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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
432-HR373-25
Employer
East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Ipswich Hospital
Town
Ipswich
Salary
£24,625 - £25,674 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
29/06/2025 23:59

Employer heading

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust logo

Senior Technical Pharmacy Assistant

NHS AfC: Band 3

We are one of the largest NHS organisation in England. Our scale provides exciting opportunities for development, innovation, research, education and training.

Talk to us about our range of flexible working opportunities, apprenticeships and staff benefits

Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is at the heart of all we do; and it forms part of the ESNEFT’s core activities. The Trust operates and relies on everyone treating each other with dignity and respect, to receive equitable and fair treatment in the implementation of Policies, Procedures and in its Practices, to foster positive work relationships, and finally to act with integrity as a professional within ESNEFT as well as a representative of the NHS as a whole.  The EDI Agenda reflects the Trust values such as Optimistic, Appreciative and Kind. In line with the NHS Long Term Plan, People Plan, People Promise and a Model Employer intrinsic in the Equality Diversity and Inclusion Agenda, we consistently strive to improve, to take the learning into Action for a better ESNEFT.

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge then we are keen to hear from you.

 

Job overview

An opportunity has arisen for enthusiastic and motivated individuals to work within our busy Pharmacy Technical Services Unit. This service covers the preparation of medicines used within the treatment of cancer.

You should ideally have some experience of supervising / co-ordinating staff and workflow. You must be flexible and react positively to change. You must be able to follow written procedures, work under supervision and complete tasks accurately to set deadlines. This role will involve providing specialist support to the Technical Services team and includes supervising, training and mentoring staff. You will also assist in managing stock control as well as the assembly and preparation of various pharmaceuticals and working in our cleanrooms. 

Consideration will be given for strong candidates who may not meet the essential criteria to undertake this role on a developmental basis with set competency targets. These roles will be banded lower than originally advertised until competency targets are met.

If you are interested in contributing to the care of patients using practical skills with an ability to work under your own initiative, good communication skills, a high level of accuracy and are keen to develop your skills then you may be suited to this type of role.

About our Pharmacy Service

Main duties of the job

To support the oncology pharmacy team in providing an effective, safe and timely service to the Trust and its users, working within departmental and Trust procedures.

To assist and supervise in the day-to-day running of the Chemotherapy Preparation Unit (CPU) at all stages of the production process. Aseptically manufacture products following standard operating procedures and worksheets. Assist in the cleaning and maintenance of the facility and equipment to support the manufacturing process.

Working for our organisation

We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients’ own homes

We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff

We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options

Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services

Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients

We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what’s widely regarded as the world’s best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you

Find out about living and working here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Numerate and literate to level 1 key skills
  • GCSE or equivalent in Maths and English (grade C / 5 or above)
  • Completion of band 2 competencies or equivalent
Desirable criteria
  • Science Manufacturing Process Operative (SMPO) course or equivalent
  • Science Manufacturing Technician (SMT) or equivalent

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Contributing to and working as part of a team
Desirable criteria
  • Working within a hospital
  • Work in pharmaceutical or scientific background
  • Working within cleanrooms
  • Dispensing and stock control
  • Working in Pharmaceutical preparation or manufacture
  • Supervision of other staff

Employer certification / accreditation badges

No smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.NHS Pastoral CareDisability confident committedStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Step into healthHappy to Talk Flexible Working

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Sonia Kerridge
Job title
Chief Pharmacy Technician
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01473 703328

If you have problems applying, contact

Address
Colchester General Hospital
Telephone
07789651269
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