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Job summary

Main area
Pharmacy
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
282-SB1925
Employer
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
The Royal Marsden - Chelsea
Town
Chelsea
Salary
£31,554 - £33,270 Pro rata per annum including inner London HCAS
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
20/10/2026 23:59

Employer heading

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust logo

Senior Rotational Pharmacy Assistant

NHS AfC: Band 3

Job overview

1.1. To support the inpatient dispensary and medical day unit on site with provision of a comprehensive dispensary and distribution service i.e. dispensing, ordering and distribution of stock medicines and assist with other duties when required. 
1.2. Take an active role in accurately dispensing medicines to provide an efficient and timely service and to participate with any other related duties other areas of pharmacy. 
1.3. Assist the pharmacy team (under the supervision of a registered pharmacy professional) in providing a high -quality service to patients, customers, and pharmacy staff. 
1.4. To provide a pharmacy service to the Day Units, Chelsea 

Main duties of the job

2.1 To interpret and accurately dispense prescriptions and ward pharmacy requisitions’ ensuring the work is carried out accurately, safely, and efficiently following current standard operating procedures of the department. 
2.2 To accurately supply and dispense controlled drugs (on request from clinical areas and for discharge prescriptions) when required, in accordance with departmental procedures and relating legislation regarding record keeping, storage and transportation of controlled drugs. 
2.3 To attend to the dispensary hatch as required dealing with patients and members of staff and taking in prescriptions, requisitions, deliveries etc. and processing as per local procedures. 

2.4  To ensure the telephone is answered promptly and politely where appropriately throughout the working day: 
•    Deal with query / information and respond promptly. 
•    Relay completed and accurate information. 
•    Recognise self -limitations and refer to an appropriate person. 
2.5  To ensure medication requiring delivery is sent to individual patient home using a suitable method 
e.g. courier when required, considering safe transportation of medication, storage requirements and surgery. 
2.6    To ensure that adequate supply of medicines emergency boxes and kits are available in the dispensary and accurate records are maintained daily. 
2.7    To issue replacement and recall of used or expired medicines emergency boxes from and to clinical areas and to maintain accurate records. 

Working for our organisation

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals – one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey – as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.

At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.

At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

General 
2.21 To participate in the induction and training of staff in areas of responsibility. 
2.22 To undertake any other duties as may be required within the nature and grade of the post. 
2.23 To participate in educational programme offered to staff, as required.  
2.24 To attend the induction programme, maintain up to date mandatory training, and attend teaching specific to the pharmacy department. 
2.25 To carry out any other reasonable duties as requested by the Deputy Pharmacy Technicians, Stores Manager, Senior Pharmacy Technicians or Senior Pharmacists. 
2.26 Required to participate in 7 days service which includes working weekends, late shifts and bank holidays. 

Person specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • GCSE level (Grade A-C in English and Maths) or Numeracy and Literacy functional skills level 2 (or equivalent)
  • NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services or Essential Application form relevant GPhC accredited Training Programme equivalent to Level 2.

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of working in a Pharmacy environment.
  • Experience of preparing & dispensing prescriptions.
  • Experience of ordering and stock management
  • Working with and liaising with other healthcare professionals.
Desirable criteria
  • Previous work experience in hospital pharmacy

Skills Abilities/knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Ability to organise workload and work as part of a team.
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills (written and verbal).
  • Quality-oriented; strives for continuous improvement.
  • Excellent customer service skills
  • Computer literate
  • Be physical fit to be able to undertake lifting to put stock away and for carrying orders to wards / departments.
  • Able to work 7 days a week on site as part of pharmacy services

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Trust IDApprenticeships logoLondon Living Wage is a voluntary commitment made by employers, who can become accredited with the Living Wage FoundationArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardDisability confident employerCare quality commission - OutstandingStep into healthMenopause Friendly 2025

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Mitul Patel
Job title
Lead Technician
Email address
[email protected]
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