Pharmacy Assistant Aseptic Services

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust; Worthing; On-site; GBP 24,000; Full time

Job summary

An established NHS Trust is seeking enthusiastic Pharmacy Assistants to join their Aseptic Team. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to patient care by ensuring the safe and efficient preparation of medicines. No prior experience is required, as comprehensive training will be provided. Ideal candidates will have a minimum of 4 GCSEs, including Maths and English, and a willingness to learn. Join a supportive and diverse team dedicated to putting patients first while benefiting from a range of development opportunities and a commitment to staff wellbeing. Your journey towards a fulfilling career in healthcare starts here.

Benefits

Wellbeing Programme

Flexible working options

Buddy system for new members

Diversity and Inclusion initiatives

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 GCSE's grade C or above including Maths and English.
• NVQ Level 2 in Pharmaceutical Services preferred but training provided.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation of aseptically prepared drugs.
• Provide excellent service ensuring prompt production and supply of medicines.

Skills

Good communication

Able to perform calculations

Education

4 GCSE's A-C including English and Maths

NVQ Level 2 in Pharmaceutical Services

Job description

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Main area: Pharmacy Aseptics Grade: Band 2 Contract: Permanent Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday - Friday 08:30 - 17:00) Job ref: 279-6930335-JAN25

Employer: 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Employer type: NHS Site: Worthing Hospital Town: Worthing Salary: £23,615 per annum Salary period: Yearly Closing: 09/02/2025 23:59

About our Trust

At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First. In fact, our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto, and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work-life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job overview

The Pharmacy Aseptic Team have an exciting opportunity to recruit two enthusiastic and highly motivated Pharmacy Assistants, one at St Richard's and the other at Worthing Hospital. You must be able and willing to help us deliver a safe, efficient and effective service to staff and patients in our hospital and in other healthcare organisations that we serve.

No previous experience in Pharmacy is required as full in-house training will be given. Whilst applicants should ideally have an NVQ level 2 in Pharmaceutical Services, those without will be expected to enrol and will be supported to work towards the appropriate qualification.

Applicants must be resident in the UK for the last 3 years and must not already be in any form of formal government funded education.

Applicants must have a minimum of 4 GCSE's grade C or above (or equivalent), to include Maths and English Language. It is essential that you meet the entry criteria for the qualifications as detailed above. Even if higher qualifications have been gained (e.g., A levels/diploma/degree), you should ensure that you clearly state on the application form the GCSE qualifications (or equivalent must be certified) and the grades covering Maths and English. Certificates will be requested at interview.

Main duties of the job

As part of the Pharmacy team based in Aseptics, you will provide an excellent service to the Trust ensuring prompt and efficient production and supply of medicines. You will need to have a professional outlook and be able to demonstrate excellent organisational and communication skills.

Main Duties will include:

• Assisting with the production of labels, worksheets and the assembly of required materials.
• Disinfection of ingredients and materials for use in isolators.
• Preparing a range of aseptic products in a negative isolator.
• Working accurately and methodically in a busy unit to deliver treatments on time.
• Performing effectively under pressure with an excellent eye for detail.
• Carrying out training with other pharmacy assistants to perform environmental monitoring and cleaning of the isolators & rooms.
• Accurately dispensing outsourced IV treatments.
• Participating in our late, weekend and bank holiday rotas.

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Duties:

• To assist in the preparation of batch sheets, labels and relevant documentation as required for the production of aseptically prepared drugs in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures.
• To assemble worksheets/labels and ingredients for the preparation.
• To transfer items for production into clean rooms having satisfactorily completed aseptic assessment and validation.
• To participate in the preparation of aseptically dispensed products, having satisfactorily completed an aseptic technique assessment and validation.
• To assist in maintaining environmental monitoring records, cleaning records and other documentation processes as needed.
• To assist in carrying out cleaning as necessary.
• To dispense on occasions in-patient and out-patient prescriptions in accordance with departmental procedures.
• To assist in ensuring that all records of production are made and filed appropriately.
• To assist with regular stock checks.
• To undertake appropriate units of NVQ Level 2 qualification.

-- Please see Job Description & Person Specs for full details --

Person specification

Qualifications

• 4 GCSE's A-C including English, Maths
• NVQ Level 2 in Pharmaceutical Services

Knowledge

• Good communication
• Experience of working in an aseptic unit

Skills

• Able to perform calculations

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

Important information for applicants

Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.

DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.

Closing adverts early: Please apply as early as you're able for this role. In the event of exceptional interest we may close adverts earlier than specified.

UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

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.

Contact Information:

Name: Debbie Setterfield Job title: Lead Pharmacy Technician E&T Aseptic Services Email address: [e-mail] Telephone number: 01903 205111

For further information contact Debbie Setterfield at [e-mail] or call 01903 205111 ext 84065.