Trac proudly powers the recruitment for
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust
About
South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust (SWFT) provides the hospital services to South Warwickshire from four hospitals:
- Warwick Hospital
- Leamington Spa Hospital
- Stratford Hospital
- Ellen Badger Hospital
We also deliver out-of-hospital community services to the whole of Warwickshire and beyond serving a population of more than half a million from various clinics. This includes our Community Teams in North Warwickshire.
What is a Foundation Trust?
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust was formed on 1 March 2010. A foundation trust status gives us greater freedom to manage our own affairs, and makes us more directly accountable to local people through our Members, who are drawn from the local population and staff.
We are managed by a Board of Directors and the Trust is overseen by our Council of Governors. Find out more about our organisational structure and meetings and papers.
We continue to be part of the NHS and treat patients in accordance with core NHS principles – healthcare that is provided according to clinical need, not ability to pay, that it is free at the point of delivery, and that it meets the needs of everyone.
Our Members actively influence the progress of the Trust and help us to be genuinely patient-centred in every aspect. Find out about becoming a Member.
Contact
- Address
- South Warwickshire Hospital
- Lakin Road
- Warwick
- Warwickshire
- CV34 5BW
- Contact Number
- 01926 495321
Senior Pharmacy ATO Aseptics
Accepting applications until: 21-Nov-2025 23:59
Vacancy status: Open
Accepting applications until: 21-Nov-2025 23:59
Key details
Location
- Site
- Warwick Hospital
- Address
- Lakin Road
- Town
- Warwick
- Postcode
- CV34 5BW
- Major / Minor Region
- Warwickshire
Contract type & working pattern
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job share
- Flexible working
Salary
- Salary
- £24,937 - £26,598 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Grade
- (Band 3)
Specialty
- Main area
- Pharmacy
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust is one of the top performing organisations within the NHS. Our staff think this is a great place to work and we hope you will agree. We have recently been rated as 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following our most recent inspection.
We provide services across Warwickshire and beyond ranging from Hospitals in Warwick, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Royal Leamington Spa and Shipston-on Stour to Community Services across the whole county. This includes our Community Teams in North Warwickshire.
We are a progressive, expanding organisation with great ambition around improving quality, integrating pathways and delivering high levels of productivity. Over 6000 people work for the Trust and many of them have been here a long time. People find they don’t need to go elsewhere to find a fulfilling career in healthcare.
The first thing you will notice about us is how we take our values seriously. We believe that our values underpin everything we do. If you are interested in a role with us you need to make sure our values match your own.
Our values can be summed up in one sentence. We are ‘Trusted to provide inclusive, safe, effective and compassionate care’. Throughout the recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you demonstrate these values and how they impact on your work. It doesn’t matter what role you do, whether it is patient facing or not, we are all working in the same way with our values at the core.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checks
Many of the roles we advertise have a requirement for a DBS check to be carried out. If you are successful for a role and it requires a DBS check the Trust will carry out the initial check and subscription to the DBS Update Service, however successful candidates will be expected to cover the associated costs . Details of this will be sent to successful candidates in their offer letter.
Probationary Period
All new staff to the Trust will be subject to a standard 6 month probationary period, the details of which will duly follow in your contract of employment.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust is committed to creating and sustaining a positive and inclusive working environment for all our employees. Our aim is to ensure that employees are equally valued and respected and that our organisation is representative of all members of society. We define diversity as valuing everyone as an individual – we value our employees, job applicants, students, patients and visitors as people. This is reflected within our values of being Inclusive, Safe, Effective, Compassionate and Trusted.
As part of our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion we encourage all applicants to complete a short survey. This can be accessed via the link below:
https://forms.office.com/e/ahWY3eAGM2
We appreciate you completing the survey.
Agile and Flexible Working
All our staff will have a work base. However the Trust operates as an Agile Working Team therefore staff may be working from home on a regular basis as required by the service. However, occasionally travel around Warwickshire and into your base will be required so access to your own transport would be helpful.
The Trust also welcome staff to work flexibly and we would welcome the conversation at interview regarding flexible working.
Staff Benefits
The Trust offer a wide range of additional benefits to staff. Anyone who joins us on a substantive basis can assess things such as the Lease Car Scheme, Electronics Scheme, Discounted Leisure and Travel, Cycle to work scheme amongst many others available.
Car Parking
The Trust currently have limited availability of car parking spaces, as such are operating a waiting list for new starters joining the organisation.
To keep up to date on our latest recruitment activity follow us on twitter @swftrecruit or look us up on Facebook (Recruitment - South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust).
Job overview
Invitation to join the Pharmacy Aseptics Team!
The Pharmacy Department is looking to recruit enthusiastic Senior Pharmacy Assistants to support in the delivery of excellent hospital pharmacy aseptic services. As the successful candidate, you will join our friendly team working in the Aseptic Unit at Warwick, preparing chemotherapy and related treatments for patients across Warwickshire.
We will provide a comprehensive in-house training programme during which you will learn all about our clean room environment and the many different procedures that we have to maintain the high standards of cleanliness and efficiency needed in a busy Aseptic Unit.
Advert
Reporting to the Lead technician for Aseptics and working closely with the cancer and aseptics team to deliver a high standard aseptics service for the trust’s treatment suites and our external customers. Ensuring compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Good distribution Practice (GDP) and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and other relevant standards and legislation.
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:
Managed by the Lead Technician - Aseptics
Supervises Pharmacy technicians, Pharmacy Assistants, Senior Assistants and Trainees on rotation within the pharmacy aseptic unit.
Works and co-operates with all Pharmacy and healthcare staff in the provision of services.
Works and co-operates with the nursing staff on the Aylesford and Rigby Day treatment units.
Maintains a network with counterparts in other Trusts, for the exchange of information and the sharing of ideas
GEH & other external customers.
Working for our organisation
Come and join a Trust rated Outstanding by the CQC. South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust have been rated as outstanding following our latest inspection by the CQC and we are recruiting new staff to come and help us improve even further. In addition our staff survey results have placed us 4th in the country for recommended place to work.
We provide services across Warwickshire and beyond ranging from Hospitals in Warwick, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Royal Leamington Spa and Shipston-on Stour to Community Services across the county. We are a progressive, expanding organisation with great ambition around improving quality, integrating pathways and delivering high levels of productivity.
Our values can be summed up in one sentence. We are ‘Trusted to provide safe, inclusive, effective and compassionate care’. Throughout the recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you demonstrate these values and how they impact on your work. It doesn’t matter what role you do, whether it is patient facing or not, we are all working in the same way with our values at the core.
As part of our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion we encourage all applicants to complete a short survey. This can be accessed via the link below:
https://forms.office.com/e/ahWY3eAGM2
We appreciate you completing the survey.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Aseptic Unit duties
Assist in the delivery of safe, effective and efficient aseptic dispensing service in accordance with SOPs of the unit working under the direction of the senior technical staff
Comply with all requirements for environmental monitoring in the pharmacy aseptic unit including sessional monitoring, daily monitoring, weekly monitoring and less frequent monitoring as outlined in the pharmacy aseptic unit SOPs
Participation in the examination of environmental monitoring media and recording of results. Reporting any alert/action levels to Senior technicians.
Arrange for test sample to be sent promptly to the appropriate microbiology laboratories when necessary
Carry out the regular quality assurance programme according to SOPs and complete accurately any required paperwork
Complete manual leak tests when required on isolators
Undertake regular cleaning of the pharmacy aseptic unit according to SOPs including daily, weekly and monthly intensive specialist cleaning
Assemble ingredients for items to be made according to the worksheet and SOPs noting down accurately batch number and expiry dates, checking for any particles, discolouration or breakages
Assist with operation of specialist equipment involved in the pharmacy aseptic unit
Assist with the completion of all required documentation
Undertake training to participate in assisting the safe aseptic preparation
Dispensing of prefilled products
The following tasks will become part of the main duties once a required level of competence has been achieved;
Generating worksheets and labels according to SOPs and prescriptions
Assisting in the preparation of aseptically dispensed items including chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies and CIVAS items
Preparation of aseptically dispensed items including chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies and CIVAS items
Carry out Pre- and In – Process Checks (PIPC) on assembled items and accuracy checks during the preparation of products
Delivering released products to clinical areas
Assist in the laundry management of clean room items
Liaise with senior technicians with regard to ordering of consumable items used in the pharmacy aseptic unit
Stock control duties including receiving, unpacking, checking and storing of delivered items, ensuring stock rotation and expiry date checks
Assist in the maintenance of adequate levels of drugs and equipment by informing senior technicians when stock levels are low
Maintain an adequate supply of worksheets and other record sheets photocopying more as required
To carry out accurate entry of data into the Pharmacy computer system.
To maintain the Controlled Drug register and to carry out regular stock level checks of Controlled Drugs in line with legal responsibilities as appropriate.
General duties
Undertake general housekeeping duties to main a clean, tidy and safe working environment
Assist with the filing and safe storage of all documentation
Dispose of hazardous and non-hazardous waste appropriately according to SOPs and trust procedures
Participate in regular stock dates
Assist with ward top ups as required
Assist in workplace audits
Foster and maintain good relationships with pharmacy, medical and nursing staff through effective communication
Deal with all service users as quickly and efficiently as possible while being sensitive to their various problems and the needs of patients, staff and other visitors. Answer telephones promptly and courteously
Maintain own skills and undertake continuous professional development consistent with grade and developments within the profession of pharmacy
Work in accordance with the pharmacy department and trust SOPs
Maintain patient confidentiality at all times as per trust procedures
To ensure the security of the Pharmacy department, drug stores and out-lying pharmacies at all times during working hours and at the end of the working day by maintaining responsibility for keys and swipe access cards and by the setting of alarms as necessary.
Attend aseptic unit departmental meetings
Participate in weekday early start/late night weekend and bank holiday rotas
Work in accordance with the goals and values of the trust
Education and training
Undertake the pharmacy aseptics unit training programme
Undertake any private study when necessary
Assist with the training and support of other staff when required
Undertake and attain Buttercups level 2 Pharmacy manufacturing course or equivalent
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Sometimes we get a lot of applications for our roles. On those occasions we might close the job early. If you don’t want to miss out we recommend submitting your application as early as possible.
The Trust use an Applicant Management System called TRAC which helps us manage the recruitment process. All communications regarding your application will come via TRAC (even if you applied via NHS Jobs).
Please check your TRAC account regularly and ensure your email is set up to accept messages so they don't go into your junk/spam folder.
We aim to shortlist all vacancies within 2 days of the vacancy closing, we will get back to all candidates ASAP.
Please ensure all sections of the application form are completed fully. Please particularly ensure that you provide full details of all referees including business email address, telephone contact details and postal address.
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust is an equal opportunities employer who is committed to Equality and Diversity and does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the grounds of any protected characteristic as defined by the Equality Act 2010.
All South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust sites are smoke free. We feel it’s a great way to help our patients, visitors and staff stay healthy.
The Trust is part of a ‘Foundation Group’ through a strategic alliance with Wye Valley NHS Trust, George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. This partnership is great for the sustainability of all four organisations and allows us to share learning and maximise opportunities to ensure the delivery of high quality health and care services for our local populations.
Applicant requirements
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Education to secondary school standard
- GCSE or equivalent in Maths and English at grade C or above
- Level 2 in pharmacy services or pharmacy manufacturing course or equivalent relevant qualification.
- Able to successfully complete the required comprehensive training and competency programme within an agreed timescale (approximately 12 weeks) followed by Pre and In- process checking training (PIP-C) to a higher practice standard.
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience of working with the public
Desirable criteria
- Previous experience of working in a laboratory
- Previous hospital experience.
Skills
Essential criteria
- Basic Keyboard skills
- Good numerical skills
- Has knowledge of record keeping
- Participation in the training of others
- Used to working in a team
- High levels of accuracy when record keeping
- Ability to concentrate whilst dealing with background distractions such as the telephone or intercom
Desirable criteria
- Able to cope with pharmaceutical names
- Knowledge of hospital environment
- Knowledge of pharmacy environment
- Stores and stock keeping knowledge
Personal Qualities
Essential criteria
- Enthusiastic
- Motivated
- Reliable
- Team worker
- Professional level of personal presentation
- Flexible
- Able to use initiative
- Able to deal with angry/upset staff
- Able to create a rapport
- Knows and respects their limits of discretion (i.e., when to hand over)
- Works to protocols, procedures and SOPs
- Good verbal communication – face to face and telephone
- Good written communication
- Able to keep accurate records
Other
Essential criteria
- Able to participate in late duties and Saturday/Sunday/Bank holiday working
- Some flexibility in working hours
- Physically fit and able to stand/sit for long periods
- Able to use a VDU
- Capable of occasional moderate lifting (<13kg)
- Manual dexterity as required to prepare sterile products
- Able to participate in essential cleaning procedure which can be strenuous
- Able to work with cleaning agents and disinfectants
- Able to work with cytotoxic drugs
- Able to work in an Aseptic environment
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Mark Powney
- Job title
- Pharmacy Operations Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01926495321
- Additional information
01926495321 Ext. 4454
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