Job summary
We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented individual to join our Pharmacy Technical Services team as an Advanced Assistant Technical Officer - Aseptic Services, working within our MHRA licensed facility.
Based at Watford General Hospital, you will play a vital role in aseptic preparation of chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies, and other parenteral products.
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a team that contributes directly to safe patient care through high-quality pharmaceutical production.
You will be working in a cleanroom environment, following Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards and using advanced systems such as BD Cato.
Core hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:30pm. Some flexibility and weekend working may be required on a rota basis.
Full details will be discussed at interview.
Main duties of the job
You will be involved in aseptic production, including assembling and recording batch components, performing in-process checks, managing inventory, and participating in cleanroom operations.
You will help maintain GMP-compliant documentation, support clinical trial processes, and liaise with wider pharmacy teams.
We are looking for candidates with previous aseptic experience and a solid understanding of GMP, quality assurance (QA), and quality control (QC).
Ideal applicants will be confident communicators, effective team players, and able to manage their workload under pressure while maintaining strong attention to detail.
About us
With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others. We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance. www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking If you have a disability or long-term health condition and should you require support or guidance please contact westherts.recruitment@nhs.net If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form. We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key responsibilities include the aseptic preparation of medications, maintaining accurate pharmacy records, checking and maintaining cleanroom equipment, managing stock levels, and supporting audits and QA processes. You will work with systems such as BD Cato, ChemoCare, EMIS, and Kelsius.
The role also involves training colleagues, ensuring compliance with clinical trial protocols, and upholding GMP standards.
This position requires good manual dexterity, the ability to maintain prolonged concentration, and a willingness to wear full protective clothing in a cleanroom environment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key responsibilities include the aseptic preparation of medications, maintaining accurate pharmacy records, checking and maintaining cleanroom equipment, managing stock levels, and supporting audits and QA processes. You will work with systems such as BD Cato, ChemoCare, EMIS, and Kelsius.
The role also involves training colleagues, ensuring compliance with clinical trial protocols, and upholding GMP standards.
This position requires good manual dexterity, the ability to maintain prolonged concentration, and a willingness to wear full protective clothing in a cleanroom environment.
Person Specification
Education and qualifications:
Essential
- GCSE in Maths and English or equivalent (4/C or above).
- BTEC L2 in Pharmaceutical Science/ NVQ L2 in Pharmacy Services Skills.
- Aseptic experience, including: oAseptic preparation of products. oAssembly of starting materials. oEnvironmental monitoring. oIn-process checking. oPreparation of production documentation.
Desirable
- The Technical Specialist Education and Training (TSET).
- Previous attendance to the Aseptic Preparation and Dispensing of Medicines (APDM) course - Leeds University.
- Pre and In Process Checking Accreditation (PIPC).
Knowledge:
Essential
- Good manufacturing Practice.
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Quality Assurance.
- COSHH.
- Stock control management.
- Basic IT skills (Microsoft Word, Excel).
- The Health and Safety at Work.
- Data Protection Act.
Desirable
- EMIS.
- BD Cato.
- Q-Pulse.
- The Farwell Report.
- Quality Assurance of Aseptic Preparation.
- Services (QAAPS).
Experience:
Essential
- Experience compounding in Isolators.
- Experience of in process checking.
- Experience in an NHS or industrial pharmaceutical setting.
Desirable
- Experience in training other staff.
- Experience in Pharmaceutical production.
- Experience in handling Cytotoxic drugs.
Person Specification
Education and qualifications:
Essential
- GCSE in Maths and English or equivalent (4/C or above).
- BTEC L2 in Pharmaceutical Science/ NVQ L2 in Pharmacy Services Skills.
- Aseptic experience, including: oAseptic preparation of products. oAssembly of starting materials. oEnvironmental monitoring. oIn-process checking. oPreparation of production documentation.
Desirable
- The Technical Specialist Education and Training (TSET).
- Previous attendance to the Aseptic Preparation and Dispensing of Medicines (APDM) course - Leeds University.
- Pre and In Process Checking Accreditation (PIPC).
Knowledge:
Essential
- Good manufacturing Practice.
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Quality Assurance.
- COSHH.
- Stock control management.
- Basic IT skills (Microsoft Word, Excel).
- The Health and Safety at Work.
- Data Protection Act.
Desirable
- EMIS.
- BD Cato.
- Q-Pulse.
- The Farwell Report.
- Quality Assurance of Aseptic Preparation.
- Services (QAAPS).
Experience:
Essential
- Experience compounding in Isolators.
- Experience of in process checking.
- Experience in an NHS or industrial pharmaceutical setting.
Desirable
- Experience in training other staff.
- Experience in Pharmaceutical production.
- Experience in handling Cytotoxic drugs.
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).
