County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Senior Pharmacy Assistant Aseptics
The closing date is 11 February 2026
The post holder will work as part of a team responsible for the provision of aseptic services to the CDDFT chemotherapy day wards at Bishop Auckland, Darlington, University Hospital of North Durham and Shotley Bridge sites.
To participate in the provision of a safe, effective and efficient Aseptic Service in compliance with national guidelines.
Following the relevant training the post holder will be required to:
* prepare cytotoxic chemotherapy, and other aseptic products for both inpatients and outpatients
* process associated documentation
* provide technical support to maintain the smooth running of the service
* maintain the clean-room environment, through cleaning and monitoring to minimise the risk of microbiological contamination of products
* assist in training and supervision of pre-registration pharmacy technicians, pre-registration pharmacists.
The post holder will also be required to:
* provide distribution services to the haematology/oncology ward
* dispense oral cytotoxic chemotherapy and supportive care medication
* dispense and maintain supplies of pre-prepared bought in chemotherapy products
Main duties of the job
To participate in the provision of a safe, effective and efficient Aseptic Service in compliance with national guidelines.
Following the relevant training the post holder will be required to:
* prepare cytotoxic chemotherapy, and other aseptic products for both inpatients and outpatients
* process associated documentation
* provide technical support to maintain the smooth running of the service
* maintain the clean-room environment, through cleaning and monitoring to minimise the risk of microbiological contamination of products
* assist in training and supervision of pre-registration pharmacy technicians, pre-registration pharmacists.
The post holder will also be required to:
* provide distribution services to the haematology/oncology ward
* dispense oral cytotoxic chemotherapy and supportive care medication
* dispense and maintain supplies of pre-prepared bought in 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.
From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have been employed for a minimum of two years as a HCA within the NHS for the Trust to consider sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and have a current visa expiring within 3 months).
Job responsibilities
* Interpret the requirements of IV and oral chemotherapy prescriptions to accurately produce worksheets and manage safe workload
* Use own judgement and analytical skills to highlight to senior staff potential discrepancies on prescriptions
* Interpret worksheets and batch documentation to collate raw materials and disposables required for preparation process
* Carry out the preparation process accurately, following worksheet documentation.
* Identify discrepancies and situations outside of SOPs and take appropriate action
* Attach labels to the correct prepared product following labelling guidelines
* Identify potential problems when carrying out environmental monitoring and report them appropriately
* Monitor and record ambient and cold storage temperatures within designated areas, ensuring any deviations from specified limits are reported immediately
* Monitor and record room differential pressures within the designated areas, ensuring any deviations from specified limits are reported immediately
* Perform Self-check of own work
* Ensure adequate supplies of drugs and consumables and resolve any stock problems
* Deal with spillage of cytotoxic medicine
* Review stock levels of drugs in conjunction with ward manager and other pharmacy staff
* Co‑ordinate and supervise pre‑registration Pharmacy Technicians and pre‑registration Pharmacists
* Judgement is required by the post holder to recognise when intervention is required, by a pharmacist or lead technician.
Person Specification
Experience
* Experience of working in a clean room environment Dispensing experience
* Working knowledge of live pharmacy stock control systems Demonstrate experience of working in a team
* Previous experience of working in a hospital pharmacy
Special Skills & Knowledge
* Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice Good computer and keyboard skills
* Organised, methodical and accurate approach to tasks and able to demonstrate this approach in a busy environment Excellent skills for dealing with people
* Good oral and written communication skills Evidence of personal development Commitment to CPD Understanding of Stock control
* Evidence of implementing change
* Previous supervisory experience
Qualifications
* GCSE English and Maths (Grade C and above) (or equivalent) NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services (or equivalent experience) Have obtained or be willing to commence the training units in Aseptic Preparation of the NVQ Level 3 in pharmacy services within 6 months of employment Qualification in Supervisory Management or willing to commence within 1 year of employment
* Evidence of on‑going Competency and Training in a Cleanroom environment.
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
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum, pro rata
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