Pharmacy Assistant & Clinical Trials

Transformationunitgm; Torquay; On-site; GBP 24,000 - GBP 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A public healthcare organization in Torquay seeks a Pharmacy Assistant for clinical trials. The role involves dispensing medications, managing stock, and supporting aseptic services. Candidates should possess strong communication skills and an NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services. This is a fantastic opportunity to work in a progressive environment dedicated to improving healthcare delivery and supporting clinical trials. Training provided for Good Clinical Practice and related competencies.

Qualifications

• Good general standard of education; Grade 4 or above at GCSE in English and Mathematics.
• NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent qualification is required.
• Experience to NVQ Level 3 competency via in-house trials/aseptic training.

Responsibilities

• Dispensing medication in the Clinical Trials and Aseptic departments.
• Managing stock control, record keeping, and general administration duties.
• Working with the Aseptic Services team for aseptic dispensing tasks.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Problem solving

Knowledge of pharmacy dispensing systems

Education

Grade 4 or above at GCSE in English and Mathematics

NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services

Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training

Job description

Employer Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Torbay Hospital Town Torquay Salary £24,937 - £26,598 pa Salary period Yearly Closing 19/02/2026 23:59

Pharmacy Assistant - Clinical Trials

NHS AfC: Band 3

Job overview

Are you enthusiastic and self‑motivated? Would you like the opportunity to work in an innovative department ? We would love to hear from you.

Ou r Pharmacy Assistant - Clinical Trials will be involved in a varied range of activities within the Clinical T rials department and the Aseptic Services Unit of the pharmac y . This post will provide a supportive role for all aspects of the pharmacy clinical trials service .

Main duties of the job

• The main duties of this role will include dispensing medication in the C linical T rial s and Aseptic departments, managing stock control, record keeping , disposal of medication and general administration duties .
• You will work with the C linical T rials team to plan the daily workload of the pharmacy clinical trials service . The post involves liaising with wards, research teams and other pharmacy staff to coordinate the timely supply of medicines to patients.
• Part of the role will involve working with the Aseptic Services team to set up for aseptic dispensing and transferring batches to be made in house into the clean room . This will include accurately comple ting the product batch s heet including all the required calculations, preparing product labels, assembling all required ingredients and equipment for preparation of products and then decontaminating items before they pass into the clean room.
• All the work you undertake will be done in accordance with the relevant UK and EU legislation, Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and Good Manufacturing Practi c e (GMP) and local standard operating procedures (SOPs). In house training will be given to any s uccessful candidates covering these topics.

Working for our organisation

The pharmacy C linical T rials team consists of clinical trials pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and assistants who are dedicated to the management of the pharmaceutical aspects of clinical trials within the trust . The team works closely with the pharmacy aseptic services team who produce a range of aseptic products including systemic anti‑cancer therapy (SACT) used in some of our clinical trials.

The C linical T rials team also work closely with Research and Development staff , clinical trial sponsors, clini cians, nurses, pharmacy staff and other heal thcare professionals . Working together to ensure patients have access to the latest developments in investigational medicines .

Currently the Clinical Trials department is running a varied range of clinical trials acros s many different specialities including oncology, haematology , cardio-vascular, ophthalmology to name but a few . Currently running are trials involving n ew technologies and novel investigational products .

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the attached job description and person specification for an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role and the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required.

Person specification

Qualifications and Training

• Good general standard of education; Grade 4 or above at GCSE in English and Mathematics or equivalent qualification
• NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent qualification
• Experience to NVQ Level 3 competency via in‑house trials/aseptic training and competency package or equivalent competency (This can be achieved in post)
• Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training (This can be achieved whilst in post)
• Grade 4 or above at GCSE in other subjects including Sciences

Knowledge and Experience

• Previous experience in pharmacy services
• Knowledge of pharmacy dispensing systems
• Previous experience in clinical trials
• Previous experience in aseptic services

Specific Skills

• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Able to analyse and interpret a range of information to solve problems

You will be joining the organisation at an exciting time. As the first fully integrated care organisation in England, we are working to improve the way we deliver safe, high‑quality health and social care. We have a positive and vibrant working atmosphere, we are proud of our investment in our staff both in terms of developing potential career skills and valuing people.

If you provide support to a family member or friend with health or care needs, we aim to be a Carer‑friendly employer. We have a ‘Staff Carers’ policy which includes flexible working where possible and a Carer’s Passport scheme that links you into support and discounts.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• We reserve the right to close vacancies early if we receive a high volume of applications. Therefore, we encourage you to apply promptly.
• Please read the job description carefully and tailor your application to reflect the requirements of the role.
• Applicants who identify in their application form they are a part of the Armed Forces community will be guaranteed an interview, provided they meet the minimum essential criteria outlined in the job description and person specification for the role. Step into Health guidance can be found on our NHS Employers website.
• Correspondence will be sent via Trac, text, and email. Please ensure you check your email and Trac account regularly.
• Applicants with no previous NHS experience will ordinarily be appointed to the minimum of the band.
• If you have not received an invitation to interview within 28 days of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
• It is your responsibility to ensure the timely receipt of appropriate references.

The Trust is committed to preventing discrimination, valuing diversity and achieving equality of opportunity. No person (staff, patient or public) will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of the nine protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. If you require support you can obtain this from our Equality Business Forum which has representatives from all protected groups.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.