Pharmacy Aseptic Services Apprentice

NHS; Dorchester; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic pharmacy team as a Pharmacy Aseptic Services Apprentice at NHS. This role involves preparing cytotoxic drugs and participating in essential pharmacy duties under professional supervision. Ideal for motivated individuals with a strong education background eager to develop their skills in a state-of-the-art facility.

Qualifications

• Must be willing to undertake a Science Manufacturing Technician apprenticeship.
• Experience in a pharmacy environment is preferred.
• Ability to work methodically and with minimum supervision.

Responsibilities

• Participate in preparing cytotoxic drugs and coordinating work in Aseptic Unit.
• Perform general pharmacy duties under supervision.
• Maintain safety and cleanliness within the pharmacy workspace.

Skills

Communication

Initiative

Attention to Detail

Teamwork

Flexibility

Education

GCSE grade C or above in Mathematics and English

NVQ level 2 in Pharmacy Services

Job description

Go back Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Pharmacy Aseptic Services Apprentice

The closing date is 15 July 2025

Are you an enthusiastic and motivated individual, looking for an opportunity to join our established Aseptic Team within the Pharmacy Department? We have an exciting opportunity for someone to be part of our dynamic and innovative pharmacy team, to join us as a Pharmacy Aseptic Services Apprentice.

Please be aware that this role isnot CURRENTLY eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants should be aware of the requirement to independently obtain ongoing right to work in the UK beyond the expiry of any temporary or time-limited permissions. Evidence of this will need to be shared with the HR Team to ensure our records remain up to date.

Main duties of the job

Under the supervision of a Pharmacist or Principal Technician you will be involved in a broad range of activities in the Pharmacy department. You will participate in the preparation of worksheets and cytotoxic drugs in the Pharmacy Aseptic Unit and will assist the Principal Technician in coordinating work and cleaning in the Suite to ensure an efficient and safe supply of medicines to service users.

You will have received a good standard of general education and have attained a GCSE grade C or above in Mathematics and English (or equivalent). You must be qualified to NVQ level 2 in Pharmacy Services or be willing to undertake a Science Manufacturing Technician apprenticeship or equivalent qualification within an agreed timescale, which will include doing a proportion of work in your own time in order to achieve this.

You will possess excellent communication skills, be self-motivated, have a flexible approach to work and be open to changing practices. You will need to be able to work well under pressure, have excellent attention to detail. You must be able to work as part of a team but also able demonstrate initiative and work in a professional and timely manner. Computer literacy is required although appropriate training on pharmacy systems will be provided.

About us

The purpose-built Pharmacy provides a clinical pharmacy service to Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Dorset University Foundation Trust (DHUFT). The dispensary has been recently refurbished and is now a state of the art pharmacy with the benefits of a new ARX robot installation, a Prescription Tracking System (PTS) with full electronic prescribing and medicines administration throughout the hospital. We are currently developing links between Primary and Secondary care to streamline continuity of care between service providers ensuring better patient care.

Dorset County Hospital isn't just a great place to work, but a great place to live. Situated within easy walking distance of the historic town of Dorchester, which is eight miles from the spectacular Jurassic Coast ideal for sports and outdoor activities. It is also within easy reach of areas of outstanding natural beauty such as the New Forest, the natural harbour of Poole, and one of Britain's best beaches at Bournemouth.

We are a Trust that celebrates diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We would welcome applications from people in groups which are under-represented in our organisation. We are an innovative forward thinking department entering an exciting new phase. If you have the drive and enthusiasm and are committed to providing a positive difference to the care of our patients then we look forward to hearing from you.

Job responsibilities

General

• To perform a variety of general pharmacy duties under the supervision of a pharmacist, technician or senior assistant in the designated areas, which will include the pharmacy Aseptic suite, main dispensary and ward areas.
• To work independently following standard operating procedures (SOPs) after successfully completing competency assessments.
• To undertake general housekeeping to maintain a clean, tidy and safe working environment.
• To have shared responsibility for reducing waste and expenditure.
• To assist in the training of other staff members to achieve the required competencies.
• To assist in the upkeep and maintenance of documentation including SOPs.
• To be proactive in identifying improved more efficient methods of working.
• Monitor and advise senior colleagues regarding non-conformance within the department.
• To promote Health & Safety and quality issues within the pharmacy service

Aseptic Suite

• To be part of a team of pharmacists, technicians and assistants providing a timely and accurate supply of aseptically prepared intravenous pharmaceuticals to wards and departments.
• Prepare worksheets for the preparation of aseptic products
• To work in a clean room environment using isolators to manufacture cytotoxic drugs
• To participate in the preparation and reconstitution of cytotoxic drugs and monoclonal antibodies using approved protocols, guidelines and SOPs
• Carry out assembly, spraying in and packing of aseptically prepared and cytotoxic items
• To assist the senior technician to co-ordinate work within the aseptic suite
• To assist in the daily/monthly cleaning of the unit according to procedures and to supervise and train other staff in these procedures
• Assist with the receipt and storage of deliveries of pharmaceutical goods for clinical trials according to the requirements of GCP
• Dispense clinical trial medication according to SOPs
• Complete all relevant clinical trial paperwork
• Ensure all clinical trial folders are updated with the most recent documentation

Our DCHFT Job Description and Person Specification (attached) tells you all about this role, what to expect and what is needed to succeed. When completing your application please make sure to tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification.

Please contact us at [e-mail] if you are unable to view or download the attachment.

For all our roles, we are looking for staff who hold our Trust Values of Integrity, Respect Teamwork and Excellence, and who are passionate about providing the best patient care. To read more about our Trust and our Values search Dorset County Hospital online.

Person Specification

Education, Qualifications & Training

• Evidence of good level of education to include GCSE grade C in Mathematics, Science and English (or equivalent qualifications)
• Qualified to NVQ level 2 or 3 in Pharmacy Services AND/OR willing to undertake and achieve a Science Manufacturing Technician apprenticeship or equivalent qualification within an agreed timescale

Knowledge & Experience

• Evidence of general work experience
• Evidence of work experience in a pharmacy environment
• Evidence of previous hospital experience

Skills & Abilities

• Enthusiastic, motivated and able to use initiative and work with minimum supervision
• Ability to work methodically and accurately under pressure
• Ability to organise and prioritise own workload in order to meet deadlines
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Excellent communication skills both oral and written
• Ability to have a flexible approach to work and to be open to changing practices
• Good analytical, judgmental and interpersonal skills
• Excellent spoken and written English Language skills
• Computer literacy and keyboard skills

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

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

£24,625 to £25,674 a yearPro Rata Per Annum