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Senior Pharmacy Assistant (Aseptic Services)
The closing date is 04 November 2025
We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated pharmacyassistant (part time 22.5hours/W)to join our cancer services team at the Alexandra Hospital.
You will be an extremely valuable member of the cancer services pharmacyteam, assisting with dispensing and provision of chemotherapy medicines andassociated treatments to day case patients ensuring a high standard ofmedicines supply service provision from Pharmacy to wards and clinics. You willwork alongside and under the supervision of the senior Cancer Services Lead technician.
You will be a strong and confident team player, demonstrateprofessionalism at all times, act as a role model for other Assistants, andtake responsibility for ensuring you prepare medicines according to ourpolicies and procedures.
You will also be directly involved in the dispensing and issue ofmedicines from both prescriptions and requisitions in the dispensary asallocated.
Full training and associated support will be provided in chemotherapypreparation by a friendly team and significant opportunities are available forcareer progression.
This is a full time role worked Monday to Friday and with a Saturdaymorning commitment on a rota basis.Hours of work will be between 8.30am and 5pm as agreed.
For further information, an informal chat or to arrange avisit to come and see what we can offer, please contact:
Jon Stewart Lead Technician on 01527 512126 or email jonathan.stewart4@nhs.net
Main duties of the job
Assist in the provision of Pharmacy Aseptic Services, underdirect supervision. This will include:
Assisting in the assembly of the ingredients and equipmentfor product production, prepare labels and complete any documentation prior tothe aseptic reconstitution process.
Participating in the reconstitution and preparation ofmedicinal products.
Cleaning of the aseptic suite(s) including sterile andnon-sterile areas in accordance to the cleaning procedures.
Providing agreed supportive clerical duties to assistpharmacy technicians and pharmacists within the suites.
Assisting in the recording and maintenance of documentationwhich may include photocopying and filing.
Participate in monitoring and recording activities such aspressure data, storage temperatures and handling agar plates as is requiredwithin the suites.
Using the trust based electronic ordering system to supportstock supplies of consumable items for the aseptic unit and the AH and WRHpharmacy departments as required.
About us
Our purpose is simple - Putting Patients First. We are looking for exceptional colleagues who can help us achieve this.
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.
The Trust operates hospital-based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester
Our workforce is nearly 6,800 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care. You could be one of them.
We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us to achieve our Vision - working in partnership to provide the best healthcare for our communities, leading and supporting our teams to move 4ward. Our 4ward behaviours, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.
Our objectives are simple:
* Best services for local people
* Best experience of care and best outcomes for our patients
* Best use of resources
* Best people
Better never stops, and our Clinical Services Strategy provides a clear future vision for our Trust, our hospitals, our services and our role in the wider health and care system.
We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation as a flex positive employer.
Job responsibilities
Job Purpose:
To undertake a range of routine technical duties in support ofPharmacists and pharmacy technicians.
These duties may include:
Assisting within the pharmacy aseptic services suites
Accurately, safely and promptly dispense professionallychecked prescriptions including participating in the reconstitution andpreparation of medicinal products within the pharmacy aseptic services suites.
Using the trust based electronic ordering system to supportstock supplies of consumable items for the aseptic unit and department.
Supplying medicines to wards and Departments.
Providing a top-up service as allocated.
Receiving stock from suppliers.
Assisting in the delivery and collection of pharmacy itemsto and from wards and departments
Deputise where needed for other band 3 assistants innon-sterile manufacturing.
Key Duties:
Assist in the provision of Pharmacy Aseptic Services, underdirect supervision. This will include:
Assisting in the assembly of the ingredients and equipmentfor product production, prepare labels and complete any documentation prior tothe aseptic reconstitution process.
Participating in the reconstitution and preparation ofmedicinal products.
Cleaning of the aseptic suite(s) including sterile andnon-sterile areas in accordance to the cleaning procedures.
Providing agreed supportive clerical duties to assistpharmacy technicians and pharmacists within the suites.
Assisting in the recording and maintenance of documentationwhich may include photocopying and filing.
Participate in monitoring and recording activities such aspressure data, storage temperatures and handling agar plates as is requiredwithin the suites.
Using the trust based electronic ordering system to supportstock supplies of consumable items for the aseptic unit and the AH and WRHpharmacy departments as required.
Deputise as needed for the non-sterile manufacturing band 3assistant.
Participate in the provision of reception duties withinthe Department this will include:
Greeting Outpatients, hospital staff and visitors to thedepartment.
Overcoming any communication difficulties that patients mayhave in an appropriate and sensitive manner.
Interpret prescription stationery and accurately and clearlylabel prescriptions to ensure that patients receive comprehensive directions onhow to take and get the most from their prescribed medicines.
Accurately and safely dispense previously screened inpatientand outpatient prescriptions in a timely and prompt manner as defined withinthe departmental SOPs. This will include the dispensing of unlicensedmedicines and clinical trial drugs according to departmental procedure and theimmediate reporting of out of stock issues to an appropriate member of staff.
Supply non-stock ad-hoc requests to wards and departments asappropriate and input requirements onto the pharmacy Emis computer system tocost the issue and produce a Picking Ticket.
Identify and refer any formulary related computer issues tothe attention of the accountable pharmacist to assist in the implementation andenforcement of the Trust Formulary.
Promptly deal with any problems relating to the dispensingof prescriptions, including owing items, where remit and procedure dictates,bringing any irresolvable issues or problems to the attention of a seniormember of staff when necessary.
Assemble and issue emergency kits ensuring all associateddocumentation and records are completed accurately.
Assist in the processing of returned items subsequent toquality checks.
Dispose of out of date, wasted and unwanted medicines byplacing in the correct waste stream container. Ensure all waste bins are takenout of the suites and replace when full.
Provide a Pharmacy top-up service this will include:
Identifying top-up requirements by checking through thestock cupboards against the agreed stock list.
Inputting requirements onto the pharmacy Emis computersystem to produce a Picking Ticket for issue purposes
Identifying excess stock and non-stock items that arecurrently not in use within cupboards, removing these items and returning themto the pharmacy.
Checking expiry dates and storage conditions of drugsremoving any out-of-date or inappropriately stored items and return these topharmacy.
Liaising with Pharmacy staff within the Distribution andStores at both Worcester and the Alexandra Hospital over orders, out-of stocksand items that are owed from top-ups.
Seek advice from the appropriate member of staff regardingnon-routine issues relating to top-ups.
Unpack deliveries from Suppliers and check goods againstdelivery documents enclosed.
Assist in maintaining the pharmacy document Archive Storeincluding filing of paperwork and prescriptions.
Deliver completed pharmacy orders and prescriptions todesignated locations within wards and departments, obtaining appropriatesignatures from authorized Staff on receipt of goods, as defined within thedepartmental SOPs.
Collect pharmacy related items from wards such asrequisitions, drugs, prescriptions and order books to be returned.
Maintain the security and confidentiality of all items intransit including Controlled Drugs and prescriptions at all times.
Carry out all manual handling tasks in the approved mannerand make appropriate use of trolleys and lifting equipment provided.
Ensure that stock is rotated and that adequate stocks areheld to meet normal demands whilst preventing wastage due to over-stocking.
Check stocks on a regular basis to ensure that computerrecords are accurate. Obtain reportswithin Emis Pharmacy Computer System as required, investigate and report anyunexplained discrepancies to the relevant supervising Pharmacy Technician.
Undertake expiry date checking of stock on a rotationalbasis as appropriate.
Undertake appropriate housekeeping duties when necessary.
Participate in the Trusts Personal Development Reviewprocess on at least an annual basis,preparing for and pro-actively contributing to the review with themanager. This will include following the Personal Development Plan (PDP)devised and the maintenance of personal CPD records as agreed.
Be responsible for completing all mandatory training asallocated for this role.
Follow all departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)at all times, where necessary identifying any aspect of an SOP which could beimproved and/or amended to relevant manager.
Be personally responsible for keeping up-to-date with allrelevant SOPs, policies and communiqués within the department and, whereappropriate, the Trust as a whole.
Maintain patient confidentiality at all times according toTrust procedure and policy.
Act in a professional, caring and responsible manner at alltimes ensuring that the needs of patients and all customers of the PharmacyService are met.
Assist in the induction and training of new and lessexperienced staff members and students by demonstrating own duties.
Able to work weekends and bank holidays.
Person Specification
Skills and Knowledge
* Issuing medicine stock where accuracy is important.
* Manual dexterity and skilled at manipulating aseptic products
* Good verbal and written communication skills with neat and accurate record keeping
* Organising and prioritising work.
* Able to work in a busy environment, meet deadlines, manage time effectively and remain calm under pressure
* Able to work on own as well as be a good team worker.
* Up to date knowledge and understanding of Safe Systems of Working in pharmacy.
* Up to date knowledge of Health and Safety at Work including COSHH,
* GMP, Manual Handling as it applies to technical pharmacy operations.
Qualifications
* GCSE (or equivalent) grades A-C in Maths, Science and English Language.
* NVQ Level 2 in pharmacy technical services
Experience
* Recent experience of working in a hospital environment in the care of patients
* OR of working in a clean room environment.
* Recent hospital experience of successfully delivering technical pharmacy services as a pharmacy assistant.
* Recent and relevant aseptic compounding experience
* Recent and relevant experience of working in a laboratory
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
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
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