Job summary
INTERVIEW DATE : 22-APRIL-2025
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, highly motivated and proactive pharmacy technician to join the Cancer Pharmacy Team as a Band 5 Cancer Pharmacy Technician initially on secondment, pending vacancies, at the Churchill Hospital and able to cover across sites.
The successful candidate will be highly motivated with excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills interested in developing leadership skills to support the Senior Pharmacy Technician. The Cancer Pharmacy Team is a large team covering the Churchill and Horton Hospitals and includes pharmacy assistants, technicians, pharmacist and admin.
Candidates with a hospital or community background who have successfully achieved the relevant units of pharmacy services skills, ideally NVQ level 3 (QCF) or an equivalent are welcome to apply.
There will be both a technical interview and a value-based interview.
This post would suit somebody who is willing to work across both sites during the week with the main base at the Churchill Hospital. The candidate ideally will have either a hospital pharmacy background, or with community pharmacy experience, wishing to make a change into the hospital environment, for which appropriate training will be provided. You must have successfully achieved the relevant units of pharmacy services skills, ideally NVQ level 3 (QCF) or an equivalent GPhC accredited training programme
Main duties of the job
To be responsible for providing co-ordinating support to the Cancer Satellite service under the direction of the senior Satellite Lead pharmacy technician or operational manager. Including taking the lead for the Satellite service when required. To assist in ensuring dispensary work is processed accurately, safely and efficiently according to procedures to support turnaround and key performance indicators. To be responsible for preparing some Satellite rotas, overseeing workload and delegating tasks to the dispensary team, with the ability to judge workload and when to escalate to prevent it reaching unmanageable levels, working together with Senior Technicians.
Some of the key roles include:
- Co-ordination of workload and staff in the Cancer Satellite Pharmacy
- Training of staff.
- Management of stock.
- Patient counselling
- Opportunity to develop CPD
About us
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research.
The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.
Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call thisDelivering Compassionate Excellenceand its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence. These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via theOUH YouTube channel.
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. To Participate in the following aspects of dispensary technician duties asdesignated by the senior Satellite Lead Pharmacy Technician: Labelling and dispensing medicine supplies to the Cancer Centre according tothe dispensary procedures; including clinical trial dispensing using thepharmacy stock control computer system, ensuring accuracy and attention todetail in processing of prescriptions. Undertaking regular expiry date checking for designated bin locations inPharmacy Satellite to identify expired or short dated stock. Undertaking extemporaneous dispensing making relevant calculations for theformula and according to Good Manufacturing Practice. Counselling patients that attend Cancer Satellite Pharmacy on how to taketheir medicines in a safe and effective manner and warning them of possibleside effects that they may experience during treatment. To be aware of and be involved in good customer service when dealing withall stakeholders, with the ability to deal with demanding, stressful, oremotional situations as they arise. To assist in the maintenance of a tidy and efficient working environment. To be involved with the audit and the development of the service includingpolicy updates and working practices. Receive prescriptions from patients/ staff and receive payment forprescription charges. Participates in processes to ensure that medicine stock levels are monitoredand accurately maintained.2. To use the Pharmacy stock control computer system and other informationtechnology in all areas of Pharmacy. To be fully competent in the use of theRobotic Dispensing system, where applicable to site, with the ability to diagnoseand resolve robot operating issues and escalate as required.3. Having undertaken the relevant training, to provide a medicines optimisationservice to designated wards on your base site under the supervision of MedicinesManagement Technicians.4. Having undertaken the relevant final checking training to spend periods of time inthe Dispensary providing the final check of dispensed items. To act within thelimitations of the role and refer where necessary.5. To undertake training and development in Leadership skills.6. To be responsible for providing co-ordinating support to the Cancer Satelliteservice under the direction of the senior Satellite Lead pharmacy technician oroperational manager. Including taking the lead for the Satellite service whenrequired. To assist in ensuring dispensary work is processed accurately, safelyand efficiently according to procedures to support turnaround and keyperformance indicators. To be responsible for preparing some Satellite rotas,overseeing workload and delegating tasks to the dispensary team, with the abilityto judge workload and when to escalate to prevent it reaching unmanageablelevels, working together with Senior Technicians.7. To be responsible for a distinct area of dispensary service. To organise training,procedures and work processing for this area under the direction of the seniortechnician or operational manager.8. To supervise and be involved in the training and induction of junior dispensarystaff members including Pharmacy Technicians, Assistants and Apprentices andacting as a role model.9. To support the dispensary audits, planning audit, making staff aware, inputtingdata, analysing data and producing reports.10. To provide practical support and advice to the allocated team members inrelation to managing monthly Satellite Controlled Drug stock checks, auditing andcorrection of levels, ensuring the correct process is followed, and a clear audittrail is maintained.11. To be or obtain the Certificate of Competence in Vocational Assessment andundertake assessments as designated by the Pharmacy Education and TrainingTeam12. To participate in and be responsible for completing a programme of continuingprofessional development.13. To participate in weekend, evening, early and bank holiday working according torota. To act as team leader for a weekend shift and ensure tasks are delegatedaccording to skills of individuals in the team and completed.14. To maintain the equipment inventory file list15. To become an accredited fire marshal.16. To be a first aid appointed person.17. Any other reasonable duties as requested.
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. To Participate in the following aspects of dispensary technician duties asdesignated by the senior Satellite Lead Pharmacy Technician: Labelling and dispensing medicine supplies to the Cancer Centre according tothe dispensary procedures; including clinical trial dispensing using thepharmacy stock control computer system, ensuring accuracy and attention todetail in processing of prescriptions. Undertaking regular expiry date checking for designated bin locations inPharmacy Satellite to identify expired or short dated stock. Undertaking extemporaneous dispensing making relevant calculations for theformula and according to Good Manufacturing Practice. Counselling patients that attend Cancer Satellite Pharmacy on how to taketheir medicines in a safe and effective manner and warning them of possibleside effects that they may experience during treatment. To be aware of and be involved in good customer service when dealing withall stakeholders, with the ability to deal with demanding, stressful, oremotional situations as they arise. To assist in the maintenance of a tidy and efficient working environment. To be involved with the audit and the development of the service includingpolicy updates and working practices. Receive prescriptions from patients/ staff and receive payment forprescription charges. Participates in processes to ensure that medicine stock levels are monitoredand accurately maintained.2. To use the Pharmacy stock control computer system and other informationtechnology in all areas of Pharmacy. To be fully competent in the use of theRobotic Dispensing system, where applicable to site, with the ability to diagnoseand resolve robot operating issues and escalate as required.3. Having undertaken the relevant training, to provide a medicines optimisationservice to designated wards on your base site under the supervision of MedicinesManagement Technicians.4. Having undertaken the relevant final checking training to spend periods of time inthe Dispensary providing the final check of dispensed items. To act within thelimitations of the role and refer where necessary.5. To undertake training and development in Leadership skills.6. To be responsible for providing co-ordinating support to the Cancer Satelliteservice under the direction of the senior Satellite Lead pharmacy technician oroperational manager. Including taking the lead for the Satellite service whenrequired. To assist in ensuring dispensary work is processed accurately, safelyand efficiently according to procedures to support turnaround and keyperformance indicators. To be responsible for preparing some Satellite rotas,overseeing workload and delegating tasks to the dispensary team, with the abilityto judge workload and when to escalate to prevent it reaching unmanageablelevels, working together with Senior Technicians.7. To be responsible for a distinct area of dispensary service. To organise training,procedures and work processing for this area under the direction of the seniortechnician or operational manager.8. To supervise and be involved in the training and induction of junior dispensarystaff members including Pharmacy Technicians, Assistants and Apprentices andacting as a role model.9. To support the dispensary audits, planning audit, making staff aware, inputtingdata, analysing data and producing reports.10. To provide practical support and advice to the allocated team members inrelation to managing monthly Satellite Controlled Drug stock checks, auditing andcorrection of levels, ensuring the correct process is followed, and a clear audittrail is maintained.11. To be or obtain the Certificate of Competence in Vocational Assessment andundertake assessments as designated by the Pharmacy Education and TrainingTeam12. To participate in and be responsible for completing a programme of continuingprofessional development.13. To participate in weekend, evening, early and bank holiday working according torota. To act as team leader for a weekend shift and ensure tasks are delegatedaccording to skills of individuals in the team and completed.14. To maintain the equipment inventory file list15. To become an accredited fire marshal.16. To be a first aid appointed person.17. Any other reasonable duties as requested.
Person Specification
Essential Qualities
Essential
- Qualified Pharmacy Technician with an NVQ 3 or other equivalent qualification and registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
- Comprehensive dispensary experience in either Hospital or Community
- Previous experience of training/supervision of other staff
- Enthusiastic and responsible attitude
- Good interpersonal and communication (written and verbal) skills with staff inside and outside of the department
- Team player who is considerate to the needs and feelings of others in the Team and works to the Trust values
- Able to acknowledge, appreciate and conform to change that occurs
- Considerate to the needs and feelings of others in the Team
- Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to CPD and PDP
- Good time management, organisation and prioritisation skills and accurate in your work and with attention to detail
- Responsive to direction and constructive feedback
- Basic all-round knowledge of Pharmacy Department
- Tidy and smart appearance Adhering to the Trust dress code
- Accredited for Medicines Optimisation work or willing to undertake training
- Accredited Checking Technician or willing to undertake training
- Completion of recognised Leadership Training programme
Desirable
- Uses own initiative and can work alone
- Experience of using an automated dispensing system
- A role model that demonstrates a professional attitude at all times
- Experience of pharmacy stores and distribution
- Patient counselling skills
- Conscientious approach to own work and able to produce evidence of CPD. Understands the changing roles of the Pharmacy Technician and what registration involves
- To be able to take part in the induction of new staff to the department as necessary. Play a key role in the Health and Safety of yourself and that of your working colleagues in the Department
- Fire Marshall trained
- First aid trained
- Certificate of Competence in Vocational Assessment (CAVA)
Person Specification
Essential Qualities
Essential
- Qualified Pharmacy Technician with an NVQ 3 or other equivalent qualification and registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
- Comprehensive dispensary experience in either Hospital or Community
- Previous experience of training/supervision of other staff
- Enthusiastic and responsible attitude
- Good interpersonal and communication (written and verbal) skills with staff inside and outside of the department
- Team player who is considerate to the needs and feelings of others in the Team and works to the Trust values
- Able to acknowledge, appreciate and conform to change that occurs
- Considerate to the needs and feelings of others in the Team
- Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to CPD and PDP
- Good time management, organisation and prioritisation skills and accurate in your work and with attention to detail
- Responsive to direction and constructive feedback
- Basic all-round knowledge of Pharmacy Department
- Tidy and smart appearance Adhering to the Trust dress code
- Accredited for Medicines Optimisation work or willing to undertake training
- Accredited Checking Technician or willing to undertake training
- Completion of recognised Leadership Training programme
Desirable
- Uses own initiative and can work alone
- Experience of using an automated dispensing system
- A role model that demonstrates a professional attitude at all times
- Experience of pharmacy stores and distribution
- Patient counselling skills
- Conscientious approach to own work and able to produce evidence of CPD. Understands the changing roles of the Pharmacy Technician and what registration involves
- To be able to take part in the induction of new staff to the department as necessary. Play a key role in the Health and Safety of yourself and that of your working colleagues in the Department
- Fire Marshall trained
- First aid trained
- Certificate of Competence in Vocational Assessment (CAVA)
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.
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. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
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. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
