communication skills, a high level of accuracy and are keen to develop your skills then you may be suited to this type of role.

About our Pharmacy Service

Main duties of the job

To support the oncology pharmacy team in providing an effective, safe and timely service to the Trust and its users, working within departmental and Trust procedures.

To assist and supervise in the day-to-day running of the Chemotherapy Preparation Unit (CPU) at all stages of the production process. Aseptically manufacture products following standard operating procedures and worksheets. Assist in the cleaning and maintenance of the facility and equipment to support the manufacturing process.

About us

We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients' own homes

We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff

We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options

Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services

Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients

We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what's widely regarded as the world's best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you

Find out about living and working here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A

Details Date posted

13 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 to £25,674 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

432-HR373-25

Job locations

Ipswich Hospital

Heath Road

Ipswich

IP4 5PD

Job description Job responsibilities

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description

Job description Job responsibilities

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Numerate and literate to level 1 key skills
• GCSE or equivalent in Maths and English (grade C / 5 or above)
• Completion of band 2 competencies or equivalent

Desirable

• Science Manufacturing Process Operative (SMPO) course or equivalent
• Science Manufacturing Technician (SMT) or equivalent

Experience Essential

• Contributing to and working as part of a team

Desirable

• Working within a hospital
• Work in pharmaceutical or scientific background
• Working within cleanrooms
• Dispensing and stock control
• Working in Pharmaceutical preparation or manufacture
• Supervision of other staff

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Numerate and literate to level 1 key skills
• GCSE or equivalent in Maths and English (grade C / 5 or above)
• Completion of band 2 competencies or equivalent

Desirable

• Science Manufacturing Process Operative (SMPO) course or equivalent
• Science Manufacturing Technician (SMT) or equivalent

Experience Essential

• Contributing to and working as part of a team

Desirable

• Working within a hospital
• Work in pharmaceutical or scientific background
• Working within cleanrooms
• Dispensing and stock control
• Working in Pharmaceutical preparation or manufacture
• Supervision of other staff

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 details Employer name

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Ipswich Hospital

Heath Road

Ipswich

IP4 5PD

Employer's website

https://www.esneft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Ipswich Hospital

Heath Road

Ipswich

IP4 5PD

Employer's website

https://www.esneft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)