Job summary
Are you ready to take your pharmaceutical career to the next level in one of the NHS's most progressive and well-respected production units? We're looking for a passionate and forward-thinking Pharmacist to join our MHRA-licensed aseptic manufacturing unit at UHBW.
What makes our service special:
- MS licence and MIA(IMP) facility - Delivering high-quality, patient-specific and batch-produced medicines to support oncology, paediatrics, critical care, and more.
- Preparation of ATMPs including ATIMPs - at the forefront of advanced and developing therapies.
- Advanced clinical trial support - Partnering in the development and manufacture of investigational and novel therapies.
- Modern cleanroom design - Featuring isolator technology and robust GMP-compliant systems.
- Collaborative, multidisciplinary environment - Be part of a supportive team of production experts, QA professionals, and clinical stakeholders.
- Opportunities for teaching, research, and development - A teaching hospital with links to academia and national networks.
What we offer:
- NHS Band 8a salary (or Band 7 with progression opportunity, with funding to complete PTQA)
- Generous NHS pension and annual leave package
- A highly skilled and welcoming team
- A role in a service that supports thousands of patients with life-changing therapies
- The chance to be at the forefront of innovation in NHS pharmaceutical manufacturing
- Typical working hours are Monday - Friday with no current on call requirements
Main duties of the job
About the role:
In this role, you will play a key part in the day-to-day leadership of aseptic and non-sterile production services, ensuring high standards of GMP, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance.
You'll be responsible for:
- Overseeing production workflow, supervising batches, and releasing products under robust quality systems.
- Acting as (or working toward becoming) a release delegate or Qualified Person (Q.P.) support.
- Supporting deviation investigations, CAPA management, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Leading on audits, validation processes, and risk assessments.
- Guiding and training junior staff in GMP principles and operational procedures
What we're looking for:
- GPhC-registered Pharmacist
- Strong grounding in aseptic services, production or QA
- Understanding of GMP, MHRA guidance, and NHS QA standards
- Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills
- A team player with the confidence to lead and the curiosity to learn
- This role can also be offered as a band 7 progressional post where you'll follow a clear development pathway with progression to Band 8a upon successful completion of the Pharmaceutical Technology and Quality Assurance (PTQA) diploma
About us
University Hospitals Bristol & Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, with a workforce of over 13,000 staff and 100+ different clinical services across 10 sites, serving a population of over 500,000 people across Bristol and Weston. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as 'Good' overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to patients. As a forward-thinking multi-award winning Trust, committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact.
Join us and you can enjoy city living, be in the countryside or by the seaside, with easy access to all the South West offers. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
As an equal opportunities employer, actively working towards a diverse workforce, we aim to create a workforce that represents the diversity of our community and are committed to designing our services around the needs of patients and their loved ones. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we're meeting our pledge.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- MPharm (or equivalent) in Pharmacy
- Registered with the GPhC
- Post-graduate diploma or Masters degree in Pharmaceutical Technology and Quality Assurance (E - for b8a level)
Desirable
- MSc/Postgraduate Diploma in Pharmaceutical Technology & Quality Assurance.
- Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Skills and abilities
Essential
- Ability to use specialist knowledge and judgement to challenge and influence clinical and technical practice
- Good verbal and written communication skills; ability to communicate highly complex information relating to medicines in a form appropriate to the task; able to present ideas and information in a clear and concise manner in individual and group settings
- Able to work under pressure in a busy and demanding environment
- Effective time management skills, including ability to prioritise, plan and organise own workload and that of the team
- People management skills, ability to plan, allocate and supervise the work of the team
- Service development and improvement skills and experience
- Training and mentoring skills
- Ability to identify, assess and manage risks and problems appropriately
- Able to change into appropriate cleanroom clothing and use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Good IT skills - ability to accurately build and produce documentation using Microsoft Office and other relevant specialist software
Knowledge and experience
Essential
- Clinical and technical hospital pharmacy experience at Band 6 level or equivalent
- Knowledge and application of pharmacy professional standards, Good Manufacturing Practice, and current standards relating to the aseptic preparation and supply of medicinal products under Section 10 exemption, including clinical trials and MS Licence activities
- Prior experience of Clinical Trials and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) (b7 - D; b8a)
- Knowledge and understanding of Quality Management systems (QMS), GMP, current professional standards and legislative requirements (b7 - D; b8a)
Desirable
- Supervising staff on a day to day basis
- Experience of external regulatory inspections
- Experience of specialised equipment used in pharmaceutical production including the use of automation
- Experience in manufacture and dispensing of aseptic and non-sterile IMPs
- Experience of training staff, setting objectives and delivering appraisals
Aptitudes
Essential
- Confident and articulate
- Self-motivated and enthusiastic
- Professional approach
- Flexible and adaptable to the needs of the service
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- MPharm (or equivalent) in Pharmacy
- Registered with the GPhC
- Post-graduate diploma or Masters degree in Pharmaceutical Technology and Quality Assurance (E - for b8a level)
Desirable
- MSc/Postgraduate Diploma in Pharmaceutical Technology & Quality Assurance.
- Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Skills and abilities
Essential
- Ability to use specialist knowledge and judgement to challenge and influence clinical and technical practice
- Good verbal and written communication skills; ability to communicate highly complex information relating to medicines in a form appropriate to the task; able to present ideas and information in a clear and concise manner in individual and group settings
- Able to work under pressure in a busy and demanding environment
- Effective time management skills, including ability to prioritise, plan and organise own workload and that of the team
- People management skills, ability to plan, allocate and supervise the work of the team
- Service development and improvement skills and experience
- Training and mentoring skills
- Ability to identify, assess and manage risks and problems appropriately
- Able to change into appropriate cleanroom clothing and use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Good IT skills - ability to accurately build and produce documentation using Microsoft Office and other relevant specialist software
Knowledge and experience
Essential
- Clinical and technical hospital pharmacy experience at Band 6 level or equivalent
- Knowledge and application of pharmacy professional standards, Good Manufacturing Practice, and current standards relating to the aseptic preparation and supply of medicinal products under Section 10 exemption, including clinical trials and MS Licence activities
- Prior experience of Clinical Trials and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) (b7 - D; b8a)
- Knowledge and understanding of Quality Management systems (QMS), GMP, current professional standards and legislative requirements (b7 - D; b8a)
Desirable
- Supervising staff on a day to day basis
- Experience of external regulatory inspections
- Experience of specialised equipment used in pharmaceutical production including the use of automation
- Experience in manufacture and dispensing of aseptic and non-sterile IMPs
- Experience of training staff, setting objectives and delivering appraisals
Aptitudes
Essential
- Confident and articulate
- Self-motivated and enthusiastic
- Professional approach
- Flexible and adaptable to the needs of the service
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).
Employer details
Employer name
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW)
Address
Bristol Royal Infirmary
Marlborough Street
Bristol
BS2 8HW
Employer's website
https://www.uhbw.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
