Senior Pharmacy Assistant - Aseptic Services

University Hospitals Dorset; Poole; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals Dorset in Poole is inviting applications for the Senior Pharmacy Assistant - Aseptic Services (Band 3). Based at Poole Hospital, the post supports the aseptic unit and the preparation of cancer patient chemotherapy in a busy hospital pharmacy.

The role requires at least 4 GCSEs including Maths, English and Science at Grade C/4 or above, plus NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services. A strong focus on organisation, teamwork and a career in Pharmacy is essential.

Qualifications

• GCSEs including Maths, English and Science at Grade C/4 or above.
• NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services (or equivalent).
• Good organisational and interpersonal skills, team player, able to work independently.

Responsibilities

• To aseptically prepare dispensed medicines.
• To select and assemble drugs and consumables.
• To monitor temperatures within the aseptic unit clean rooms.
• To undertake stock management.
• To ensure high standards of cleanliness are met.

Education

GCSEs including Maths, English and Science

NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services

Job description

Senior Pharmacy Assistant - Aseptic Services

Band 3

Main area Pharmacy - Aseptic Services Grade Band 3 Contract Permanent Hours

• Full time
• Part time
• Job share

37.5 hours per week (8:30am - 5pm Daily) Job ref 153-SP06942

Department name 01. UHD - General Recruitment Site Poole Hospital Town Poole Salary £25,760 - £27,476 pa/pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 20/10/2026 23:59 Interview date 28/10/2026

As University Hospitals Dorset we are a three site acute trust with ‘university hospital’ status through our partnership with Bournemouth University, working with an annual budget of £730m.

We offer highly regarded health services, employing some 10,000 staff. Our ambitious £500m transformation programme is well on the way to delivering state-of-the-art facilities over the next two years to meet the current and future healthcare needs of the populations we serve.

In an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with over seven miles of sandy beaches you’ll find inspirational opportunities to achieve your perfect work/life balance. With the New Forest and the Purbecks on our doorstep, we’re also less than three hours from London by road or train. The thriving towns of Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch give way to idyllic villages and unspoilt landscapes just minutes from our hospitals.

We believe that having a diverse workforce, and allowing people to be themselves, is essential in ensuring we offer an inclusive, welcoming and productive place to work.

We especially welcome applications from minority groups in the community who may be underrepresented in our workforce.

At UHD our active staff network groups are the Women's Network, Black Asian Minority Ethnic Group (BAME), Pride Network, European (EU), Pro Ability Staff Network, and the Armed Forces Support Group.

As a Trust we are proudly signed up to the Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant guaranteed interview schemes.

We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support the preparation of their application. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of your own experience and suitability. Personal integrity is an important part of the recruitment process.

Job overview

We are looking for enthusiastic, reliable, motivated individuals who would like to work in the aseptic unit of the hospital pharmacy, we prepare the cancer patient chemotherapy.

Applicant would need least 4 GCSEs including Maths, English and Science at Grade C/4 or above or equivalent.

The successful candidate must have good organisational and interpersonal skills, be a team player, able to work individually whilst knowing their own limitations, who is comfortable working for a small team within a large department and able to demonstrate that they are committed to a career in Pharmacy.

This post requires participation in the late/earlies, weekend and bank holiday rota.

We would consider part-time hours or job shares.

If you wish to view the department or book a visit. Please call Denise on 0300 019 3575

Base Location: Poole Hospital

Please note we are unable to offer sponsorship for this position.

Main duties of the job

To support professional and technical staff in the aseptic manufacture of cytotoxic agents and to ensure provision of an efficient Pharmacy service, including good housekeeping and general administration duties. All duties are supervised by qualified staff.

• To aseptically prepare dispensed medicines.
• To select and assemble drugs and consumables.
• To monitor temperatures within the aseptic unit clean rooms.
• To undertake stock management.
• To ensure high standards of cleanliness are met.

Working for our organisation

UHD are investing, developing and transforming Trust services in line with the New Hospital Programme. As part of this, some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or permanently. Recruiting Managers will be happy to answer any service-specific questions at interview.

If a role or service relocates as part of a planned move, excess mileage will not be reimbursed. Travel from home to the new work base will be classed as a normal commute. Any other changes will be managed under Trust or national terms and conditions.

UHD has active networks including Women’s, DEN, Pride, EU, Pro Ability, and Armed Forces. We support Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant interview schemes.

AI tools may be used, but applications must honestly reflect your own skills and experience. Integrity is key to our recruitment process.

Applicants on Graduate visa - will not automatically qualify for sponsorship at the end of the graduate visa. Their employment will come to an end unless they move to Position which attracts a salary of mid point band 5 or higher.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To understand the role in more detail please read the full job description and person specification documents which are attached to this advert.

Watch the following video to understand more about this role

• Able to work using own initiative and as part of a team
• Accurate, numerate
• Demonstrable ability to work in a busy environment

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 GCSE’s including Maths, English & Science. Grade 4 (C) or above
• NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services (or equivalent)

Experience

• Previous Pharmacy experience
• Experience of working within Health and Safety and COSHH regulations
• Previous Aseptic experience

Please note:

Staff recruited are expected to be available to work flexibly across all our Trust locations to meet service demands.

COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and our patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst this vaccination is not a condition of employment we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated.

Internal Candidates: staff employed prior to merger who voluntarily change jobs will be appointed to UHD terms and conditions.

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.