Medicines Management Pharmacy Technician - Cancer Services

Job overview

We have an exciting opportunity for a passionate and motivated individual to join our Clinical Cancer Pharmacy Team.

In this role, you will need o provide a specialist medicines management pharmacy technician service across Cancer Services, supporting patients receiving or commencing systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) and those admitted to cancer clinical areas. The role involves undertaking comprehensive medicines reconciliation, obtaining accurate drug histories, identifying and resolving medicines-related discrepancies, supporting medicines optimisation, and facilitating safe and timely discharge.

The postholder works collaboratively with oncology and haematology pharmacists, medical and nursing teams, pharmacy colleagues, Homecare services and the wider multidisciplinary team to ensure safe, effective and continuous medicines management throughout the cancer treatment pathway. The role also supports the development of medicines management pathways for patients commencing SACT, including proactive assessment before or around their first treatment cycle, and the development of appropriate homecare pathways for patients receiving oral and subcutaneous cancer treatments.

The role requires ongoing professional development, completion of relevant cancer pharmacy competencies, including the BOPA SACT Pharmacy Technician Passport, and adherence to professional standards, Trust policies and patient safety requirements.

Main duties of the job

• Provide a specialist medicines management service across cancer inpatient wards, SACT day units and other relevant clinical areas.
• Undertake comprehensive medicines reconciliation and drug history taking using patient interviews, electronic prescribing systems, GP records, community pharmacy information and other appropriate sources.
• Proactively support medicines management for patients commencing systemic anti-cancer therapy, including medicines reconciliation before or around the first treatment cycle where appropriate.
• Support the safe management of patients receiving oral, intravenous and subcutaneous SACT, in accordance with agreed protocols, competencies and local procedures.
• Facilitate safe and timely patient discharge by supporting medicines supply, providing appropriate medicines counselling and communicating relevant information to community pharmacies, GPs and other healthcare providers.
• Work collaboratively with the Cancer Pharmacy and Homecare teams to establish, implement and maintain suitable homecare pathways for patients receiving oral and subcutaneous SACT.
• Maintain accurate, complete and auditable records of medicines histories, interventions, communications and homecare arrangements.
• Participate in clinical audit, service evaluation, quality improvement and the development of medicines management procedures and pathways.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The postholder will be responsible for delivering a specialist medicines management service across Cancer Services, supporting patients throughout their cancer treatment pathway.

Key responsibilities include undertaking comprehensive medicines reconciliation and drug history taking; reviewing available clinical and electronic records; identifying discrepancies, adherence concerns and medicines-related risks; and resolving issues within the scope of professional practice. Clinical concerns and complex medicines-related problems will be escalated to the appropriate pharmacist or prescriber.

The postholder will support patients receiving or commencing systemic anti-cancer therapy, including proactive medicines management before or around their first treatment cycle where appropriate. They will work closely with oncology and haematology pharmacists, medical and nursing teams to support safe treatment pathways, identify medicines supply issues and maintain accurate patient information.

The role will include supporting safe and timely discharge, appropriate medicines supply, patient and carer counselling, and communication with GPs, community pharmacies and other healthcare providers. The postholder will also collaborate with Cancer Pharmacy and Homecare teams to develop and implement suitable homecare pathways for patients receiving oral and subcutaneous SACT, ensuring accurate documentation and effective coordination of medicines information.

The postholder will develop and maintain competence in specialist cancer pharmacy systems, including ARIA, CMM and CPR, and complete the BOPA SACT Pharmacy Technician Passport. They will provide technical guidance and support to colleagues, contribute to staff training and development, and participate in audit, service evaluation and quality improvement initiatives.

The role requires independent workload management, effective multidisciplinary communication, professional accountability and adherence to GPhC standards, relevant medicines legislation, Trust policies, confidentiality, information governance, infection prevention and control, safeguarding and health and safety requirements. The postholder will maintain continuing professional development and participate in the wider Pharmacy Service rota, including late, weekend and Bank Holiday duties as required.

Please refer to the full Job Description and Person Specification for further details of the role, duties, responsibilities and essential and desirable criteria.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.