Job summary
Here at PHU NHS Trust, we are looking for highly motivated Band 5 / Band 6 Technicians to join our off site MHRA licensed Aseptic Preparation Unit. We are looking for enthusiastic, hard working individuals with excellent organisational and communication skills.
This role will challenge your aseptic knowledge and enhance your skill set in all aspects of pharmacy aseptic services including final checking , documentation , training and stock control.
You should be able to multitask and deliver information to junior staff efficiently with confidence. The role is diverse in its responsibilities but allows to to create your own expertise in niche areas.
Further training/ support is delivered within the workplace by our compassionate and experienced multi-skilled team, ensuring you receive the support you need to be competent and confident Senior Production Technician.
This is an exciting opportunity to be involved a busy and developing aseptic preparation unit , which runs a successful trading arm of Portsmouth Hospital University Trust.
Key responsibilities are the involvement of the day to day management and coordination of aseptic products to ensure patient medications are delivered in a timely fashion.
We would love to hear from you if this would be an area of interest to you and that will compliment your skills and experience to date.
Main duties of the job
Documentation and Trolley Checking
- You will participate in and be responsible for checking all forms of documentation.
- You will liaise with allocated junior staff to ensure batches are assembled in a timely manor.
- You will be responsible for accuracy checking batches prior to aseptic manufacture.
- You will ensure that batches are sent into the aseptic suite in priority order to ensure the time constraints are met.
- You may participate in the training of new staff members within the documentation & assembly role.
- You will assist with documentation and stores queries.
- You will participate in the checking stores of stores invoices to ensure delivery times are met.
Final Checking
- You will prioritise and final check manufactured aseptic batches prior to Quality Control Release.
- You will supervise and direct staff within final checking to ensure batches are labelled in a timely manor.
- You will participate in the training of new members of staff.
If you would like to discuss the development and training process for this post, please contact Suzanne Platten.
About us
The Trust is committed to driving excellence in care for our patients and communities and was rated good by the Care Quality Commission report published 2020 and became a University Hospital. We are ranked as the third in the country for research; embedding education and training across the organisation and we continuously strive to achieve our core values which are at the heart of everything we do. The Trusts main hub is the Queen Alexandra Hospital, starting life as a military hospital over a century ago and now one of the largest hospitals on the south coast and you may have seen us on the TV series Nurses on the Ward. The Trust provides comprehensive secondary care and specialist services to a local population of 675,000 people across South East Hampshire. The Trust employs over 8,000 staff and are #ProudtobePHU; our patients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because its the right thing to do, but because it makes our hospital stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for providing outstanding care and support for patients, colleagues and our community you will find a home at PHU. In recruiting for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in
terms of your education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender
identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veterans
status, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To provide technical support to the Pharmacy Manufacturing unit to include supervision and management of small groups of staff working within sections of the Department.
- To undertake pre- and in-process checks as part of daily activities and undertake final checks on a range of aseptically prepared and non-sterile products.
- To work in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice in order to maintain the standards required by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and keep the departments manufacturing licence and reputation with customers.
Senior Production Technician Functions (Band 5)
- Undertake the day to day supervision of staff and workload within section under the direction of Senior colleagues, to include managing and directing of staff and scheduling of work to ensure all deadlines are met and that work is completed in accordance with written work instructions and Good Manufacturing and Health and Safety at Work Act, COSSH and any other legislation where applicable.
- Enforcement of quality management systems within the section including the completion of documentation, maintenance of quality indicators and compliance with results of audits to ensure the standards of GMP required by the MHRA are met at all times. Problem solving and investigation of incidents to identify and help to solve problems.
- Responsible for accuracy checking of batch paper work to ensure the correct information and calculations have been applied.Perform aseptic manipulations as required including preparation of adult and paediatric parenteral nutrition (PN), CIVAS, Cytotoxics and any other aseptically prepared products required for patients either inside or outside of the Trust.
- Perform aseptic manipulations as required including preparation of adult and paediatric parenteral nutrition (PN), CIVAS, Cytotoxics and any other aseptically prepared products required for patients either inside or outside of the Trust
- Act as troubleshooter within aseptic suite for areas of competence.
- Responsible for ensuring pre- and in-process checks products manufactured within PMU are carried out in accordance with defined work instructions so that products are prepared to specification and quality is upheld. Taking appropriate action to deal with any deviations as necessary to ensure patient safety is not compromised at any time in the preparation process.
- Responsible for ensuring all the gassing, cleaning and monitoring required for the service (isolators and associated rooms) is undertaken according to procedures and results are documented. To ensure any deviations from approved processes are immediately escalated to the Operations Manager.
- Carry out final checks on a range of complex manufactured items produced within the department, evaluating quality, reconciling quantities of raw materials and finished products, and ensuring compliance with batch sheet and standard working practices. Ensure completion of the batch records and necessary paperwork, and deal with deviations appropriately.
- Carry out accuracy checks on labels and assembled items prior to production to ensure compliance with batch record sheets and customer orders. Taking appropriate action to deal with any deviations or errors to ensure there is no risk to product integrity.
- Responsible for ensuring the optimal management of stock including accurate stock levels and safe/appropriate storage.
- Undertake in-house training and all necessary academic, practical and portfolio building work in order to achieve accreditation as an NVQ level 2 assessor. Taking part in the appraisal and development of technical and support staff.
- In liaison with Principal Production Technician, plan and schedule the training of all grades of staff using written training programmes to ensure trainees are fully competent and undertaking assessments of aseptic operator practice and technique. In liaison with Principal Production Technicians, write and maintain training programmes, and compile suitable action plans to address areas of concern with training and trainees.
- Take responsibility for delivering underpinning knowledge to support training programmes and ensure you have sufficient knowledge to deal with questions raised as a result of delivering the information.
- Contribute to the Pharmacy manufacturing workforce through participation in out of hours, weekend and Bank Holiday working as required.
Principal Production Technician Functions (Band 6)
- Management and supervision of day to day activities, scheduling of work and the deploying of technical and support staff within all sections to ensure all deadlines are met and that work is completed according to WIs and Good Manufacturing Practice. Works with departmental senior staff in this duty to ensure the capacity plan is met at all times.
- Enforcement of quality management systems within the section including completion of documentation, maintenance of quality indicators and compliance with results of audits to ensure the standards of GMP required by the MHRA are met at all times. Problem solving and investigation of incidents to identify and help to solve problems and prevent future occurances.
- Responsible for ensuring the application of specialist technical knowledge to ensure the maintenance of the pharmacy manufacturing systems of safe working practice to include scheduling of work, preparation, review and auditing of work instructions, quality monitoring, investigating complaints and reporting to pharmacy management in accordance with procedures. Takes an active part in internal and external audits.
- Work with other Senior Production staff in implementing and maintaining a quality management system within the unit to ensure GMP is consistently achieved and that the unit obtains and maintains licensed status.
- Responsible for accuracy checking of batch paper work to ensure the correct information and calculations have been applied.
- Performing aseptic manipulations as required to ensure continuity of service and continued competence.
- Preparation of non-standard TPN batch sheets and labels using Ascribe computer programme including manipulation of data to ensure formulation is acceptable for the patient and is stable to prepare.
- Organising and coordination with Quality assurance staff, the validation of processes to ensure that they consistently lead to conformance with specification and accurately record the quality system, including all staff working within the system are competent to undertake all duties.
- Responsible for ensuring all gassing, cleaning and monitoring required for the service (isolators and associated rooms) is undertaken according to procedures and results are documented. To ensure any deficiencies in these activities are immediately reported to the Operations Manager.
- Works with other Band 6 and senior staff in developing competency based training packages and monitoring systems for Technicians, support staff and pre-registration pharmacy graduates in the areas of pharmacy production to ensure staff competency in all areas of service provision and that records are kept up-to-date.
- Provides staff training and development in the area of pharmacy production from Band 2 technical staff and pre-registration pharmacy graduates using competency based training packages and acts as a work based and trained NVQ Assessor/ facilitator for the Pharmacy Manufacturing Unit.
- Undertaking in process checks within the aseptic suite of aseptically prepared products and externally in the repackaging unit according to defined work instructions to ensure products are prepared according to the required formulations.
- Undertaking assessments of aseptic operator practice and technique to ensure compliance with work instructions at all times and taking appropriate action to deal with any deviations as necessary to ensure patient safety is not compromised at any time in the preparation process.
- Carrying out final checks on all manufactured items produced within the department and ensuring completion of the batch records and necessary paperwork. Taking appropriate action to deal with any deviations as necessary to ensure patient safety is not compromised at any time in the preparation process.
- Responsibility for the appraisal and development of staff to ensure they have the capability to undertake their roles and that staff development issues are addressed.
- Working with the Operations Manager with the planning organisation and development of the aseptic preparation service for Trust and external customers.
- If required, advising the Senior Production and Quality Assurance on amending working practices which would improve the running of the service, the quality of the service provided and improvement in Health and Safety issues/COSSH.
- Contributes to the Pharmacy manufacturing workforce through participation in weekend and Bank Holiday working as required.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To provide technical support to the Pharmacy Manufacturing unit to include supervision and management of small groups of staff working within sections of the Department.
- To undertake pre- and in-process checks as part of daily activities and undertake final checks on a range of aseptically prepared and non-sterile products.
- To work in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice in order to maintain the standards required by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and keep the departments manufacturing licence and reputation with customers.
Senior Production Technician Functions (Band 5)
- Undertake the day to day supervision of staff and workload within section under the direction of Senior colleagues, to include managing and directing of staff and scheduling of work to ensure all deadlines are met and that work is completed in accordance with written work instructions and Good Manufacturing and Health and Safety at Work Act, COSSH and any other legislation where applicable.
- Enforcement of quality management systems within the section including the completion of documentation, maintenance of quality indicators and compliance with results of audits to ensure the standards of GMP required by the MHRA are met at all times. Problem solving and investigation of incidents to identify and help to solve problems.
- Responsible for accuracy checking of batch paper work to ensure the correct information and calculations have been applied.Perform aseptic manipulations as required including preparation of adult and paediatric parenteral nutrition (PN), CIVAS, Cytotoxics and any other aseptically prepared products required for patients either inside or outside of the Trust.
- Perform aseptic manipulations as required including preparation of adult and paediatric parenteral nutrition (PN), CIVAS, Cytotoxics and any other aseptically prepared products required for patients either inside or outside of the Trust
- Act as troubleshooter within aseptic suite for areas of competence.
- Responsible for ensuring pre- and in-process checks products manufactured within PMU are carried out in accordance with defined work instructions so that products are prepared to specification and quality is upheld. Taking appropriate action to deal with any deviations as necessary to ensure patient safety is not compromised at any time in the preparation process.
- Responsible for ensuring all the gassing, cleaning and monitoring required for the service (isolators and associated rooms) is undertaken according to procedures and results are documented. To ensure any deviations from approved processes are immediately escalated to the Operations Manager.
- Carry out final checks on a range of complex manufactured items produced within the department, evaluating quality, reconciling quantities of raw materials and finished products, and ensuring compliance with batch sheet and standard working practices. Ensure completion of the batch records and necessary paperwork, and deal with deviations appropriately.
- Carry out accuracy checks on labels and assembled items prior to production to ensure compliance with batch record sheets and customer orders. Taking appropriate action to deal with any deviations or errors to ensure there is no risk to product integrity.
- Responsible for ensuring the optimal management of stock including accurate stock levels and safe/appropriate storage.
- Undertake in-house training and all necessary academic, practical and portfolio building work in order to achieve accreditation as an NVQ level 2 assessor. Taking part in the appraisal and development of technical and support staff.
- In liaison with Principal Production Technician, plan and schedule the training of all grades of staff using written training programmes to ensure trainees are fully competent and undertaking assessments of aseptic operator practice and technique. In liaison with Principal Production Technicians, write and maintain training programmes, and compile suitable action plans to address areas of concern with training and trainees.
- Take responsibility for delivering underpinning knowledge to support training programmes and ensure you have sufficient knowledge to deal with questions raised as a result of delivering the information.
- Contribute to the Pharmacy manufacturing workforce through participation in out of hours, weekend and Bank Holiday working as required.
Principal Production Technician Functions (Band 6)
- Management and supervision of day to day activities, scheduling of work and the deploying of technical and support staff within all sections to ensure all deadlines are met and that work is completed according to WIs and Good Manufacturing Practice. Works with departmental senior staff in this duty to ensure the capacity plan is met at all times.
- Enforcement of quality management systems within the section including completion of documentation, maintenance of quality indicators and compliance with results of audits to ensure the standards of GMP required by the MHRA are met at all times. Problem solving and investigation of incidents to identify and help to solve problems and prevent future occurances.
- Responsible for ensuring the application of specialist technical knowledge to ensure the maintenance of the pharmacy manufacturing systems of safe working practice to include scheduling of work, preparation, review and auditing of work instructions, quality monitoring, investigating complaints and reporting to pharmacy management in accordance with procedures. Takes an active part in internal and external audits.
- Work with other Senior Production staff in implementing and maintaining a quality management system within the unit to ensure GMP is consistently achieved and that the unit obtains and maintains licensed status.
- Responsible for accuracy checking of batch paper work to ensure the correct information and calculations have been applied.
- Performing aseptic manipulations as required to ensure continuity of service and continued competence.
- Preparation of non-standard TPN batch sheets and labels using Ascribe computer programme including manipulation of data to ensure formulation is acceptable for the patient and is stable to prepare.
- Organising and coordination with Quality assurance staff, the validation of processes to ensure that they consistently lead to conformance with specification and accurately record the quality system, including all staff working within the system are competent to undertake all duties.
- Responsible for ensuring all gassing, cleaning and monitoring required for the service (isolators and associated rooms) is undertaken according to procedures and results are documented. To ensure any deficiencies in these activities are immediately reported to the Operations Manager.
- Works with other Band 6 and senior staff in developing competency based training packages and monitoring systems for Technicians, support staff and pre-registration pharmacy graduates in the areas of pharmacy production to ensure staff competency in all areas of service provision and that records are kept up-to-date.
- Provides staff training and development in the area of pharmacy production from Band 2 technical staff and pre-registration pharmacy graduates using competency based training packages and acts as a work based and trained NVQ Assessor/ facilitator for the Pharmacy Manufacturing Unit.
- Undertaking in process checks within the aseptic suite of aseptically prepared products and externally in the repackaging unit according to defined work instructions to ensure products are prepared according to the required formulations.
- Undertaking assessments of aseptic operator practice and technique to ensure compliance with work instructions at all times and taking appropriate action to deal with any deviations as necessary to ensure patient safety is not compromised at any time in the preparation process.
- Carrying out final checks on all manufactured items produced within the department and ensuring completion of the batch records and necessary paperwork. Taking appropriate action to deal with any deviations as necessary to ensure patient safety is not compromised at any time in the preparation process.
- Responsibility for the appraisal and development of staff to ensure they have the capability to undertake their roles and that staff development issues are addressed.
- Working with the Operations Manager with the planning organisation and development of the aseptic preparation service for Trust and external customers.
- If required, advising the Senior Production and Quality Assurance on amending working practices which would improve the running of the service, the quality of the service provided and improvement in Health and Safety issues/COSSH.
- Contributes to the Pharmacy manufacturing workforce through participation in weekend and Bank Holiday working as required.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BTEC (Pharmaceutical Science) or NVQ level 3 (Pharmaceutical Science) or Degree in relevant chemical or biological subject.
- Completion of in-house training competencies including the in-process and pre-process Checking Programme with 6-months proven competency.
Desirable
- NVQ A1 Workplace assessor.
- Registered with the GPhC.
Experience
Essential
- Minimum of 3 years experience in a licensed manufacturing aseptic unit post qualification as a Pharmacy Technician or 1 year following the Science Manufacturing Technician level 3 apprenticeship.
- Proven competence in training of aseptic staff.
- Proven competence in the supervision of staff and work load on a daily basis.
- Proven competence to motivate staff and self.
- Proven ability to undertake and supervise all technical aspects of pharmacy preparation activities.
Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Good communication skills.
- Clear, literate handwriting .
- Demonstrable accurate numeracy skills including simple calculations.
- Demonstrable ability to work accurately under pressure.
- Good interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team.
- Capable of undertaking complex aseptic manipulations, requiring fine and accurate motor skills and concentration.
- A thorough knowledge of all aspects of GMP and QA and their application to pharmacy manufacturing services.
- Demonstrable knowledge of all aspects of environmental monitoring and basic microbiology required for a clean room facility.
- Able to carry out light lifting and undertake cleaning duties safely.
- Proactive attitude to ongoing training and assessment.
- Demonstrable ability to clearly and accurately complete all types of documentation.
- Demonstrable ability to supervise staff and manage day to day issues within area of supervision.
- Demonstrable ability to handle hazardous materials safely and according to local work instructions.
- Ability to use simple computer based programmes, to input and manipulate data as required, including Microsoft word.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BTEC (Pharmaceutical Science) or NVQ level 3 (Pharmaceutical Science) or Degree in relevant chemical or biological subject.
- Completion of in-house training competencies including the in-process and pre-process Checking Programme with 6-months proven competency.
Desirable
- NVQ A1 Workplace assessor.
- Registered with the GPhC.
Experience
Essential
- Minimum of 3 years experience in a licensed manufacturing aseptic unit post qualification as a Pharmacy Technician or 1 year following the Science Manufacturing Technician level 3 apprenticeship.
- Proven competence in training of aseptic staff.
- Proven competence in the supervision of staff and work load on a daily basis.
- Proven competence to motivate staff and self.
- Proven ability to undertake and supervise all technical aspects of pharmacy preparation activities.
Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Good communication skills.
- Clear, literate handwriting .
- Demonstrable accurate numeracy skills including simple calculations.
- Demonstrable ability to work accurately under pressure.
- Good interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team.
- Capable of undertaking complex aseptic manipulations, requiring fine and accurate motor skills and concentration.
- A thorough knowledge of all aspects of GMP and QA and their application to pharmacy manufacturing services.
- Demonstrable knowledge of all aspects of environmental monitoring and basic microbiology required for a clean room facility.
- Able to carry out light lifting and undertake cleaning duties safely.
- Proactive attitude to ongoing training and assessment.
- Demonstrable ability to clearly and accurately complete all types of documentation.
- Demonstrable ability to supervise staff and manage day to day issues within area of supervision.
- Demonstrable ability to handle hazardous materials safely and according to local work instructions.
- Ability to use simple computer based programmes, to input and manipulate data as required, including Microsoft word.
Additional information
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).
