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Job summary

Main area
Aseptic Services
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 2
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
  • Flexible working
37.5 hours per week
Job ref
234-25-E0805
Employer
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital
Town
Norwich
Salary
£24,465 - £26,598 per annum (pro rata)
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
19/10/2025 23:59
Interview date
30/10/2025

Employer heading

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Pharmacy Assistant/Senior Pharmacy Assistant - Aseptic Services

NHS AfC: Band 2

At NNUH it is our privilege to provide healthcare to over one million people across Norfolk and surrounding areas. Our vision is to ‘provide the best care for every patient’, and if this inspires you and you share our values, we really want you to join our team. 

NNUH is currently the busiest Trauma Unit in the East of England caring for almost 850 trauma patients annually many with complex care needs. We are enhancing our urgent and emergency care specialist services for patients with significant injuries as a result of trauma and have an ambition to become a Major Trauma Centre.

Our values support our vision and guide the behaviour of everything we do, these are:

People-focused

We look after the needs of our patients, carers and colleagues, to provide a safe and caring experience for all.

Respect

We act with care, compassion and kindness and value others’ diverse needs.

Integrity

We take an honest, open and ethical approach to everything we do.

Dedication

We work as one team and support each other to maintain the highest professional standards.

Excellence

We continuously learn and improve to achieve the best outcomes for our patients and our hospital. 

Wish you were here? So do we.


We want all our staff to achieve a balance between work and personal life and understand how important flexible working can be.  We welcome applications on a full or part time basis, various shift patterns and hybrid working, where roles allow.


At the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NNUH), we know the benefits diversity can bring to our organisation such as creativity, innovation and compassion. All of which have a direct impact towards our staff and patient experience. We are committed to being a Hospital for All – being equitable and inclusive, and a place where all feel a sense of belonging. We therefore particularly encourage and welcome applications from candidates who are underrepresented in NNUH’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, people with diverse abilities and people within the LGBT+ community.

Job overview

The Pharmacy Department provides a fully comprehensive pharmaceutical service across the Trust and to a number of external community units. We are a large and very busy department with over 180 members of staff including pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy assistants and admin and clerical staff.  There are many varied roles and we all work as a team to provide the different functions and services whilst maintaining a high level of patient care.

To support an expansion of chemotherapy services at the NNUH we have received new funding for our Aseptics Unit to enable us to increase capacity.

Pharmacy assistants are vital members of the pharmacy team who work closely with pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.  You will be based in the Pharmacy Aseptic Services Unit and will be required to work under the supervision of a Pharmacy Technician or Pharmacist. The preparation and supply of chemotherapy and other treatments to patients is a key part of the role.

If you do not already have the required skills/qualifications, this post is an exciting opportunity to join us as a Band 2 Pharmacy Assistant and develop the required knowledge and skills to become a Band 3 Senior Pharmacy Assistant. Support, training and assessment will enable you to achieve the core and enhanced competencies required for the post.

Postholders that already hold a level 2 accredited pharmacy qualification will start at Band 3.

Main duties of the job

If you are new to pharmacy or have already gained a level 2 accredited pharmacy qualification and would like to provide a great service to NNUH patients then we would be delighted to receive your application.  If you have previous experience working in hospital pharmacy, community pharmacy or a dispensing doctor’s practice and would like to complete the Level 2 Science Manufacturing Process Operative apprenticeship then this would be a great opportunity to advance your career.


The apprenticeship is delivered via an online classroom with fortnightly teaching sessions and protected time to study. The course is 12 – 18 months. Once qualified the successful applicant will transition from Band 2 to Band 3.

Applicants must be self-motivated and able to work under pressure in a specialist environment.  The successful applicant must be able to pay close attention to detail and consistently produce work to the required standard.  They will be expected to use a number of computer-based systems and therefore have appropriate computer skills.  Team working is also essential to the role.


The hours of work are 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday with a current requirement to work 1 weekend day every 10 weeks in the dispensary and to cover 3 bank holidays annually in the Aseptics Unit.  All rotas are subject to review at any time.  Part-time hours will be considered but must be for a minimum of 30 hours per week to meet apprenticeship entry requirements.

Working for our organisation

Join us at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and be part of a workforce of over 10,000 staff!

The NNUH is one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK, providing first-class acute care for around one million people, living in Norfolk and surrounding areas. We are a teaching and research hospital, at the forefront of innovation, home to state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Quadram Institute. We are pleased to work closely with the University of East Anglia, providing teaching opportunities for our staff and placement opportunities for their students. We attract some of the best and leading professionals from across the country and are proud that our workforce represents 94 countries from across the world.

We are a friendly, collaborative hospital, working with local services and home to N&N Hospitals Charity

We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition:

  • Flexible working hours
  • Fast Track Staff Physiotherapy Service
  • Multi Faith prayer room
  • Discounted gym memberships
  • Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
  • Wagestream - access up to 40% of your pay as you earn it
  • Free Park & Ride service direct to NNUH site
  • Free 24-hours confidential counselling support
  • On-site Nursery
  • On-site cafes offering staff discounts
  • Support in career development
  • Flexible staff bank
  • Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars, Cycle to Work scheme and home electronics

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please view the attached job description for full details of the role and use your supporting statement to confirm how you meet the essential and desirable criteria on the job specification.

Please note that this advertised position, which is part of occupation code 7114 does not meet the UKVI eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa (this includes if you are already in a sponsored post and looking to change employer). The Trust would not be able to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role.

Please note due to high volume of applications for some posts, this post may close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role asap

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • 4 GCSEs at C/4 or above (ideally to include Maths and English)

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of working in a team
Desirable criteria
  • Previous experience of working in a pharmacy, healthcare or laboratory environment

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Able to record information accurately

Attitude, aptitude

Essential criteria
  • Able to work as part of a team with a flexible approach to duties
  • Effective role model, demonstrating NNUH’s PRIDE values of People focussed, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence
  • Demonstrates understanding and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveInvestors in People: GoldImproving working livesStonewall Health ChampionsMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.We offer Wagestream - A financial wellbeing benefit which lets you access your pay as you earn it.Disability confident employerNHS Pastoral CareStep into healthArmed 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.

Application numbers

Please note due to high volume of applications for some posts, this post may close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role asap.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Sarah Stimpson
Job title
Operations Manager, Aseptic Services
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01603 289421
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