Pharmacy Support Worker Higher Level Aseptic Operator

NHS National Services Scotland; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave

NHS Pension Scheme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Learning and development opportunities

Job summary

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is seeking a Pharmacy Support Worker Higher Level Aseptic Operator to join the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow. You will manufacture aseptically, supervise PSWs, and ensure products meet GMP standards.

The role is a permanent, full-time position (36 hours/week) with 5 days over 7 and weekend/public holiday rotation. NHS benefits apply, including generous annual leave and pension scheme.

Qualifications

• General education is essential with numeracy and literacy skills (3 Standard Grade Qualifications including English and Maths).
• SVQ Pharmacy Level 2 is not essential but the successful candidate should be willing to work towards it.
• Good communication and teamwork are essential; previous pharmacy experience is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Aseptically prepare pharmaceuticals and restricted products requiring QA checks or automation.
• Supervise and manage Pharmacy Support Workers in routine duties, sanitation, stock control and validation.
• Participate in staff training and support students; ensure QA checks of unlicensed medicines comply with regulations.

Skills

Communication skills

Team player

Numeracy

English language

Education

3 Standard Grade Qualifications including English and Maths

SVQ Pharmacy Level 2 (not essential)

Job description

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is one of the largest healthcare systems in the United Kingdom, employing approximately 40,000 staff across a wide range of clinical and non-clinical professions and roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental health services to a population of over 1.15 million people, and to a wider population of 2.2 million when regional and national services are included.

Previous applicants need not apply.

The role:

Our team aseptically prepare over 50,000 injectable medicine doses per year from our large aseptic suite at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow. These items include parenteral nutrition, chemotherapy and clinical trials. In addition, we have an MHRA specials license to enable batch manufacture of IV products with an extended expiration date. We are leading the way in aseptic practice using state of the art technology and providing exceptional training to our staff.

We currently have a team of 36 staff including Pharmacy Support Workers, Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacists who take great pride in delivering critical medicines across NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde. We are now looking for a new and enthusiastic Pharmacy Support Worker Higher Level Aseptic Operator to join us. You will undertake the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, ensuring all products are prepared following quality guidelines and current Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) to ensure patients receive products which are fit for use.

Duration, Location, and Working Pattern:

This is a permanent, full time post of 36 hours per week.

The role is based at Royal Hospital For Children.

The shift pattern is 5 days over 7. Weekend working and participation in public holiday rotas is also required.

Key responsibilities:

You will also aseptically prepare restricted products that require further checks or automation of the process e.g. Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) Pump filling machine and aseptically dispense items under section 10 manufacturing and MSL batches.

You will supervise and manage Pharmacy Support Workers (PSWs) in the completion of routine duties such as accurate and safe assembly of products, disinfection and transfer of aseptic ingredients, stock control, environmental monitoring and validation (process and operator) and ensure staff training records are completed. You will also participate in the training of new staff and students.

You will supervise the carrying out of Quality Assurance (QA) checks of unlicensed medicines received directly from manufacturers, and check compliance with relevant regulations.

Knowledge, training, qualifications and/or experience required to do the job:

General education is essential, alongside basic numeracy and literacy skills demonstrated by 3 Standard Grade Qualifications or equivalent (which must include English and Maths) these are essential.

An SVQ Pharmacy Level 2 qualification or equivalent is not essential however you must be willing to work towards this if you are the successful candidate.

Good communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team are essential. Previous pharmacy experience is desirable.

What we offer:

We offer a wide range of supportive policies designed to enhance your employee journey, including a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme, bursary scheme and extensive learning and development opportunities.

As an NHS Scotland employee, you will be entitled to:

• A minimum of 27 days annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus public holidays
• Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme, including life insurance benefits
• Salary Sacrifice Car Benefit Scheme
• Development opportunities including study bursaries, e-learning and classroom-based courses
• Enhanced pay for working public holidays
• NHS discounts on a wide range of goods and services
• Confidential employee support and assistance, including counselling and psychological therapies

From 1 April 2026, the Agenda for Change full-time working week will reduce from 37 hours to 36 hours. Part-time working hours will be reduced on a pro‑rata basis. A corresponding increase in the hourly rate will apply, ensuring that overall pay remains unchanged.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde recognises the importance of work-life balance and is committed to offering a range of flexible working options where service needs allow. For roles where less than full‑time hours can be accommodated, and where the tenure is listed as various, we encourage applications from individuals seeking flexible working arrangements. Flexible working will be included as a topic for discussion during the recruitment process.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde encourages applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and are proud of the diverse workforce we employ.

Armed Forces Covenant, NHSGGC has pledged its commitment to being a Forces Friendly Employer. We welcome applications from across the Armed Forces Community and recognise military skills, experience and qualifications throughout the recruitment and selection process.

Candidates must provide original and authentic responses to all questions within the application form. The use of artificial intelligence (AI), automated tools or other third‑party assistance to generate, draft or significantly modify responses is strongly discouraged. By submitting your application, you confirm that all answers are your own work, reflect your personal knowledge, skills and experience, and have not been solely produced or altered by AI or similar technologies. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in your application being withdrawn from the recruitment process.