Job summary
The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital is a modern forward thinking large teaching hospital employing 10,000 staff and offering a full medical service to a population of over 570,000. It has strong links with both the School of Pharmacy with onsite teacher practitioner posts and the Medical School at the nearby University of East Anglia.
To support an expansion of chemotherapy services at the NNUH we have received new funding for our Aseptics department to enable us to increase capacity.
The Pharmacy Department provides a fully comprehensive pharmaceutical service across the Trust and to a number of external community units. We are a large and very busy department with over 180 members of staff including pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy assistants, admin and clerical staff and apprentices. There are many varied roles and we all work as a team to provide the different functions and services whilst maintaining a high level of patient care.
The hours of work are 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday with a current requirement to work one weekend day every ten weeks in the dispensary and to cover three bank holidays annually in the Aseptic Services Unit. All rotas are subject to review at any time. Part-time hours will be considered but must be for a minimum of 30 hours per week to meet apprenticeship entry requirements.
If you would like and further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Interview date: 21st May 2025
Main duties of the job
If you do not already have the required skills/qualifications, this post is an exciting opportunity to join us as a Band 2 Pharmacy Assistant and develop the required knowledge and skills to become a Band 3 Senior Pharmacy Assistant. Support, training, and assessment will enable you to achieve the core and enhanced competencies required for the post.
If you already hold a level 2 accredited pharmacy qualification, you will start at Band 3.
If you are new to pharmacy or have already gained a level 2 accredited pharmacy qualification and would like to provide a great service to NNUH patients then we would be delighted to receive your application. If you have previous experience working in hospital pharmacy, community pharmacy or a dispensing doctor's practice and would like to complete the Level 2 Science Manufacturing Process Operative apprenticeship then this would be a great opportunity to advance your career. Full training will be given in all areas to ensure you can provide the best service possible.
The apprenticeship is delivered via an online classroom with fortnightly teaching sessions and protected time given to study. The course length is 12 - 18 months. Once qualified the successful applicant will transition from a band 2 to band 3.
About us
Join us at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and be part of a workforce of over 10,000 staff!
The NNUH is one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK, providing first-class acute care for around one million people, living in Norfolk and surrounding areas. We are a teaching and research hospital, at the forefront of innovation, home to state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Quadram Institute. We are pleased to work closely with the University of East Anglia, providing teaching opportunities for our staff and placement opportunities for their students. We attract some of the best and leading professionals from across the country and are proud that our workforce represents 94 countries from across the world.
We are a friendly, collaborative hospital, working with local services and home to N&N Hospitals Charity
We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition:
- Flexible working hours
- Fast Track Staff Physiotherapy Service
- Multi Faith prayer room
- Discounted gym memberships
- Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
- Wagestream - access up to 40% of your pay as you earn it
- Free Park & Ride service direct to NNUH site
- Free 24-hours confidential counselling support
- On-site Nursery
- On-site cafes offering staff discounts
- Support in career development
- Flexible staff bank
- Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars, Cycle to Work scheme and home electronics
Job description
Job responsibilities
Pharmacy assistants are vital members of the pharmacy team who work closely with pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. You will be supporting colleagues throughout the hospital. You will be based in the Pharmacy Aseptic Services Unit and will be required to work under the supervision of a Pharmacy Technician or Pharmacist. The preparation and supply of chemotherapy and other treatments to patients is a key part of the role.
Applicants must be self-motivated and able to work under pressure in a specialist environment. As the successful applicant, you must be able to pay close attention to detail and consistently produce work to the required standard. You will be expected to use a number of computer-based systems and therefore have appropriate computer skills. Team working is also essential to the role.
Our Trust values of People Focused, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence are essential to a role working in the Pharmacy Department. We are a very busy, large department in a fast-paced teaching hospital. Therefore the ability to be able to work under pressure and respond to a frequently changing environment is essential.
All tasks are carried out under the supervision of either; a Pharmacy Technician, Science Manufacturing Technician or other suitably qualified person.
- To participate in the reconstitution and manufacture of CIVAS and cytotoxic drugs, including intrathecal chemotherapy under the supervision of the Senior Pharmacy Technician in accordance with department standard operating procedures and to the standard of the Guide to Good Manufacturing Practice
- Assemble components and consumables required for the preparation of aseptic and radiopharmacy products in order of priority.
- Transfer sanitisation of components and consumables into the clean room in order of priority.
- Offer support to the checking pharmacist by labelling and pouching products, taking telephone confirmations, screening and fielding calls and enquiries within the check room, delivery of urgent released products to wards / clinics if needed.
- Carry out cleaning of all areas in the aseptic services unit and radiopharmacy following defined standard operating procedures and schedules along with other general housekeeping tasks.
- Carry out environmental monitoring within the aseptic unit. Prepare clean room isolators for use, including leak tests, and support monitoring of the aseptic and radiopharmacy areas in line with the weekly schedule.
- Complete daily and sessional records of room air pressures, room and fridge temperatures, and alert a senior pharmacy technician if these are outside accepted limits.
We are a friendly department with a well-structured training programme with opportunities for progression to Science Manufacturing Technician qualification.
Please note that this advertised position, which is part of occupation code 7114 does not meet the UKVI eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa (this includes if you are already in a sponsored post and looking to change employer). The Trust would not be able to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Pharmacy assistants are vital members of the pharmacy team who work closely with pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. You will be supporting colleagues throughout the hospital. You will be based in the Pharmacy Aseptic Services Unit and will be required to work under the supervision of a Pharmacy Technician or Pharmacist. The preparation and supply of chemotherapy and other treatments to patients is a key part of the role.
Applicants must be self-motivated and able to work under pressure in a specialist environment. As the successful applicant, you must be able to pay close attention to detail and consistently produce work to the required standard. You will be expected to use a number of computer-based systems and therefore have appropriate computer skills. Team working is also essential to the role.
Our Trust values of People Focused, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence are essential to a role working in the Pharmacy Department. We are a very busy, large department in a fast-paced teaching hospital. Therefore the ability to be able to work under pressure and respond to a frequently changing environment is essential.
All tasks are carried out under the supervision of either; a Pharmacy Technician, Science Manufacturing Technician or other suitably qualified person.
- To participate in the reconstitution and manufacture of CIVAS and cytotoxic drugs, including intrathecal chemotherapy under the supervision of the Senior Pharmacy Technician in accordance with department standard operating procedures and to the standard of the Guide to Good Manufacturing Practice
- Assemble components and consumables required for the preparation of aseptic and radiopharmacy products in order of priority.
- Transfer sanitisation of components and consumables into the clean room in order of priority.
- Offer support to the checking pharmacist by labelling and pouching products, taking telephone confirmations, screening and fielding calls and enquiries within the check room, delivery of urgent released products to wards / clinics if needed.
- Carry out cleaning of all areas in the aseptic services unit and radiopharmacy following defined standard operating procedures and schedules along with other general housekeeping tasks.
- Carry out environmental monitoring within the aseptic unit. Prepare clean room isolators for use, including leak tests, and support monitoring of the aseptic and radiopharmacy areas in line with the weekly schedule.
- Complete daily and sessional records of room air pressures, room and fridge temperatures, and alert a senior pharmacy technician if these are outside accepted limits.
We are a friendly department with a well-structured training programme with opportunities for progression to Science Manufacturing Technician qualification.
Please note that this advertised position, which is part of occupation code 7114 does not meet the UKVI eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa (this includes if you are already in a sponsored post and looking to change employer). The Trust would not be able to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE or equivalent passes in Maths, English and Science
- NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services
Skills
Essential
- Able to record information accurately
Attitude, aptitude
Essential
- Able to work as part of a team with a flexible approach to duties
- Effective role model, demonstrating NNUH's PRIDE values of People focussed, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence
- Demonstrates understanding and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE or equivalent passes in Maths, English and Science
- NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services
Skills
Essential
- Able to record information accurately
Attitude, aptitude
Essential
- Able to work as part of a team with a flexible approach to duties
- Effective role model, demonstrating NNUH's PRIDE values of People focussed, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence
- Demonstrates understanding and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
