Senior / Pharmacy Assistant - Aseptic Services
The Pharmacy Department provides a fully comprehensive pharmaceutical service across the Trust and to a number of external community units. We are a large and very busy department with over 180 members of staff including pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy assistants, admin and clerical staff and apprentices. There are many varied roles and we all work as a team to provide the different functions and services whilst maintaining a high level of patient care.
To support an expansion of chemotherapy services at the NNUH we have received new funding for our Aseptics Unit to enable us to increase capacity.
Pharmacy Assistants are vital members of the Pharmacy team who work closely with Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians. They support colleagues throughout the Trust. Based in the Pharmacy Aseptic Services Unit they are required to work under the supervision of a Pharmacy Technician or Pharmacist. The preparation and supply of chemotherapy and other treatments to patients is a key part of the role.
Interview: 23rd July 2025
Main duties of the job
This post is an exciting opportunity to join us as a Band 2 Pharmacy Assistant and develop the required knowledge and skills to become a Band 3 Senior Pharmacy Assistant. Support, training and assessment will enable you to achieve the core and enhanced competencies required for the post. Those already holding a level 2 accredited pharmacy qualification will start at Band 3.
If you have previous experience working in pharmacy or a dispensing doctors and would like to complete the Level 2 Science Manufacturing Process Operative apprenticeship this is a great opportunity to advance your career. Full training will be given in all areas to ensure you can provide the best service possible.
The apprenticeship is delivered via an online classroom over 12-18 months with fortnightly teaching sessions and protected time given to study. Once qualified you will transition from a Band 2 to Band 3.
You must be self-motivated, able to work under pressure in a specialist environment, able to pay close attention to detail and consistently produce work to the required standard. You will be expected to use a number of computerized systems and therefore have appropriate computer skills. Team working is essential.
Hours are 37.5 hrs/wk Monday to Friday with a requirement to work one weekend day every 10 weeks in Dispensary and 3 bank holidays annually in Aseptic Services. Part-time hours may be considered but must be for a minimum of 30hrs per week to meet apprenticeship entry requirements.
About us
Join us at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and be part of a workforce of over 10,000 staff!
The NNUH is one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK, providing first-class acute care for around one million people, living in Norfolk and surrounding areas. We are a teaching and research hospital, at the forefront of innovation, home to state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Quadram Institute. We are pleased to work closely with the University of East Anglia, providing teaching opportunities for our staff and placement opportunities for their students. We attract some of the best and leading professionals from across the country and are proud that our workforce represents 94 countries from across the world.
We are a friendly, collaborative hospital, working with local services and home to N&N Hospitals Charity
We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition:
* Fast Track Staff Physiotherapy Service
* Multi Faith prayer room
* Discounted gym memberships
* Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
* Wagestream - access up to 40% of your pay as you earn it
* Free Park & Ride service direct to NNUH site
* Free 24-hours confidential counselling support
* On-site Nursery
* On-site cafes offering staff discounts
* Flexible staff bank
* Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars, Cycle to Work scheme and home electronics
Job responsibilities
Pharmacy assistants are vital members of the pharmacy team who work closely with pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. You will be supporting colleagues throughout the hospital. You will be based in the Pharmacy Aseptic Services Unit and will be required to work under the supervision of a Pharmacy Technician or Pharmacist. The preparation and supply of chemotherapy and other treatments to patients is a key part of the role.
Applicants must be self-motivated and able to work under pressure in a specialist environment. As the successful applicant, you must be able to pay close attention to detail and consistently produce work to the required standard. You will be expected to use a number of computer-based systems and therefore have appropriate computer skills. Team working is also essential to the role.
Our Trust values of People Focused, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence are essential to a role working in the Pharmacy Department. We are a very busy, large department in a fast-paced teaching hospital. Therefore the ability to be able to work under pressure and respond to a frequently changing environment is essential.
All tasks are carried out under the supervision of either; a Pharmacy Technician, Science Manufacturing Technician or other suitably qualified person.
* To participate in the reconstitution and manufacture of CIVAS and cytotoxic drugs, including intrathecal chemotherapy under the supervision of the Senior Pharmacy Technician in accordance with department standard operating procedures and to the standard of the Guide to Good Manufacturing Practice
* Assemble components and consumables required for the preparation of aseptic and radiopharmacy products in order of priority.
* Transfer sanitisation of components and consumables into the clean room in order of priority.
* Offer support to the checking pharmacist by labelling and pouching products, taking telephone confirmations, screening and fielding calls and enquiries within the check room, delivery of urgent released products to wards / clinics if needed.
* Carry out cleaning of all areas in the aseptic services unit and radiopharmacy following defined standard operating procedures and schedules along with other general housekeeping tasks.
* Carry out environmental monitoring within the aseptic unit. Prepare clean room isolators for use, including leak tests, and support monitoring of the aseptic and radiopharmacy areas in line with the weekly schedule.
* Complete daily and sessional records of room air pressures, room and fridge temperatures, and alert a senior pharmacy technician if these are outside accepted limits.
We are a friendly department with a well-structured training programme with opportunities for progression to Science Manufacturing Technician qualification.
Please note that this advertised position, which is part of occupation code 7114 does not meet the UKVI eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa (this includes if you are already in a sponsored post and looking to change employer). The Trust would not be able to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* GCSE or equivalent passes in Maths, English and Science
* NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services
Skills
* Able to record information accurately
* Able to work as part of a team with a flexible approach to duties
* Effective role model, demonstrating NNUH's PRIDE values of People focussed, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence
* Demonstrates understanding and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
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.
Pharmacy Operations Manager, Aseptic Services
£24,169 to £25,674 a yearper annum, pro rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time,Part-time,Flexible working,Compressed hours
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