Job summary
Highly Specialist Pharmacist - Aseptic Services
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust(Whiston site)
Permanent
37.5 hours per week
Subject to AFC: Band 8a - £55,690 - £62,682.
Main duties of the job
This post offers an exciting opportunity for a hardworking, committed and experienced Aseptic Services Pharmacist to join our busy team in providing a high quality aseptic service, including cytotoxics, parenteral nutrition and CIVAs, to this Trust and other local Trusts. The Aseptic Dispensing Unit operates under Section 10 exemption.The post provides an opportunity to be involved in MDT meetings and the post holder may also be required to participate in providing a clinical ward pharmacy service, providing a high level of pharmaceutical care to patients, providing and analysing relevant financial information, undertaking clinical audit and being actively involved in the education and training of junior pharmacists, pre-registration pharmacists and other healthcare professions.Participation in the rotas for weekend working, late night working, Bank Holidays and pharmacy on-call will be required. We have over 100 staff operating across Whiston and St Helens Hospitals. We have established automated dispensing systems within the dispensaries at both sites. Our Pharmacy Team is committed to continuous personal and professional growth and aims to give the necessary support to ensure that our team members' needs can be met. Our last Investors in People Assessment recognised our pharmacy as an outstandingly good department for staff support and development.
This post will be subject to an Enhanced DBS (with barred list for vulnerable adults and children) disclosure
About us
The Trust delivers acute hospital care, intermediate care, community, and primary care services to a population of over 600,000 people with a combined workforce of around 9000 dedicated and skilled staff from 17 locations including Whiston, Southport & Formby, St Helens, Ormskirk and Newton hospitals.
The Trust provides regional services for burns, plastic surgery and spinal injuries to more than 4 million people across Mersey and West Lancashire, Cheshire, the Isle of Man and North Wales.
Our Vision is to deliver 5 Star Patient Care:
- CARE that is consistently high quality, well organised, meets best practice standards and provides the best possible experience of healthcare for our patients and their families
- SAFETY culture that reduces harm, improves outcomes and enhances patient experience
- COMMUNICATION that is open, inclusive and respectful
- SYSTEMS that are efficient, patient centred, reliable and fit for purpose
- PATHWAYS that improve patient outcomes but also respect the individual needs of patients
Our achievements include:
- Trust rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
- Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
- Awarded National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for our Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme
Please see our Wellbeing & Benefits booklet for more information on our staff benefits. Accessible version available upon request.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Act as a highly specialised deputy for the Aseptic Services Manager in the provision of professional supervision for all activities related to aseptic preparation to ensure the safe, effective and efficient use of medicines within available resources. This includes provision of cytotoxics, parenteral nutrition and CIVA services. Undertake final product checking and release of aseptically prepared products prepared under Section 10 (Medicines Act 1968) and potentially in the future under an MHRA Specials licence. Participate in the maintenance of the Pharmaceutical Quality System .
Provide technical and clinical information to medical and nursing staff and other health care professionals and advise patients on the best use of their medicines. Participate in delivering training to pharmacists, technicians, pre-registration pharmacy graduates and assistants. Maintain and carry out all duties in compliance with Rules and Guidance to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and departmental standard operating procedures (SOPs). Promote team working in the Aseptic Dispensing Unit (ADU) and Pharmacy Dept.
See job description for more details
Advertising Date: 3rd October 2025
Closing: 17th October 2025
Proposed Interview Date: 31st October 2025
Job description
Job responsibilities
Act as a highly specialised deputy for the Aseptic Services Manager in the provision of professional supervision for all activities related to aseptic preparation to ensure the safe, effective and efficient use of medicines within available resources. This includes provision of cytotoxics, parenteral nutrition and CIVA services. Undertake final product checking and release of aseptically prepared products prepared under Section 10 (Medicines Act 1968) and potentially in the future under an MHRA Specials licence. Participate in the maintenance of the Pharmaceutical Quality System .
Provide technical and clinical information to medical and nursing staff and other health care professionals and advise patients on the best use of their medicines. Participate in delivering training to pharmacists, technicians, pre-registration pharmacy graduates and assistants. Maintain and carry out all duties in compliance with Rules and Guidance to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and departmental standard operating procedures (SOPs). Promote team working in the Aseptic Dispensing Unit (ADU) and Pharmacy Dept.
See job description for more details
Advertising Date: 3rd October 2025
Closing: 17th October 2025
Proposed Interview Date: 31st October 2025
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- MPharm Degree or equivalent plus 12 months pre-registration training
- Registered General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) Member
- Completed or working towards Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma/MSc in Clinical or Technical Pharmacy or equivalent
Desirable
- Completed or working towards PTQA qualification
Other
Essential
- Good time keeping
- Presents professional image/appearance with high levels of hygiene
- Reliable and trustworthy with a strong sense of responsibility
- Self-motivated with the ability to motivate others
- Ability to prioritise workload and work under pressure
- Team player
- Diplomatic
- Proactive and displays initiative
- Sets high standards and strives to achieve
- Ability to work flexibly outside of normal core working hours
- Ability to participate in the departmental rota for Bank Holidays, on call, late and weekend working
- Willingness to travel between sites
Desirable
- Clean driving licence with appropriate insurance
Skills
Essential
- Understanding of Good Manufacturing Practice
- Excellent written communication & presentation skills
- Excellent verbal communication skills (ability to talk to patients, staff and other health professionals, face to face and using a telephone)
- Ability to work accurately and efficiently
- Good knowledge of use of parenteral nutrition and cytotoxic regimens
Desirable
- Good understanding of MHRA regulatory mechanisms
Experience
Essential
- Extensive post qualification experience of providing Pharmacy services within an acute hospital setting
- Substantial experience in Aseptic Services and relevant clinical experience
- Good all-round clinical knowledge and practical clinical skills
- Demonstrable experience of clinical audit and practice research
- Evidence of significant, relevant and on-going personal Continuing Personal Development
Desirable
- Experience in using the CMM Pharmacy Computer System
- Experience in the commissioning and continued validation of Aseptic Services facilities
- Experience of working in a MHRA licensed unit
- Experience of working on regional / national committees
- Demonstrable experience in personnel management
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- MPharm Degree or equivalent plus 12 months pre-registration training
- Registered General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) Member
- Completed or working towards Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma/MSc in Clinical or Technical Pharmacy or equivalent
Desirable
- Completed or working towards PTQA qualification
Other
Essential
- Good time keeping
- Presents professional image/appearance with high levels of hygiene
- Reliable and trustworthy with a strong sense of responsibility
- Self-motivated with the ability to motivate others
- Ability to prioritise workload and work under pressure
- Team player
- Diplomatic
- Proactive and displays initiative
- Sets high standards and strives to achieve
- Ability to work flexibly outside of normal core working hours
- Ability to participate in the departmental rota for Bank Holidays, on call, late and weekend working
- Willingness to travel between sites
Desirable
- Clean driving licence with appropriate insurance
Skills
Essential
- Understanding of Good Manufacturing Practice
- Excellent written communication & presentation skills
- Excellent verbal communication skills (ability to talk to patients, staff and other health professionals, face to face and using a telephone)
- Ability to work accurately and efficiently
- Good knowledge of use of parenteral nutrition and cytotoxic regimens
Desirable
- Good understanding of MHRA regulatory mechanisms
Experience
Essential
- Extensive post qualification experience of providing Pharmacy services within an acute hospital setting
- Substantial experience in Aseptic Services and relevant clinical experience
- Good all-round clinical knowledge and practical clinical skills
- Demonstrable experience of clinical audit and practice research
- Evidence of significant, relevant and on-going personal Continuing Personal Development
Desirable
- Experience in using the CMM Pharmacy Computer System
- Experience in the commissioning and continued validation of Aseptic Services facilities
- Experience of working in a MHRA licensed unit
- Experience of working on regional / national committees
- Demonstrable experience in personnel management
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
