
Job overview
We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated individuals to work within our busy Pharmacy Technical Services sector at Ipswich Hospital. This service covers the preparation of medicines used within the treatment of cancer. We have a permanent full time post and a fixed term maternity cover post for 17 hours per week until July 2027.
You will be involved in providing specialist support to the Technical Services team by undertaking pre and in-process checking of chemotherapy and other agents, supervising the team of Technicians and Assistants within the cleanrooms, assisting in managing stock control within the Chemotherapy Preparation Unit and preparation of Cytotoxic and Monoclonal Antibody preparations
You should ideally have experience of supervising / co-ordinating staff and workflow. You must be flexible and react positively to change with the ability to work within Pharmacy Technical Service at Ipswich Hospital. You must be able to follow written procedures, work under supervision and complete tasks accurately to set deadlines. You will be working in our cleanrooms
If you are interested in contributing to the care of patients using practical skills with an ability to work under your own initiative, good communication skills, a high level of accuracy and are keen to develop your skills then you may be suited to this type of role
We would consider a developmental role at a lower banding with set competency targets
Main duties of the job
Internal applicants currently employed by ESNEFT will be offered on a secondment basis only for the fixed term post
- Work in partnership with the CPU management team in the provision of a high quality, cost effective and efficient patient centred pharmacy service to the trust.
- To supervise the team of technicians and assistants within the cleanrooms, involved in the delivery of the service and to support the co-ordination of the day-to-day running of the unit and its staff, including liaising with the admin team and heads of departments for staff shortages.
- To deputise for the Chief Pharmacy Technician in their absence, as required by the CPU Accountable Pharmacist, in the running of the CPU.
- Support the professional development of technicians and assistants within the Chemotherapy Preparation Unit (CPU), ensuring that staff have read, understood and received appropriate training for all relevant SOP’s. Contributing to the writing and delivering of the CPU staff training pack for bands 2/3 and 4/5.
- Contribute to the induction and mentoring of new staff within the CPU and provide support as necessary to Technicians, Operatives, Assistants and other relevant members of the pharmacy team in education and training.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.
Person specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Rules and Guidance for Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Distributors (Orange Guide)
Desirable
- Hospital environment or systems
- COSHH regulations
Experience
Essential
- Relevant experience of working within a technical area of pharmacy / Quality Assurance or pharmaceutical manufacturing facility
Desirable
- Demonstrated supervisory skills
- Working within an aseptic environment e.g. Laminar Flow cabinets or isolator
- Staff training or mentoring role
Qualifications
Essential
- BTec, NVQ level 3 in pharmacy services or Science Manufacturing Technician, or Level 5 qualification in a scientific subject. Level 5 qualifications are: diploma of higher education (DipHE), foundation degree, higher national diploma (HND), level 5 award, level 5 certificate, level 5 diploma, level 5 NVQ
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Technical Services Senior Operative / Pharmacy Technician with East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust in Colchester, East of England, England. It is listed as a Band 5 Pharmacy technician role. The advertised salary is £32,073 - £39,043 per annum pro rata. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 21 Jun 2026.
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