Job summary
This is not just about running an aseptic unit. It is about ensuring some of our most complex medicines reach patients safely.

Following a planned retirement, University Hospitals Dorset has a rare opportunity for an experienced aseptic services leader to take responsibility for our established service and help shape what comes next.

Our aseptic unit prepares more than 25,000 medicine items each year, including chemotherapy and monoclonal antibodies, and supports medicines used within clinical trials.

As our Head of Aseptic Services, you will hold overall accountability for service delivery and operational oversight across pharmacy technical services. You will provide the specialist leadership and assurance needed to maintain the quality, safety and professional standards on which our patients and clinical teams depend.

This is a role with significant professional responsibility, but also significant opportunity. We are looking for someone with the technical credibility, leadership and ambition to develop our people, drive improvement and shape the future direction of aseptic services at UHD.

Relocation expenses will be available for this role in line with Trust policies and subject to internal review.

Base location - Poole Hospital but with occasionally working at Royal Bournemouth Hospital

Advert closes: 1st November 2026

Shortlisting: w/c 2nd November 2026

Interview date: 14th November 2026

Main duties of the job
The quality. The complexity. The opportunity.

You will provide strategic leadership across aseptic services and pharmacy quality assurance, leading the development and continuous improvement of our Pharmaceutical Quality System and ensuring our service continues to meet the required standards.

You will lead inspection readiness, oversee responses to audits, incidents and areas of non-compliance, and ensure our facilities, equipment, systems and working practices support safe and effective service delivery.

But maintaining today's standards is only part of the role.

You will lead service development and improvement, exploring new technologies, equipment and service models and developing capacity, supply and business continuity plans. You will contribute to regional and system-wide work exploring the future of aseptic services and play an important role in our digital transformation.

Working across professional boundaries, you will provide expert advice, manage complex risks and lead and develop our multidisciplinary aseptic workforce.

When standards matter, you will be the person accountable for ensuring they are right.

About us
University Hospitals Dorset

Based on the beautiful south coast of England UHD serves a population of more than 800,000 across Dorset and South Wiltshire. The trust comprises of three hospitals Poole, Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch hospitals and is one of the largest hospital trusts in the South West.

Our flagship Dorset Cancer Centre, offers medical and clinical oncology services for the whole of Dorset and the pharmacy aseptic service is a key part of this critical service.

The trust is undergoing a major transformation following £500m investment in the local health services including a new emergency centre, new theatres, new children and cancer services. It's an exciting time at UHD and we would love you to join our growing team of over 9,000 staff.

If a role or service relocates as part of a planned move, excess mileage will not be reimbursed. Travel from home to the new work base will be classed as a normal commute. Any other changes will be managed under Trust or national terms and conditions.

Learn more and say hello to a pharmacy career in Dorset at: NHS Dorset Pharmacy Careers

UHD has active networks including Women's, BAME, Pride, EU, Pro Ability, and Armed Forces. We support Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant interview schemes.

AI tools may be used, but applications must honestly reflect your own skills and experience. Integrity is key to our recruitment process.

Job responsibilities
Senior leadership that expects more.

Reporting to the Chief Pharmacist, you will be an active member of the pharmacy senior leadership team, contributing to strategy and change across the wider service.

You will work closely with Quality Assurance, Pharmacy Cancer Clinical Leads, Research and Development, cancer services and clinical, nursing, Estates and regional colleagues. You will provide expert technical and pharmaceutical advice, influence complex decisions and ensure aseptic requirements are considered as treatments and services develop.

You will provide leadership for workforce planning, recruitment, development, competence and performance, building the capability needed to meet future service demands.

We are looking for someone with extensive hospital pharmacy technical services experience, senior experience within an aseptic manufacturing unit and expert knowledge of GMP and aseptic preparation. You will combine technical expertise with sound judgement, strong influencing skills and the ability to turn complex problems into practical solutions.

Applicants must be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) as a pharmacist or pharmacy technician.

For further insight into this role, please view the recruitment brochure. If you are applying via Trac please click here Recruitment Brochure - Head of Aseptic Services . If you are viewing via NHS Jobs, you can find the brochure under the Supporting Links section.

Person Specification
Essential criteria

• PGDip Pharmaceutical Technology and Quality Assurance or equivalent experience
• Extensive experience in pharmacy aseptic services
• Registered Pharmacist
• Leadership or project management qualification or equivalent experience

Desirable

• Extensive experience of quality assurance in an aseptic or manufacturing unit
• Previous experience with a range of electronic worksheet systems and / or electronic chemotherapy prescribing systems

Knowledge

• Extensive knowledge of section 10 legislation demonstrated

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).

Employer details
Employer name: University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Poole Hospital Pharmacy Aseptics, Longfleet Road, Poole, BH15 2JB, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.uhd.nhs.uk/careers

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Chief Pharmacist
Stephen Bleakley
stephen.bleakley4@nhs.net
03000194097