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Job summary

Main area
Pharmacy Assistant
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday with additional late night, weekend and bank holiday shifts on a rota basis)
Job ref
407-WCCSS-7768764
Employer
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust
Town
Walsall
Salary
£24,937 - £26,598 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
05/03/2026 23:59
Interview date
09/03/2026
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust logo

Senior Pharmacy Assistant Aseptics

NHS AfC: Band 3

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust provides integrated acute and community Healthcare in the West Midlands serving a population of 260,000 residents. Walsall Manor Hospital houses the full range of district general hospital services. The £170 million development was completed in 2010 and we are continually upgrading. Construction of the new integrated critical care unit was completed in 2018, extension of a Neonatal Unit and an approved plan to build a brand new, state of the art Emergency Department which commenced in 2021

We provide high quality, friendly and effective community health services from multiple sites covering Walsall. Our multidisciplinary services include rapid response and homebased care, so that those with long term conditions and the frail elderly can remain in their own homes.

We are recommended by colleagues as a place to work which is supported by the trusts values to work as part of a team, being respectful, compassionate and professional. We are committed to investing in our workforce

Following our recent CQC visit the Trust was rated as outstanding for care and this has been recognised by NHS Improvement. 

The work we do is highly rewarding, and in addition to an attractive salary, we offer a valuable range of benefits, including: salary sacrifice scheme; car leasing scheme; on-site staff accommodation (subject to availability); the ability to retain your NHS pension (where applicable) or the opportunity to join an alternative scheme; and the opportunity to develop and implement your expertise in an encouraging yet challenging environment

We would particularly welcome applications from people from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic background and from people with a disability; these groups are currently under-represented at senior level, we value diversity within our Trust and are working to achieve equality in our recruitment.
 
COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course our patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst COVID-19 vaccination is not a condition of employment at this time, we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated. We will be checking the vaccination status of all new starters so that we can manage individual and environmental risks, and so that we can support those who may be undecided about vaccination. If you are unvaccinated there is helpful advice and information at COVID-19 Vaccination | How to access your vaccine in the Black Country and West Birmingham (blackcountryandwestbirmccg.nhs.uk) where you can also find out more about how to access vaccination. There is a current Government consultation underway which will determine whether some new starters may need to be vaccinated.
 

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is proud to be part of the Armed Forces Covenant.  The Trust currently holds the Bronze Award which underlines the Trust’s commitment to supporting the Armed Forces Community.  As an organisation, we are aiming to achieve the next level Silver award, with our sights firmly on Gold.

 

 RESPECT - COMPASSION - TEAMWORK - PROFESSIONALISM

 

 

Job overview

Senior Pharmacy Assistant Aseptic Services

We are looking to recruit a pharmacy assistant to work within the aseptic unit. Under the guidance of the Lead Pharmacist for Cancer Services and the Technical Manager for Aseptics, the unit operates under Exemption under Section 10 of the Medicines Act 1968 and prepares a range of aseptically prepared chemotherapy and monoclonal antibodies.

The unit is focused on maintaining and improving quality and performance and work closely with our Cancer Services directorate to deliver a service that adapts to the changing needs of our local population.

We are looking to appoint a highly motivated individual who is looking to work within the aseptic unit and has a keen eye for detail, is a good communicator, is flexible in their approach and enjoys working as part of a team.

If you hold a NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Service Skills qualification and are looking to broaden your experience within pharmacy or are excited about a change in sector then this is the opportunity for you.  If you do not have experience of working within Aseptics there is an opportunity for a step up programme from a Band 2 to Band 3.

You will be fully supported through our in-house training package to learn the necessary skills required to become a fully trained and competent member of the aseptic unit.

 

Main duties of the job

Within the aseptic unit some of your core duties will require you to assist in the

  • Environmental monitoring of the aseptic unit through the use of broth media and recording of temperatures and pressures
  • Assembly of ingredients, worksheet and labels of raw materials
  • Assist in the preparation of chemotherapy/monoclonal antibodies including in process volume checks and visual inspection of final products
  • Cleaning and disinfection of the unit according to standard operating procedures on a daily, weekly, three monthly and annual basis along with other general housekeeping duties to maintain the unit.
  • Ordering and replenishment of stocks

There is also a requirement to support the wider pharmacy team within the dispensary with a commitment to late night, weekend and bank holiday working on rota and full training in the use of computer and labelling systems will be provided.

Working for our organisation

Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust is one of the largest employers in the local area with over 3,000 staff. The Trust supports Flexible Working Arrangements and Race Equality. We have a commitment to education, training and staff development. The hospital has just completed a £170 million hospital redevelopment bringing first class facilities and a multi-professional education centre.   

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Within the aseptic unit some of your core duties will require you to assist in the

  • Environmental monitoring of the aseptic unit through the use of broth media and recording of temperatures and pressures
  • Assembly of ingredients, worksheet and labels of raw materials
  • Assist in the preparation of chemotherapy/monoclonal antibodies including in process volume checks and visual inspection of final products
  • Cleaning and disinfection of the unit according to standard operating procedures on a daily, weekly, three monthly and annual basis along with other general housekeeping duties to maintain the unit.
  • Ordering and replenishment of stocks

There is also a requirement to support the wider pharmacy team within the dispensary with a commitment to late night, weekend and bank holiday working on rota and full training in the use of computer and labelling systems will be provided.

Person specification

Educational /Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Level 2 NVQ in Pharmacy Services
  • GCSE level (Grade A-C in English and Maths) or Numeracy and Literacy functional skills level 2 (or equivalent).

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Previous experience in hospital or community pharmacy
  • Awareness of handling anti-cancer products
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of working in a hospital compounding unit or pharmaceutical industry (preferably in a clean room environment) or equivalent experience
  • Knowledge of the Principles of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).
  • Experience in a Quality Assurance environment including monitoring and validation

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Ability to communicate effectively in clear English with members of the public and with other health care professionals.
  • Time management / Organisational / Problem solving Skills; ability to priorities own workload and that of others and to manage own time effectively.
Desirable criteria
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team and with staff at all levels.
  • Experience with Ascribe/BD Cato computer system
Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleInvestors in PeopleMindful employer. Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Armed Forces Covenant Bronze AwardArmed Forces Covenant

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties 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

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Jade Handley
Job title
Aseptic Services Technical Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01922656790
Additional information

or alternatively contact  Sweta Bhimani, Lead Quality Assurance Professional at 01922 721172 ext 6790

If you have problems applying, contact

Address
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust
Pleck Road
Walsall
WS2 9PS

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