Job summary
Employer heading
Senior Pharmacy Assistant - Aseptic Services
NHS AfC: Band 3
Job overview
Sheffield Children’s are currently seeking driven and enthusiastic individuals who are looking to further their Healthcare experience and career in Pharmacy.
Through a structured training package you will receive both on-the-job and academic training to support you to become a fully skilled Band 3 Senior Pharmacy assistant within 12 months.
As a Senior Pharmacy assistant you’ll be at the very heart of everything.
Main duties of the job
- Prepare a range of aseptic products including:- Civas, TPN, Cytotoxics and ATMP's
- Assembly of trays for manufacture
- Process checking of trays for manufacture
- Writing of worksheets
- Labelling of worksheets
- Accurate costing of all materials and consumables used
- Participate in quality management activities
- Support the senior technicians in the day to day running of the unit
- Assist with the training of junior staff
Working for our organisation
At Sheffield Children’s, our purpose is clear: to provide healthier futures for children and young people. Our three strategic aims are:
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Outstanding Patient Care
-
Brilliant Place to work
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Leaders in Children’s Health
We work successfully with local, regional, and national partners to provide physical and mental healthcare across acute and community settings. Many of our clinicians are amongst the best in their field, recognised nationally and internationally for their expertise.
As well as having enormous pride in what we do, we are a friendly, welcoming, and motivated NHS Trust who are guided by our CARE values: Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence. Our nearly 4000 colleagues live these values, ensuring kind and compassionate care that makes patients and their families feel safe and at home.
As we approach our 150th anniversary in 2026, we remain committed to enhancing our reputation in children’s health leadership, improving the experiences of both patient and colleagues, and focusing on our communities and population health
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
You will join our team and receive training in all aspects of the aseptic preparation as well as the opportunity to obtain an NVQ level 2 in pharmaceutical manufacturing to support your future career in the NHS.
People who have successfully completed this training package previously and gained valuable experience within in our team have gone on to become fully qualified pharmacy technicians or work in a quality control environment. Our team offers a unique experience to gain experience of healthcare, aseptic production and quality management systems
Your salary will start on 75% of band 3 as per annex 21 in the 1st 12 months whilst you are completing the training package. For further information about the training rate for this role please see the Annex 21 section of the Agenda for Change handbook NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook | NHS Employers
- To work in the aseptic suite undertaking the following tasks:
- Works within Standard Operating Procedures as laid down in the Pharmacy Aseptic Procedure manual.
- Follows Good Manufacturing Practice for all procedures within the aseptic facility.
- Cleaning of the cabinets.
- Cleaning of the floors, work surfaces and furniture in accordance with agreed procedures and frequency.
- Labelling and packaging of aseptically prepared products.
- Ordering of materials for the aseptic unit. Replenishing of stock items within the aseptic unit. Completes all necessary paperwork and liaises with the Senior Pharmacy Technician / Deputy Senior technician (aseptic) regarding stock discrepancies.
- Transfer sanitisation of items into the cabinets for assembly using agreed techniques/
- Working in all positive and negative pressure isolators, and laminar air flow cabinets within the suite to dispense, measure and manipulate sterile doses using good aseptic technique.
- Delivering aseptic preparations to the wards and departments in line with pharmacy procedures and to maintain the cold chain.
- Assist in environmental monitoring or testing as required.
- Assists in audits within the aseptic unit.
- General housekeeping duties including the removal of waste in accordance with departmental and trust policies.
- To follow advice on working within the cabinets to avoid strain and minimise the risk of RSI injuries.
- To work closely with other staff in the aseptic suite and department, especially other Assistants, in contributing to the smooth, safe and efficient running of the service.
- Delivering dispensary items to the wards and departments on agreed timed rounds.
- Acts as a Mentor for NVQ 2 students within the aseptic unit and assists with training when required.
- To use appropriate IT technology when necessary.
- Has a working knowledge of other Pharmacy Assistant roles.
- Produce workload figures (IV and TPN) and ensures that these are available to senior staff on a monthly basis.
- To maintain a safe system of work at all times, including the knowledge of and abiding by the Fire precautions, departmental and trust safety policies and procedure manuals following any Standard Operating Procedures in place.
- Participation in training and monitoring systems to ensure the delivery of a safe and effective service.
- Participate in the trust appraisal scheme.
- To promote the professional image of pharmacy within the trust by ensuring that the standard of dress and behaviour reflects the professional service offered by the pharmacy department. Participates in continuing development and competency skills training.
Inclusive Recruitment & Selection
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and accurate data capture is an important part of that to ensure we are supportive and representative. Our aim is to ensure that all applicants can see themselves in the available categories on our application form, but we recognise that some of our data capture fields are not inclusive. We have flagged this with our system provider to ask for change.
We offer encouragement and active support to applicants with additional needs, including those from ethnic minorities, with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ+ community. If you wish to adjust any aspect of the recruitment process or wish to find out more about our recruitment & selection processes, please get in touch with our Recruitment Manager: [email protected]
We are continually reviewing our recruitment & selection process to support the long-term aim of Sheffield Children’s being a champion of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. If you have any ideas for improvement, please get in touch with Catherine Gilbert at [email protected]
Trust Values
The Trust is committed to providing great quality patient care and keep children, young people and families at the heart of what we do by following our CARE values:
- Compassion – leading by kindness and showing empathy, understanding and respect
- Accountability – striving to do the right thing and owning responsibility
- Respect – value differences, tackling inequality and fostering a culture of inclusion
- Excellence – delivering a high-quality standard of care
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- English Language and Maths GCSE Grade C or above
- GCSE grade C or above in Double Science or equivalent
Desirable criteria
- NVQ Level2 or equivalent in Pharmacy services/pharmacy manufacturing or willing to work towards this in a training role
Experience
Desirable criteria
- Aseptic services
- Pharmacy Experience
- Organisational & work prioritisation
Knowledge and Skills
Essential criteria
- Careful and accurate worker
- Can operate a PC and a wide range of computerised systems
- Can maintain all appropriate records
Desirable criteria
- Aseptic services
- Lifting and Handling training
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have regular contact with vulnerable people and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Michele Fenwick
- Job title
- Lead Senior Technician
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01143053655
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