Job summary
The candidate will be working with the Quality Assurance and Quality Control team based in the Quality Control Laboratory within the Pharmacy Production Unit at the Royal Victoria Infirmary to support the Quality Assurance team.
The role will primarily involve daily assessments of unlicensed medicines received, which will involve attention to detail, documentation and IT skills. There will also be scope for assessments of other material received such as packaging components and consumables, and if the candidate has the correct skills to support scheduled tasks within the QC Laboratory.
- Interview Date Wednesday 30 July 2025
- 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week
- You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.
NO AGENCIES PLEASE
Main duties of the job
The Senior Quality Control Operative will be responsible for undertaking a range of duties necessary to support the Quality Assurance team and the Pharmaceutical Quality Control service to operate in an efficient, safe and effective manner.
Duties will include the daily assessment of unlicensed medicines received by the Trust. This involves following approved specifications, documenting the outcome and maintaining electronic records. All deviations from the specifications must be reported as may impact of the suitability of the unlicensed medicines for use.
The candidate will support the QA team in other activities associated with the Pharmaceutical Quality System and Document Control.
The candidate will also be involved in other tasks to support the Quality Laboratory such as the assessment of packaging components, managing laboratory stock levels and ensuring orders are raised and correctly processed on receipt.
There is an in-house competency based training programme that encompasses the concepts of Quality Assurance, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Quality Control.
Suitable candidates should possess and state on their application a GCSE (Minimum Grade 4 or equivalent) in Mathematics, a Science based subject and English Language or previous relevant experience.
About us
Our staff oversee over 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:
o Freeman Hospitalo Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)o Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)o Newcastle Dental Hospitalo Newcastle Fertility Centreo Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbriao Northern Genetics Serviceo Cramlington Manor Walks
These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To carry out the full range of duties including receipt, processing, sampling and testing of raw materials, packaging materials and certain defined products, having successfully completed the in-house competency based training programme that encompasses the concepts of Quality Assurance, GMP and Quality Control.
- To liaise with external organisations to source certification for raw materials and packaging materials.
- Assist in the product releasing process by transferring released items from quarantine to the Production Store.
- To send samples off site to a contract laboratory ensuring all documentation is completed. To receive completed results and file appropriately.
- Assist in the inputting of environmental monitoring results into the database.
- To maintain stock levels of analytical reagents and chemicals in the QC Lab.
- To prepare orders, check all analytical reagents and chemicals on receipt and ensure they are correctly stored and documentation processes completed.
- To ensure that used laboratory glassware is cleaned, dried, and returned to the appropriate storage thus avoiding cross contamination and the invalidation of analytical results.
- Assist the Trust Quality Controller and other QC/QA staff by photocopying and distributing approved copies of authorised documentation.
- Assists in the training of rotational staff assigned to the QC Laboratory.
- Storage and organisation of reference samples and destruction when appropriate.
- Complete the daily equipment checks.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To carry out the full range of duties including receipt, processing, sampling and testing of raw materials, packaging materials and certain defined products, having successfully completed the in-house competency based training programme that encompasses the concepts of Quality Assurance, GMP and Quality Control.
- To liaise with external organisations to source certification for raw materials and packaging materials.
- Assist in the product releasing process by transferring released items from quarantine to the Production Store.
- To send samples off site to a contract laboratory ensuring all documentation is completed. To receive completed results and file appropriately.
- Assist in the inputting of environmental monitoring results into the database.
- To maintain stock levels of analytical reagents and chemicals in the QC Lab.
- To prepare orders, check all analytical reagents and chemicals on receipt and ensure they are correctly stored and documentation processes completed.
- To ensure that used laboratory glassware is cleaned, dried, and returned to the appropriate storage thus avoiding cross contamination and the invalidation of analytical results.
- Assist the Trust Quality Controller and other QC/QA staff by photocopying and distributing approved copies of authorised documentation.
- Assists in the training of rotational staff assigned to the QC Laboratory.
- Storage and organisation of reference samples and destruction when appropriate.
- Complete the daily equipment checks.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Person Specification
KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the duties carried out within the role
- Understanding and appreciation of Chemistry
- An understanding of some of the hazards associated with handling solid and liquid chemicals
- Knowledge of GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) or GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice)
Desirable
- Working knowledge of Microsoft computer systems
SKILLS
Essential
- Good organisational skills
- Good oral communication
- Good written communication
- Ability to maintain high level of accuracy in a busy environment
- Capable of working with minimum supervision
- Able to demonstrate good manual dexterity
EXPERIENCE
Desirable
- Previous experience of GLP or GMP
- Competence in the undertaking and organisation of delegated tasks associated with ordering and receipt of chemicals and reagents and distribution of approved documentation
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- GCSE (Minimum Grade 4) in Maths, a Science based subject and English Language or equivalent qualification or previous relevant experience
Desirable
- A Level Chemistry or equivalent qualification
Person Specification
KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the duties carried out within the role
- Understanding and appreciation of Chemistry
- An understanding of some of the hazards associated with handling solid and liquid chemicals
- Knowledge of GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) or GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice)
Desirable
- Working knowledge of Microsoft computer systems
SKILLS
Essential
- Good organisational skills
- Good oral communication
- Good written communication
- Ability to maintain high level of accuracy in a busy environment
- Capable of working with minimum supervision
- Able to demonstrate good manual dexterity
EXPERIENCE
Desirable
- Previous experience of GLP or GMP
- Competence in the undertaking and organisation of delegated tasks associated with ordering and receipt of chemicals and reagents and distribution of approved documentation
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- GCSE (Minimum Grade 4) in Maths, a Science based subject and English Language or equivalent qualification or previous relevant experience
Desirable
- A Level Chemistry or equivalent qualification
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).
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).
