Job summary
We are looking for a reliable, conscientious and practical team players to join our dedicated Pharmacy Production team in the role of Senior Production Operative. These roles are essential to support the expansion of the soon to be refurbished VHP suite, to allow us to meet the needs of service users and increasing customer demand.
A core team of twelve Pharmacists and seventy technical staff provide the Pharmacy Production Service across the Royal Victoria Infirmary and Freeman Hospital sites. Services provided comprise a range of activities from non-sterile manufacture to the aseptic dispensing of chemotherapy. A wide range of specialist GMP equipment is also in operation across all facilities.
- Interview Date Monday 28 July 2025
- Full & Part Time Hours/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
You will join our large team of staff working in busy department providing an efficient pharmaceutical service to patients. As part of the licensed team you will participate in the manufacture of a range of sterile products, as well as non-sterile and terminally sterilised products. You will also be responsible for the cleaning and monitoring of facilities and stock management.
Applicant must hold GCSE's (minimum Grade 4 or equivalent) in English Language and Mathematics or have Pharmacy Production Unit experience. All applicants must have experience of working in a clean room environment and have knowledge of manufacturing, aseptic processing or pharmaceutical preparation. They must have good verbal and written communication skills and be able to demonstrate good practical skills.
A GPhC approved level 2 qualification is desirable, or the successful candidate must commence study in post.
Development opportunities for successful applicants include the potential to undertake a Science Manufacturing Technician qualification which, upon completion, would qualify applicants to apply for a R5 Specialist Technician post.
Candidates must be available to work shift patterns between the hours of 08:00 and 20:00 Monday to Friday, and be able to support Saturday and Bank Holiday service, as this will be a requirement as the service expands.
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 Senior Production Operative duties including the preparation and / or manufacture of products from raw materials, having successfully completed the in-house competency based training programme that encompasses the concepts of Quality Assurance, GMP and Quality Control.
- Provides technical support to production services including carrying out routine procedures in the ordering, packing, distribution and storage of pharmaceutical stock.
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 Senior Production Operative duties including the preparation and / or manufacture of products from raw materials, having successfully completed the in-house competency based training programme that encompasses the concepts of Quality Assurance, GMP and Quality Control.
- Provides technical support to production services including carrying out routine procedures in the ordering, packing, distribution and storage of pharmaceutical stock.
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
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- GCSE (Min. Grade 4 or equivalent) in Mathematics and English Language or previous hospital pharmacy production experience
- GPhC approved level 2 qualification specific to the role, or must commence study within 6 months of appointment
- Production induction period of four weeks and initial training period of six months to gain practical experience of work activities (routine duties) and a working knowledge of standard operating procedures
Desirable
- GCSE Chemistry and Biology or Dual Award Science
- Completion of in-house competency based training
- Completion of in-house validation for label production
- Completion of in-house validation for visual checking
KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Must meet General Pharmaceutical Council guidelines which states pharmacy support staff must be able to demonstrate a range of work procedures and practices with base level of theoretical knowledge and understanding of the duties carried out within the role
- Knowledge of environmental monitoring
- Knowledge of pharmaceutical preparation, manufacturing or aseptic processing
- Awareness of the importance of Health and Safety in the workplace
Desirable
- Theoretical knowledge and practical experience of Good Manufacturing Practice
- Practical knowledge of isolator or laminar flow technology
- Awareness of COSHH in the workplace
EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Experience of working in a clean room environment
- Experience of working in a busy environment
Desirable
- Experience in a pharmaceutical production environment
SKILLS
Essential
- An ability to follow written standard operating procedures
- General keyboard skills
- Basic training skills
- Effective organisational skills
- Good written and oral communication skills
- Good customer care skills
- Able to manage own workload and use own initiative
- Ability to work accurately
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- GCSE (Min. Grade 4 or equivalent) in Mathematics and English Language or previous hospital pharmacy production experience
- GPhC approved level 2 qualification specific to the role, or must commence study within 6 months of appointment
- Production induction period of four weeks and initial training period of six months to gain practical experience of work activities (routine duties) and a working knowledge of standard operating procedures
Desirable
- GCSE Chemistry and Biology or Dual Award Science
- Completion of in-house competency based training
- Completion of in-house validation for label production
- Completion of in-house validation for visual checking
KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Must meet General Pharmaceutical Council guidelines which states pharmacy support staff must be able to demonstrate a range of work procedures and practices with base level of theoretical knowledge and understanding of the duties carried out within the role
- Knowledge of environmental monitoring
- Knowledge of pharmaceutical preparation, manufacturing or aseptic processing
- Awareness of the importance of Health and Safety in the workplace
Desirable
- Theoretical knowledge and practical experience of Good Manufacturing Practice
- Practical knowledge of isolator or laminar flow technology
- Awareness of COSHH in the workplace
EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Experience of working in a clean room environment
- Experience of working in a busy environment
Desirable
- Experience in a pharmaceutical production environment
SKILLS
Essential
- An ability to follow written standard operating procedures
- General keyboard skills
- Basic training skills
- Effective organisational skills
- Good written and oral communication skills
- Good customer care skills
- Able to manage own workload and use own initiative
- Ability to work accurately
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.
