Pharmacy Assistant - Aseptic Unit

Transformation Unit; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting an Aseptic Unit Pharmacy Assistant (Band 2) at Preston. Training will be provided; you will prepare injectable medicines in clean rooms to GMP standards and support the wider pharmaceutical team.

The role involves attention to detail, dexterity with syringes, and flexibility to work evenings and bank holidays on a rota. GCSEs and NVQ 2 in pharmaceutical science are required or equivalent.

Qualifications

• GCSE in English and Maths (minimum).
• NVQ 2 in pharmaceutical science or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Prepare a wide range of injectable products in aseptic units, including chemotherapy and parenteral nutrition, using specialist equipment in clean rooms.
• Follow GMP and SOPs; gown, clean, label, measure, calculate and dispense as required.
• Communicate information effectively and support quality assurance activities.
• Work flexible hours including one evening per week and bank holidays on a rota.

Skills

Dexterity

Attention to detail

GMP awareness

Cleanroom procedures

Teamwork

Education

GCSE English

GCSE Maths

NVQ 2 in pharmaceutical science

Tools

Computer systems for data management

Job description

Employer Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Royal Preston Hospital Town Preston Salary £25,272 Per Annum, Pro Rata Salary period Yearly Closing 21/10/2026 23:59

Pharmacy Assistant - Aseptic Unit

Band 2

Job overview

Are you good at practical tasks? Would you like a role in the NHS that prepares medicines for patients? Here we will fully train you to become Aseptic Unit Pharmacy Assistant where your rewarding role will be to prepare a range of injectable medicines.

You will work as a member of a friendly, highly skilled team of people all working to deliver products that are consistently produced and controlled to a particular quality standard (Good Manufacturing Practice GMP).

You will have good literacy and numeracy skills in addition to good dexterity to handle syringes and needles for accurate measurements of injections, working to procedures at all times. There are opportunities for further training and development.

Pharmacy experience is not essential as full training for the role is provided

You will be required to work one evening per week until 7pm and bank holidays on a rota.

Main duties of the job

The role will involve the preparation of a wide range of injectable products such as; chemotherapy, parenteral nutrition, antibiotics. To do this requires the use of specialist equipment and working within clean rooms. Adhering to strict clothing and personal hygiene procedures is essential and you will have to meet the highest standards of discipline, attention to detail and clean room behaviours.

Medicines are manufactured under the Trust’s ‘Specials’ Licence granted by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The Manufacturing units operate under the name of Preston Pharmaceuticals (PP), and include Non Sterile Medicines Manufacture, Radiopharmacy and Aseptic Services, and an Extemporaneous Dispensing Service.

Working for our organisation

We have 10,000 fantastic people working hard to deliver quality services to our patients. Whatever your role, you help look after 370,000 people in our local area & give specialist care to 1.5 million people across Lancashire & Cumbria.

Working with us gives you the knowledge and sense of pride that every activity you do genuinely does make a difference to support our patients & staff, ensuring we keep thriving & delivering outstanding healthcare right across our local towns.

You’ll have access to varied development opportunities, learn new skills, meet fab people & do things you’d never have done. You’ll learn about working in a hospital, interacting with people from all different roles to build skills & enhance your career path.

You’ll make an impact, be challenged to think differently, be bold & help innovate to keep improving things. Everything we do centres around patient care and enhancing their experience which means your role is pivotal and something really to be proud of.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Duties will include but not be limited to:

• To communicate routine Information effectively; verbally, in writing and where appropriate using electronic formats, with colleagues and internal staff on the manufacture of sterile products.
• Use technical and analytical skills to support several quality assurance aspects of the service.
• You will be required to follow a work plan but also to work flexibly to support the changing priorities within the department on a day to day basis.
• To operate Aseptic production and office equipment. Move and handle equipment and materials using agreed procedures
• Contribute to error monitoring
• Following Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and documented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS) at all times the post holder will undertake a range of duties involved in the Aseptic manufacture of pharmaceutical products, including: Cleanroom gowning and cleaning (cleanrooms and equipment), labelling, measuring, calculating and compounding

What this Opportunity means:

• Full and extensive training
• A friendly and safe working environment (See our Trust Values)
• Staff support, Health and Wellbeing, occupational Health

Person specification

Qualifications

• GCSE minimum grade c in English and Maths or equivalent
• NVQ 2 in pharmaceutical science or equivalent

Knowledge

• Awareness of Good Manufacturing and Laboratory Practice and the regulations surrounding Pharmaceutical Manufacture.
• COSHH Regulations and Health & Safety at Work Act.
• Experience of following written instructions
• Experience of Pharmaceutical Manufacture in either a hospital or industrial environment or aseptic dispensing services.
• Knowledge of clean room design and functioning
• Use of Computer systems for data management and storage

We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership, neurodiversity or veteran status are encouraged to apply for this post. Our Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is available Here

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when writing job applications

If you choose to use AI or other tools to assist in writing your application, it's essential to personalise this information, particularly your supporting information section. While AI can help streamline the writing process, these tools cannot fully grasp the context or requirements of the job you’re applying for. There is also a risk that it can generate false or misleading information.
AI-generated job applications can often be generic, impersonal and may not accurately reflect your qualifications, knowledge, skills, and experiences. It is crucial that you personalise your supporting statement by articulating these in your unique voice. Relying solely on AI to write your application or supporting information section is not advocated by Lancashire Teaching Hospitals and could negatively impact your chances of success in the application process.

We have added a disclaimer to our application process advising that the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Supporting Information

The supporting information section is an opportunity for you to showcase how your qualifications, knowledge, skill and experiences align with the requirements and criteria outlined in the job description and person.
Our recruiting managers score applications based on the criteria listed in the person specification. They will be looking for evidence of how you meet these criteria. To increase your chances of securing an interview, provide examples of how you have applied your skills and knowledge in real-life situations. Share work-related successes and challenges you’ve navigated that align with the criteria. These could be from various aspects of your life, including work, education, and personal experiences.
Consider structuring your supporting information section with clear headings or bullet points. This approach will help both you and the recruiting manager navigate through your application more effectively.

Working Smarter pledge

We are reminded everyday of how important life is, so as part of our Working Smarter pledge we offer a variety of flexible working options and wellbeing support to enable our people to find and maintain the right work-life balance.

Secondments

If you are applying for a secondment role please ensure you have agreement from your current line manager prior to attending an interview. Also please ensure you have read the LTHTR Secondment Policy. A copy of this can be found on the intranet or by contacting [e-mail]

Please note a young person must be in part-time education or training until they’re 18. therefore if you are under 18 we are unable to employ you on a full time basis, unless it is in an apprenticeship role.

Disclosure and Barring Service checks

If the role you’ve applied for requires a Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check we will administer this on your behalf and the cost will be recovered from your salary, either as a one-off payment, or over 3 months. The level of check required depends on the role that you have been offered. Currently the charges are - Basic DBS check £26.40 Standard DBS check £26.40 and Enhanced DBS check £54.40. You should be aware that if you are successful in obtaining a position that requires a DBS check but later withdraw your application, you may be required to reimburse the cost of the DBS check. DBS checks remain free of charge for volunteer positions. The DBS Code of Practice can be accessed here .

In line with guidance from United Kingdom Health Security Agency, all staff and volunteers are required to comply with Trust Infection Prevention and Control processes in relation to safe working. This includes mask wearing and adherence to social distancing at all Trust sites.

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We look forward to hearing from you soon!