Senior Pharmacy Support Worker

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust; Southampton; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Part time

Job summary

A major acute teaching hospital in Southampton seeks a Senior Pharmacy Support Worker. The role involves organising microbiological monitoring samples, managing stock, and having supervision responsibilities. Candidates must have relevant qualifications and experience in pharmacy. The position offers a salary between £24,937 and £26,598 pro rata, with flexible working options available.

Qualifications

• Must have previous pharmacy experience or supervisory experience.
• Ability to commit to in-house training within 6 months.
• Health and physical abilities for handling packages up to 15kg.

Responsibilities

• Organising microbiological monitoring samples.
• Tracking samples during incubation and interpreting results.
• Managing stock and staff rotas.

Skills

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Supervision

Pharmacy knowledge

Education

2 GCSE's or equivalent in English and Maths

NVQ 2 in Pharmacy

Job description

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Closing date: 09 October 2025

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will be organising microbiological monitoring samples, tracking them during incubation, reading and interpreting the results, entering results into our computer database, and reporting summarised results to the services.

As a senior pharmacy support worker, you will also have responsibility for stock management and staff rotas ensuring that all the required tasks are covered by a competent member of the team.

The Quality Assurance lab supports our 5 pharmacy manufacturing services, preparing specialist sterile medicines for some of the most complex patients in the hospital, each with dedicated clean room facilities. The services together employ around 60 staff and produce 150,000 doses per year.

If you\'re practically minded, organised and with an eye for detail, enjoy taking responsibility for your own work and being part of a team, this post is ideally suited for you.

All Pharmacy Support Workers take part in the Saturday morning, Bank Holiday and extended hours rotas. Part time working will be considered.

About us

University Hospital Southampton is one of England\'s largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.

Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalizing your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

At UHS we\'re committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.

At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognizing that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We\'re committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.

Job responsibilities

The successful applicant will be organising microbiological monitoring samples, tracking them during incubation, reading and interpreting the results, entering results into our computer database, and reporting summarised results to the services.

As a senior pharmacy support worker, you will also have responsibility for stock management and staff rotas ensuring that all the required tasks are covered by a competent member of the team.

The Quality Assurance lab supports our 5 pharmacy manufacturing services, preparing specialist sterile medicines for some of the most complex patients in the hospital, each with dedicated clean room facilities. The services together employ around 60 staff and produce 150,000 doses per year.

If you\'re practically minded, organised and with an eye for detail, enjoy taking responsibility for your own work and being part of a team, this post is ideally suited for you.

All Pharmacy Support Workers take part in the Saturday morning, Bank Holiday and extended hours rotas. Part time working will be considered.

Person Specification

Trust Values

• Always Improving
• Working Together

Qualifications, knowledge and experience

• 2 GCSE\'s or equivalent grades A* - C or 4-9 in English and Maths (If qualifications gained outside the UK evidence of equivalent standards must be demonstrated at interview)
• NVQ 2 in Pharmacy or other Level 2 approved GPhC qualification for pharmacy support staff
• Supervisory qualification or equivalent demonstrable experience of supervision
• Previous pharmacy experience (hospital or community) or supervisory experience
• Must be able to commit to completing \"in-house\" training programme within 6 months of starting. Opportunities to progress are available but may require additional qualifications to meet eligibility criteria to undertake additional qualifications
• Must be able to work late evenings, bank holidays and weekend working according to rota requirements
• Health and physical abilities sufficient for the post (if necessary with reasonable adjustments with respect to the Equality Act/Disability Discrimination Act)
• Required to lift and handle packages, weighing up to 15kg on a repetitive basis. (Reasonable adjustment may be made) Required to move pallets weighing between 500 and 600kg using an unpowered pallet truck daily (Receipts posts only)
• Other healthcare qualifications
• GCSEs in science-based or other role specific relevant subjects
• Previous experience in health or social care (if not pharmacy)
• Experience in stock control i.e., receiving, maintaining and / or issuing stock
• Clinical trials or research experience (Clinical trials only)
• Use of till and / or handling money in a work environment (RSH posts only)

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.

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust

£24,937 to £26,598 a yearPer Annum (PA) Pro Rata