Senior Radiopharmacy Technician

Job responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Regional Radiopharmacy

To be part of the team that carries out the daily production of radiopharmaceuticals within the Regional Radiopharmacy, in compliance with the requirements of The Human Medicine Regulations 2012, The Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 and amendment 2024, The Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 and The Environmental Permitting Regulations. This includes:

1.1 Receipt of orders from customer departments

1.2 Preparation of the Radiopharmacy prior to each production run

1.3 Preparation of materials prior to Radiopharmacy production runs, including radionuclide generators

1.4 Participation in the complex processes for production of Tc-99m labelled radiopharmaceuticals using aseptic techniques, and working with due speed and efficiency.

1.5 Participation in the complex processes for production of Ga-68 and In-111 Octreoscan for same-day administration to Christie patients, using aseptic techniques

1.6 Packaging and dispatch of QC products to other hospitals, including liaison with drivers

1.7 Decontamination and cleaning of the Radiopharmacy post production, including tidying of waste and restocking of consumables

1.8 Packaging and return of used radionuclide generators to manufacturers

1.9 Production of the documentation for all the above processes (in compliance with GMP and data integrity principles)

1.10 Proposes changes to policies and procedures

1.11 Acts as in-process checking technician for the Radiopharmacy routine service and maintain this practice in accordance with local policy

2. Quality control

Carries out the programme of quality control of radiopharmaceuticals produced within the Regional Radiopharmacy, in compliance with the requirements of the Medicines Act. This includes:

2.1 Analysis of radiochemical purity using chromatography techniques

(ITLC and HPLC)

2.2 pH testing

2.3 Radionuclidic purity testing

2.4 Analysis of endotoxin levels

2.5 Ensuring that working areas are cleared after each operation

3. Environmental and microbiological monitoring

Participates in the programme of environmental and microbiological monitoring of the Radiopharmacy and blood labelling suites, to include:

3.1 Air quality and air flows

3.2 Microbiological contamination

3.3 Periodic monitoring of aseptic compliance for each member of staff

3.4 Integrity of air seals in the blood labelling suite

4. Regional blood cell labelling service

In the absence of the Senior Radiopharmaceutical Technologist, to be responsible on a day to day basis for the operation of the Regional blood cell labelling service, including:

4.1 Aseptic preparation of radio-labelled red and white blood cells, in multi-stage patient-critical procedures, prior to re-injection of the cells into patients for diagnostic scanning purposes

4.2 Liaison with customer departments for scheduling, transportation of blood to and from the customer department, and other arrangements

5. Management, supervision and training of staff

5.1 Deputises for the Senior Radiopharmaceutical Technologist in their absence.

5.2 Assists in the training of new staff and supervises the work of more junior members of the department

6. Stock control

Responsible for stock control and ordering of pharmaceutical products, including:

6.1 Pharmaceutical products, chemical reagents, and disposable items used in the radiopharmacy and associated areas

6.2 Consumable items for the Clinical Isotopes Department

6.3 Orders stock items for Radiopharmacy and Clinical Isotopes from Pharmacy

7. Training

7.1 Assists in the training of junior Radiopharmacy staff

7.2 Introduces pre-registration pharmacists and radiography students to Radiopharmacy.

8. Radiation protection

8.1 Monitors the radiopharmacy for radioactive contamination, and records results

8.2 Assesses requirement for decontamination procedures, and carries these out if necessary

9. Professional

9.1 Where applicable maintain GPhC Registration, for which participation in a continuous professional development programme is compulsory

9.2 Participate in an Annual Personal Development Review (PDR)

9.3 Demonstrates the agreed set of values and accountable for own attitude and behaviour

Qualifications

Essential

• BTec level 3 and NVQ level 3 in pharmacy services or Science Degree

Desirable

• Second year student Pharmacy Technicians
• Senior ATO with dispensing experience

Experience

Essential

• Extensive experience of aseptic dispensing

Desirable

• Experience of Radiopharmacy dispensing
• Management/supervisory experience

Skills

Essential

• Good communication skills
• Ability to work both within a team, and independently in complex multi-stage procedures
• Ability to think quickly and change plans at short notice
• Ability to keep accurate and legible written records
• Ability to work safely, quickly and meticulously with good manipulative skills
• Conscientious approach

Desirable

• Computer literacy

Knowledge

Essential

• Principles and practice of aseptic production techniques

Desirable

• Practical awareness of radiation protection principles

VALUES

Essential

• Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours

OTHER

Essential

• 6.00-6:30am start each day

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).