Pre-Registration Science Manufacturing Technician Apprentice

Job overview

We have an exciting opportunity for a Pre-registration Science Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship positions within our Pharmacy Aseptic Services team

This role offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a specialist aseptic unit, supporting the preparation and dispensing of chemotherapy treatments for day unit and ward patients.

Key Responsibilities:

Working under the supervision of experienced professionals, you will be involved in:

• Reconstitution of cytotoxic and monoclonal antibody drugs
• Performing pre- and in-process checks
• Supervising pharmacy assistants
• Preparing worksheets and labels
• Assembling drugs and consumables
• Conducting environmental monitoring

Essential Criteria:

• Significant prior experience working in an aseptic unit
• GCSEs (or equivalent) in Maths and English
• Must have lived in the UK for at least three years
• Must not be currently enrolled in another qualification

Desirable:

• NVQ Level 2 / Apprenticeship in Pharmacy Services

About the Apprenticeship:

Successful candidates will undertake the Science Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship, which includes:

• Attending study sessions and completing distance learning
• Engaging in 20% off-the-job training
• Completing online assignments and preparing for the End Point Assessment (EPA)

On-the-job training will be provided to support you in developing the skills and competencies required for the role.

Main duties of the job

• Maintain effective communication with aseptic teams across both sites, as well as with colleagues in the wider Pharmacy Department.
• Liaise with the Quality Control team regarding environmental monitoring activities and results.
• Communicate regularly with tutors, mentors, and administrators at West Suffolk College, as well as with external training providers, qualification assessors, and quality assurers.
• Coordinate with nursing staff on the Day Units and Chemotherapy Ward to ensure timely delivery of treatments.
• Engage with other Pre-Registration Science Manufacturing Technicians to share learning and best practice.
• Undertake study supported by full-time work experience and structured practical instruction from qualified pharmacy practice supervisors at the base hospital(s).

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.

If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.

Detailed Job Description

As a Pre-Registration Science Manufacturing Technician, you will be fully supervised throughout the two-year training contract and receive structured training to support the development of decision-making skills and professional behaviours. A key focus of the apprenticeship is understanding your scope of practice and limitations, while building strong technical and professional competencies.

Core Responsibilities:

• Develop awareness of environmental monitoring action limits and the appropriate corrective measures in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and departmental policies.
• Support cost-effective and efficient dispensing by identifying opportunities for multiple dispensing of extended treatment regimes, considering expiry dates and vial sharing protocols.
• Assess returned cytotoxic and monoclonal medications from wards and departments for suitability for re-issue, following departmental guidelines and SOPs, including accurate documentation on the CMM system.
• Contribute to stock wastage reduction by promoting the efficient use and reuse of cytotoxic and monoclonal drugs.
• Liaise across sites to optimise the use of stock with short expiry dates.
• Ensure adequate stock levels of cytotoxic and monoclonal medications are maintained, and that stock is rotated appropriately to minimise waste.

Systems and IT Competency:

• Access and interpret patient prescriptions using Chemocare® and Aria®.
• Generate worksheets and labels using Episys Ultimate®.
• Use Microsoft Windows and Office applications (Word, Excel) confidently for documentation and communication.
• Operate the CMM system for dispensing, stock checking, and ordering.

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.