North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust

Band 4 to 5 Progression Pharmacy Aseptic Technician

This job is now closed

Job summary

Are you in search of a great opportunity to be part of a highly motivated, collaborative, and forward-thinking Pharmacy Production team? Do you share our Trust values- caring, fair, and open? If so, we would like to hear from you!

The successful candidate for this role will join our team in contributing to the provision of outstanding care through Pharmacy Production Services. They will also, have the opportunity to develop and improve their technical knowledge and aseptic skills through in-house and external training opportunities.

As a member of the Production team, you will work under the supervision and support of our Chief Technician, contributing to activities such as stock management, compounding, prepacking and over-labelling and the associated activities, including maintenance of equipment and environmental standards.

You will work with other Production team members, including Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, Pharmacy Assistants, and other support staff. You will contribute to training and developing others who are new to the team and junior team members.

North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust is a medium sized District General Hospital based in Edmonton in Enfield. We serve a diverse multicultural population largely from the London Boroughs of Enfield and Haringey. We are proud of our staff and are committed to their training, development and wellbeing which allows us to provide excellent clinical care.

Main duties of the job

Main duties:

Supporting the Chief Technician with the daily running of the Technical Services Department and prioritise and delegate workloads accordingly.

Compounding of aseptic products and all associated activities.

Prepacking and over-labelling of non-sterile products and all associated activities.

Maintenance of equipment and working environment.

Working according to GMP, local policies, procedures, guidelines, and best practices.

Involvement in quality improvement initiatives.

participating in staff training.

About us

North Mid is part of North Central London integrated care system - consisting of the NHS and Local authority organisations in Camden, Islington, Barnet, Enfield and Haringey. As with other ICS's, we are working increasingly closely with partners and indeed many of our financial and performance objectives are measured at this system level. Whilst all organisations remain as standalone, statutory bodies we have an ICS infrastructure for making shared decisions and agreeing shared approaches.

We are proud of our staff and want to ensure their training allows them to provide excellent clinical care. We are also a training unit for medical students from UCL and St George's University Grenada, and for nursing and midwifery students from Middlesex and City Universities.

Take a tour of our hospital here

Date posted

04 March 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£29,460 to £39,769 a year £29,460 - £39,769 inclusive HCAS Outer London.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

393-NMUH-1233

Job locations

North Middlesex Hospital

1 Sterling Way

Tottenham

N181QX

Job description

Job responsibilities

Technical responsibilities

To be responsible for all aspects of the day to day delivery of the production service ensuring that the service complies with all current regulatory requirements.
To be responsible for the daily planning of the workload and staff allocation in the Production unit to ensure a prompt and responsive service to the users under the direction of the Chief Technician and Production Manager, such that chemotherapy is compounded ahead of appointment times and waiting time targets are met.
To supervise the work of junior production technicians and pre- registration pharmacists to ensure that all products prepared and labelled in accordance with current guidelines and to ensure that all activities undertaken within the unit meet current legislation such as GMP, GCP, Health and safety, COSHH and that all work, documentation and procedures meet these regulations.
To ensure that all products are checked and released by the Production Pharmacist in a timely manner, ready for distribution to the appropriate ward or clinic and to ensure that all products are stored correctly and at the required temperature so that finished products requiring refrigeration are not kept out of the fridge for a longer time period than is absolutely necessary.
To support the Non sterile section and take part in all Non sterile activities ensuring that this service meets the needs of our users.
To take part in all sterile activities including clinical trials, maintain personal aseptic techniques for reconstitution of cytotoxics, ensuring own validations are up to date and competency is maintained in all areas of production activities.
To prepare documentation and labels using available computer systems ensuring all training and checking logs are completed in a timely manner.
To assemble trays of raw materials and consumables according to worksheets and record batch numbers and expiry dates, ensuring all training and checking logs are completed in a timely manner.
To be part of the compounding team, take part in regular compounding activity and training of compounders.
To undertake disinfection of items going into the clean rooms and isolators in accordance with standard operating procedures.
To maintain a high standard of cleanliness and tidiness in all working areas.
To supervise the specialist cleaners ensuring that the unit is cleaned according to SOPs and cleaning schedule followed, that they are given appropriate training in relation to disinfectants used and cleaning schedule adhered to.
To take part in the cleaning and monitoring of the clean rooms Isolators following Standard Operating Procedures and complete daily log audits.
To ensure that the sterile unit and all equipment is cleaned according to Standard Operating Procedures, is in a safe condition to use and is left in a clean and safe condition at night.
To be responsible for ensuring that all monitoring and cleaning records and departmental logs are filled in correctly before and after each compounding session in line with SOPs and at the specified frequency and to report any out of specification results to the Chief Production Technician/QA Lead.
To be responsible for ensuring that the required environmental monitoring is carried out and that microbial plates are labelled and sent for incubation in a timely manner.
To support the QA Lead in ensuring all compounders are validated for aseptic techniques within the Quality Assurance schedule.
To be responsible for ordering, receipt, issue and storage of all consumables and raw material drugs In conjunction with other production senior technicians.
To order stock using PECOS and JAC systems.
To undertake in conjunction with the production senior technicians ,daily rolling stock take on all raw materials used in the Production unit, keep correct and accurate records of stock takes and report any discrepancies to the Chief Production Technician.
To check computer transaction logs on a daily basis to ensure all computer entries and items received from stores or directly from Pharmaceutical manufacturers match with computer entries and to report and investigate any discrepancies in the information to the Chief technician.
To liaise with the Production Pharmacist ensuring that all returned drugs are appropriately documented and computed and where possible re used in a timely manner to avoid wastage.
To be responsible for ensuring that work load figures for sterile, non- sterile are made available at the end of each month to the Technical Services Manager/Chief Technician.
To assist the Pharmacy Production Manager/Chief technician in carrying out risk assessments of systems within production and take any necessary steps to reduce risk.
To be responsible for ensuring all waste is disposed of correctly in line with SOP and appropriate records kept.

Clinical Responsibilities

To ensure compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act and all other relevant legislation, national and local policies and procedures.
To uphold the principles of Clinical Governance within the Trust.

Communication

To ensure that communication channels exist within the Production unit so that staff, at all levels, are kept up to date with information that is appropriate to their role.
To keep all relevant parties up to date on work related issues, communicating in a timely manner any problems that may cause delay in service provision.
To liaise with the dispensary and distribution departments and review procedures for request, preparation and delivery of all products from the Production unit to minimise waiting times.
To liaise with QA Lead ensuring that the required environmental monitoring is carried out and that any non-compliance is reported to the QA lead and Chief technician (Production).
To report all errors in a formally documented way to the Production Chief Technician and Production Manager.
To communicate effectively with all users of the service.
To attend and contribute to all relevant meetings as required by the Pharmacy Production Manager e.g. Production meetings, Departmental meetings, Education & Training.

Planning and organisation

To liaise with other senior members of the production staff to ensure the most efficient use of staff and facilities.
To ensure adequate staffing and allocation of duties on a weekly basis in the sterile and non-sterile departments to ensure smooth running of the department at all times
To assist the senior management in the qualification, commissioning and validation of new production facilities and equipment and to contribute to the planning and design of the facilities.
To assist the Pharmacy Production Manager/Chief technician in the implementation of change in the Production unit.

Supervisory and managerial responsibilities

To ensure all compounders are validated for aseptic techniques within the Quality Assurance schedule
To ensure the correct operation of the permit to work system for both internal and external contractors in the Production Department
To supervise the non-sterile section of the production unit ensuring all non sterile activity is processed in a timely manner and all JAC computer transactions completed
To assist the Pharmacy Production management team and participate in the overall development of pharmacy services
To assist the Pharmacy Production Manager/Chief technician to recruit and maintain staffing levels according to the agreed establishment.
To carry out appraisals and develop personal development plans for technical support staff in accordance with trust procedures

Training responsibilities

To provide a role model for aseptic technique and assist in the training of new staff in all aspects of aseptic preparation and departmental procedures.
To deliver training to all technical staff in order that staff are fully equipped to undertake appropriate aseptic and non-sterile work in a safe and efficient manner and that training is fully documented in the production training manual
To assist the Chief technician in the development of a training programme for the junior technicians and Support workers and deliver all training to the above.
To supervise the training of the specialist cleaners ensuring all training is documented in the production training manual
To train and assess Pharmacy student Technicians in their BTEC/NVQ level 3 awards and pre-registration Pharmacists on their technical training to national standards.
To participate in relevant education and training and CPD activities as appropriate to ensure professional development.

Audit/research responsibilities

To participate in audits as required both internal and external to improve practice
To assist in the implementation of recommendations in external audits on pharmacy production

General

To maintain satisfactory personal performance and professional standards and to achieve, where possible, agreed objectives described in the Annual Staff Appraisal system undertaken by the Head of Pharmacy or his /her nominees.

All employees of North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust are required to carry out their duties with regard to the Fair Access Policy and respect the cultural beliefs and customs held by clients and staff.
To work as part of the general Pharmacy team and help in other areas of the Pharmacy department e.g. Late duties Saturday working and Bank holidays in the Dispensary.
To undertake any other relevant duties, as may be required by the Head of Pharmacy and the Pharmacy Production Manager.
Nothing omitted or written here shall absolve the pharmacy technician from at all times ensuring that correct, professional techniques, ethics, attitudes and procedures are maintained by the staff for whom he/she is responsible.
Strict confidentiality should be maintained regarding all matters pertaining to patients and other Trust issues.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Technical responsibilities

To be responsible for all aspects of the day to day delivery of the production service ensuring that the service complies with all current regulatory requirements.
To be responsible for the daily planning of the workload and staff allocation in the Production unit to ensure a prompt and responsive service to the users under the direction of the Chief Technician and Production Manager, such that chemotherapy is compounded ahead of appointment times and waiting time targets are met.
To supervise the work of junior production technicians and pre- registration pharmacists to ensure that all products prepared and labelled in accordance with current guidelines and to ensure that all activities undertaken within the unit meet current legislation such as GMP, GCP, Health and safety, COSHH and that all work, documentation and procedures meet these regulations.
To ensure that all products are checked and released by the Production Pharmacist in a timely manner, ready for distribution to the appropriate ward or clinic and to ensure that all products are stored correctly and at the required temperature so that finished products requiring refrigeration are not kept out of the fridge for a longer time period than is absolutely necessary.
To support the Non sterile section and take part in all Non sterile activities ensuring that this service meets the needs of our users.
To take part in all sterile activities including clinical trials, maintain personal aseptic techniques for reconstitution of cytotoxics, ensuring own validations are up to date and competency is maintained in all areas of production activities.
To prepare documentation and labels using available computer systems ensuring all training and checking logs are completed in a timely manner.
To assemble trays of raw materials and consumables according to worksheets and record batch numbers and expiry dates, ensuring all training and checking logs are completed in a timely manner.
To be part of the compounding team, take part in regular compounding activity and training of compounders.
To undertake disinfection of items going into the clean rooms and isolators in accordance with standard operating procedures.
To maintain a high standard of cleanliness and tidiness in all working areas.
To supervise the specialist cleaners ensuring that the unit is cleaned according to SOPs and cleaning schedule followed, that they are given appropriate training in relation to disinfectants used and cleaning schedule adhered to.
To take part in the cleaning and monitoring of the clean rooms Isolators following Standard Operating Procedures and complete daily log audits.
To ensure that the sterile unit and all equipment is cleaned according to Standard Operating Procedures, is in a safe condition to use and is left in a clean and safe condition at night.
To be responsible for ensuring that all monitoring and cleaning records and departmental logs are filled in correctly before and after each compounding session in line with SOPs and at the specified frequency and to report any out of specification results to the Chief Production Technician/QA Lead.
To be responsible for ensuring that the required environmental monitoring is carried out and that microbial plates are labelled and sent for incubation in a timely manner.
To support the QA Lead in ensuring all compounders are validated for aseptic techniques within the Quality Assurance schedule.
To be responsible for ordering, receipt, issue and storage of all consumables and raw material drugs In conjunction with other production senior technicians.
To order stock using PECOS and JAC systems.
To undertake in conjunction with the production senior technicians ,daily rolling stock take on all raw materials used in the Production unit, keep correct and accurate records of stock takes and report any discrepancies to the Chief Production Technician.
To check computer transaction logs on a daily basis to ensure all computer entries and items received from stores or directly from Pharmaceutical manufacturers match with computer entries and to report and investigate any discrepancies in the information to the Chief technician.
To liaise with the Production Pharmacist ensuring that all returned drugs are appropriately documented and computed and where possible re used in a timely manner to avoid wastage.
To be responsible for ensuring that work load figures for sterile, non- sterile are made available at the end of each month to the Technical Services Manager/Chief Technician.
To assist the Pharmacy Production Manager/Chief technician in carrying out risk assessments of systems within production and take any necessary steps to reduce risk.
To be responsible for ensuring all waste is disposed of correctly in line with SOP and appropriate records kept.

Clinical Responsibilities

To ensure compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act and all other relevant legislation, national and local policies and procedures.
To uphold the principles of Clinical Governance within the Trust.

Communication

To ensure that communication channels exist within the Production unit so that staff, at all levels, are kept up to date with information that is appropriate to their role.
To keep all relevant parties up to date on work related issues, communicating in a timely manner any problems that may cause delay in service provision.
To liaise with the dispensary and distribution departments and review procedures for request, preparation and delivery of all products from the Production unit to minimise waiting times.
To liaise with QA Lead ensuring that the required environmental monitoring is carried out and that any non-compliance is reported to the QA lead and Chief technician (Production).
To report all errors in a formally documented way to the Production Chief Technician and Production Manager.
To communicate effectively with all users of the service.
To attend and contribute to all relevant meetings as required by the Pharmacy Production Manager e.g. Production meetings, Departmental meetings, Education & Training.

Planning and organisation

To liaise with other senior members of the production staff to ensure the most efficient use of staff and facilities.
To ensure adequate staffing and allocation of duties on a weekly basis in the sterile and non-sterile departments to ensure smooth running of the department at all times
To assist the senior management in the qualification, commissioning and validation of new production facilities and equipment and to contribute to the planning and design of the facilities.
To assist the Pharmacy Production Manager/Chief technician in the implementation of change in the Production unit.

Supervisory and managerial responsibilities

To ensure all compounders are validated for aseptic techniques within the Quality Assurance schedule
To ensure the correct operation of the permit to work system for both internal and external contractors in the Production Department
To supervise the non-sterile section of the production unit ensuring all non sterile activity is processed in a timely manner and all JAC computer transactions completed
To assist the Pharmacy Production management team and participate in the overall development of pharmacy services
To assist the Pharmacy Production Manager/Chief technician to recruit and maintain staffing levels according to the agreed establishment.
To carry out appraisals and develop personal development plans for technical support staff in accordance with trust procedures

Training responsibilities

To provide a role model for aseptic technique and assist in the training of new staff in all aspects of aseptic preparation and departmental procedures.
To deliver training to all technical staff in order that staff are fully equipped to undertake appropriate aseptic and non-sterile work in a safe and efficient manner and that training is fully documented in the production training manual
To assist the Chief technician in the development of a training programme for the junior technicians and Support workers and deliver all training to the above.
To supervise the training of the specialist cleaners ensuring all training is documented in the production training manual
To train and assess Pharmacy student Technicians in their BTEC/NVQ level 3 awards and pre-registration Pharmacists on their technical training to national standards.
To participate in relevant education and training and CPD activities as appropriate to ensure professional development.

Audit/research responsibilities

To participate in audits as required both internal and external to improve practice
To assist in the implementation of recommendations in external audits on pharmacy production

General

All employees of North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust are required to carry out their duties with regard to the Fair Access Policy and respect the cultural beliefs and customs held by clients and staff.
To work as part of the general Pharmacy team and help in other areas of the Pharmacy department e.g. Late duties Saturday working and Bank holidays in the Dispensary.
To undertake any other relevant duties, as may be required by the Head of Pharmacy and the Pharmacy Production Manager.
Nothing omitted or written here shall absolve the pharmacy technician from at all times ensuring that correct, professional techniques, ethics, attitudes and procedures are maintained by the staff for whom he/she is responsible.
Strict confidentiality should be maintained regarding all matters pertaining to patients and other Trust issues.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

Registered as a Pharmacy Technician (or in process) with the General Pharmaceutical Council
NVQ Level 3 Pharmaceutical Sciences or equivalent
London Pharmacy Education & Training -- Educational Supervisor / Practice Supervisor or working towards

Desirable

NVQ A1 work place assessor award

Skills and abilities

Essential

Computer literate Word, Excel, Powerpoint
Excellent verbal and written communication skills -Ability to deal directly with public & other health service professionals
Ability to work in certain posture for prolonged period of time, e.g. sitting upright to prepare drugs in an isolator
Effective managerial, leadership, and organizational skills
Ability to communicate complex, contentious and sensitive information
Ability to innovate and implement change
Demonstrated ability to accurately complete complex routine and non-routine tasks as indicated in the job description
Time management of self and of others
Able to respond to unpredictable work patterns
Able to manage own workload.
Able to resolve conflict.
Able to work under pressure accurately within the departmental SOP's to maintain quality standards.
Able to work without supervision
Able to prioritise workload effectively

Desirable

Working with JAC computer system

Experience

Essential

Knowledge of production related national and legal requirements e.g. principles of good manufacturing practice
Hospital pharmacy experience, especially in technical services unit.
Knowledge of working under section 10 based on QAAPS guidelines
Environmental monitoring in clean rooms
Previous experience of delivering induction and competency based training
Previous experience of developing Standard Operating Procedures
Previous experience of developing master worksheets Experience of stock management
Knowledge of the GPHc Standards of conduct, ethics and performance
Understanding of the principles of stock control
Effective organisation and prioritisation skills in the workplace

Desirable

Knowledge of licensing of aseptic services unit

Personal qualities

Essential

Ability to work unsupervised and under pressure
Demonstrate excellent Work Ethics
Enthusiastic and shows initiative
Good attendance record and good time keeping

Other requirements

Essential

Flexibility with regard to changes in work schedule
Must do Late duty, Weekend duties and bank holidays as rostered
Interest in development of others
Interest in expanding knowledge and self-development
Awareness of Equal Opportunities

Trust Values

Essential

Demonstrable ability to meet Trust values

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

Registered as a Pharmacy Technician (or in process) with the General Pharmaceutical Council
NVQ Level 3 Pharmaceutical Sciences or equivalent
London Pharmacy Education & Training -- Educational Supervisor / Practice Supervisor or working towards

Desirable

NVQ A1 work place assessor award

Skills and abilities

Essential

Computer literate Word, Excel, Powerpoint
Excellent verbal and written communication skills -Ability to deal directly with public & other health service professionals
Ability to work in certain posture for prolonged period of time, e.g. sitting upright to prepare drugs in an isolator
Effective managerial, leadership, and organizational skills
Ability to communicate complex, contentious and sensitive information
Ability to innovate and implement change
Demonstrated ability to accurately complete complex routine and non-routine tasks as indicated in the job description
Time management of self and of others
Able to respond to unpredictable work patterns
Able to manage own workload.
Able to resolve conflict.
Able to work under pressure accurately within the departmental SOP's to maintain quality standards.
Able to work without supervision
Able to prioritise workload effectively

Desirable

Working with JAC computer system

Experience

Essential

Knowledge of production related national and legal requirements e.g. principles of good manufacturing practice
Hospital pharmacy experience, especially in technical services unit.
Knowledge of working under section 10 based on QAAPS guidelines
Environmental monitoring in clean rooms
Previous experience of delivering induction and competency based training
Previous experience of developing Standard Operating Procedures
Previous experience of developing master worksheets Experience of stock management
Knowledge of the GPHc Standards of conduct, ethics and performance
Understanding of the principles of stock control
Effective organisation and prioritisation skills in the workplace

Desirable

Knowledge of licensing of aseptic services unit

Personal qualities

Essential

Ability to work unsupervised and under pressure
Demonstrate excellent Work Ethics
Enthusiastic and shows initiative
Good attendance record and good time keeping

Other requirements

Essential

Flexibility with regard to changes in work schedule
Must do Late duty, Weekend duties and bank holidays as rostered
Interest in development of others
Interest in expanding knowledge and self-development
Awareness of Equal Opportunities

Trust Values

Essential

Demonstrable ability to meet Trust values

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.

Employer details

Employer name

North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust

Address

North Middlesex Hospital

1 Sterling Way

Tottenham

N181QX

Employer's website

https://www.northmid.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust

Address

North Middlesex Hospital

1 Sterling Way

Tottenham

N181QX

Employer's website

https://www.northmid.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

For questions about the job, contact:

Chief Technician Aseptics

Danielle Ball

danielle.ball4@nhs.net

02088873068

Date posted

04 March 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£29,460 to £39,769 a year £29,460 - £39,769 inclusive HCAS Outer London.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

393-NMUH-1233

Job locations

North Middlesex Hospital

1 Sterling Way

Tottenham

N181QX

Supporting documents

Privacy notice

North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)

Band 4 to 5 Progression Pharmacy Aseptic Technician

Job summary

Main duties of the job

About us

Details

Date posted

Pay scheme

Band

Salary

Contract

Working pattern

Reference number

Job locations

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job responsibilities

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

Desirable

Skills and abilities

Essential

Desirable

Experience

Essential

Desirable

Personal qualities

Essential

Other requirements

Essential

Trust Values

Essential

Education and qualifications

Essential

Desirable

Skills and abilities

Essential

Desirable

Experience

Essential

Desirable

Personal qualities

Essential

Other requirements

Essential

Trust Values

Essential

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Employer details

Employer name

Address

Employer's website

Employer details

Employer name

Address

Employer's website

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Details

Date posted

Pay scheme

Band

Salary

Contract

Working pattern

Reference number

Job locations

Supporting documents

Privacy notice