Job summary
- Main area
- Pharmacy
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 282-SB1304
- Employer
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- The Royal Marsden Hospital
- Town
- Sutton
- Salary
- £32,199 - £34,876 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 15/03/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Lead Pharmacy Assistant SDU
NHS AfC: Band 4
Job overview
An exciting and unique opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, dynamic and self-motivated professional to join our SDU team at the Royal Marsden.
You will be part of a team consisting of Pharmacy Technicians and Assistants, who are always striving for excellence in all aspects of our work. We are working collaboratively as part of a Multi-Disciplinary Team to ensure we always deliver outstanding care to our patients.
It is an exciting time to join the Royal Marsden Hospital SDU Department. Our service is built around providing a high-quality service to our patients and staff of the Trust. The department works closely with the Institute of Cancer Research, and the post-holder will be supporting the development of innovative new cancer medicines as these drugs enter early phase clinical trials. The Oak Cancer Centre (a new, state-of-the-art treatment and research facility) opened in June 2023 in Sutton which will speed up the translation of world-leading research into breakthroughs in treatment and care, transforming the lives of cancer patients at The Royal Marsden and beyond.
Main duties of the job
To maintain and manage the safe, efficient and daily running of the SACT Distribution Unit (SDU) to the highest standard of patient focused care and according to the needs of the Trust.
The procurement, storage, dispensing and distribution of batch and patient specific (PS) products to all areas of the Royal Marsden.
To work alongside the Pharmacy Stores Manager, Pharmacy Systems Manager and Chief Technicians, Aseptic Services to ensure the effective delivery of batch and PS products to the hospital.
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
For further information please refer to the Job Description & Person Specification
These responsibilities will be carried out under the guidance of the Lead Pharmacy Technician (SDU)
- Participate in all aspects of dispensing batches and PS doses to the correct day unit/ward in good time ahead of patient’s chair time according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s).
- Co-ordinate the dispensary to efficiently manage and prioritise own workload, be proactive and use initiative.
- Assist in keeping patient records up to date by entering all the necessary information on the computer.
- To liaise with clinical unit and pharmacy staff colleagues to resolve any queries or problems with patient’s treatments.
- Maintain up to date knowledge of medicines appropriate to the demands of the role, and when required attend supplementary training sessions.
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 L2 Pharmacy Services/Buttercups dispensing course or equivalent qualification, or will be required to be undertaken as per required timeframes
Experience
Essential criteria
- Recent experience of working in hospital or retail pharmacy
- Experience of working with pharmacy computer stock control systems and other computer software including a working knowledge of Microsoft Office
- Experience of preparing and dispensing prescriptions
- Experience of ordering and stock management
- Working with and liaising with other healthcare professionals
Skills Abilities/Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Ability to communicate effectively with members of the public and with other health care professionals.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team and with staff at all levels.
- Time management / Organisational / Problem solving Skills; ability to priorities own workload and that of others and to manage own time effectively.
- Computer skills: ability to use Microsoft Office applications eg Word, Excel, Outlook
Desirable criteria
- Training Skills: ability to train/coach/teach tasks to other assistants
- Experience with EPIC -computer system
Other
Essential criteria
- Ability to work under pressure whilst maintaining accuracy and attention to detail
- Adaptable and flexible, to be able to adapt to changes, for example in procedures and practices
- Patient Care; must be committed to safe and effective patient care
- Demonstrate initiative: proactive and self-motivated
- Able to work on both sites and to be flexible to meet the needs of the role
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Daniel Lake
- Job title
- Lead Pharmacy Technician SDU
- Email address
- [email protected]
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