Job summary
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.
Please see below for detailed job description of the role.
Main duties of the job
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Oncology Technician to play a key role in delivering a safe, responsive, and high-quality aseptic and chemotherapy service within our Oncology Pharmacy team. As a Lead Oncology Technician, you will contribute directly to the effective day-to-day running of the service, supporting operational management, service development, and the continual improvement of patient care.
Working in partnership with the existing Lead Oncology Technician, you will form a paired leadership team, providing guidance, supervision, and support to the wider technical workforce while helping to shape service standards, training, and ongoing development across the department. The role combines office-based leadership responsibilities with regular hands-on work inside the cleanroom, including compounding and accuracy checking, ensuring you remain fully connected to frontline service delivery.
You will work closely with the Accountable Pharmacist and Operational Manager as well as multidisciplinary colleagues across the Trust to ensure safe supply of medicines, adherence to regulations, and continuous improvement in processes, stock management, and patient experience. This role is vital in supporting the organisation's commitment to high professional standards, outstanding patient care, and the development of a skilled and confident pharmacy workforce.
About us
University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.
Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.
We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalizing your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.
At UHS we're committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.
At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognizing that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We're committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong experience working in a hospital pharmacy environment with a solid understanding of safe aseptic practices, including chemotherapy compounding.
They must hold NVQ3/BTEC in pharmaceutical science (or equivalent) and be registered with the GPhC or Science Council or equivalent, alongside an accuracy checking qualification (PIPC) or relevant specialist management experience.
They should have proven experience supervising staff, managing operational workload, and contributing to service improvement within a pharmacy team.
The role includes a mixture of office based work as well as hands on work with the team inside the cleanroom, including regular compounding and checking responsibilities. The post holder will work alongside the existing Lead Oncology Technician as a paired leadership structure.
The role requires the ability to work under pressure with high accuracy and attention to detail in areas requiring specialist protective clothing and exposure to specialist cleaning products.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong experience working in a hospital pharmacy environment with a solid understanding of safe aseptic practices, including chemotherapy compounding.
They must hold NVQ3/BTEC in pharmaceutical science (or equivalent) and be registered with the GPhC or Science Council or equivalent, alongside an accuracy checking qualification (PIPC) or relevant specialist management experience.
They should have proven experience supervising staff, managing operational workload, and contributing to service improvement within a pharmacy team.
The role includes a mixture of office based work as well as hands on work with the team inside the cleanroom, including regular compounding and checking responsibilities. The post holder will work alongside the existing Lead Oncology Technician as a paired leadership structure.
The role requires the ability to work under pressure with high accuracy and attention to detail in areas requiring specialist protective clothing and exposure to specialist cleaning products.
Person Specification
Trust Values
Essential
- Patients First
- Always Improving
- Working Together
Qualifications, knowledge and experience
Essential
- NVQ3, BTEC in pharmaceutical science or equivalent Technician registered with GPhC.
- One of the following additional specialist pharmacy qualifications Recognised accuracy checking qualification/accreditation. Medicines management qualification. TAQA assessor or equivalent teaching/training qualification CIPS level 4 Foundation management or equivalent demonstrable experience of day-to-day operational management of staff and workload.
- Extensive post qualification Pharmacy knowledge /experience in one or more areas of pharmacy specialism.
- Experience of staff management/operational workload and workforce supervision
- Recruitment and selection experience
- Competent in the accurate supply of medicines (in hospital or community pharmacy)
- Evidence of commitment to relevant ongoing CPD and personal and professional development
- Dealing with and resolving customers/patients' complaints
Desirable
- Experience of leading a team
- Additional specialist pharmacy qualifications e.g. Completed APTUK Foundation Framework Recognised accuracy checking qualification/accreditation. Medicines management qualification. TAQA assessor or equivalent teaching/training qualification CIPS level 4 Foundation management or equivalent demonstrable experience of day-to-day operational management of staff and workload. Quality/Service improvement Qualification
- Awareness of current professional regulations/issues
- Experience of JAC or similar computer stock control system
- Experience of service development and or design and implementation of audit
- Experience relevant to role applied for e.g.: Logistics, providing a ward-based medicines management service, Clinical Trials or research experience, Aseptic services experience
- Experience of mentoring/coaching/motivating others
- Experience of ESR and E rostering systems
Skills and competencies
Essential
- Attention to detail
- Communication
- General IT skills
- Microsoft Office skills
- Influencing
- Interpersonal skills
- Adaptability
- Prioritisation
- Delegation
- Time management
- Emotional intelligence
- Leadership
Person Specification
Trust Values
Essential
- Patients First
- Always Improving
- Working Together
Qualifications, knowledge and experience
Essential
- NVQ3, BTEC in pharmaceutical science or equivalent Technician registered with GPhC.
- One of the following additional specialist pharmacy qualifications Recognised accuracy checking qualification/accreditation. Medicines management qualification. TAQA assessor or equivalent teaching/training qualification CIPS level 4 Foundation management or equivalent demonstrable experience of day-to-day operational management of staff and workload.
- Extensive post qualification Pharmacy knowledge /experience in one or more areas of pharmacy specialism.
- Experience of staff management/operational workload and workforce supervision
- Recruitment and selection experience
- Competent in the accurate supply of medicines (in hospital or community pharmacy)
- Evidence of commitment to relevant ongoing CPD and personal and professional development
- Dealing with and resolving customers/patients' complaints
Desirable
- Experience of leading a team
- Additional specialist pharmacy qualifications e.g. Completed APTUK Foundation Framework Recognised accuracy checking qualification/accreditation. Medicines management qualification. TAQA assessor or equivalent teaching/training qualification CIPS level 4 Foundation management or equivalent demonstrable experience of day-to-day operational management of staff and workload. Quality/Service improvement Qualification
- Awareness of current professional regulations/issues
- Experience of JAC or similar computer stock control system
- Experience of service development and or design and implementation of audit
- Experience relevant to role applied for e.g.: Logistics, providing a ward-based medicines management service, Clinical Trials or research experience, Aseptic services experience
- Experience of mentoring/coaching/motivating others
- Experience of ESR and E rostering systems
Skills and competencies
Essential
- Attention to detail
- Communication
- General IT skills
- Microsoft Office skills
- Influencing
- Interpersonal skills
- Adaptability
- Prioritisation
- Delegation
- Time management
- Emotional intelligence
- Leadership
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).
