Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Pharmacy Technician - Aseptics - Band 4 to Band 5 Progression

The closing date is 21 August 2025

Job summary

Join us as a key member of our friendly team dedicated to ensuring the safe and efficient supply of chemotherapy and supportive medicines for patients in the Primrose Oncology Unit and Day Treatment Unit.

An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic qualified pharmacy technician who is committed to contributing to the best pharmacy experience for our cancer patients.

Once set criteria has been met and reviewed, the post holder will progress to a senior pharmacy technician, undertaking a leadership role including line management responsibilities.

An ACPT qualification is an advantage, but a successful candidate without the ACPT will be required to undertake accreditation.

Main duties of the job

  • To carry out technical pharmaceutical duties and provide organisational support to senior colleagues within Pharmacy Aseptics
  • Assist in the supervision and organisation of the technical aspects of chemotherapy supply to hospital departments to ensure the provision of high quality pharmaceutical products.
  • Support the provision and implementation of effective training for technicians and assistants working in Aseptics.
  • Contribute to developmental/operational proposals for service improvement to maintain a safe, effective, high quality service.
  • To work as an accredited checking pharmacy technician (ACPT) once qualified.

About us

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.

Our valuesWe 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.

Details

Date posted

08 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

418-AHP4344-SJ

Job locations

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Bedford Hospital, Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ


Job description

Job responsibilities

The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities

  • To assist in the delivery of the safe, effective and efficient supply of aseptically prepared chemotherapy and other medicinal products in accordance with work instructions.
  • To prepare documentation and labels for supply of ready-made aseptically prepared products.
  • To accurately dispense outsourced parenteral chemotherapy treatment, ensuring product is fit for purpose and the batch number and expiry dates are recorded accurately.
  • To dispense oral chemotherapy and supportive medicines on electronic prescriptions from the Oncology and Haematology department, according to specific drug requirements.
  • To ensure materials are stored appropriately according to manufacturers requirements; to monitor expiry dates optimising drug usage.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities

  • To assist in the delivery of the safe, effective and efficient supply of aseptically prepared chemotherapy and other medicinal products in accordance with work instructions.
  • To prepare documentation and labels for supply of ready-made aseptically prepared products.
  • To accurately dispense outsourced parenteral chemotherapy treatment, ensuring product is fit for purpose and the batch number and expiry dates are recorded accurately.
  • To dispense oral chemotherapy and supportive medicines on electronic prescriptions from the Oncology and Haematology department, according to specific drug requirements.
  • To ensure materials are stored appropriately according to manufacturers requirements; to monitor expiry dates optimising drug usage.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
  • BTEC or NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent qualification
  • Evidence of commitment to CPD

Desirable

  • Accredited Checking Pharmacy Technician
  • Leadership qualification
  • Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training
  • Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)

Experience

Essential

  • Good dispensing practice
  • Working within a Team
  • Recognises own limitation

Desirable

  • Previous experience of working in Aseptic production or oncology
  • Participation in training staff
  • Experience of supporting junior staff
  • Procedure writing
  • Supervisory skills
  • Participation in audits

Knowledge

Essential

  • Working knowledge of chemotherapy treatments
  • Demonstrate ability to perform calculations
  • Accurate dispensing skills

Desirable

  • Understanding of the running of a dispensary service
  • Understanding of Health & Safety requirements
  • Knowledge of JAC computer system
  • Knowledge of chemotherapy prescribing systems - iQemo

Personal Skills

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
  • Methodical with attention to detail
  • Ability to work under pressure whilst maintain accuracy

Desirable

  • Ability to seek advice appropriately from senior staff
  • Ability to cascade information to pharmacy staff accurately and timely
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
  • BTEC or NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent qualification
  • Evidence of commitment to CPD

Desirable

  • Accredited Checking Pharmacy Technician
  • Leadership qualification
  • Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training
  • Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)

Experience

Essential

  • Good dispensing practice
  • Working within a Team
  • Recognises own limitation

Desirable

  • Previous experience of working in Aseptic production or oncology
  • Participation in training staff
  • Experience of supporting junior staff
  • Procedure writing
  • Supervisory skills
  • Participation in audits

Knowledge

Essential

  • Working knowledge of chemotherapy treatments
  • Demonstrate ability to perform calculations
  • Accurate dispensing skills

Desirable

  • Understanding of the running of a dispensary service
  • Understanding of Health & Safety requirements
  • Knowledge of JAC computer system
  • Knowledge of chemotherapy prescribing systems - iQemo

Personal Skills

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
  • Methodical with attention to detail
  • Ability to work under pressure whilst maintain accuracy

Desirable

  • Ability to seek advice appropriately from senior staff
  • Ability to cascade information to pharmacy staff accurately and timely

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Bedford Hospital, Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ


Employer's website

https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Bedford Hospital, Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ


Employer's website

https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Lead Pharmacy Technician - Aseptics

Victoria Davies

Victoria.Davies@bedfordhospital.nhs.uk

01234355122

Details

Date posted

08 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

418-AHP4344-SJ

Job locations

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Bedford Hospital, Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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