Job summary
To supervise the day-to-day operation of preparation and dispensing activities in cleanrooms ensuring a safe, efficient, and timely delivery of aseptically prepared medicines to wards and departments within the Trust.
To support the specialist pharmacy technicians in providing a safe and efficient service, this will include the checking of ingredients, taking responsibility of all activity during a preparation session, enforcing adherence to Standard Operating Policies, monitoring the prescription workflow, and directing staff duties accordingly.
Duties will predominantly include the organization and direct supervision of clean room staff and activities, including assembly, preparation and dispensing of pharmaceuticals. Stock control and clerical duties will also be assigned to this post.
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Main duties of the job
You will assist the Senior Technician in the application of GMP and have involvement in the implementation of a robust training Programme to ensure that all staff is compliant with regulatory requirements.
You will play an integral role in preparation of aseptic products, supervision of junior staff and ensuring procedural adherence in the clean areas as well as organizing workload inside the cleanrooms.
The successful candidate must be able to show that they have recent experience of working in a similar capacity, physical ability to work in a cleanroom environment, have good knowledge of aseptic preparation and be able to recognize and escalate deviations appropriately.
Recent accreditation of Pre and In process checking is preferred, but training can be offered. Applicants must be willing to undertake further training when requested.
About us
Participates in rotational schemes to cover weekends, late duties and Bank Holidays
- Physical Effort - light/ moderate physical effort required
- Working conditions - unpredictable workload; possible exposure to verbal aggression; handles contained drugs and cytotoxics.
- Mental Effort - constant concentration required: variable sustained workload with some very busy periods; works to deadlines; some stressful work demands; frequent interruptions.
- Emotional effort - occasional exposure to distressing circumstances.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Works under guidance of SOPs, GMP and COSHH and works independently:
- Together with specialist technician, responsible for the day-to-day supervision and co-ordination of aseptic staff and preparation and dispensing activities within clean rooms to ensure the provision of a safe, effective and efficient aseptic service is maintained.
- Is guided by defined protocols and procedures and ensures work activities are in accordance with these.
- Evaluates circumstances and situations and makes well-judged and well-recorded decisions on the information at hand but is aware when to refer to senior management.
- Organises and prioritises work within assembly and preparation areas as required.
- Is responsible for ensuring the process checking of medicinal materials and measured doses, including the preparation of clinical trials, is carried out according to departmental SOP.
- Participate in the initial tray checking of requisitions and orders.
- Responsible for the safe use of equipment within clean rooms, ensuring clean room staff use equipment in accordance with instructions and SOPs.
- Ensures that all required functional tests, inspections and verifications are carried out on clean room equipment before and after work sessions. Reports equipment faults and deviations to senior management and ensures that deviations are authorised, and records are diligently completed.
- Ensures all statutory legislation and quality systems relating to departmental policies and procedures are complied with on a day to day basis
- Liaises with other supervisory staff, speciality pharmacy team leaders and management on a regular basis to ensure optimum efficiency and quality of service.
- Contributes to the development of new ways of working and to the implementation of new and revised policies and procedures.
- Documents, labels, assemble, prepare, and dispense aseptic medicines to patients, wards, and clinics, including controlled drugs and clinical trials. Maintains correct documentation and audit trails.
- Participates in stock control, assist in ordering processes for medicines and consumables, including requisitioning, unpacking, checking, and booking in.
- To ensure all drug transactions are entered accurately and timely to the Pharmacy computer system so stock discrepancies are minimised.
- Carries out reception duties to include, but not limited to, handling incoming calls and routine enquiries, booking work in and out of the pharmacy system.
- Performs associated clerical tasks e.g., filing, expiry date checks and data collection for statistics.
- Participates in general housekeeping e.g., cleaning and tidying of work areas.
- Undertakes other duties associated with providing an efficient Pharmacy Service to patients and wards as allocated by specialist pharmacy technicians.
- Supervise and monitor the standards of work being carried out by staff working in the cleanroom, ensuring that all staff are working to approved processes and procedures and in line with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Trust policies and guidelines. Informing an Authorised Pharmacist of any concerns.
- Advise the Technician Team Manager on operational issues relating to service development and assist in the future planning and implementation of changes to the service.
- Ensure the recording and reporting of central aseptic related errors (internal and external) is carried out in line with departmental, Trust and national requirements.
- Assist in regularly reviewing errors occurring within the department, with the aim of identifying actions to reduce risk.
- Assist the professional team in the department by monitoring the training, validation, assessment requirements of production staff and act a role model for other Pharmacy Assistants
- Ensure staff under your supervision have received or are receiving appropriate training and induction to meet their NVQ, GMP and Trust Mandatory requirements, within the agreed timescales.
- Be conversant with and capable of producing labels and worksheets from the pharmacy computer system for all product types.
- To dispense prescriptions in accordance with professional and ethical standards laid down by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain and in accordance with departmental time and error standards.
- To dispense clinical trial medication, aseptic products in accordance with professional standards and good dispensing practices set out by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain including cytotoxic agents meeting all Health & safety, COSHH and departmental standards.
- To issue and ensure other authorised Pharmacy staff issue Controlled Drugs to meet all the legal requirements in the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971) and to departmental procedures.
- To have specific responsibility for the management of a particular area of the production e.g., the clean room, production store.
- To maintain the cleanroom(s) so that space is effectively utilised and bench space is kept clear and clean ensuring that good manufacturing practice is maintained.
- To undertake or supervise the rotation of material, both medicinal and consumables, and ensure stock is accordingly used within its given expiry.
- To undertake such other reasonable duties as may be required from time to time.
AUDIT RESEARCH AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT:
- To participate in any relevant audit being undertaken by the department.
- To support the audit of records of production and highlight to the Senior team anything that might cause potential harm to the patient or indicate fraud.
- To take an active role in contributing towards service development and improvement both within Pharmacy and the hospital as a whole.
EDUCATION:
- Identify a Personal Development Plan through an annual performance review.
- To participate in the training and assessment of all staff in the aseptic production team, to evaluate that training and to be a role model for support workers, student technicians and pre-registration pharmacists, to ensure systems and procedures are understood, and competency standards achieved.
- To develop appropriate skills in accordance with departmental requirements.
- To contribute towards working in a safe environment by self-checking ones own work and nurturing a spirit of self-checking in others.
- To participate in an accreditation/re-accreditation scheme for in-process checking of aseptic items.
- To participate in and support where necessary, the investigation of incidents or complaints regarding medicines and where appropriate complete an incident form in line with departmental policy.
- To maintain appropriate standards of service and safety to comply with the Trust Control Medicines Policy and to ensure that the principles of safe and secure handling of medicines are adopted (Duthie Report 1988).
Job description
Job responsibilities
Works under guidance of SOPs, GMP and COSHH and works independently:
- Together with specialist technician, responsible for the day-to-day supervision and co-ordination of aseptic staff and preparation and dispensing activities within clean rooms to ensure the provision of a safe, effective and efficient aseptic service is maintained.
- Is guided by defined protocols and procedures and ensures work activities are in accordance with these.
- Evaluates circumstances and situations and makes well-judged and well-recorded decisions on the information at hand but is aware when to refer to senior management.
- Organises and prioritises work within assembly and preparation areas as required.
- Is responsible for ensuring the process checking of medicinal materials and measured doses, including the preparation of clinical trials, is carried out according to departmental SOP.
- Participate in the initial tray checking of requisitions and orders.
- Responsible for the safe use of equipment within clean rooms, ensuring clean room staff use equipment in accordance with instructions and SOPs.
- Ensures that all required functional tests, inspections and verifications are carried out on clean room equipment before and after work sessions. Reports equipment faults and deviations to senior management and ensures that deviations are authorised, and records are diligently completed.
- Ensures all statutory legislation and quality systems relating to departmental policies and procedures are complied with on a day to day basis
- Liaises with other supervisory staff, speciality pharmacy team leaders and management on a regular basis to ensure optimum efficiency and quality of service.
- Contributes to the development of new ways of working and to the implementation of new and revised policies and procedures.
- Documents, labels, assemble, prepare, and dispense aseptic medicines to patients, wards, and clinics, including controlled drugs and clinical trials. Maintains correct documentation and audit trails.
- Participates in stock control, assist in ordering processes for medicines and consumables, including requisitioning, unpacking, checking, and booking in.
- To ensure all drug transactions are entered accurately and timely to the Pharmacy computer system so stock discrepancies are minimised.
- Carries out reception duties to include, but not limited to, handling incoming calls and routine enquiries, booking work in and out of the pharmacy system.
- Performs associated clerical tasks e.g., filing, expiry date checks and data collection for statistics.
- Participates in general housekeeping e.g., cleaning and tidying of work areas.
- Undertakes other duties associated with providing an efficient Pharmacy Service to patients and wards as allocated by specialist pharmacy technicians.
- Supervise and monitor the standards of work being carried out by staff working in the cleanroom, ensuring that all staff are working to approved processes and procedures and in line with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Trust policies and guidelines. Informing an Authorised Pharmacist of any concerns.
- Advise the Technician Team Manager on operational issues relating to service development and assist in the future planning and implementation of changes to the service.
- Ensure the recording and reporting of central aseptic related errors (internal and external) is carried out in line with departmental, Trust and national requirements.
- Assist in regularly reviewing errors occurring within the department, with the aim of identifying actions to reduce risk.
- Assist the professional team in the department by monitoring the training, validation, assessment requirements of production staff and act a role model for other Pharmacy Assistants
- Ensure staff under your supervision have received or are receiving appropriate training and induction to meet their NVQ, GMP and Trust Mandatory requirements, within the agreed timescales.
- Be conversant with and capable of producing labels and worksheets from the pharmacy computer system for all product types.
- To dispense prescriptions in accordance with professional and ethical standards laid down by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain and in accordance with departmental time and error standards.
- To dispense clinical trial medication, aseptic products in accordance with professional standards and good dispensing practices set out by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain including cytotoxic agents meeting all Health & safety, COSHH and departmental standards.
- To issue and ensure other authorised Pharmacy staff issue Controlled Drugs to meet all the legal requirements in the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971) and to departmental procedures.
- To have specific responsibility for the management of a particular area of the production e.g., the clean room, production store.
- To maintain the cleanroom(s) so that space is effectively utilised and bench space is kept clear and clean ensuring that good manufacturing practice is maintained.
- To undertake or supervise the rotation of material, both medicinal and consumables, and ensure stock is accordingly used within its given expiry.
- To undertake such other reasonable duties as may be required from time to time.
AUDIT RESEARCH AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT:
- To participate in any relevant audit being undertaken by the department.
- To support the audit of records of production and highlight to the Senior team anything that might cause potential harm to the patient or indicate fraud.
- To take an active role in contributing towards service development and improvement both within Pharmacy and the hospital as a whole.
EDUCATION:
- Identify a Personal Development Plan through an annual performance review.
- To participate in the training and assessment of all staff in the aseptic production team, to evaluate that training and to be a role model for support workers, student technicians and pre-registration pharmacists, to ensure systems and procedures are understood, and competency standards achieved.
- To develop appropriate skills in accordance with departmental requirements.
- To contribute towards working in a safe environment by self-checking ones own work and nurturing a spirit of self-checking in others.
- To participate in an accreditation/re-accreditation scheme for in-process checking of aseptic items.
- To participate in and support where necessary, the investigation of incidents or complaints regarding medicines and where appropriate complete an incident form in line with departmental policy.
- To maintain appropriate standards of service and safety to comply with the Trust Control Medicines Policy and to ensure that the principles of safe and secure handling of medicines are adopted (Duthie Report 1988).
Person Specification
Shortlisting
Essential
- BTEC 2 in Pharmaceutical science/ NVQ 2 or Equivalent
- Evidence of further training eg Aseptic Dispensing & preparation of Medicines, relevant NVQ 3 units OR HNC in Applied sciences, Food science & technology OR Training & experience to an equivalent level
- 5 GCSE ( or equivalent) in Maths, English, Sciences
- At least 2 years' experience of aseptic dispensing and preparation
Desirable
- GCP Qualification or willingness to undertake this
- ILM Level 3 in Leadership and management skills
Person Specification
Shortlisting
Essential
- BTEC 2 in Pharmaceutical science/ NVQ 2 or Equivalent
- Evidence of further training eg Aseptic Dispensing & preparation of Medicines, relevant NVQ 3 units OR HNC in Applied sciences, Food science & technology OR Training & experience to an equivalent level
- 5 GCSE ( or equivalent) in Maths, English, Sciences
- At least 2 years' experience of aseptic dispensing and preparation
Desirable
- GCP Qualification or willingness to undertake this
- ILM Level 3 in Leadership and management skills
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).
