Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced, dynamic and enthusiastic QA officer to join the Pharmacy QA team at UCLH, to support the delivery of the pharmacy aseptic, repack, distribution and clinical trial services, as well as the wider pharmacy services at UCLH.
You will be an experienced and dynamic pharmacy technician or officer (with relevant scientific degree), with demonstrable knowledge of Quality Assurance and GMP, and the desire and ability to deliver high quality pharmacy services to patients at UCLH. You will have: Production GMP and Pharmacy Quality Assurance service experience within the NHS; working knowledge of GCP and GDP requirements. Excellent team working, communication and negotiation skills; the ability to deliver and work as an integral part of the pharmacy QA team; well-developed team and lone-working skills; and an enthusiastic, flexible and professional approach are all essential.
Main duties of the job
The principal responsibilities of the post holder are to support the maintenance of the Environmental Monitoring Systems (Microbiological and Temperature), support for the Quality Management System, and to act as releasing officer for Unlicensed Medicines and Aseptic/Repack products for use within the Trust and for external customers. In addition, a strong background in GMP to contribute to the successfully support validation of Advance Pharmacy Therapy unit (Gene and Cell Therapy Service) due for operations for summer 2024.
About us
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.
We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:
- University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
- National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
- Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
- University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
- Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
- University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
- The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
- University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street
We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.
At UCLH, we have a real 'One Team' ethos, and our values - safety, kindness, teamwork and improving, are central to the way we work. This is supported by our staff, who voted us as the #1 NHS Acute Trust to work for in the whole of England.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The UCLH Pharmacy QA service supports the aseptic production service, which holds a MHRA MS licence and includes aseptic units for chemotherapy and CIVAS/PN, the repack production service, which holds a MHRA MS and MIA(IMP) license, providing over-labelled, repacks, kits and boxes to UCLH and a large range of external NHS Trusts, and the Brewery Road Wholesale Distributer, which holds a MHRA WDA(H) license and provides services to UCLH and the a number of other external NHS Trusts and private services. In addition the service provides support to a wide range of other pharmacy services including support for the pharmacy clinical trial unit, unlicensed medicine approvals, management of pharmacy recalls, provision of temperature monitoring systems, and advice on a range of medicine or patient safety issues.
UCLH is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population from the local area and throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. The Trust mission is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education and world-class research across seven hospitals.
We offer our permanent staff an interest free ticket loan, a subsidised social club including gym and swimming facilities, a library for staff to use, free independent and confidential support for all staff and large retail discounts.
We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040
For more information regarding the main responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The UCLH Pharmacy QA service supports the aseptic production service, which holds a MHRA MS licence and includes aseptic units for chemotherapy and CIVAS/PN, the repack production service, which holds a MHRA MS and MIA(IMP) license, providing over-labelled, repacks, kits and boxes to UCLH and a large range of external NHS Trusts, and the Brewery Road Wholesale Distributer, which holds a MHRA WDA(H) license and provides services to UCLH and the a number of other external NHS Trusts and private services. In addition the service provides support to a wide range of other pharmacy services including support for the pharmacy clinical trial unit, unlicensed medicine approvals, management of pharmacy recalls, provision of temperature monitoring systems, and advice on a range of medicine or patient safety issues.
UCLH is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population from the local area and throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. The Trust mission is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education and world-class research across seven hospitals.
We offer our permanent staff an interest free ticket loan, a subsidised social club including gym and swimming facilities, a library for staff to use, free independent and confidential support for all staff and large retail discounts.
We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040
For more information regarding the main responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Qualifications
Essential
- Degree level qualification in a relevant scientific discipline (Chemistry, Biology, Pharmacology, Microbiology etc.) or Pharmacy Technician Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council
- Proven experience of working in pharmaceutical production or related field.
Desirable
- Post graduate diploma in pharmaceutical science, pharmacy or other relevant scientific subject
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience in quality systems in a pharmaceutical setting.
- Awareness of current national standards, guidelines and service delivery issues relevant to pharmaceutical quality assurance.
- Well-developed IT skills and use of IT to manage and monitor quality systems.
Desirable
- Demonstrable experience of aseptic manufacture
- Experience of acting as delegated Releasing Officer under the Specials' License
- Experience of using electronic Quality Systems application such as Trackwise, QPulse.
Communication
Essential
- Demonstrable ability to work effectively independently or as part of a team
- Able to communicate complex, contentious and sensitive information effectively when using clear written and spoken English.
- Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues at all levels both within and beyond pharmacy and the trust.
- Leads by example, promoting the highest standards of personal and professional conduct, integrity and probity.
Personal and People Development
Essential
- Awareness of the needs of confidentiality
- Awareness of equal opportunities
- Demonstrated ability to manage load handling issues and ensure manual handling risk assessments for all activities within production
Person Specification
Knowledge and Qualifications
Essential
- Degree level qualification in a relevant scientific discipline (Chemistry, Biology, Pharmacology, Microbiology etc.) or Pharmacy Technician Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council
- Proven experience of working in pharmaceutical production or related field.
Desirable
- Post graduate diploma in pharmaceutical science, pharmacy or other relevant scientific subject
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience in quality systems in a pharmaceutical setting.
- Awareness of current national standards, guidelines and service delivery issues relevant to pharmaceutical quality assurance.
- Well-developed IT skills and use of IT to manage and monitor quality systems.
Desirable
- Demonstrable experience of aseptic manufacture
- Experience of acting as delegated Releasing Officer under the Specials' License
- Experience of using electronic Quality Systems application such as Trackwise, QPulse.
Communication
Essential
- Demonstrable ability to work effectively independently or as part of a team
- Able to communicate complex, contentious and sensitive information effectively when using clear written and spoken English.
- Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues at all levels both within and beyond pharmacy and the trust.
- Leads by example, promoting the highest standards of personal and professional conduct, integrity and probity.
Personal and People Development
Essential
- Awareness of the needs of confidentiality
- Awareness of equal opportunities
- Demonstrated ability to manage load handling issues and ensure manual handling risk assessments for all activities within production
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).
