Specialist Medicines Optimisation Technician - Cancer Services

Job summary
12-Month Fixed Term Contract (Maternity cover)

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated Pharmacy Technician to join our Cancer Pharmacy Team on a fixed-term basis to provide maternity leave cover.

This role offers the opportunity to gain valuable specialist experience within oncology and haematology pharmacy services while supporting the delivery of a comprehensive, patient-centred medicines optimisation service for patients receiving cancer treatment at Great Western Hospital.

Working as part of a highly regarded multidisciplinary team, you will contribute to medicines optimisation activities across inpatient, outpatient and day treatment settings. The role includes medicines reconciliation, patient counselling, discharge planning, prescription verification following competency-based training, and supporting patients receiving oral systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT).

We are looking for a registered Pharmacy Technician with excellent communication and organisational skills, a passion for patient care, and a desire to develop specialist knowledge within Cancer Services. Previous oncology or haematology experience is desirable but not essential, as full training and support will be provided.

This fixed-term post provides an excellent opportunity to broaden your clinical and leadership experience within a supportive and innovative Cancer Pharmacy Team committed to delivering safe, effective and compassionate care for our patients.

Main duties of the job
Key duties include:

• Providing medicines optimisation services to oncology and haematology patients.
• Undertaking medicines reconciliation, medication history taking and assessment of patients' own medicines.
• Supporting safe and timely discharge planning and continuity of medicines supply.
• Providing patient counselling and medicines education, including support for patients receiving oral anti-cancer therapies.
• Working collaboratively with pharmacists and the wider multidisciplinary team to optimise patient care.
• Supporting the training, supervision and development of pharmacy technicians, support staff and trainees.
• Participating in audit, governance, quality improvement and service development initiatives.
• Maintaining compliance with medicines legislation, professional standards and departmental procedures.

This role would suit an experienced Pharmacy Technician looking to develop specialist Cancer Services experience within a supportive and progressive pharmacy team.

About us
We are proud to be part of BSW Hospitals Group - a formal partnership between Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust and Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust. With a combined workforce of over 17, 600 colleagues, and budget of 1.6 billion the Group is united by a common purpose to deliver the best possible care to over 1 million people.

We are creating a health and care system that works with the people we care for, reducing the differences people currently face in access, experience and outcomes, improving the experience of our colleagues and tackling shared challenges like sustainability and finances. Every improvement we make across our Group will be guided by what creates the greatest benefit for our colleagues, our patients, our communities and our partners.

Details
Date posted: 17 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year
pro rata per annum
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working
Reference number: 249-8242018
Job locations: Great Western Hospital, Marlborough Road, Swindon, SN3 6BB, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
The post holder will support the day-to-day delivery of medicines optimisation services within Cancer Services and contribute to service improvement, governance, training and quality initiatives. You will also assist with the supervision and development of pharmacy technicians, support staff and trainees, helping to maintain high professional and clinical standards across the service.

Participation in dispensary services, maintenance of Accredited Checking Technician competencies (where applicable), and involvement in weekend, evening and bank holiday rotas will be required in line with departmental needs.

Key responsibilities include:

• Delivering medicines optimisation services to oncology and haematology patients.
• Undertaking medicines reconciliation, medication history taking and assessment of patients' own medicines.
• Providing patient counselling and medicines education, including support for patients receiving oral SACT following competency assessment.
• Supporting timely discharge planning and continuity of medicines supply.
• Contributing to audit, governance, quality improvement and service development activities.
• Supporting the supervision, training and development of pharmacy technicians, support staff and trainees.
• Working collaboratively with the wider multidisciplinary team to ensure safe and effective patient care.
• Participating in dispensary, weekend, evening and bank holiday services as required.

Why Join Us?
This fixed-term maternity cover role offers an excellent opportunity for an experienced Pharmacy Technician to develop specialist knowledge and skills within Cancer Services, gain valuable oncology and haematology experience, and work within a supportive and innovative pharmacy team dedicated to improving outcomes for patients.

Please refer to the complete Job Description and Person Specification for more details.

Person Specification
Education, Qualifications and Training
Essential

• Registered as a Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council
• Knowledge of pharmaceutical technical procedures for specialist area to degree or equivalent level acquired though training, NVQ3, BTEC in pharmaceutical science or equivalent
• Accredited Checking Technician qualification or be eligible and willing to work towards accreditation which will be completed within 12 months
• Accredited Medicines Management qualification or be eligible and willing to work towards accreditation which will be completed within 12 months

Desirable

• Management qualification / equivalent knowledge built with experience to post-graduate diploma or equivalent level

Experience
Essential

• Significant broad experience in a hospital pharmacy with experience of leading and managing teams
• Managing own workload to meet the needs of a service
• Working within a role involving multi-disciplinary communication
• Developing and training staff
• Staff appraisal and objective setting
• Successful project or change management
• Good knowledge of the legal requirements (Law and Ethics) for dispensing and supplying medicines, including CDs
• Aware of risk and Health and Safety issues and their implications for staff
• Knowledge of statutory regulations, including Medicines Act and the Misuse of Drugs Act and Regulations
• Recruitment and selection
• Managing meetings
• Policy and procedure development
• Managing change

Desirable

• Experience of working in haematology / oncology specialty
• Audit and/or research experience and implementation
• Knowledge of national reports on development of pharmacy services

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).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

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.
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).
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).