Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen within our Pharmacy QA team. We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic quality professional to support the provision of Pharmacy Quality Assurance services. The individual will be required to support the Pharmacy Lead QA & QC and the Senior QA Specialist in managing, delivering and developing the pharmaceutical QA and QC Services to the Trust and external sites.
Therefore, it is essential that they have experience in quality assurance and aseptic production, managing change, identifying and managing risk and audit. We require someone with good knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice, QA, QC and all current relevant regulations to develop and maintain quality systems. The successful candidate shall work collaboratively to support the QA team in delivering outstanding QA and Technical services at the hospital.
This is an ideal opportunity for someone looking to contribute to our renowned Quality Assurance services. The team currently provides comprehensive Quality Control (QC) services to external organisations as well as to the Technical Services (Aseptics and Cytotoxics), Prepack and Radiopharmacy department at St. George's.
Main duties of the job
As an integral member of the Pharmacy QA Team, you will need to demonstrate experience in Pharmaceutical Microbiology as pertains to cleanrooms as well as sound scientific knowledge in order to be able to support the QC Microbiology and Chemistry teams. You must be able to demonstrate relevant quality assurance experience in a senior or mid-management role. The postholder will be required to be a releasing officer for batches manufactured under the Trust's MHRA Specials license (Prepack, Non-sterile, Radiopharmacy). Therefore, previous experience in performing batch release would be beneficial; however, training will be given if needed, for the right candidate.
The Pharmacy department holds a WDA(H) licence, as well as an MHRA Specials licence for Prepack, Radiopharmacy and Non-sterile departments. You will be expected to work with a team of quality professionals to provide QA services to internal and external service users. You will play an important role in the day-to-day delivery of high-quality services ensuring that this meets local and national regulatory, safety and financial targets.
About us
St. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the regional specialist care provider for Southwest London, Surrey and beyond. The Trust provides a high quality, comprehensive range of health services from leading edge tertiary and trauma care to community services, delivered from 2 hospital sites, St. George's Hospital in Tooting and Queen Mary's Hospital in Roehampton. With over 9,000 dedicated staff caring for patients around the clock, we are the largest healthcare provider in southwest London.
The GESH hospital group is a leading healthcare provider in South West London, comprised of St George's University Hospitals and Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals. Our vision is to provide outstanding care, together, by collaborating and working in partnership to meet the needs of our patients, and making sure our services are affordable and fit for the future.
As GESH partners the pharmacy departments at St Georges University Hospital and Epsom & St Helier University Hospitals are working together in a number of areas including; workforce, key functions such as medication safety and education and training and digital workstreams.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The position requires that you have a degree in pharmacy, pharmaceutical science, or other relevant scientific subject, or are a registered Pharmacy Technician. You should possess excellent communication skills, be organised, and be able to demonstrate that you can motivate a team. You must have initiative, be forward thinking and have excellent attention to detail.
Please see the attached supporting document which contains more information about the role
Job description
Job responsibilities
The position requires that you have a degree in pharmacy, pharmaceutical science, or other relevant scientific subject, or are a registered Pharmacy Technician. You should possess excellent communication skills, be organised, and be able to demonstrate that you can motivate a team. You must have initiative, be forward thinking and have excellent attention to detail.
Please see the attached supporting document which contains more information about the role
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Degree in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Science, Chemistry, Microbiology or other relevant Scientific discipline OR NVQ Pharmacy Services Level 3 or an accredited underpinning knowledge (BTEC in Pharmaceutical Sciences) or equivalent
Desirable
- Master in Pharmacy degree (MPharm)
- MSc/Diploma in Pharmaceutical Technology & Quality Assurance (PTQA)
- Registered with the GPhC
- Membership of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Gt Britain (RPS) or APTUK (Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK)
- Further qualification in relevant technical or management area
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable portfolio of relevant experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing, including experience in an aseptic manufacturing facility
- Experience of participation in external audit
- Experience in a QC laboratory and QA department
- Experience of managing and motivating staff
- Demonstrated expert technical knowledge covering Pharmaceutical QA and Production
- Demonstrated knowledge of principles and practices of aseptic/parenterals e.g. Formulation, stability, administration, legal issues
Desirable
- Experience of staff training
- Experience of working under an MHRA licence
- Experience of hosting external auditors e.g. MHRA and EL auditors
- A thorough knowledge of Hospital Pharmacy Technical Services
- Previous experience of presentations and publications
Knowledge
Essential
- Aseptic preparation and GMP
- Expert knowledge and the ability to provide highly specialised information on current legislation and guidelines on all aspects of quality assurance relating to pharmaceutical manufacture and production.
- A thorough understanding of local/regional/national priorities in pharmaceutical quality assurance.
Skills
Essential
- Demonstrate ability to identify problems, analyse root cause and propose solution for complex problems
- Demonstrated Project Management Skills
- Able to manage staff effectively including appraisal, sickness monitoring and HR policies
- Able to communicate complex, contentious and sensitive information effectively
- Able to promote and evaluate best practice within Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Services
- Able to develop new systems of work
Desirable
- Supervisory and training skills
- Good electronic/visual presentation skills.
- Able to write business cases
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Degree in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Science, Chemistry, Microbiology or other relevant Scientific discipline OR NVQ Pharmacy Services Level 3 or an accredited underpinning knowledge (BTEC in Pharmaceutical Sciences) or equivalent
Desirable
- Master in Pharmacy degree (MPharm)
- MSc/Diploma in Pharmaceutical Technology & Quality Assurance (PTQA)
- Registered with the GPhC
- Membership of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Gt Britain (RPS) or APTUK (Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK)
- Further qualification in relevant technical or management area
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable portfolio of relevant experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing, including experience in an aseptic manufacturing facility
- Experience of participation in external audit
- Experience in a QC laboratory and QA department
- Experience of managing and motivating staff
- Demonstrated expert technical knowledge covering Pharmaceutical QA and Production
- Demonstrated knowledge of principles and practices of aseptic/parenterals e.g. Formulation, stability, administration, legal issues
Desirable
- Experience of staff training
- Experience of working under an MHRA licence
- Experience of hosting external auditors e.g. MHRA and EL auditors
- A thorough knowledge of Hospital Pharmacy Technical Services
- Previous experience of presentations and publications
Knowledge
Essential
- Aseptic preparation and GMP
- Expert knowledge and the ability to provide highly specialised information on current legislation and guidelines on all aspects of quality assurance relating to pharmaceutical manufacture and production.
- A thorough understanding of local/regional/national priorities in pharmaceutical quality assurance.
Skills
Essential
- Demonstrate ability to identify problems, analyse root cause and propose solution for complex problems
- Demonstrated Project Management Skills
- Able to manage staff effectively including appraisal, sickness monitoring and HR policies
- Able to communicate complex, contentious and sensitive information effectively
- Able to promote and evaluate best practice within Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Services
- Able to develop new systems of work
Desirable
- Supervisory and training skills
- Good electronic/visual presentation skills.
- Able to write business cases
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.
