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Pharmacy Support Worker Apprenticeship
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Pharmacy Support Worker in Aseptic Services
The Pharmacy Support Worker in Aseptic Services plays an important role in the safe preparation of sterile medicines for patients. This work-based learning programme is a General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) approved qualification. You will work as part of the Aseptic Services team under the supervision of qualified pharmacy colleagues.
Wage
- £15,600 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
- National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course
Science manufacturing process operative (level 2)
Hours
- Working as part of the Aseptic Services team, working flexibly on a rota between the hours of 7.00am and 6:00pm.
- A commitment to work 1 in 4 weekends and Bank Holiday cover on a rota.
- 37 hours 30 minutes a week
Start date
Monday 2 November 2026
Duration
1 year 6 months
Positions available
5
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work The role involves working in a cleanroom environment, following strict procedures to prepare materials, maintain high standards of cleanliness, complete accurate documentation and support the production of aseptic medicines.
You will be supported to complete the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Pharmacy competency training package, as follows:
- Preparing documentation for batch medicinal products
- Preparing trays according to the worksheet, filling in relevant manufacturer, batch number and expiry date
- Preparing, processing and packing aseptically prepared medicinal products in accordance with approved worksheets and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
- Stock control training plan and competency
- Labelling and dispensing training plan and competency
- Controlled Drug Total Preparation
- Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) preparation
- To undertake transfer disinfection of materials into and within the aseptic unit and the isolators; visually inspect/volume accuracy check batches prepared in the aseptic unit to ensure they are free of particulate contamination and meet the required standards
- To undertake daily recording of temperature/pressure readings and manometer panel of the aseptic unit as per SOPs
- To undertake environmental monitoring using the appropriate equipment following SOPs
- To assist in maintenance and cleaning of facilities and equipment within the aseptic unit in line with SOPs
Where you'll work You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.
This apprenticeship is available in these locations:
- Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Glossop Road, Sheffield S10 2JF
- Weston Park Cancer Hospital, Whitham Road, Sheffield, S10 2SJ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider WEST SUFFOLK COLLEGE
Training course Science manufacturing process operative (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn Course contents:
- Follow procedures in line with process industry health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
- Follow procedures in line with process industry environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance.
- Follow work instructions.
- Follow process manufacturing standard operating procedures.
- Conduct material preparation for example, measure, weigh, mix and load materials.
- Check and set up science process industry tools, plant, or equipment.
- Use science process industry tools, plant, or equipment required for task.
- Monitor process manufacturing and take corrective actions to meet specification.
- Apply product quality assurance procedures for example, take product samples, inspect products.
- Conduct end of process procedures for example, finish, pack, label, discharge, move, and store batches.
- Collect and interpret information.
- Identify and resolve or report issues.
- Store materials, monitor, and rotate stock.
- Comply with housekeeping procedures for example, clean equipment and machinery, tidy work area.
- Identify and segregate resources for reuse, recycling, and disposal.
- Apply basic continuous improvement techniques for example, 5Why's, S5, and KAIZEN.
- Perform simple calculations for example, raw material quantity and production calculations.
- Record information (text and data) - paper based or electronic for example, quality control documentation, cleaning logs, handover notes, stock inventory systems.
- Communicate with colleagues verbally.
- Use information technology for example, digital manufacturing management systems, virtual learning platforms, word processing, and email. Comply with GDPR and cyber security procedures.
- Apply team building principles.
- Carry out and record learning and development.
- Follow procedures in line with process industry health and safety regulations, standards, and guidance.
- Follow procedures in line with process industry environmental and sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance.
- Follow work instructions.
- Follow process manufacturing standard operating procedures.
- Conduct material preparation for example, measure, weigh, mix and load materials.
- Check and set up science process industry tools, plant, or equipment.
- Use science process industry tools, plant, or equipment required for task.
- Monitor process manufacturing and take corrective actions to meet specification.
- Apply product quality assurance procedures for example, take product samples, inspect products.
- Conduct end of process procedures for example, finish, pack, label, discharge, move, and store batches.
- Collect and interpret information.
- Identify and resolve or report issues.
- Store materials, monitor, and rotate stock.
- Comply with housekeeping procedures for example, clean equipment and machinery, tidy work area.
- Identify and segregate resources for reuse, recycling, and disposal.
- Apply basic continuous improvement techniques for example, 5Why's, S5, and KAIZEN.
- Perform simple calculations for example, raw material quantity and production calculations.
- Record information (text and data) - paper based or electronic for example, quality control documentation, cleaning logs, handover notes, stock inventory systems.
- Communicate with colleagues verbally.
- Use information technology for example, digital manufacturing management systems, virtual learning platforms, word processing, and email. Comply with GDPR and cyber security procedures.
- Apply team building principles.
- Carry out and record learning and development.
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Training schedule As well as completing the Trust's competency package towards the duties of the role, achieving your Level 2 qualification consists of:
- Completing a portfolio demonstrating your knowledge and skills developed at work
- Attending virtual sessions every 2 weeks to support underpinning knowledge
- An end point assessment incorporating:
- Written questions
- Simulated Observation
- Professional Discussion
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Built into the qualification, is the Open Awards Level 2 Certificate in Principles and Practices for Pharmaceutical Technical Services (RQF).
Requirements
Essential qualifications
- GCSE in:
- English (grade 2/E)
- Maths (grade 4/C)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Patience
- Patient First
- Respect
- Ownership
- Unity
- Delivery
- Independence
- Focus
- Prioritising
- Reliable
- Committed
About this employer
We are committed to helping our staff balance their work and home lives and ensure they feel supported, valued and appreciated so whilst you care for our patients and clients, we’ll take care of you. We offer many different ways of helping staff including career development opportunities, flexible working, good annual leave and pension schemes, health and wellbeing packages and financial support systems. Joining the Trust also allows you access to a number of saving options via our salary sacrifice schemes and a wide range of discount opportunities with retailers and service providers. You will be working for an organisation which values and respects all of its staff and the community it serves. The Trust is a leader in the NHS and research sectors and provides excellent benefits for its staff. This includes commitments to professional development but also many policies to support employees in balancing their personal and professional lives. https://www.sth.nhs.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- 27 days annual leave.
- NHS Discounts & Pension.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Subsidised onsite childcare facilities.
- Free fast-track physiotherapy service.
- Discounted glasses/laser eye surgery.
- Confidential counselling service/wellbeing support.
Disability Confident A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.
You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Pharmacy Support Workers may have opportunities to progress to a Pharmacy Technician or Senior Pharmacy Support Worker. Opportunities could include having responsibility for others, or pursuing a specific speciality, e.g.:
- Dispensary
- Medicines Management – predominantly wards-based
- Technical services – e.g. Cytotoxics or Aseptic Dispensing Units
- Homecare – helping to supply and deliver medications for treatment in the patients home
- Pharmacy Stores
- Clinical Trials – we have a fast growing department
- Community pharmacy services
- Education and Training
- Healthcare Governance and Medicines Safety
- Procurement – sourcing and ordering medications
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