Job overview
We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic Pharmacy Technician to join our dynamic and forward‑thinking pharmacy team at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate individual who wants to develop their skills, contribute to high‑quality patient care, and support the safe and effective use of medicines across the Trust.
As a key member of our multidisciplinary team, you will play an essential role in supporting medicines optimisation, delivering high‑quality pharmacy services, and ensuring patients receive safe, timely and effective treatment.
Main duties of the job
1. Carry out prescription verification for Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapies (SACT) in line with British Oncology Pharmacy Association (BOPA) standards, ensuring treatment accuracy and safety. This includes reviewing clinical parameters such as blood results, identifying discrepancies, and liaising with prescribers to resolve issues promptly.
2. Provide high‑quality pharmacy support across cancer inpatient, outpatient, and day‑unit services.
3. Deliver specialist medicines advice to patients and carers, supporting understanding, adherence, and safe use of systemic anti‑cancer therapy (SACT) and supportive medicines.
4. Support service improvement by contributing to audits, developing SOPs, implementing policy updates, and participating in quality assurance initiatives.
5. Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary team (MDT) colleagues, including pharmacists, nurses, and prescribersto maintain safe, efficient workflows and excellent patient care.
6. Train, supervise, and mentor junior pharmacy staff, supporting their development.
Working for our organisation
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Candidate Pack
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Clinical
7. Carry out prescription verification for Systemic Anti-cancer Therapies (SACT) in line with BOPA standards, including reviewing blood results and liaising with prescribers to resolve discrepancies.
8. Ensure safe and timely delivery of systemic anti‑cancer therapy (SACT) by checking treatment appropriateness, clinical parameters, and protocol compliance.
9. Provide specialist counselling to patients and carers on SACT and supportive medicines, adapting communication for emotional, cognitive, or language barriers.
10. Contribute to medicines reconciliation, discharge planning, and continuity of care across inpatient, outpatient and day‑unit settings.
11. Act as a specialist technical resource for cancer pharmacy, using advanced IT and electronic prescribing systems (e.g., ChemoCare,)
Service Delivery & Improvement
12. Implement and review policies, SOPs, and procedures in cancer pharmacy to ensure compliance with governance, national standards (including BOPA), and local protocols.
13. Lead on technical aspects of cancer pharmacy workflow, coordinating prescription verification processes and responding to urgent clinical or stock issues.
14. Participate in audits, research activities, and quality improvement projects that shape service development and enhance patient safety.
People Management and development
15. Provide day‑to‑day supervision and leadership for pharmacy staff.
16. Deliver specialist training and competency assessments in SACT verification, safe handling of cancer medicines, and use of e‑prescribing systems.
17. Contribute to appraisals, performance reviews, and workforce development, supporting colleagues to achieve and maintain professional standards.
Communication
18. Communicate complex or sensitive information effectively with patients, carers, pharmacists, prescribers, and nursing teams.
19. Use tact, empathy, and persuasive skills when discussing prescription changes, safety concerns, or treatment delays.
20. Document clinical and verification information accurately, escalating concerns in line with governance requirements.
Full list of responsibilities can be found in the Job description
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
21. Registered Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council
22. Accredited Checking Pharmacy Technician
23. Expertise working in cancer services
24. Substantial experience of hospital pharmacy practice
25. NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services, BTEC in Pharmaceutical Science, or equivalent
Desirable criteria
26. Specialist training and accreditation in SACT verification (e.g., BOPA Level 2 or equivalent)
27. Experience using SACT IT system
28. Educational/Practice supervisor for medicines management and accredited checking
29. Nationally accredited for medicines management, i.e. MOPs or AIMMs
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
30. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
31. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications