Science Manufacturing Technician Apprentice

Job summary

To undertake a range of routine technical duties in support of Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. This is a new apprenticeship role within Pharmacy

Level 3 Science Manufacturing Technician (SMT) Apprenticeship (Aseptic Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing)

Apprenticeship Training Details:

• Apprenticeship Standard: Science Manufacturing Technician (Level 3) Level 3 Science Manufacturing Technician (SMT) - CSR Group Scientific Training with pathway in Aseptic Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Technician
• Training provider will be: CSR Group Scientific Training Home - CSR Group Scientific Training Please note: by applying for this opportunity you are consenting for us to share your application details with our Training Provider for recruitment and eligibility purposes.
• The Apprenticeship will be on a fixed term apprenticeship contract for 12months with opportunities to apply for NHS pharmacy roles on completion.
• Salary will be paid at National Apprentice wage, £8 per hour with a yearly salary of £15,600 for the first 12 months followed by minimum wage for age until completion.
• You will work 37.5 hours per week with on the job and off the job learning opportunities and 6 hours per week paid study time.
• 27 days paid annual leave plus Bank Holidays.

Main duties of the job

Assist in the provision of Pharmacy Aseptic Services, under direct supervision. Participate in the provision of reception duties within the Department

Eligibility for Apprenticeship Funding

Candidates must evidence they:

• Apprenticeships are UK Government funded qualifications so non-UK nationals must have recourse to public funds on their visa to be eligible. Non-UK nationals must also have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the previous 3 years (on the first day of the apprenticeship). Additionally you must have permission from the UK government to live in the UK (not for educational purposes) or have obtained pre-settled or settled status under EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). If any of these conditions are not met you will not be eligible for apprenticeship funding.
• 5 GCSEs grade C/4 or above, or equivalent in Functional Skills Level 2.Have certificates in Maths, English Language and Science GCSE.
• Do NOT already have a degree level qualification in Pharmacy or Aseptic Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing.
• Science A Level or Science BTEC L3 qualifications will be considered.
• Please evidence ALL prior qualifications on your application form.

About us

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 more than 7,000 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. Our values, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.

Being open and honest

Ensuring people feel cared for

Showing respect to everyone

We are committed to developing a culture of continuous improvement by embedding the principles of our Improvement 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.

DBS Checks and Costs

Any applicants who are offered posts requiring a DBS check as part of their employment check will have the cost of this check (at the current rate) deducted from their salary. Please see link in Supporting Information section for more details on DBS checks and costs.

Details

• Date posted: 28 July 2026
• Pay scheme: Other
• Salary: £15,600 a year Salary will be paid at National Apprentice wage
• Contract: Apprenticeship
• Duration: 12 months
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: C9365-26-0477-2
• Job locations: Alexandra Hospital, Woodrow Drive, Redditch, Worcestershire, b98 7ub, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Risk Assessment:

• Frequently handle cytotoxic drugs and hazardous drugs as defined by the COSHH Regulations whilst dispensing, receiving stock, topping up, and working within the Aseptic Suite.
• Requirement for prolonged concentration whilst preparing aseptic products and when inputting data on computer system.
• Work within enclosed space for long periods of time whilst working within the Aseptic Suites.
• Frequently be involved with the moderate physical effort associated with the manual handling of bulk fluid boxes, ward delivery boxes and deliveries from Suppliers for short periods of time whilst receiving and issuing stock (6-15kg)
• Occasionally be involved in dealing with angry and distressed relatives and nursing staff for short periods of time whilst covering reception duties.
• Work under pressure to meet set transport and portering times to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of medicines.
• Frequently sit at a VDU inputting data for long periods of time (10-15% of time)

Job Purpose:

To undertake a range of routine technical duties in support of Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

These duties may include:

• Assisting within the pharmacy aseptic services suite
• Undertaking reception duties.
• Accurately, safely and promptly dispense professionally checked prescriptions including participating in the reconstitution and preparation of medicinal products within the pharmacy aseptic services suite.
• Using the trust based electronic ordering system to support stock 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 items to and from wards and departments

Key Duties:

Assist in the provision of Pharmacy Aseptic Services, under direct supervision. This will include:

o Assisting in the assembly of the ingredients and equipment for product production, prepare labels and complete any documentation prior to the aseptic reconstitution process.

o Participating in the reconstitution and preparation of medicinal products.

o Cleaning of the aseptic suite including sterile and non-sterile areas in accordance to the cleaning procedures.

o Providing agreed supportive clerical duties to assist pharmacy technicians and pharmacists within the suites.

o Assisting in the recording and maintenance of documentation which may include photocopying and filing.

o Participate in monitoring and recording activities such as pressure data, storage temperatures and handling agar plates as is required within the suites.

o Performing in-process checks of aseptically prepared products.

o Using the trust based electronic ordering system to support stock supplies of consumable items for the aseptic unit.

Participate in the provision of reception duties within the Department this will include:

o Greeting Outpatients, hospital staff and visitors to the department.

o Overcoming any communication difficulties that patients may have in an appropriate and sensitive manner.

o Logging work in

o Collecting workload data

Interpret prescription stationery and accurately and clearly label prescriptions to ensure that patients receive comprehensive directions on how to take and get the most from their prescribed medicines.

Accurately and safely dispense previously screened inpatient and outpatient prescriptions in a timely and prompt manner as defined within the departmental SOPs. This will include the dispensing of unlicensed medicines and clinical trial drugs according to departmental procedure and the immediate reporting of out of stock issues to an appropriate member of staff.

Supply non-stock ad-hoc requests to wards and departments as appropriate and input requirements onto the pharmacy Emis computer system to cost the issue and produce a Picking Ticket.

Identify and refer any formulary related computer issues to the attention of the accountable pharmacist to assist in the implementation and enforcement of the Trust Formulary.

Promptly deal with any problems relating to the dispensing of prescriptions, including owing items, where remit and procedure dictates, bringing any irresolvable issues or problems to the attention of a senior member of staff when necessary.

Assemble and issue emergency kits ensuring all associated documentation and records are completed accurately, where required

Assist in the processing of returned items subsequent to quality checks.

Dispose of out of date, wasted and unwanted medicines by placing in the correct waste stream container. Ensure all waste bins are taken out of the suites and replace when full.

Provide a Pharmacy top-up service this will include:

o Identifying top-up requirements by checking through the stock cupboards against the agreed stock list.

o Inputting requirements onto the pharmacy Emis computer system to produce a Picking Ticket for issue purposes

o Identifying excess stock and non-stock items that are currently not in use within cupboards, removing these items and returning them to the pharmacy.

o Checking expiry dates and storage conditions of drugs removing any out-of-date or inappropriately stored items and return these to pharmacy.

o Liaising with Pharmacy staff within the Distribution and Stores at both Worcester and the Alexandra Hospital over orders, out of stocks and items that are owed from top ups.

Seek advice from the appropriate member of staff regarding non-routine issues relating to top-ups.

Unpack deliveries from Suppliers and check goods against delivery documents enclosed.

Assist in maintaining the pharmacy document Archive Store including filing of paperwork and prescriptions.

Deliver completed pharmacy orders and prescriptions to designated locations within wards and departments, obtaining appropriate signatures from authorized Staff on receipt of goods, as defined within the departmental SOPs.

Collect pharmacy related items from wards such as requisitions, drugs, prescriptions and order books to be returned.

Maintain the security and confidentiality of all items in transit including Controlled Drugs and prescriptions at all times.

Carry out all manual handling tasks in the approved manner and make appropriate use of trolleys and lifting equipment provided.

Ensure that stock is rotated and that adequate stocks are held to meet normal demands whilst preventing wastage due to over-stocking.

Check stocks on a regular basis to ensure that computer records are accurate. Obtain reports within Emis Pharmacy Computer System as required, investigate and report any unexplained discrepancies to the relevant supervising Pharmacy Technician.

Undertake expiry date checking of stock on a rotational basis as appropriate.

Undertake appropriate housekeeping duties when necessary.

Participate in the Trusts Personal Development Review process on at least an annual basis, preparing for and pro-actively contributing to the review with the manager. 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 as allocated for this role.

Follow all departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) at all times, where necessary identifying any aspect of an SOP which could be improved and/or amended to relevant manager.

Be personally responsible for keeping up-to-date with all relevant SOPs, policies and communications within the department and, where appropriate, the Trust as a whole.

Maintain patient confidentiality at all times according to Trust procedure and policy.

Act in a professional, caring and responsible manner at all times ensuring that the needs of patients and all customers of the Pharmacy Service are met.

Able to work occasional weekends and bank holidays.

To undertake any other duties as required by the Chief Pharmacist that are deemed appropriate up to the pay band.

Our Shared Values and Behaviours

We are committed to delivering outstanding care and creating a culture where everyone feels respected, valued and supported. We seek individuals who share our purpose of helping people live healthier, more fulfilling lives, and who are motivated by our mission to be the best team we can be. You will be expected to uphold our values by communicating openly, acting with kindness, showing respect for others and taking responsibility for your actions. These values guide how we work together and continually improve the care we provide.

Our values are:

• Being open and honest we all communicate clearly and honestly, asking for help when we need it, and making it easier for the people around us to share ideas and concerns.
• Ensuring people feel cared for we all take responsibility for actively supporting and nurturing a kind and compassionate environment for ourselves and others.
• Showing respect for everyone we all act with consideration and fairness, valuing each other as individuals and appreciating our different perspectives.

Standard Clauses:

The purpose of this post should remain constant, but the duties and responsibilities may vary over time within the overall role and level of the post. The post holder may from time to time be asked to undertake other reasonable duties. Any such changes will be made in discussion with the post holder in the light of service needs.