Job overview

We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated Pharmacy Technicians or Science Manufacturing Technicians to join our Pharmacy Technical Services team at an exciting time for the service. The team prepares and supplies systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) for patients across all four Health Board hospital sites and supports a growing clinical trials service. We are opening a new Pharmacy Aseptic Unit later this year which will help us meet our growing patient demand.

This is a great role within a friendly and supportive team involved in the preparation and supply of medicines for patients across the Health Board. You will gain experience in aseptic services, clinical trials and quality assurance activities, with support to develop accredited checking qualifications and specialist skills within Pharmacy Technical Services, making this an excellent role for those looking to develop their career within pharmacy. Applicants are encouraged to contact the recruiting manager for an informal discussion about the role and to find out more about the team and service.

Applicants must hold or be currently working towards a relevant pharmacy or science qualification. Applicants must be registered as a Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) or as a Registered Science Technician (RSciTech) with the Science Council or be eligible and intending to register with the relevant professional body within the current year.

Main duties of the job

• Take part in and supervise the aseptic preparation of medicines, following relevant quality, safety and regulatory requirements.
• Support the daily running of the service by helping to organise workloads and activities to ensure medicines are prepared and supplied safely and on time.
• Carry out accredited pre- and in-process checks to help ensure medicines are prepared accurately and safely.
• Provide day-to-day support and guidance to technical services staff, assisting with training and competency assessments where required.
• Support quality assurance activities such as environmental monitoring, validation work, deviation reporting and quality investigations.
• Assist with the development and review of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and contribute to service improvements.  
• Help maintain stock levels and ensure the safe storage, handling and security of medicines and consumables.  
• Dispense and self-check prescriptions, including unlicensed medicines and clinical trial products, following approved procedures. 
• Carry out final accuracy checks and release prescriptions in line with legal, professional and clinical requirements.

Working for our organisation

Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.

We have over 13,000 staff, and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.
We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private, and third-sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.

Our services are provided in:

• Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
• Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
• Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
• 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 99 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
• Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services