At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the preparation and dispensing of vital medicines for cancer patients in a dynamic pharmacy unit.
- Company: Join NHS Professionals, the largest NHS staff bank in England, dedicated to healthcare excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible shifts, career progression, and a healthy work-life balance with paid annual leave.
- Other info: Access to over 50 NHS Trusts for diverse work opportunities and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in patients' lives while gaining valuable experience in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: NVQ2 in Pharmaceutical Services and experience in an aseptic unit preferred.
The predicted salary is between 25674 - 28093 £ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Pharmacy Support Worker Aseptic to join the Pharmacy Cancer & Aseptic Unit at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust. You will support the accurate preparation and 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 a pharmacist. You will assist with dispensing oral cytotoxic medicines and supportive treatments for cancer patients using the JAC computer system, participate in tray assembly of raw materials for aseptically prepared products, and help record patient and product details. You will also contribute to 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 of pharmaceutical services while promoting professional practice, all work carried out under the supervision and guidance of the pharmacy team.
As a Pharmacy Support Worker, you will be responsible for maintaining a high level of concentration when producing paperwork and dispensing medicines to minimise the risk of errors, particularly as doses are individually calculated for each patient. You will use manual dexterity to accurately draw up volumes using syringes and needles, fill elastomeric pumps and other infusion devices, connect giving sets, and handle other equipment such as minispikes, butterfly needles, and transfer devices, always applying good aseptic technique. You will prioritise tasks as they are received, manage frequent interruptions to answer queries from medical, nursing, and pharmacy staff, and escalate issues to senior colleagues when necessary. You will routinely lift heavier items such as waste bins, IV fluids, and 2.5L parenteral nutrition bags, and work safely with hazardous compounds including cytotoxic medicines, monoclonal antibodies, and cleaning materials. You will regularly operate within the restricted space of a pharmaceutical isolator and carry out all tasks with attention to accuracy and safety under the supervision of the pharmacy team.
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 Roles & Responsibilities
- To maintain and document all aseptic validations, including broth tests and hatch transfers, always ensuring readiness for work in the aseptic suite.
- To assist in quality control and quality assurance activities, including cleaning, labelling, and sending agar plates for testing, as well as monitoring room and isolator conditions and escalating any deviations to senior staff.
- To manage stock and consumables within the aseptic unit, ensuring timely reordering, correct rotation, proper storage, and accurate completion of sessional stock checks.
- To support safe handling and disposal of hazardous materials, including cytotoxic and radioactive waste, following departmental procedures and maintaining a safe working environment.
- To provide guidance and supervision to rotational staff, students, and pre-registration pharmacists, assisting in their training within the aseptic unit under the direction of higher-level staff.
- To participate in additional departmental duties, including top-up services for wards, dispensary sessions, local rota arrangements, and any other tasks requested by the Aseptic Unit Manager or Chief Pharmacist to maintain service continuity.
Person Specifications & 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.
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.
Employer details
NHS Professionals Limited
Location
Stoke Mandeville Hospital Nhs Trust, Mandeville Road, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP21 8AL
Band 3 Pharmacy Support Worker Aseptic in Walton employer: NHS Professionals
NHS Professionals is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work environment at Stoke Mandeville Hospital where you can make a meaningful impact in the lives of cancer patients. With flexible shifts, access to extensive learning and development opportunities, and a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, we empower our staff to grow professionally while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Join us to be part of a dedicated team that values your contributions and fosters a culture of excellence in healthcare.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Band 3 Pharmacy Support Worker Aseptic in Walton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Stoke Mandeville Hospital through LinkedIn or other platforms. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Pharmacy Support Worker Aseptic role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of aseptic techniques and the specific medications you'll be working with. We recommend creating a cheat sheet of key terms and processes to help you feel confident when discussing your skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your manual dexterity! If you have the chance, demonstrate your skills with syringes and needles during the interview. We all know that hands-on experience speaks volumes, so don’t shy away from showing what you can do.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for a smoother process! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find loads of resources to help you prepare for interviews and understand the role better.
We think you need these skills to ace Band 3 Pharmacy Support Worker Aseptic in Walton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience and skills for the Pharmacy Support Worker Aseptic role. We want to see how your background fits with what we do, so don’t hold back on showcasing your aseptic unit experience!
Showcase Your Attention to Detail:Since accuracy is key in this role, emphasise your ability to maintain high levels of concentration and precision in your written application. Share examples where you’ve successfully managed tasks that required meticulous attention to detail.
Highlight Your Teamwork Skills:This position involves working closely with pharmacists and other healthcare professionals, so let us know about your teamwork experiences. Mention any instances where you’ve collaborated effectively in a busy environment, especially in a pharmacy or healthcare setting.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Stoke Mandeville Hospital!
How to prepare for a job interview at NHS Professionals
✨Know Your Aseptic Techniques
Make sure you brush up on your aseptic techniques before the interview. Be ready to discuss how you would apply good aseptic practices in your role, especially when handling cytotoxic medicines and using syringes. This shows that you understand the importance of safety and accuracy in the pharmacy environment.
✨Familiarise Yourself with the JAC System
Since you'll be using the JAC computer system for dispensing oral cytotoxic medicines, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with it. If you have experience with similar systems, mention that during the interview. It demonstrates your ability to adapt quickly and efficiently to new technologies.
✨Highlight Your Attention to Detail
Given the critical nature of the role, emphasise your attention to detail. Prepare examples from your past experiences where your concentration helped prevent errors in medication preparation or documentation. This will reassure the interviewers that you can maintain high standards under pressure.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to prioritise tasks. Think about how you would handle interruptions or manage stock in the aseptic unit. Practising these scenarios can help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
