Pharmacy Aseptic Services Apprentice

Pharmacy Aseptic Services Apprentice (Band 3)

Are you an enthusiastic and motivated individual, looking for an opportunity to join our established Aseptic Team within the Pharmacy Department? We have an exciting opportunity for someone to be part of our dynamic and innovative pharmacy team, to join us as a Pharmacy Aseptic Services Apprentice.

Under the supervision of a Pharmacist or Principal Technician you will be involved in a broad range of activities in the Pharmacy department. You will participate in the preparation of worksheets and cytotoxic drugs in the Pharmacy Aseptic Unit and will assist the Principal Technician in coordinating work and cleaning in the Suite to ensure an efficient and safe supply of medicines to service users.

There will be a requirement to visit wards to order stock items using work stations on wheels (WOWs) and assemble these stock items for distribution.

You will have received a good standard of general education and have attained a GCSE grade C or above in Mathematics and English (or equivalent). You must be qualified to NVQ level 2 in Pharmacy Services or be willing to undertake a Science Manufacturing Technician apprenticeship or equivalent qualification within an agreed timescale, which will include doing a proportion of work in your own time in order to achieve this.

You will possess excellent communication skills, be self-motivated, have a flexible approach to work and be open to changing practices. You will need to be able to work well under pressure, have excellent attention to detail. You must be able to work as part of a team but also able demonstrate initiative and work in a professional and timely manner. Computer literacy is required although appropriate training on pharmacy systems will be provided.

The purpose-built Pharmacy provides a clinical pharmacy service to Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Dorset University Foundation Trust (DHUFT). The dispensary has been recently refurbished and is now a state of the art pharmacy with the benefits of a new ARX robot installation, a Prescription Tracking System (PTS) with full electronic prescribing and medicines administration throughout the hospital. We are currently developing links between Primary and Secondary care to streamline continuity of care between service providers ensuring better patient care.

Dorset County Hospital isn’t just a great place to work, but a great place to live. Situated within easy walking distance of the historic town of Dorchester, which is eight miles from the spectacular Jurassic Coast ideal for sports and outdoor activities. It is also within easy reach of areas of outstanding natural beauty such as the New Forest, the natural harbour of Poole, and one of Britain’s best beaches at Bournemouth.

General

To perform a variety of general pharmacy duties under the supervision of a pharmacist, technician or senior assistant in the designated areas, which will include the pharmacy Aseptic suite, main dispensary and ward areas.

To work independently following standard operating procedures (SOPs) after successfully completing competency assessments.

To undertake general housekeeping to maintain a clean, tidy and safe working environment.

To have shared responsibility for reducing waste and expenditure.

To assist in the training of other staff members to achieve the required competencies.

To assist in the upkeep and maintenance of documentation including SOPs.

To be proactive in identifying improved more efficient methods of working.

Monitor and advise senior colleagues regarding non-conformance within the department.

To promote Health & Safety and quality issues within the pharmacy service.

Aseptic Suite

To be part of a team of pharmacists, technicians and assistants providing a timely and accurate supply of aseptically prepared intravenous pharmaceuticals to wards and departments.

Prepare worksheets for the preparation of aseptic products

To work in a clean room environment using isolators to manufacture cytotoxic drugs

To participate in the preparation and reconstitution of cytotoxic drugs and monoclonal antibodies using approved protocols, guidelines and SOPs

Carry out assembly, spraying in and packing of aseptically prepared and cytotoxic items

To assist the senior technician to co-ordinate work within the aseptic suite

To assist in the daily/monthly cleaning of the unit according to procedures and to supervise and train other staff in these procedures

Assist with the receipt and storage of deliveries of pharmaceutical goods for clinical trials according to the requirements of GCP

Dispense clinical trial medication according to SOPs

Complete all relevant clinical trial paperwork

Ensure all clinical trial folders are updated with the most recent documentation

Dispensary and Distribution

To participate in the ward top-up system to replenish stock at ward level and liaise closely with ward pharmacist and ward staff to maintain effective stock lev