Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Environmental Monitoring Assistant

The closing date is 25 May 2025

Job summary

Due to secondment, we are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated individual with an interest in pharmaceutical microbiology. Ideally the candidate will have experience in undertaking monitoring activities or working in the cleanroom environment and is familiar with performing settle and contact plating, completing swabs along with air and particulate sampling.

The candidate will not only undertake monitoring activities but read plates, liaise with contract laboratories to identify organisms recovered and report results back to our manufacturing units which are critical to ensure environmental control is maintained.

This is an ideal opportunity for a recent graduate in a biology / microbiology / biomedical sciences field or an aseptic / production operator who has previously successfully undertaking monitoring activities in a cleanroom / laboratory environment.

Training on gowning procedures and sampling techniques will be provided.

Note: this post operates across both Guys (London Bridge) and St Thomas' (Waterloo) sites

If you are looking for a new challenge then this could be the opportunity for you.

Main duties of the job

To undertake the physical and environmental monitoring of aseptic, production, radiopharmacy and other trust manufacturing units. Supervision of media incubation and reading/recording of results of microbiological recoveries and accurately imputing data onto Quality Management Systems in accordance with GMP and current departmental procedures.

About us

Department Information

The Pharmacy Quality Assurance department at Guy's and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust is an independent department within Pharmacy which provides support and guidance to clinical pharmacists and in-patient pharmacy dispensaries at Guys and St Thomas' Hospital plus alongside the on-site Quality Control department provide a full Quality Assurance manufacturing and product release service to aseptic, sterile and non-sterile manufacturing.

The manufacturing units undertake a wide range of manufacturing and dispensed activities to provide medicines to meet the special clinical needs of patients which are not commercially available. Each unit has a full complement of Pharmacists, Technicians and Assistants and prepare a wide range of products.

Details

Date posted

07 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£30,039 to £31,088 a year inc HCA

Contract

Secondment

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

196-LIS9505

Job locations

Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals

Great Maze Pond

London

SE1 9RT


Job description

Job responsibilities

Pharmacy Quality Assurance Micro-team SATO

  1. To carry out routine physical and microbiological environmental monitoring of pharmaceutical production areas following Standard Operating Procedures and schedules.
  2. To use environmental monitoring and other QA equipment correctly by following the procedures for use, cleaning and monitoring of such equipment.
  3. To ensure that all required documentation is filled in correctly, processed and filed in the correct manner according to GMP principles.
  4. To maintain and update accurate record logs of environmental monitoring undertaken and subsequent results.
  5. To assist in the arrangements for QA equipment calibrations.
  6. To accept delivery of materials for the Pharmacy QA micro-team.
  7. To book in raw materials and containers on receipt from external suppliers according to Standard Operating Procedures.
  8. To assist in the stock control of media used in the microbiological monitoring service.
  9. To actively assist senior staff in the maintenance of the Quality Management System.
  10. To contribute to the development of GMP documentation such as standard operating procedures and worksheets.
  11. To contact Manufacturers and Suppliers to obtain appropriate Certificate of Analysis or Certificates of Conformity for received raw materials and containers.
  12. To ensure that working procedures at all times conform with standards of Good Laboratory Practice, The Health and Safety at Work Act, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations and other relevant legal and professional directives.

General:

  1. To undertake other duties as required in order to maintain the safe, efficient and effective provision of Pharmaceutical services.
  2. To contact appropriate supervisor for assistance as required when undertaking the activities of this job description.
  3. To attend courses and undertake training to develop expertise in appropriate skills, where training needs are identified.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Pharmacy Quality Assurance Micro-team SATO

  1. To carry out routine physical and microbiological environmental monitoring of pharmaceutical production areas following Standard Operating Procedures and schedules.
  2. To use environmental monitoring and other QA equipment correctly by following the procedures for use, cleaning and monitoring of such equipment.
  3. To ensure that all required documentation is filled in correctly, processed and filed in the correct manner according to GMP principles.
  4. To maintain and update accurate record logs of environmental monitoring undertaken and subsequent results.
  5. To assist in the arrangements for QA equipment calibrations.
  6. To accept delivery of materials for the Pharmacy QA micro-team.
  7. To book in raw materials and containers on receipt from external suppliers according to Standard Operating Procedures.
  8. To assist in the stock control of media used in the microbiological monitoring service.
  9. To actively assist senior staff in the maintenance of the Quality Management System.
  10. To contribute to the development of GMP documentation such as standard operating procedures and worksheets.
  11. To contact Manufacturers and Suppliers to obtain appropriate Certificate of Analysis or Certificates of Conformity for received raw materials and containers.
  12. To ensure that working procedures at all times conform with standards of Good Laboratory Practice, The Health and Safety at Work Act, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations and other relevant legal and professional directives.

General:

  1. To undertake other duties as required in order to maintain the safe, efficient and effective provision of Pharmaceutical services.
  2. To contact appropriate supervisor for assistance as required when undertaking the activities of this job description.
  3. To attend courses and undertake training to develop expertise in appropriate skills, where training needs are identified.

Person Specification

Education/Knowledge

Essential

  • Numerate and literate
  • Computer literate (Microsoft office applications)
  • GCSE (or equivalent) Grade C or above in Maths, English and Science

Desirable

  • NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent

Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrated ability to work accurately to set procedures.
  • Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team and under own initiative.
  • Demonstrated ability to prioritise and organise routine daily tasks using own initiative.
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate routine information effectively using clear written and spoken English.

Desirable

  • Demonstrated ability to undertake tasks within an aseptic preparation area.
  • Demonstrated practical understanding of the principles of GMP and QA.

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to work within a team and under own initiative
  • Ability to work unsupervised after suitable training.
  • Able to work under pressure and prioritize workload

Desirable

  • Willing to ensure continuing education and professional development
Person Specification

Education/Knowledge

Essential

  • Numerate and literate
  • Computer literate (Microsoft office applications)
  • GCSE (or equivalent) Grade C or above in Maths, English and Science

Desirable

  • NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent

Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrated ability to work accurately to set procedures.
  • Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team and under own initiative.
  • Demonstrated ability to prioritise and organise routine daily tasks using own initiative.
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate routine information effectively using clear written and spoken English.

Desirable

  • Demonstrated ability to undertake tasks within an aseptic preparation area.
  • Demonstrated practical understanding of the principles of GMP and QA.

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to work within a team and under own initiative
  • Ability to work unsupervised after suitable training.
  • Able to work under pressure and prioritize workload

Desirable

  • Willing to ensure continuing education and professional development

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

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals

Great Maze Pond

London

SE1 9RT


Employer's website

https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/careers/careers.aspx (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals

Great Maze Pond

London

SE1 9RT


Employer's website

https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/careers/careers.aspx (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Pharmaceutical Microbiologist

Frederick Akuffo

Frederick.akuffo@gstt.nhs.uk

02071885047

Details

Date posted

07 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£30,039 to £31,088 a year inc HCA

Contract

Secondment

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

196-LIS9505

Job locations

Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals

Great Maze Pond

London

SE1 9RT


Supporting documents

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