Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Pharmacy Assistant – Cancer and Aseptics
The closing date is 13 April 2026
Department: Pharmacy
Hours: Full time, 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
Progression from Band 2 to 3
The intention of the role is to progress Pharmacy Assistants into a Band 3 role once performance targets have been achieved. You will be given support and training to complete set competencies in order to become a Band 3. The expected timeframe to undertake and complete relevant competencies is between 12 to 18 months. Tasks which must be completed to progress include:
* Level 2 Pharmacy qualification completed via external training programme
* Completion of in‑house validations including handwashing, transfer sanitisation and broth test
* Completion of all in‑house training knowledge training modules
* Completion of all dispensing activity logs
If successful, you will be joining a supportive team that encourages both professional and personal development. Are you the person to help us make this happen? If so, we look forward to hearing from you.
'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'
We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
Interview date: 20 April 2026
Main duties of the job
We are a department of over 100 staff providing pharmacy services through team‑working and prioritising the needs of those we serve. Based in the Aseptic Unit you will provide an excellent service to the trust ensuring prompt and efficient production and supply of medicines. Duties will include:
* Prepare a range of aseptic products when required
* Carry out environmental monitoring and cleaning of the aseptic unit
* Accurately dispense or check outsourced IV treatment, oral and concurrent medications
* Dispensing for Inpatients, Outpatients and Discharge
* Participating in the Pharmacy Weekend and Bank Holiday rotas
About us
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting‑edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state‑of‑the‑art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards – a new ward block featuring two 24‑bed wards – and the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.
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Job responsibilities
NHS Staff Survey: Our Health and Safety Climate score outperforms the national average, showing our commitment to creating a safe, healthy, and supportive environment for all.
Responsibilities include:
* Performing environmental monitoring within the Aseptic Suite.
* Undertaking the aseptic manufacture of pharmaceuticals.
* Stock control of drugs and disposables for the Aseptic Suite.
* Performing all types of pharmaceutical work appropriate to the level of knowledge and experience, under supervision, to participate in the provision of pharmaceutical services to patients and staff.
* Holding the required academic standard and technical skills of or equivalent to an NVQ Level 2 Certificate in Pharmacy Services.
* Acting as a dispenser within the hospital pharmacy service, as required as part of our weekend and bank holiday service to the patients of our hospital and other organisations to whom we provide pharmaceutical support.
Please refer to attached Job description for further information.
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity, and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once enough applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
* Education Supervisor / Train the trainer or equivalent
* NVQ level 2 Pharmaceutical Sciences (or BTEC, City and Guilds equivalent)
* GCP Training (or willing to undertake)
Experience
* Experience of working in a Pharmacy aseptic environment.
* Education and training of staff
* Experience of working in a hospital pharmacy department
* Experience of using the JAC Computer system
* Experience in stock control management
Skills
* IT Skills for dispensing, monitoring performance and reporting/audit
* Dedication to high quality patient care
* Flexible to meet service and patient need
* Good training skills
* Evidence of analytical and judgemental skills when faced with facts or situations requiring analysis e.g. managing urgent requirements or prioritising work to meet patient and organisational need
* Evidence of effective support for less experienced staff
* Evidence of implementing policies and/or proposing changes to practices or procedures for own area with an impact beyond own area and contributes effectively to wider policies and service developments
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.
Employer name
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
£24,465 to £26,598 a year Per annum pro rata
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