Senior / Pharmacy Assistant - Aseptic Services

Job overview

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital is a modern forward thinking large teaching hospital employing 10,000 staff and offering a full medical service to a population of over 570,000.  It has strong links with both the School of Pharmacy with onsite teacher practitioner posts and the Medical School at the nearby University of East Anglia.

To support an expansion of chemotherapy services at the NNUH we have received new funding for our Aseptics department to enable us to increase capacity.

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.

The hours of work are 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday with a current requirement to work one weekend day every ten weeks in the dispensary and to cover three bank holidays annually in the Aseptic Services Unit.  All rotas are subject to review at any time.  Part-time hours will be considered but must be for a minimum of 30 hours per week to meet apprenticeship entry requirements.

If you would like and further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Interview date: 21st May 2025

Main duties of the job

If you do not already have the required skills/qualifications, 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.

If you already hold a level 2 accredited pharmacy qualification, you will start at Band 3.

If you are new to pharmacy or have already gained a level 2 accredited pharmacy qualification and would like to provide a great service to NNUH patients then we would be delighted to receive your application.  If you have previous experience working in hospital pharmacy, community pharmacy or a dispensing doctor’s practice and would like to complete the Level 2 Science Manufacturing Process Operative apprenticeship then this would be 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 with fortnightly teaching sessions and protected time given to study. The course length is 12 – 18 months. Once qualified the successful applicant will transition from a band 2 to band 3.

Detailed job description and main 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.