Senior Pharmacy Assistant - Cancer Services
At a glance
- Band
- Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working
- Posted
- 18/09/2026
- Closes
- 30/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
This contract type is not eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship.
NHS Trusts cannot issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for part-time, bank, locum, zero-hours, job-share or short fixed-term (under 12 months) contracts under current Home Office rules. This applies even when the wider Trust holds a Skilled Worker licence.
Role summary
This role is for an organised and motivated Pharmacy Assistant to join the Cancer Services team, supporting the delivery of specialist Oncology and Haematology pharmacy services and aseptic product supply. The post holder will undertake various pharmacy assistant duties, providing organisational and administrative support within the Pharmacy Aseptic Supply Unit (ASU). It involves dispensing chemotherapy and other medicines, maintaining records, and participating in late-evening, weekend, and bank holiday rotas. The role requires meticulous accuracy and excellent attention to detail.
Key responsibilities
- Work as a member of the Aseptic Supply Unit (ASU) Team, contributing to the safe, effective and efficient supply of aseptically prepared chemotherapy and other medicinal products.
- Prepare and maintain necessary documentation and records to support the timely supply of ready-made aseptically prepared products.
- Accurately dispense outsourced parenteral chemotherapy treatments, ensuring products are suitable for use and batch numbers/expiry dates are recorded.
- Dispense oral chemotherapy and supportive medicines against electronic prescriptions from the Oncology and Haematology Department.
- Ensure medicines, materials and products are stored appropriately in accordance with manufacturers requirements, with particular attention to storage conditions and expiry dates.
- Organise, maintain and securely store documentation and records, ensuring records are archived appropriately.
Essential criteria
- GCSE or equivalent in English & Maths
- Experience working in a pharmacy
- Experience using computer systems
- Experience of clinical administrative work
- Good communication skills (written and verbal)
- Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word)
- 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 criteria
- Vocational qualification in IT skills
- NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services
- Experience working in Hospital pharmacy Aseptics
- Experience working in a team
- Previous interest/experience in cancer services
- Knowledge of pharmacy JAC computer system
- Knowledge of an oncology prescribing computer system
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 3 at £24,625 – £25,674 a year, across England.
This advert: £25,760 – £27,476 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 1d ago · Closes in 12d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Senior Pharmacy Assistant - Cancer Services
The closing date is 30 September 2026
Job summary
We are seeking an organised, enthusiastic and motivated Pharmacy Assistant to join our experienced and friendly team, supporting the delivery of a specialist Oncology and Haematology pharmacy service and the supply of aseptic products across the Trust.
The role would suit candidates with previous pharmacy experience . Experience of dispensing or handling chemotherapy medicines would be advantageous, although appropriate training and support will be provided.
The Pharmacy Department has recently completed an extensive Pharmacy Transformation Programme , including refurbishment of the department and the introduction of modern technology and systems. These include a Chemotherapy 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 the dispensary late-evening, weekend and bank holiday rota , supporting the delivery of a safe, responsive and high-quality pharmacy service throughout the week.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will undertake a range of pharmacy assistant duties and provide organi
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