Senior / Pharmacy Assistant - Aseptic Services
At NNUH it is our privilege to provide healthcare to over one million people across Norfolk and surrounding areas. Our vision is to ‘provide the best care for every patient’, and if this inspires you and you share our values, we really want you to join our team.
NNUH is currently the busiest Trauma Unit in the East of England caring for almost 850 trauma patients annually many with complex care needs. We are enhancing our urgent and emergency care specialist services for patients with significant injuries as a result of trauma and have an ambition to become a Major Trauma Centre.
Our values support our vision and guide the behaviour of everything we do, these are:
People-focused
We look after the needs of our patients, carers and colleagues, to provide a safe and caring experience for all.
Respect
We act with care, compassion and kindness and value others’ diverse needs.
Integrity
We take an honest, open and ethical approach to everything we do.
Dedication
We work as one team and support each other to maintain the highest professional standards.
Excellence
We continuously learn and improve to achieve the best outcomes for our patients and our hospital.
Wish you were here? So do we.
We want all our staff to achieve a balance between work and personal life and understand how important flexible working can be. We welcome applications on a full or part time basis, various shift patterns and hybrid working, where roles allow.
At the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NNUH), we know the benefits diversity can bring to our organisation such as creativity, innovation and compassion. All of which have a direct impact towards our staff and patient experience.We are committed to being a Hospital for All – being equitable and inclusive, and a place where all feel a sense of belonging. We therefore particularly encourage and welcome applications from candidates who are underrepresented in NNUH’s workforce.
These include people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, people with diverse abilities and people within the LGBT+ community.
Job overview
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 30 hrs per week to meet apprenticeship entry requirements.
Working for our organisation
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:
- Flexible working hours
- 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
- Support in career development
- Flexible staff bank
- Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars, Cycle to Work scheme and home electronics
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.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- GCSE or equivalent passes in Maths, English and Science
- NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services
Skills
Essential criteria- Able to record information accurately
Attitude, aptitude
Essential criteria- 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
The Job Description, which includes a Person Specification, provides a full outline of responsibilities and requirements for this role. Please use your supporting statement to demonstrate how you meet the person specification.
Visa and Immigration
If you are wishing to apply for this role and would require sponsorship (this includes if you are already in a sponsored post and looking to change employer), you can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for this post by assessing your circumstances against criteria specified on the gov.uk website https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/your-job.
Travelling to work
Staff parking is available onsite; however, this is limited during core working hours. We have more capacity in the evening and at weekends and can usually provide spaces during those hours.
We look to allocate these spaces fairly. Our Travel Office have a set of criteria that staff must meet in order to qualify. If you qualify for a space, you may be placed on a waiting list if we are at full capacity.
The NNUH is served by a number of public buses, and we offer generously discounted monthly passes with First Bus & Konect.
The Costessey Park and Ride runs regularly each day from 06:30 (from P&R) to 20:45 (from NNUH) and this service is free for NHS staff. There is a regular Thickthorn P&R service as well which is free. Applications to the Travel Office are required for this service.We also have a discounted service from the airport P&R if you purchase a bundle. Please see Konect website for further details.
The NNUH host multiple bicycle racks and a salary sacrifice scheme. We also benefit from a Beryl station onsite.
If you work at another Trust site, please discuss travel and parking arrangements at interview.
DBS
If this post involves working with children or adults the application form will ask for information regarding previous convictions as you will be required to undertake a Criminal Record and Barring Check known as a DBS check.
If you are a new employee or registering with the Staff Bank you will need to meet the cost of this unless your salary is less than point 9 of Afc
NHS Service
Should you be appointed to the post we will need to establish any previous NHS service via the ESR IAT and we will accept the submission of your application as your agreement to this.
UK Registration
You will need to have current UK professional registration where this is a requirement of the role.
Application
Following candidate feedback and to reduce our dependency on paper, all our communication with you regarding your application will be by email so could you please check your e-mails (and Spam) regularly.
We value equality in our team and recruit from all sections of the community. We recognise there is a wealth of talent among people who have a disability and if you meet the minimum criteria detailed in the person specification and have a disability, you may wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme by indicating this in the relevant section on your application.
We look forward to receiving your application and if you do not hear within the next four weeks this will usually mean that you have not been short-listed. However, if you wish to confirm this please contact the person indicated on the advert.
Flexibility
Whilst every effort will be made to recruit to the post as it is advertised, there may be occasions where we consider alternative working patterns, such as part time working, or contract types, such as secondments, depending on circumstances.Should you wish to work in a different working pattern to that stated in our advertisement, please indicate this in the supporting statement to your application.
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