University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust

Pharmacy Support Worker - Quality Assurance

The closing date is 26 February 2026

Job summary

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, highly motivated, detailed individual to join our friendly Quality Assurance team performing lab tasks that provide quality data for our aseptic manufacturing units.

You'll join a small team of highly professional and dedicated staff whose aim is to provide an excellent, quality driven service.

It is an exciting opportunity to be part of both a small Quality Assurance team, with an opportunity to integrate with our larger sterile production teams, bringing a good variety of both laboratory and clean room work.

About us

University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.

Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalizing your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

At UHS we're committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.

At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognizing that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We're committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.

Details

Date posted

20 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

Depending on experience £24,465 per annum or per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

188-CL190226

Job locations

University Hospital Southampton

Tremona Road

Southampton

SO16 6YD


Job description

Job responsibilities

The successful applicant will be organising microbiological monitoring samples, tracking them during incubation, reading and interpreting the results, entering results into our computer database, and reporting summarised results to the services.

The Quality Assurance lab supports our 5 pharmacy manufacturing services, preparing specialist sterile medicines for some of the most complex patients in the hospital, each with dedicated clean room facilities. The services together employ around 60 staff and produce 150,000 doses per year.

If youre practically minded, organised and with an eye for detail, enjoy taking responsibility for your own work and being part of a team, this post is ideally suited for you.

All Pharmacy Support Workers take part in the Saturday morning, Bank Holiday and extended hours rotas. Part time working will be considered.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The successful applicant will be organising microbiological monitoring samples, tracking them during incubation, reading and interpreting the results, entering results into our computer database, and reporting summarised results to the services.

The Quality Assurance lab supports our 5 pharmacy manufacturing services, preparing specialist sterile medicines for some of the most complex patients in the hospital, each with dedicated clean room facilities. The services together employ around 60 staff and produce 150,000 doses per year.

If youre practically minded, organised and with an eye for detail, enjoy taking responsibility for your own work and being part of a team, this post is ideally suited for you.

All Pharmacy Support Workers take part in the Saturday morning, Bank Holiday and extended hours rotas. Part time working will be considered.

Person Specification

Qualifications / training required

Essential

  • Commitment to complete NVQ 2 in Pharmacy or other Level 2 approved GPhC qualification for pharmacy support, within 18 months of working
  • Numerate and literate demonstrating ability to pass test at interview

Desirable

  • 2 GCSE's or equivalent grades A* - C or 4-9 in English and Maths. (If qualifications gained outside the UK evidence of equivalent standards must be demonstrated at interview)
  • Other healthcare qualifications
  • GCSE's in science-based or other role specific relevant subjects

Trust Values

Essential

  • Patient Values
  • Always Improving
  • Working Together

Previous or relevant experience necessary

Essential

  • Use of information technology in the workplace or within education or voluntary sector
  • Standard Keyboard Skills

Desirable

  • Previous pharmacy/laboratory experience (hospital or community)
  • Previous experience in health or social care (if not pharmacy)
  • Experience in stock control i.e., receiving, maintaining and / or issuing stock
  • Clinical trials or research experience (Clinical trials only)
  • Use of till and / or handling money in a work environment (RSH posts only)
Person Specification

Qualifications / training required

Essential

  • Commitment to complete NVQ 2 in Pharmacy or other Level 2 approved GPhC qualification for pharmacy support, within 18 months of working
  • Numerate and literate demonstrating ability to pass test at interview

Desirable

  • 2 GCSE's or equivalent grades A* - C or 4-9 in English and Maths. (If qualifications gained outside the UK evidence of equivalent standards must be demonstrated at interview)
  • Other healthcare qualifications
  • GCSE's in science-based or other role specific relevant subjects

Trust Values

Essential

  • Patient Values
  • Always Improving
  • Working Together

Previous or relevant experience necessary

Essential

  • Use of information technology in the workplace or within education or voluntary sector
  • Standard Keyboard Skills

Desirable

  • Previous pharmacy/laboratory experience (hospital or community)
  • Previous experience in health or social care (if not pharmacy)
  • Experience in stock control i.e., receiving, maintaining and / or issuing stock
  • Clinical trials or research experience (Clinical trials only)
  • Use of till and / or handling money in a work environment (RSH posts only)

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).

Additional information

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).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust

Address

University Hospital Southampton

Tremona Road

Southampton

SO16 6YD


Employer's website

https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust

Address

University Hospital Southampton

Tremona Road

Southampton

SO16 6YD


Employer's website

https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Pharmacy QC Lab Manager

Rebecca Ballard

rebecca.ballard@uhs.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

20 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

Depending on experience £24,465 per annum or per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

188-CL190226

Job locations

University Hospital Southampton

Tremona Road

Southampton

SO16 6YD


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)