Job summary
We're looking for a motivated, detail-focused Senior Pharmacy Assistant to support the safe preparation and supply of specialist medicines, including chemotherapy and monoclonal antibodies. You'll work in our cleanrooms and isolators, assembling batches, preparing doses, dispensing medication, and helping maintain a high-quality cleanroom environment.
You must be willing to work hard and have a good attention to detail. This is a hands-on role that suits someone organised, adaptable, and comfortable with practical tasks.
If you're ready to develop specialist skills and make a real impact on patient care, we'd love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
The role involves working within the isolators and cleanrooms, manually manipulating raw materials into bespoke doses for individual patients. Dispensing products to patients. Cleaning the isolators and cleanrooms according to standard operating procedures and monitoring the environment.
About us
Our vision is to provide outstanding care for every patient. Patient care is at the heart of what we do at our three sites: Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester and Andover War Memorial Hospital. Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides medical and surgical services to a population of approximately 600,000 people across Hampshire and parts of West Berkshire.
Our cultural ambition is to have a culture that places people at the heart of all we do, where we all belong, and where learning, improvement and excellence thrive.
We provide specialist services to people across the UK and internationally. We are one of only two centres in the UK treating pseudomyxoma peritonei (a rare form of abdominal cancer) and we are leaders in the field of tertiary liver cancer and colorectal cancer.
The trust employs more than 9,000 staff and has a turnover of over £500 million a year. As a Foundation Trust, we are directly accountable to our members through the governors. The Council of Governors represent the interests of their constituencies and influence the future plans of the Foundation Trust.
For further information about this role please see Job Description.
If you do not have the required Level 2 pharmacy qualification, we would consider applications from persons willing to study and achieve the qualification within 12 months of commencement of the role.
If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To carry out and/or ensure that the daily recording of the isolator and clean room pressure readings are undertaken reporting any problems immediately to senior aseptic staff.
To clean the isolator, clean rooms, and preparation areas according to departmental standard operating procedures (SOPs) and in line with regulatory standards.
Maintain stock levels of equipment and materials within the clean rooms and isolator.
Setting up and assembly of materials for aseptic preparations (including calculations) using the in-house batch code system and paperwork. Ensuring that product accountability and reconciliation is always adhered to by accurate completion of batch worksheets and other necessary documentation.
Assisting in the scheduling of day-to-day production to ensure that treatment is supplied to the patients in a timely manner.
Performing aseptic manipulations within the isolators, to produce a variety of products.
Always complying with departmental health and safety procedures, including spillage procedures and dealing with hazardous chemicals. Maintaining safe systems of work within the section to ensure compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act, COSHH and NHS guidance.
To aseptically transfer materials (spray-in) and equipment into the clean rooms and isolators following validated procedures.
Data entry of in-house environmental monitoring results into the pre-existing spread sheet.
To carry out general housekeeping duties across the department, unpacking goods, putting them away in the correct location, checking expiry dates, reporting discrepancies, and keeping the environment clean and tidy.
To assist and demonstrate to new or less experienced colleagues how to carry out the cleaning and monitoring of the isolators and clean rooms following training and validation plans. To assist senior staff in the enforcement of quality management systems within the section, to include maintenance of quality indicators and compliance with results of audits to ensure the required standards of GMP are always met.
To follow all Pharmacy policies and SOPs that relate to the role of pharmacy assistant to work under supervision until deemed as competent. To attend and complete other training as necessary to develop the post holder in accordance with their needs and the needs of the pharmacy.
If required, to participate in any external meetings and training relevant to job role.
To monitor stock control and rotation of stock within the department to preventing waste.
To highlight areas of concern, for example, computer over or under ordering.
To receive orders into the pharmacy store entering details on the pharmacy computer system.
To ensure the security of drugs on the wards and within the Pharmacy department.
To ensure the practice of self and other is compliant with infection control policy and procedures.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To carry out and/or ensure that the daily recording of the isolator and clean room pressure readings are undertaken reporting any problems immediately to senior aseptic staff.
To clean the isolator, clean rooms, and preparation areas according to departmental standard operating procedures (SOPs) and in line with regulatory standards.
Maintain stock levels of equipment and materials within the clean rooms and isolator.
Setting up and assembly of materials for aseptic preparations (including calculations) using the in-house batch code system and paperwork. Ensuring that product accountability and reconciliation is always adhered to by accurate completion of batch worksheets and other necessary documentation.
Assisting in the scheduling of day-to-day production to ensure that treatment is supplied to the patients in a timely manner.
Performing aseptic manipulations within the isolators, to produce a variety of products.
Always complying with departmental health and safety procedures, including spillage procedures and dealing with hazardous chemicals. Maintaining safe systems of work within the section to ensure compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act, COSHH and NHS guidance.
To aseptically transfer materials (spray-in) and equipment into the clean rooms and isolators following validated procedures.
Data entry of in-house environmental monitoring results into the pre-existing spread sheet.
To carry out general housekeeping duties across the department, unpacking goods, putting them away in the correct location, checking expiry dates, reporting discrepancies, and keeping the environment clean and tidy.
To assist and demonstrate to new or less experienced colleagues how to carry out the cleaning and monitoring of the isolators and clean rooms following training and validation plans. To assist senior staff in the enforcement of quality management systems within the section, to include maintenance of quality indicators and compliance with results of audits to ensure the required standards of GMP are always met.
To follow all Pharmacy policies and SOPs that relate to the role of pharmacy assistant to work under supervision until deemed as competent. To attend and complete other training as necessary to develop the post holder in accordance with their needs and the needs of the pharmacy.
If required, to participate in any external meetings and training relevant to job role.
To monitor stock control and rotation of stock within the department to preventing waste.
To highlight areas of concern, for example, computer over or under ordering.
To receive orders into the pharmacy store entering details on the pharmacy computer system.
To ensure the security of drugs on the wards and within the Pharmacy department.
To ensure the practice of self and other is compliant with infection control policy and procedures.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- 3 GCSE's which must include Maths, English and Science at level 4/grade C or above.
- Completion of Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Pharmacy Manufacturing within 12 months to progress to Band 3
- Hospital Aseptic Experience
Desirable
- Current Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Pharmacy Service Skills/Pharmacy Manufacturing
- Quality Improvement Training
Other
Essential
- Ability to sit in a restricted position for set periods of time
- Manual dexterity for aseptic manipulation
- Responsible and punctual
- Able to work under pressure
- Willingness to undertake flexible working patterns according to service needs
Desirable
Essential
- Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice
- Experience of using computers, particularly Microsoft Office and web-based learning
Desirable
- Previous experience with HHFT pharmacy computer systems; CMM, ARIA
- Previous experience working in an aseptic environment
Desirable
Essential
- Good communication skills, both verbal and written
- Ability to prioritise work and manage time effectively
- High attention to detail / good level of accuracy
- Ability to follow set procedure
Desirable
- Mentoring/training experience for less experienced staff members
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- 3 GCSE's which must include Maths, English and Science at level 4/grade C or above.
- Completion of Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Pharmacy Manufacturing within 12 months to progress to Band 3
- Hospital Aseptic Experience
Desirable
- Current Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Pharmacy Service Skills/Pharmacy Manufacturing
- Quality Improvement Training
Other
Essential
- Ability to sit in a restricted position for set periods of time
- Manual dexterity for aseptic manipulation
- Responsible and punctual
- Able to work under pressure
- Willingness to undertake flexible working patterns according to service needs
Desirable
Essential
- Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice
- Experience of using computers, particularly Microsoft Office and web-based learning
Desirable
- Previous experience with HHFT pharmacy computer systems; CMM, ARIA
- Previous experience working in an aseptic environment
Desirable
Essential
- Good communication skills, both verbal and written
- Ability to prioritise work and manage time effectively
- High attention to detail / good level of accuracy
- Ability to follow set procedure
Desirable
- Mentoring/training experience for less experienced staff members
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.
