Senior Pharmacy Assistant

Job summary

We are seeking an enthusiastic, reliable, and motivated individual to join our Aseptic Unit within the Pharmacy Department at Darlington Memorial Hospital.

In this role, you will be part of a dedicated team responsible for preparing and dispensing chemotherapy treatments for cancer patients. While this is a non-patient-facing position, your work plays a vital role in supporting the delivery of safe, high-quality, patient-centred care.

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• Good organisational and interpersonal skills
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
• The ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
• Confidence to recognise their own limitations and seek support when needed
• A positive attitude towards working within a small team in a large department

This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to build a career in hospital pharmacy and contribute to a highly specialised and rewarding area of healthcare.

If you wish to book a visit to view the department please contact Jane Shaw on 01325 743408

Main duties of the job

Working to national standards you will support the safe and effective preparation of cancer treatments for our patients across the organisation

Full training will be provided enabling you to

• Prepare chemotherapy and other aseptic products for both inpatients and outpatients
• Complete essential documentation accurately and efficiently
• Provide technical support to help keep the service running smoothly
• Maintain a safe clean-room environment through regular cleaning and monitoring
• Support and guide trainee pharmacy technicians and pharmacists
• Supply medicines to the haematology/oncology ward
• Dispensing oral chemotherapy and supportive care medicines

Manage and supply pre-prepared chemotherapy products

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.

Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

Details

• Date posted: 28 July 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 3
• Salary: £25,760 to £27,476 a year per annum, pro rata
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: C9439-2627-1077
• Job locations: Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust, Hollyhurst Road, Darlington, County Durham, DL3 6HX, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

To understand the role in more detail please read the full job description and person specification documents which are attached to this advert.

Key Responsibilities

• Review chemotherapy prescriptions (IV and oral) to create accurate worksheets and manage workload safely
• Use your judgement to spot and raise any concerns or discrepancies with senior staff
• Gather the correct materials and equipment needed for preparation
• Prepare chemotherapy and aseptic products accurately, following standard procedures
• Identify and respond appropriately to issues outside standard procedures
• Troubleshoot problems during preparation, including equipment issues such as isolator faults
• Ensure all products are labelled correctly in line with guidelines
• Carry out environmental monitoring and report any concerns
• Record and monitor temperatures and room pressures, escalating any issues immediately
• Check your own work carefully to maintain high standards
• Maintain adequate stock levels of medicines and consumables and resolve any shortages
• Safely manage cytotoxic spills in line with procedures
• Work with ward and pharmacy teams to review and manage stock levels
• Support and supervise trainee pharmacy technicians and pharmacists
• Recognise when to seek input from a pharmacist or senior technician