The Christie NHS FT

Clinical Pharmacy Assistant

The closing date is 21 December 2025

Job summary

Are you a confident, forward-thinking pharmacy assistant looking for a new challenge?

Join our dynamic clinical pharmacy team and play a key role in supporting patient care, across our wards and departments. This is a fantastic opportunity to be involved in the delivery of oncology treatments and make a real difference to patients.

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our Trust pharmacy team. You will work alongside a multi-disciplinary team to deliver a high-quality service to both patients and colleagues. Hospital pharmacy offers a unique and rewarding experience and we welcome applicants who are keen to explore this work environment. You will be supported in your training and further development by an experienced pharmacy team.

Applicants must hold an NVQ 2 in pharmacy services or be willing to work towards this qualification.

Pharmacy Assistants with experience in other healthcare settings are welcome to apply.

Main duties of the job

You will work closely with members of our multi-disciplinary teams to ensure Christie patients benefit from the latest advancements in oncology and haematology medicines. As part of our innovative pharmacy team, you will be responsible for delivering pharmacy assistant services on designated wards, supporting a high quality, patient-focused medicines supply service. The role offers an excellent opportunity to develop your skills, knowledge, and experience in a specialist tertiary hospital setting, helping to support your future career progression.

You will also provide support the day-case unit satellite dispensary, helping to meet the medication needs of patients receiving systemic anti-cancer therapies attending the Oak Road Treatment Centre.

We are looking for a strong team player with excellent communication, interpersonal, and organisational skills, along with a genuine enthusiasm for patient-centred services and continuous service improvement.

The post holder will be primarily based at the Christie Withington site but may be required to support services at the Christie at Macclesfield site as needed.

About us

The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country

We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years

We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK

Joining The Christie means being part of a team where every action contributes to outstanding patient care. You'll gain access to a wide range of development opportunities, learn new skills, and work alongside dedicated professionals in a supportive hospital environment. We are committed to helping you grow your career and make a meaningful impact

The role offers the chance to be challenged, think creatively, and contribute to service innovation. Everything we do centres around patient care, and your contribution will be pivotal. If you are enthusiastic, self-motivated, and eager to learn, we would love to hear from you

Date posted

10 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

18 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

413-100841-CNS-SD

Job locations

Pharmacy Clinical - E00920

Wilmslow Road

Manchester

M20 4BX

Job description

Job responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical responsibilities:

To assess ward stock medicines, order and receive delivered stock onto the ward, including facilitating the correct storage of medication, using stock rotation to optimise the expiry and usage of stock.

To manage the stock levels and requirements of the ward regarding a regular review of usage in conjunction with the Chief or Lead Pharmacy Technicians or Senior Clinical Pharmacy Technicians.

To be familiar with all ordering processes within the Trust regarding ward/department stock.

To conduct cycle counts and expiry date checks within the automated cupboards on the wards.

To manage the expiry date check of all stock items on a regular basis, ensuring stock rotation is managed appropriately to avoid wastage within the Trust.

To be responsible for the management of documentation of expiry date checks and near expiry date stock and implement the appropriate procedures as required.

To manage the pharmacy medicine returns in a manner that avoids wastage where possible including the relocation of stock to other ward areas in a timely manner.

To manage all ward fridge medication and return to pharmacy satellite stock suitably assessed items for re-use without compromising the cold chain.

To be responsible for the management of patients own medicines, including fridge items, which are no longer required, in conjunction with the ward clinical pharmacy technician, ensuring the appropriate action is followed according to SOPs.

To manage the secure pharmacy returns bin on the wards ensuring they are assessed regularly and dealt with in appropriate manner.

To be responsible for ensuring adequate documentation resources are always available for the clinical pharmacy team.

To participate in the development of the satellite pharmacy service on Oak Road Treatment Centre.

To return suitable medicines on to the satellite dispensary systems.

To support the satellite dispensary and facilitate the medication requirements for chemotherapy patients.

Assist the Clinical Pharmacy Technician with the weekly top up service for patients on designated wards to ensure continuous supply of medication.

Assist in the Christie @ Home processes.

Assist in outsourced Homecare processes.

Ability to use Microsoft office applications and healthcare software e.g., electronic prescribing, EPMA and scheduling software.

To support and coordinate provisions of pharmacy services between the third-party provider and the ward area and departments within the Trust.

To provide dispensing services to the Trust, ensuring that prescriptions have been screened, entered onto the computer system, dispensed, and labelled following departmental standard operating procedures if required. Active involvement in handing out of prescriptions to patients on the chemotherapy unit, following departmental guidelines if required.

Communicate queries from patients and other healthcare professionals from within and outside the Trust in a friendly and courteous manner referring any difficult situations to a senior member of staff.

Undertake housekeeping duties as required.

To undertake all clinical duties in accordance with standard operating procedure and all local, Trust and national guidelines.

To contribute to the regular review and development of the clinical service.

To partake in regular audits, at the request of the Chief or Lead Pharmacy Technicians.

The role involves lifting/manual handling and prolonged periods of time standing/walking around the Trust in between the different departments.

General duties:

To maintain patient records via the pharmacy computer system to ensure information is accurate and up to date for future reference and complies with the Data Protection Act.

Report any complaints, incidents or near miss situations via the incident and error reporting system in line with Clinical Governance.

To provide annual leave/absence cover for other pharmacy assistants in their duties.

To be fully aware of the COSHH regulations particularly regarding the safe storage and handling of pharmaceutical products.

To be aware of all departmental operational policies and carry out procedures in accordance with current legislation.

To comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Attend regular in house and Trust training sessions ensuring all mandatory training requirements are up to date.

To participate in all departmental rotas including the extended opening hours of the department, Saturday / Sunday service and Bank Holiday working as requested.

Undertake all other related duties which may be required in accordance with the changing needs and practices of the department and organisation.