About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Pharmacy Assistant to join the pharmacy team at Velindre Cancer Services. This is a rewarding opportunity to work within a specialist cancer centre, supporting the delivery of safe, efficient and high-quality pharmacy services that directly contribute to exceptional patient care. We are seeking a motivated, enthusiastic and forward-thinking individual to join our friendly and dynamic department and help shape the development of pharmacy support staff.
The successful candidate will support the Senior Pharmacy Technicians in Clinical Services with the training and development of pharmacy assistants undertaking in house competencies and NVQ qualifications in line with current standards. In addition, the role will involve liaising with multi-disciplinary teams daily, including patients and clinical teams, to ensure that systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) is supplied safely and efficiently
This position would suit someone with experience in either hospital or community pharmacy who is looking to develop their career within a specialist healthcare environment. Full training will be provided to support transition into hospital pharmacy practice where required. You must hold a full NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services or an equivalent dispensing qualification and be able to demonstrate strong leadership qualities, broad experience of working within a pharmacy setting and an understanding of hospital pharmacy practice.
Main duties of the job
The role involves supervising junior staff, supporting training, and ensuring compliance with legal, professional, organisational standards and local Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Coordinate and undertake the safe and timely dispensing of medicines and of systemic anti-cancer therapy prescriptions for inpatients, day-patients, outpatients, and discharge.
Undertake final accuracy checking of dispensed items.
Undertake reception duties including receiving and handing out prescriptions to patients, carers and health care staff and answering the telephone and resolving queries.
To provide patients with basic advice on how to take their medicines and health promotion in line with Standard Operating Procedures /competencies e.g., smoking cessation, your medicines, your health etc.
You will be able to find a full Job Description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click "Apply now" to view in Trac.
If a training period is required, your contract will be issued under Annex 21: 75% of a Band 4 for 12 to 18 months or until qualification is achieved.
About us
Here at Velindre University NHS Trust we are extremely proud of the specialist services we provide across the whole of Wales in our cutting-edge Velindre Cancer Centre and ouraward-winning Welsh Blood Service, as well as the expertise of our corporate functions that bring the two divisions together. We are also fortunate to host the NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership and Health Technology Wales and have developed strong partnership working with these expert services.
Formed in 1994, the Trust has a dedicated workforce that continuously strives to provide the key principles of prudent healthcare through a wide array of roles. We play a vital role in the communities we support and have ambitious plans for the future to continue to improve the services we deliver. We strive to maintain our core values in everything we do by being; accountable, bold, caring and dynamic, and ensuring the best possible care for our patients and donors.
At Velindre University NHS Trust we aim to foster a culture of discovery, collaboration, and continuous improvement. We will achieve this by embedding research and innovation into everything we do, to deliver meaningful, measurable impact for our patients and communities.
If you want to work for an organisation that prides itself on making a real difference and offers exciting career opportunities then Velindre University NHS Trust is the place for you.
Visit our website to find out more https://velindre.nhs.wales/
Job description
Job responsibilities
The role offers excellent career development opportunities, including progression within the dispensary as an Accredited Checking Assistant. There will also be opportunities to work at ward level, engaging directly with patients and supporting medicine optimisation and discharge services to enhance patient care and experience.
If you're enthusiastic, motivated, committed to deliver a high- quality service and are eager to develop your skills within a supportive team environment, we'd love to hear from you!
At the time of advertising, this role does not meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. For this reason, we are unable to sponsor anyone for a skilled worker visa for this role. We are happy to accept applications from candidates who can prove their right to work in the UK or via alternative visa routes. Such applications will be considered alongside all other applications.
NOTE : There will be some circumstances where current staff apply for these posts, and their new salary will be below that of their current salary. To aid both the recruitment and development of staff it is recommended that staff across NHS Wales should have continuity of pay for the duration of the training to avoid financial detriment. This should apply when staff take up training posts both within and across NHS Wales organisations. Following this training, the remuneration will be the bottom of Band 4, again without financial detriment.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Several year experiences working in a pharmacy setting and must have current clinical environment (ward/dispensary)
- Supervisory or mentoring experience
- Familiarity with stock control and automated systems
- Experience working in hospital
- Experience in dispensary, aseptic preparation, procurement, or ward-based services
- Involvement in audits or service improvement initiatives
Skills and Attributes
Essential
- Practical ability
- Time management
- Proactive
- Attention to detail
- Good verbal and written communication skills with public, staff, and colleagues
- Well organised with effective time management skills
- Good team worker
- Able to undertake duties of the role
- Motivated
- Adaptable
- Able to work weekends and bank holidays as per rota
- Ability to travel to other Trust locations if required in a timely manner
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- GCSE Maths and English language to Grade C or equivalent qualifications
- NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent
- Good understanding of pharmacy operations and legal requirements
- Level 3 IT skills
- Previous supervision or management experience
- Accuracy Checking accreditation
- Medicines Management (MM) accreditation
Other
Essential
- Satisfactory Standard/Enhanced DBS clearance
- Welsh Language Skills are desirable
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).
Employer details
Employer name
Velindre Cancer Centre
Address
Velindre Cancer Centre
Velindre Road, Whitchurch
Cardiff
CF14 2TL
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://velindre.nhs.wales/velindrecc/ (Opens in a new tab)