Senior Pharmacy Assistant - Cancer Services | Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


Company:	Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Salary:	£25,760 - £27,476 Per annum pro rata
Hours:	Part-time
Location:	Bedford, MK42 9DJ
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	14 Sept 2026
Closing date:	14 Oct 2026

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Summary

We are seeking anorganised, enthusiastic and motivated Pharmacy Assistantto join our experienced and friendly team, supporting the delivery of a specialistOncology and Haematology pharmacy serviceand the supply of aseptic products across the Trust.

The role would suit candidates withprevious pharmacy experience. Experience of dispensing or handlingchemotherapy medicineswould be advantageous, although appropriate training and support will be provided.

The Pharmacy Department has recently completed an extensivePharmacy Transformation Programme, including refurbishment of the department and the introduction of modern technology and systems. These include aChemotherapy Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (EPMA) system, automated robotic dispensing, controlled drug dispensing and e-Rostering, providing an innovative and efficient working environment.

The post holder will be required to participate in thedispensary late-evening, weekend and bank holiday rota, supporting the delivery of a safe, responsive and high-quality pharmacy service throughout the week.

The post holder will undertake a range ofpharmacy assistant dutiesand provide organisational and administrative support to senior colleagues within thePharmacy Aseptic Supply Unit (ASU).

The role encompasses a varied range of duties and responsibilities, which will be determined by service requirements and operational demand. The post holder will be expected to demonstratemeticulous accuracy, excellent attention to detail and a commitment to high standards of customer care, while maintaining effective communication and strong interpersonal skills when working with patients, colleagues and other healthcare professionals.

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. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

• To work as a member of theAseptic Supply Unit (ASU) Team, contributing to the safe, effective and efficient supply of aseptically prepared chemotherapy and other medicinal products in accordance with approved procedures and work instructions.

• To prepare and maintain the necessarydocumentation and recordsto support the timely supply of ready-made aseptically prepared products.

• To accurately dispenseoutsourced parenteral chemotherapy treatments, ensuring that products are suitable for use and that batch numbers and expiry dates are accurately recorded and traceable.

• To dispenseoral chemotherapy and supportive medicinesagainst electronic prescriptions from the Oncology and Haematology Department, ensuring that all products are supplied in accordance with specific drug requirements and established procedures.

• To ensure that medicines, materials and products arestored appropriatelyin accordance with manufacturers’ requirements, with particular attention to storage conditions and expiry dates. This is especially important for chemotherapy medicines, many of which have short shelf lives and are high-cost products.

• To organise, maintain and securely storedocumentation and records, ensuring that records are archived appropriately in accordance with legal, regulatory and departmental requirements.

• To promptly report anyincidents, errors, discrepancies or procedural deficienciesto Senior or Lead Aseptic staff, supporting the investigation and implementation of appropriate corrective and preventative actions

Please refer to the attached JD file.

This advert closes on Monday 28 Sep 2026

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