Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Trainee Pharmacy Production Assistant

The closing date is 15 March 2026

Job summary

Do you want to train in a CQC rated 'outstanding' Trust?

Do you want to make a difference in the fight against cancer?...

UK statistics show that in 2020, there were 2.3 million living with cancer. By 2040, the predicted number is expected to reach 5.3 million.

We are looking for candidates to join our existing team of Pharmacy Production Assistants in the Pharmacy Production Unit at Wansbeck General Hospital. (see attached document for images inside Production Unit)

We are looking to appoint a Band 2 Trainee Pharmacy Production Assistant, where you will be supported to undertake an NVQ level 2 in Pharmacy Services. This is an exciting opportunity to undertake your qualification whilst underpinning that knowledge in a highly experienced team.

This post falls within the provisions of Agenda for Change Annex 20 - Development of Professional Roles, whereby upon completion of an agreed set of competencies (including successful completion of an NVQ level 2) you may move onto the next pay band (Band 3) without the need for an application for a post at a higher level.

Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the closing date once the required number of suitable applications have been received

Main duties of the job

The post will be based at Wansbeck General Hospital Pharmacy Production Unit, but the post holders may be required to work at other sites within the Trust.

Weekend cover will be based at North Tyneside General Hospital to support the 7-day clinical service to the Specialist Emergency Care Hospital.

Opportunities for further development are available within our forward-thinking service.

Previous experience in a similar post would be desirable but it is not essential.

About us

We manage three major locality hospitals at North Tyneside, Wansbeck and Hexham, plus a number of smaller community hospitals and clinics from Tynemouth to Berwick on Tweed, in addition to our state-of-the-art Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital, the first of its kind in England. We also care for people in their homes and provide services from facilities in local communities such as health centres. We give people greater choice and control over their care to help them to live independently at home and avoid hospital admission where appropriate. High quality patient care is at the heart of everything we do and we strive to ensure every single patient and service user has an exceptional experience with us. We have one of the most extensive patient experience programmes of any trust in England.

Date posted

03 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

319-7826271JA

Job locations

Wansbeck General Hospital

Woodhorn Lane

Ashington

NE63 9JJ

Job description

Job responsibilities

To contribute to the delivery of an excellent pharmacy technical service. Undertaking activities within the Pharmacy Production Unit which contribute to the efficient, effective and safe delivery of chemotherapy and ready-to-administer antibiotics to our patients.

Essential criteria includes:

Good standards of literacy and numeracy equivalent to GCSE grade Cor above in English Language and Mathematics.Must obtain NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services within 12 months of enrolment

Job description

Job responsibilities

Essential criteria includes:

Good standards of literacy and numeracy equivalent to GCSE grade Cor above in English Language and Mathematics.Must obtain NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services within 12 months of enrolment

Person Specification

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

Good standards of literacy and numeracy equivalent to GCSE grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics.

Desirable

Recognised pharmacy dispensing qualification (NPA, Buttercups, Boots, NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services etc.)
Experience in a similar post.
Experience of computer stock control systems

Other

Essential

oIt is an essential requirement of the role that the post holder has a valid driving licence and it either a car owner and able to use the car for work purposes, or has a Trust personal lease vehicle which may be used for the role. However, the Trust would consider making reasonable adjustments to the role, if necessary, to enable a disabled person to undertake the role.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

Good standards of literacy and numeracy equivalent to GCSE grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics.

Desirable

Recognised pharmacy dispensing qualification (NPA, Buttercups, Boots, NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services etc.)
Experience in a similar post.
Experience of computer stock control systems

Other

Essential

oIt is an essential requirement of the role that the post holder has a valid driving licence and it either a car owner and able to use the car for work purposes, or has a Trust personal lease vehicle which may be used for the role. However, the Trust would consider making reasonable adjustments to the role, if necessary, to enable a disabled person to undertake the role.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Wansbeck General Hospital

Woodhorn Lane

Ashington

NE63 9JJ

Employer's website

https://www.northumbria.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Wansbeck General Hospital

Woodhorn Lane

Ashington

NE63 9JJ

Employer's website

https://www.northumbria.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)