NHS Royal Devon | Technical Services

Technical Services

Explore this role:

What's it like to work at the Royal Devon?
How do I train to become an Aseptic Technician?
What does a career pathway look like?
Your bespoke learning journey
Advancing your career
Case study
Video
What can I expect to get paid?

Technical Services is where you will find our state-of-the-art aseptic units, where injectable medicines such as chemotherapy treatments are manufactured.

Aseptic Technicians use their knowledge and skills to keep our aseptic units running smoothly. You’ll be carefully creating the infusions needed for injectable medications, following standard operating procedures to carefully manage prescriptions. Accuracy is key, and you’ll have dedicated support from your colleagues.

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What's it like to work at the Royal Devon?

Our aseptic units are state-of-the-art sterile facilities where injectable medicines are manufactured, such as chemotherapy treatment and specialist treatment for specialties such as ophthalmology, rheumatology and gastroenterology.

Collaborating with a team of dedicated professionals, you’ll work together to manufacture specialist injectable medications in a controlled environment, using your meticulous approach and impressive attention to detail to follow strict protocols with support from your colleagues.

How do I train to become an Aseptic Technician?

Band 5 Aseptic Technicians enter the role following completion of the Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship programme and developing specialist aseptic knowledge.

Providing you have the relevant entry criteria, we will support you with the access exam needed to access the Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship programme. You will be studying and working as a Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician whilst completing the level three course. This is fully funded via the apprenticeship levy.

Pharmacy Technician routes

Registering with the GPhC

Qualified Technicians must register with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).

General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)

What does a career pathway look like?

There are so many ways to achieve a fulfilling and rewarding career as an Aseptic Technician. You may be starting afresh and looking for a brand new role, or perhaps you have dedicated a few years to other goals and are looking to return to practice. If you are interested in developing your role, we have a wealth of opportunities you can harness too.

To help you on your way, we produced a brochure to kick start your career with us.

Your bespoke learning journey

You’ll be supported to create your own personal development plan. This is used to identify your individual training needs, which can be met from the wide range of learning opportunities available such as clinical skills, management development, coaching and mentoring, IT skills and much more.

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Advancing your career

Band 6 Aseptic Technician

Aseptic Technicians can advance to a Senior Technician role by taking on further study such as diplomas and checking courses. Registered Band 6 Aseptic Technicians have greater responsibility, contributing to department management, supporting colleagues, and product approval. We will help you with guidance, mentorship, and dedicated time to study and provide opportunities to explore your area of interest and learn from other professionals within your chosen field.

Pharmacy Workforce Development South

Band 7 Chief Aseptic Technician

Once you have achieved Band 6 status, you can continue your professional development and may have the opportunity to become Band 7 Chief Aseptic Technician. Band 7 Chief Aseptic Technicians are responsible for running the aseptic department, managing capacity, maintenance, and liaising with stakeholders.

You’ll also have the opportunity to advance to further senior positions by accessing in-house training and external courses and building your experience.

Band 8 Lead Aseptic Technician

Band 8 Lead Aseptics Technicians use their specialist experience to create intricate medications for complex medical needs across a range of clinical services. You’ll have the opportunity to innovate and transform patient care, leading the department with your excellent management skills and inspiring the next generation of pharmacy professionals.

NHS Leadership Academy

Case study

Mollie Hambidge - Specialist Technical Officer

I joined the technical services team two and a half years ago, as a band three apprentice. Both the role and the potential for progression provided a great opportunity to apply my love of science and maths in a career that helps others. Supported by the trust and guided by the technical services team, I undertook the Science Manufacturing Technician apprenticeship programme – a challenging and rewarding journey that I recently completed successfully! Now, as a band four specialist technical officer, I am excited to apply my new skills in a role that aligns with my passions and allows me to contribute to meaningful scientific endeavours.

What resonates most for me in my role, is the profound sense of achievement derived from handcrafting treatments for individuals facing challenging times, both adults and children. Collaborating with clinical trials introduces an intriguing dimension to my daily tasks, especially when treatments are double-blinded. This adds an element of uncertainty, as neither I nor the trial’s nurses are aware of whether I am manufacturing an active drug or a placebo. Considering the prevalence of cancer diagnoses, with 1 in 2 individuals affected in their lifetime, my involvement in these processes aims to enhance prognoses and contribute to positive outcomes.

Beyond my direct responsibilities, the aseptic unit operates as an integral part of a multidisciplinary team dedicated to prioritising patient well-being. Comprising different roles such as pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy assistants, each team member brings a unique skill set, fostering effective collaboration towards a shared goal. Interdepartmental cooperation is key, with joint efforts extending beyond the unit. Collaborations with clinical ward-based staff streamline our workload by coordinating patient appointments, and the stores team plays a pivotal role in procuring essential goods for our treatments. This effective collaboration highlights how everyone across different departments is committed to looking after patients in all aspects of their care.

For those intrigued by the intersection of science, maths, and healthcare, a career in technical services at the Royal Devon offers a fulfilling pathway to leverage your skills to make a difference in the lives of others. The support and investment in professional development provided by the trust ensures that you can thrive and grow in your chosen profession.

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Being a Pharmacy Technician

What can I expect to get paid?

Agenda for change

Known as ‘Agenda for Change’, NHS pay is structured around different bandings for a fair and transparent pay structure. Levels of pay vary within each band according to experience. As your career develops, you can expect to earn more and move to the top of your pay banding before working your way up to the next one.

NHS pay explained