Pharmacy Support Worker Aseptic

We havean exciting opportunity for a Pharmacy Support Worker Aseptic to join thePharmacy Cancer & Aseptic Unit at Stoke Mandeville Hospital,Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust. You will support the accurate preparationand dispensing of a wide range of aseptically prepared medicines to wards,outpatients, and the Cancer Day Unit, including cytotoxic chemotherapy,monoclonal antibodies, and other aseptic products, under the supervision of apharmacist. You will assist with dispensing oral cytotoxic medicines andsupportive treatments for cancer patients using the JAC computer system,participate in tray assembly of raw materials for aseptically preparedproducts, and help record patient and product details. You will also contributeto environmental monitoring and cleaning schedules within the aseptic unit,follow all legal and departmental practices including SOPs, GMP (Orange Guide),COSHH, and lifting and handling regulations, and support the development ofpharmaceutical services while promoting professional practice, all work carriedout under the supervision and guidance of the pharmacy team.

Main duties of the job

As aPharmacy Support Worker, you will be responsible for maintaining a high levelof concentration when producing paperwork and dispensing medicines to minimisethe risk of errors, particularly as doses are individually calculated for eachpatient. You will use manual dexterity to accurately draw up volumes usingsyringes and needles, fill elastomeric pumps and other infusion devices,connect giving sets, and handle other equipment such as minispikes, butterflyneedles, and transfer devices, always applying good aseptic technique. You willprioritise tasks as they are received, manage frequent interruptions to answerqueries from medical, nursing, and pharmacy staff, and escalate issues tosenior colleagues when necessary. You will routinely lift heavier items such aswaste bins, IV fluids, and 2.5L parenteral nutrition bags, and work safely withhazardous compounds including cytotoxic medicines, monoclonal antibodies, andcleaning materials. You will regularly operate within the restricted space of apharmaceutical isolator and carry out all tasks with attention to accuracy andsafety under the supervision of the pharmacy team.

About us

Here at NHS Professionals, we run England's largest NHS staff bank and are experts at putting people in places to care. Every year we help thousands of dedicated and highly skilled NHS workers enjoy better career opportunities, more flexible shifts, and a healthier work-life balance across our partnered Trusts.

Career Progression access to Learning & Development opportunities, so that you can take on new roles and challenges

Work-life Balance flexible shifts, committed shifts, wellbeing resources and build paid annual leave

Opportunity & Access over 50 partner NHS Trusts to give you the flexibility of choice to work how and where you want

Job responsibilities

• To maintain and document all aseptic validations, including broth testsand hatch transfers, always ensuring readiness for work in the aseptic suite.
• To assist in quality control and quality assurance activities, includingcleaning, labelling, and sending agar plates for testing, as well as monitoringroom and isolator conditions and escalating any deviations to senior staff.
• To manage stock and consumables within the aseptic unit, ensuring timelyreordering, correct rotation, proper storage, and accurate completion ofsessional stock checks.
• To support safe handling and disposal of hazardous materials, includingcytotoxic and radioactive waste, following departmental procedures andmaintaining a safe working environment.
• To provide guidance and supervision to rotational staff, students, andpre-registration pharmacists, assisting in their training within the asepticunit under the direction of higher-level staff.
• To participate in additional departmental duties, including top-upservices for wards, dispensary sessions, local rota arrangements, and any othertasks requested by the Aseptic Unit Manager or Chief Pharmacist to maintainservice continuity.

Person Specification Qualifications

• NVQ2 in Pharmaceutical Services (or in training).
• Experience in an aseptic unit.
• Accurate manual dexterity with syringes/needles.
• Able to work in confined spaces (isolator).
• Recent relevant pharmaceutical/aseptic training.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£14.71 an hourRates are inclusive of Base Rate + Holiday Pay