Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and self-motivated band 6 pharmacy technician to join our Clinical Trials team at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
The successful candidate must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Previous ophthalmic pharmacy experience is not required; however, a solid background in pharmacy clinical trials and operational running of pharmacy dispensary services would be essential.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will carry out the role of Lead Pharmacy Technician for Clinical Trials and will be responsible for the following:o Responsible for the day-to-day management of the pharmacy Clinical Trials services and dispensing activities.o Supporting the lead and specialist pharmacists in the set up of Clinical Trials and managing the security, recording & maintenance of all Clinical Trial drugs from receipt, storage & return or destruction.o Ensuring that all regulatory approvals are in place for Clinical Trials activities including the review and update of relevant policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).o Providing day-to-day training, supervision and support to staff working within the Clinical Trials section.o Monitoring Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Clinical Trials activities and services and reviewing the service provided through audit and implementing any necessary actions as required.o Staff management responsibilities for Senior Pharmacy Technicians and other technical staff working within Pharmacy.o Support the Pharmacy Leads with the Clinical Governance and Risk Management including identifying areas of risk and following the incident, Serious Incidents and Near Misses reporting policy and procedure.
About us
At Moorfields, we provide more than just an excellent career and great colleagues to work with. We also offer:
- Salary including High-Cost Area Supplement
- Opportunity to join the NHS Pension Scheme
- Free 24/7 independent counselling service
- Learning and development opportunities
- Easy and quick transport links
- A range of attractive benefits and discounts
- Access to Blue Light Card and other NHS Discount Schemes
- Free Pilates classes
- Full support and training to develop your skills
- Flexible working friendly organisation
And so much more! To see the full range of benefits we offer please see our Moorfields benefits document.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Trials:
- Responsible for the day-to-day management of the pharmacy clinical trials services. Ensure an efficient and consistent service as stipulated in the pharmacy clinical trial Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and current legislation governing the management of clinical trials and pharmaceuticals.
- Support the Lead and specialist pharmacists for Clinical Trials in the development of the clinical trials services and the production of the relevant Trust-wide clinical trials pharmacy policies.
- Responsible for an efficient operation of dispensing services within the Clinical Trials. Prioritise and allocate the daily workload and ensure clinical trial protocols and SOPs are followed at all times. Ensure the Clinical Trials activity trackers are maintained.
- Manage the security, recording & maintenance of all Clinical Trial drugs from receipt, storage & return or destruction. To ensure that the necessary documented audit trail is in accordance with study protocols and all legal requirements.
- Responsible for the maintenance and recording of the environmental conditions. Ensure yearly calibration of the equipment.
- Responsible for monitoring visits and timely resolution of any related monitoring queries.
- Responsible for the audit and maintenance of pharmacy Clinical Trial site files, including both electronic and paper records. Ensure that files contain all required documents and comply with current guidelines and legislations.
- Ensure that all regulatory approvals are in place, delegation and training logs completed and filed before commencement of each study.
- Participate in any necessary meetings for Clinical Trials with trial investigators, sponsors, co-coordinators, clinical research associates and any other interested parties.
- Support the Clinical Trials pharmacists in set up of Clinical Trials. Assess the suitability and safety relating to packaging, labelling, shipment, storage and dispensing of study medication. Produce trial specific prescriptions, accountability logs, labels, and relevant dispensing SOPs.
- Process allocated protocol amendments promptly and accurately ensuring that pharmacy guides are updated as appropriate.
- Responsible for the closing down of completed trials and maintaining archive records.
- Responsible for recording of all pharmacy activities for costing purposes on relevant trackers.
- Assist the Clinical Trials specialist pharmacist in calculating the cost of involvement of the clinical trials pharmacy service in Clinical Trials and resolving costing queries.
Supervisory and training responsibilities:
- Provide day to day supervision, support, and training to rotational pharmacists pharmacy technicians and pharmacy Assistant Technical Officers (ATOs).
- Facilitate clinical assessments for Pharmacy staff working within the Clinical Trials section.
- Support the Lead and Specialist Clinical Trials Pharmacists in the development of roles for Clinical Trials staff.
Education and Training
- To liaise with the Lead Pharmacy Technician for Education & Training (E&T) and the Principal Pharmacy Technician for operational services to ensure implementation of any E&T programmes for Pharmacy Technical staff working within the section.
- To act as an NVQ assessor to support the E&T of Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technicians, ATOs and apprentices within Pharmacy.
- Act as a role model and provide E&T support on Clinical Trials medicines and processes for new members of staff and those rotating within the Clinical Trials Section.
- Undertake Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as required by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
- To contribute to the training of other members of the multidisciplinary team within the Trust as required.
- Develop and motivate staff to ensure they can and do perform well in their job, contribute towards improvements to the pharmaceutical service and encourage staff to suggest and implement changes to improve pharmaceutical services.
Staff Management
- To be responsible for recruitment and selection of technical staff and ATOs including advertising, short-listing, interviewing and selecting staff.
- To act as direct line manager to Senior Pharmacy Technicians and other technical staff working within Pharmacy and to be responsible for their setting objectives, appraisals, sickness absence and performance management and all related procedures for these groups of staff.
- Assist in the supervision of all aspects of work by junior staff within the Pharmacy Clinical Trials section to ensure that procedures are carried out according to local policy and with due regard to the GPhC standards of conduct, ethics and performance.
- To be responsible for authorisation of leave for technical staff working within the section. To supervise the management and prioritisation of the work processes within the section to ensure adequate staff cover is in place at all times in order to maintain an efficient service.
- To liaise with the Principal Pharmacy Technician for operational services to ensure appropriate skill mix of technical staff and adequate cover is maintained throughout the department in the event of emergency or unplanned staff absences.
- To encourage an open attitude to performance and ensure a no-blame culture to enable review of past performance and implement change.
Please see full Job Description
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Trials:
- Responsible for the day-to-day management of the pharmacy clinical trials services. Ensure an efficient and consistent service as stipulated in the pharmacy clinical trial Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and current legislation governing the management of clinical trials and pharmaceuticals.
- Support the Lead and specialist pharmacists for Clinical Trials in the development of the clinical trials services and the production of the relevant Trust-wide clinical trials pharmacy policies.
- Responsible for an efficient operation of dispensing services within the Clinical Trials. Prioritise and allocate the daily workload and ensure clinical trial protocols and SOPs are followed at all times. Ensure the Clinical Trials activity trackers are maintained.
- Manage the security, recording & maintenance of all Clinical Trial drugs from receipt, storage & return or destruction. To ensure that the necessary documented audit trail is in accordance with study protocols and all legal requirements.
- Responsible for the maintenance and recording of the environmental conditions. Ensure yearly calibration of the equipment.
- Responsible for monitoring visits and timely resolution of any related monitoring queries.
- Responsible for the audit and maintenance of pharmacy Clinical Trial site files, including both electronic and paper records. Ensure that files contain all required documents and comply with current guidelines and legislations.
- Ensure that all regulatory approvals are in place, delegation and training logs completed and filed before commencement of each study.
- Participate in any necessary meetings for Clinical Trials with trial investigators, sponsors, co-coordinators, clinical research associates and any other interested parties.
- Support the Clinical Trials pharmacists in set up of Clinical Trials. Assess the suitability and safety relating to packaging, labelling, shipment, storage and dispensing of study medication. Produce trial specific prescriptions, accountability logs, labels, and relevant dispensing SOPs.
- Process allocated protocol amendments promptly and accurately ensuring that pharmacy guides are updated as appropriate.
- Responsible for the closing down of completed trials and maintaining archive records.
- Responsible for recording of all pharmacy activities for costing purposes on relevant trackers.
- Assist the Clinical Trials specialist pharmacist in calculating the cost of involvement of the clinical trials pharmacy service in Clinical Trials and resolving costing queries.
Supervisory and training responsibilities:
- Provide day to day supervision, support, and training to rotational pharmacists pharmacy technicians and pharmacy Assistant Technical Officers (ATOs).
- Facilitate clinical assessments for Pharmacy staff working within the Clinical Trials section.
- Support the Lead and Specialist Clinical Trials Pharmacists in the development of roles for Clinical Trials staff.
Education and Training
- To liaise with the Lead Pharmacy Technician for Education & Training (E&T) and the Principal Pharmacy Technician for operational services to ensure implementation of any E&T programmes for Pharmacy Technical staff working within the section.
- To act as an NVQ assessor to support the E&T of Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technicians, ATOs and apprentices within Pharmacy.
- Act as a role model and provide E&T support on Clinical Trials medicines and processes for new members of staff and those rotating within the Clinical Trials Section.
- Undertake Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as required by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
- To contribute to the training of other members of the multidisciplinary team within the Trust as required.
- Develop and motivate staff to ensure they can and do perform well in their job, contribute towards improvements to the pharmaceutical service and encourage staff to suggest and implement changes to improve pharmaceutical services.
Staff Management
- To be responsible for recruitment and selection of technical staff and ATOs including advertising, short-listing, interviewing and selecting staff.
- To act as direct line manager to Senior Pharmacy Technicians and other technical staff working within Pharmacy and to be responsible for their setting objectives, appraisals, sickness absence and performance management and all related procedures for these groups of staff.
- Assist in the supervision of all aspects of work by junior staff within the Pharmacy Clinical Trials section to ensure that procedures are carried out according to local policy and with due regard to the GPhC standards of conduct, ethics and performance.
- To be responsible for authorisation of leave for technical staff working within the section. To supervise the management and prioritisation of the work processes within the section to ensure adequate staff cover is in place at all times in order to maintain an efficient service.
- To liaise with the Principal Pharmacy Technician for operational services to ensure appropriate skill mix of technical staff and adequate cover is maintained throughout the department in the event of emergency or unplanned staff absences.
- To encourage an open attitude to performance and ensure a no-blame culture to enable review of past performance and implement change.
Please see full Job Description
Person Specification
Education / qualification
Essential
- NVQ level 3/BTEC equivalent in Pharmaceutical Science
- Registered as a pharmacy technician with GPhC
- Accredited Checking Pharmacy Technician (ACPT) qualification or working towards
- Certificate in Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
Desirable
- Practice Supervisor course or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of providing a specialised pharmacy service within Clinical Trials or Research and Development
- Experience of Policy/Procedure/ Guideline development
Desirable
- Ophthalmology experience
- Experience in supervising & managing pharmacy staff
- Evidence of audit work and the promotion of evidence based practice
Skills
Essential
- Good communication and interpersonal skills (written and verbal) with members of the public and other healthcare professionals
- Awareness and knowledge/experience of current issues within Pharmacy and Clinical Trials medicines
- Well-developed organisational, time management and planning skills; ability to organise workload
Personal qualities
Essential
- Motivated team player
- Proactive approach and willing to learn
- Demonstrate initiative particularly in relation to problem solving
- Flexible to working evening and weekend shifts if required
Person Specification
Education / qualification
Essential
- NVQ level 3/BTEC equivalent in Pharmaceutical Science
- Registered as a pharmacy technician with GPhC
- Accredited Checking Pharmacy Technician (ACPT) qualification or working towards
- Certificate in Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
Desirable
- Practice Supervisor course or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of providing a specialised pharmacy service within Clinical Trials or Research and Development
- Experience of Policy/Procedure/ Guideline development
Desirable
- Ophthalmology experience
- Experience in supervising & managing pharmacy staff
- Evidence of audit work and the promotion of evidence based practice
Skills
Essential
- Good communication and interpersonal skills (written and verbal) with members of the public and other healthcare professionals
- Awareness and knowledge/experience of current issues within Pharmacy and Clinical Trials medicines
- Well-developed organisational, time management and planning skills; ability to organise workload
Personal qualities
Essential
- Motivated team player
- Proactive approach and willing to learn
- Demonstrate initiative particularly in relation to problem solving
- Flexible to working evening and weekend shifts if required
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.
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).
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.
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).
