Job summary
- Main area
- Pharmacy
- Grade
- Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 001-ACS052-0426
- Employer
- Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- St. Mary's Pharmaceutical Unit
- Town
- Cardiff
- Salary
- £26,300 - £27,890 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 06/04/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Pharmaceutical Production Operator
Band 3
WHO WE ARE:
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is one of the largest Integrated Health Board in the UK, employing over 16,000 staff and providing over 100 specialist services. Serving a population of around 500,000 people living in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, we are focussed on the health and care needs of our local population whilst also working with our partners to develop regional services. Together we are committed to improving health outcomes for everyone and to delivering excellent care and support.
Our mission is “Living Well, Caring Well, Working Together”. We have recently refreshed our strategy, Shaping Our Future Wellbeing, which sets out the Health Board’s Vision for improving the health and wellbeing of the populations we serve by 2035 through the delivery of our strategic objectives; Putting People First, Providing Outstanding Quality, Delivering in the Right Places, and Acting for the Future. We have challenging times ahead, but we are confident that by tackling these challenges together, we can support people to live healthier lives and reduce the unfair differences in the prevalence of illness and health outcomes we see in our communities today. We aspire to deliver outstanding care and treatment for people when they need it, where they need it; care that compares well with the best in the world, but to do so, we need to transform how we deliver services over the next decade and beyond.
We are a values-driven organisation and out goals will only be realised if our values are at the heart of everything we do. Created by colleagues, patients and their families and carers, our values are:
· We are kind and caring
· We are respectful
· We have trust and integrity
· We take personal responsibility
OUR REGION:
Wales has much to offer with miles of stunning coastline, UNESCO world heritage sites and beautiful countryside. Cardiff, the thriving Welsh capital, has something for everyone. It is a fantastic city to live and work in with an abundance of sports, arts and cultural attractions. Situated to the west of Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan offers a combination of beautiful Welsh countryside and a dramatic natural coastline, as well as charming towns including Penarth and Cowbridge. Those seeking more culture may find themselves drawn to the National Museum, St Fagan’s Museum of Welsh Life or the Millennium Centre, home of the Welsh National Opera. Whether city life or rural living, Cardiff and the Vale offers the best of both worlds.
The Agenda for Change Pay Award for 2026/27 is effective from 1st April 2026.
Please note successful applicants with a start date from 1st April onwards the salary will be as per the 2026/27 pay award. For further detail the pay circular is available via this link https://www.nhs.wales/files/pc-resources/afc-w-02-2026-pdf-pdf?ts=1773244958086
Job overview
St. Mary’s Pharmaceutical Unit is seeking a motivated and detail‑oriented Aseptic Operator to join our specialist aseptic services team. In this role, you will support the safe and accurate preparation of a range of aseptically produced medicines, including chemotherapy and parenteral nutrition under Section 10, as well as clinical trial products manufactured under Section 37.
Key responsibilities include routine aseptic preparation within cleanroom environments, maintaining high standards of GMP, and ensuring all documentation is completed accurately. You will play an active role in clinical trials activity, including maintaining accountability logs, meeting with Clinical Research Associates (CRAs), updating and organising trial master files, and supporting the upkeep of the clinical trials capacity plan.
We are looking for an individual with excellent attention to detail, strong organisational skills, and the ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team. Prior experience in aseptic services is desirable but full training will be provided.
If you are committed to patient safety, quality, and continuous improvement, we would love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
Production Operator supports with the pre-process accuracy checking, manufacturing/preparation and visual inspection of aseptically prepared medicines, non-sterile and terminally sterilised medicinal products, under a MHRA Manufacturer’s “Specials” authorisation or under Medicine Act 1968 (Section 10 exemption) to ensure delivery of a timely, high quality and patient-focused service to Cardiff and Vale.
Undertake clean room activities using aseptic techniques and semi-automated equipment to batch manufacture or prepare patient specific medicines in accordance with clean room behaviour principles.
Undertake manufacture or aseptically prepare medicinal products, including systemically administered anti-cancer therapies, CIVAS products, Parenteral Nutrition, Investigational Medicinal Products (IMPs), Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs), and Non-sterile and Terminally sterilised products depending on the areas of work allocated to the post.
Participate in the Pharmacy Quality Management System, undertaking pre-process accuracy checking and visual inspection activities to ensure the medicinal products are safe and effective for patient use.
Participate in maintaining effective stock control, security and minimising waste of starting materials and consumables required for individual batch production. Will involve wearing specialist clean room clothing for most of their shift.
Working for our organisation
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is one of the largest Integrated Health Boards in the UK, employing over 15,000 staff, providing over 100 specialist services. Working across 6 hospital sites, we have a diverse range of career opportunities to offer. Serving around 500,000 people living in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, we are focused on the health and care needs of our local population whilst working with our partners to develop regional services.
Our mission is “Caring for People, Keeping People Well”, and our vision is that every person’s chance of leading a healthy life should be equal. As an organisation we are unashamedly ambitious for our population’s health, rising to the challenges of today and tomorrow through our 10-year strategy, Shaping our Future Wellbeing. We are contributing to a healthier Wales with great emphasis placed on innovation and improvement, learning from around the world and leading the way in clinical research. Partnership working is strong at Cardiff and Vale, and we work closely with our staff and our community.
Cardiff, the thriving Welsh capital, is a fantastic city to live and work in with an abundance of sports, arts and cultural attractions. Situated to the west of Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan offers a combination of beautiful Welsh countryside and a dramatic natural coastline. Whether city life or rural living, Cardiff and the Vale offers the best of both worlds.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To participate in the manufacture or preparation and supply of medicinal products, in accordance with good manufacturing practice (GMP), good clinical practice (GCP) and good distribution practice (GDP) requirements, Health and Safety at Work, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and Ionising Radiations regulations (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IR(ME)R), The Human Medicines Regulations, and any other relevant statutory requirements.
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Scientific qualification at level 2 (certificate, diploma , NVQ or GCSE grades A*-C / 1-4), demonstrating a good understanding and knowledge of maths and science topics
- On the job training to Level 3 with the ability to understand relevant policies and procedures
Desirable criteria
- Healthcare Science Level 2 qualification
- Science Manufacturing Tech (SMT) Level 3
- Accredited Pre- and In-process Checking (or be able to undertake)
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience of using practical or theoretical knowledge to follow a range of routine procedures, adapting, problem solving or referring to others, as the situation requires.
Desirable criteria
- Experience working in a laboratory, clean room or comparable manufacturing environment.
- Experience of or interest in the pharmaceutical industry
General
Desirable criteria
- Approachable and professional manner.
- Ability to remain calm in a busy environment.
- Committed to continuing professional development.
Skills
Desirable criteria
- Computer skills to include word processing and data entry i.e. spreadsheets and databases.
- Good numeracy skills including calculations, percentages, decimal, fractions.
- Strong organisational skills
- Manual dexterity to manipulate injections or prepare pharmaceutical products, and good hand-eye co-ordination.
Applicant requirements
Welsh language skills are desirable
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Caroline Davies
- Job title
- Operations Lead, SMPU
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 02921 848127
- Additional information
Please contact Caroline Davies for an informal discussion or to arrange a visit.
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