Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our team as a Radiopharmacy Technician at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital. In this role, you will be responsible for the safe manufacture and processing of radiopharmaceuticals. The ideal candidate will be eager to learn with excellent attention to detail and the ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
The ideal candidate will have a qualification in a relevant scientific or technical field (e.g., BTEC, NVQ, or equivalent), and will be given full training to be brought up to speed with aseptic technique, radiation safety, and quality control processes. Less qualified candidates with relevant clean-room experience may apply and will be supported in undertaking Science Technician Manufacturing Training if successful in the post.
If you are passionate about delivering high-quality healthcare and thrive in a fast-paced environment, we would love to hear from you. Apply now to join our dedicated team and make a real difference in patient care.
**Please note that the required working hours of this vacancy are 6.30am-14.30pm**
Main duties of the job
The post holder will support the Radiopharmacy team and the production manager in providing a high-quality radiopharmaceutical service to the Nuclear Medicine Department. You will participate in the aseptic preparation, radiolabelling and dispensing of a range of diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals, following standard operating procedures and the requirements of the Manufacturer's Specials Licence. You will engage with supporting tasks involving quality control tests, equipment checks, validation activities and decontamination of the aseptic suite.
To succeed in this role, candidates must demonstrate strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to follow complex protocols consistently. A proactive attitude towards learning and professional development, alongside a commitment to patient safety and regulatory compliance, is crucial for this position.
About us
We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 800,000 people. Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people'. Everything we do is guided by our values: 'People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference'. We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called 'We care'. It's about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day. We're looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.
Please note that if you require a Certificate of Sponsorship to work in the UK you must declare this on your application form, even if you currently have a certificate of sponsorship or a work permit for another role and are already working in the country. Please note we are only able to sponsor candidates on a Skilled Worker Visa applying for roles Band 5 and above.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To work as part of a multidisciplinary team to deliver a safe and effective radiopharmaceutical service to the Nuclear Medicine department.
- Assemble, aseptically prepare and dispense radiopharmaceuticals according to GMP requirements.
- Consistently and accurately carry-out all processes to a high standard according to Standard Operating Procedures.
- Maintain specialist equipment throughout the Radiopharmacy department, carrying out daily quality control checks and validation activities.
- Continuously monitor environmental conditions within the clean room, acting on any out-of-specification results and reporting any deviations where required.
- To act as a Classified radiation worker under the Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017. Carry out all duties in accordance with the requirements of the Health & Safety at Work Act, relevant Statutory Regulations, Approved Codes of Practice and Local Rules.
- Be aware of the hazards of ionising radiation at all times. Work safely around radioactivity and take all measures to minimise exposure to yourself and others.
- Receives, handles, stores and disposes of any sources of radioactivity in accordance with the conditions of the Environment Agency Permit.
- Undertake quality control and safety checks of radiopharmaceuticals as required, carry out a range of test methods safely and accurately.
- Prioritise workload according to patient schedule and work within a specified timeframe to deliver medicines in a timely manner for patient appointments.
- Undertake all cleaning/decontamination duties of the Radiopharmacy and associated equipment as required, before and after production.
- Undertake transfer disinfection of all items into the clean suite and isolators according to local procedures.
- Maintain appropriate operator validations to carry out all tasks as necessary.
- Dispatch radiopharmaceuticals off-site in accordance with the relevant legislation (ADR, Carriage of Dangerous Goods).
- Ensure effective stock control and provision. Correctly store deliveries of pharmaceuticals and ancillary items according to GMP requirements.
- Report promptly deviations from SOPs, complaints and dispensing errors to the Production Manager.
- Support the maintenance of the Pharmaceutical Quality Management System. Actively engage in corrective or preventative measures where required.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of radiopharmacy practices and radiation safety, attend training sessions, and support service improvements. Maintain registration where required. Post holder may be required to undertake additional training (such as Science Manufacturing Technician Training) if not already held.
- Actively participate in training and supervision of junior/new staff, rotational staff or trainees.
- To be responsible for wearing the designated personal protective equipment at all times.
- Assist with radioactive waste handling and disposal under the overall guidance of the radiation protection supervisor.
- Monitor and contain any spillage of radioactive material as required. To complete decontamination procedures as necessary according to the Department Local Rules, following all required precautions.
- Undertake accurate record keeping as described in the Radiopharmacy Quality System, ensuring completion of all production documentation to provide a complete audit trail for all manufactured / dispensed products.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To work as part of a multidisciplinary team to deliver a safe and effective radiopharmaceutical service to the Nuclear Medicine department.
- Assemble, aseptically prepare and dispense radiopharmaceuticals according to GMP requirements.
- Consistently and accurately carry-out all processes to a high standard according to Standard Operating Procedures.
- Maintain specialist equipment throughout the Radiopharmacy department, carrying out daily quality control checks and validation activities.
- Continuously monitor environmental conditions within the clean room, acting on any out-of-specification results and reporting any deviations where required.
- To act as a Classified radiation worker under the Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017. Carry out all duties in accordance with the requirements of the Health & Safety at Work Act, relevant Statutory Regulations, Approved Codes of Practice and Local Rules.
- Be aware of the hazards of ionising radiation at all times. Work safely around radioactivity and take all measures to minimise exposure to yourself and others.
- Receives, handles, stores and disposes of any sources of radioactivity in accordance with the conditions of the Environment Agency Permit.
- Undertake quality control and safety checks of radiopharmaceuticals as required, carry out a range of test methods safely and accurately.
- Prioritise workload according to patient schedule and work within a specified timeframe to deliver medicines in a timely manner for patient appointments.
- Undertake all cleaning/decontamination duties of the Radiopharmacy and associated equipment as required, before and after production.
- Undertake transfer disinfection of all items into the clean suite and isolators according to local procedures.
- Maintain appropriate operator validations to carry out all tasks as necessary.
- Dispatch radiopharmaceuticals off-site in accordance with the relevant legislation (ADR, Carriage of Dangerous Goods).
- Ensure effective stock control and provision. Correctly store deliveries of pharmaceuticals and ancillary items according to GMP requirements.
- Report promptly deviations from SOPs, complaints and dispensing errors to the Production Manager.
- Support the maintenance of the Pharmaceutical Quality Management System. Actively engage in corrective or preventative measures where required.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of radiopharmacy practices and radiation safety, attend training sessions, and support service improvements. Maintain registration where required. Post holder may be required to undertake additional training (such as Science Manufacturing Technician Training) if not already held.
- Actively participate in training and supervision of junior/new staff, rotational staff or trainees.
- To be responsible for wearing the designated personal protective equipment at all times.
- Assist with radioactive waste handling and disposal under the overall guidance of the radiation protection supervisor.
- Monitor and contain any spillage of radioactive material as required. To complete decontamination procedures as necessary according to the Department Local Rules, following all required precautions.
- Undertake accurate record keeping as described in the Radiopharmacy Quality System, ensuring completion of all production documentation to provide a complete audit trail for all manufactured / dispensed products.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Science Manufacturing Technician Training Level 3, OR
- BTEC Pharmaceutical Science, NVQ Level 3 Pharmacy Services, OR
- Qualification in a relevant scientific, technical or healthcare discipline, OR
- Relevant training/experience in a related field
Skills and Experience
Essential
- Previous experience working within an aseptic manufacturing unit or radiopharmacy, OR
- Previous experience in a related field/laboratory/educational institution
- Knowledge/understanding of GMP and patient safety measures
- Proven experience working in a team environment
- Good communication skills both written and verbal
- Good interpersonal skills, diplomacy, tact and awareness of others
- Excellent organisational skills
- Ability to prioritise work systematically and manage time effectively
- Ability to work alone but with excellent team working skills
- Ability to work with constant interruptions
- Ability to concentrate with attention to detail and accuracy
Desirable
- Previous experience of working in a hospital
- Basic knowledge of Quality Assurance
- Basic knowledge of Quality Management systems
- Previous experience of supervising staff
- Previous experience training staff
- Experience of working with Standard operating procedures
- Basic knowledge of radiation and associated regulations
- Basic knowledge of radiopharmaceuticals and associated uses
- Experience of working to deadlines
Personal/Professional Attributes
Essential
- Ability to understand and process detailed scientific information
- Able to work effectively under pressure
- Good numeracy, literacy skills and IT skills
- Problem solving
- Team Player
Other Requirements
Essential
- Upholds and models the Trust Values
- Willing to be flexible according to service needs
- Daily early starts are required - 6.30am
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Science Manufacturing Technician Training Level 3, OR
- BTEC Pharmaceutical Science, NVQ Level 3 Pharmacy Services, OR
- Qualification in a relevant scientific, technical or healthcare discipline, OR
- Relevant training/experience in a related field
Skills and Experience
Essential
- Previous experience working within an aseptic manufacturing unit or radiopharmacy, OR
- Previous experience in a related field/laboratory/educational institution
- Knowledge/understanding of GMP and patient safety measures
- Proven experience working in a team environment
- Good communication skills both written and verbal
- Good interpersonal skills, diplomacy, tact and awareness of others
- Excellent organisational skills
- Ability to prioritise work systematically and manage time effectively
- Ability to work alone but with excellent team working skills
- Ability to work with constant interruptions
- Ability to concentrate with attention to detail and accuracy
Desirable
- Previous experience of working in a hospital
- Basic knowledge of Quality Assurance
- Basic knowledge of Quality Management systems
- Previous experience of supervising staff
- Previous experience training staff
- Experience of working with Standard operating procedures
- Basic knowledge of radiation and associated regulations
- Basic knowledge of radiopharmaceuticals and associated uses
- Experience of working to deadlines
Personal/Professional Attributes
Essential
- Ability to understand and process detailed scientific information
- Able to work effectively under pressure
- Good numeracy, literacy skills and IT skills
- Problem solving
- Team Player
Other Requirements
Essential
- Upholds and models the Trust Values
- Willing to be flexible according to service needs
- Daily early starts are required - 6.30am
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).
