Job summary
We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated Pharmacy Technicians or Science Manufacturing Technicians to join our Pharmacy Technical Services team at an exciting time for the service. The team prepares and supplies systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) for patients across all four Health Board hospital sites and supports a growing clinical trials service. We are opening a new Pharmacy Aseptic Unit later this year which will help us meet our growing patient demand.

This is a great role within a friendly and supportive team involved in the preparation and supply of medicines for patients across the Health Board. You will gain experience in aseptic services, clinical trials and quality assurance activities, with support to develop accredited checking qualifications and specialist skills within Pharmacy Technical Services, making this an excellent role for those looking to develop their career within pharmacy. Applicants are encouraged to contact the recruiting manager for an informal discussion about the role and to find out more about the team and service.

Applicants must hold or be currently working towards a relevant pharmacy or science qualification. Applicants must be registered as a Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) or as a Registered Science Technician (RSciTech) with the Science Council or be eligible and intending to register with the relevant professional body within the current year.

Main duties of the job

• Take part in and supervise the aseptic preparation of medicines, following relevant quality, safety and regulatory requirements.
• Support the daily running of the service by helping to organise workloads and activities to ensure medicines are prepared and supplied safely and on time.
• Carry out accredited pre- and in-process checks to help ensure medicines are prepared accurately and safely.
• Provide day-to-day support and guidance to technical services staff, assisting with training and competency assessments where required.
• Support quality assurance activities such as environmental monitoring, validation work, deviation reporting and quality investigations.
• Assist with the development and review of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and contribute to service improvements.
• Help maintain stock levels and ensure the safe storage, handling and security of medicines and consumables.
• Dispense and self-check prescriptions, including unlicensed medicines and clinical trial products, following approved procedures.
• Carry out final accuracy checks and release prescriptions in line with legal, professional and clinical requirements.

About us
Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.

We have over 13,000 staff, and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services. We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private, and third-sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.

Our services are provided in:

• Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
• Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
• Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
• 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 99 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
• Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services

Job responsibilities
The ideal candidate will hold accredited checking qualifications for both dispensed medicines and pre- and in-process checking within aseptic preparation services. However, applicants who do not currently meet all the requirements of the Band 5 role are encouraged to apply and, if successful, will need to attain the qualifications within a maximum of 18 months and will be appointed under Annex 21 rules. This means they will be supported by a development plan. (During the first year, payment will be 70% of the top rate of band 5 pay, and the second year 75%). Following successful passing of the checking accreditations, the post holder will then be paid at Band 5 (minimum point on the scale). Support and supervision will be provided in order to develop the successful applicant to the Band 5 role. Failure to achieve the qualification in the designated timeframe could result in re-deployment.

This post may be included in a forthcoming organisational change process, to create the Transforming Access to Medicines (TrAMs) Service. The nature and timescales of the proposed change will be subject to consultation in conjunction with the All-Wales Organisational Change Policy. There is no anticipated risk to employment due to this change. Please contact the recruiting manager if you wish to discuss this further. More information on the TrAMs programme can be found here: Transforming Access to Medicines - NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership.

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Interviews will be held on 23/09/2026.

Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential

• Level 4 Certificate of Higher Education in Pharmacy Technician Practice OR BTEC Pharmaceutical Sciences with NVQ Level 3 Pharmacy Services OR The Principles of Aseptic Pharmaceuticals Processing (Level 3), OR Science Manufacturing Tech (SMT) Level 3 OR equivalent scientific qualification at degree level
• Accredited Pre- and In-process Checking
• Accuracy Checking for Dispensing Assistants course or equivalent qualification
• Appropriate Professional Registration
• GPhC approved dispensing qualification at level 2 or above

Desirable

• Supervisory management qualification or accreditation, or equivalent experience
• Training qualification or accreditation, or equivalent experience

Experience
Essential

• Experience working in a Pharmacy, aseptic unit or comparable production environment.

Desirable

• Wider experience of pharmaceutical industry including procurement, stores and distribution

Other
Essential

• Approachable and professional manner.
• Ability to remain calm in a busy environment.
• Committed to continuing professional development.

Desirable

• Welsh Speaker (Level 1)

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

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.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

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