Job summary
The Lead Pharmacist for Aseptic Servicesprovides specialised advice to the Aseptic Unit in line with current professional standards; the Quality assurance of aseptic preparation services (QAAPS).
The post holder is the Accountable Pharmacist for all activities in the Pharmacy Aseptic Unit (PAU) and provides regular assurance to the Chief Pharmacist on all aspects of the service provision within the PAU.
You will ensure that the PAU service provided is of high quality and safe. Ensure that the PAU service is responsive to staff and patients and that the PAU team is motivated, supported and developing to its full potential.
You will work alongside the Lead Clinical Pharmacist - Cancer Services and practise as a highly specialised clinical pharmacist for Cancer Servicesincluding clinically screening prescriptions for chemotherapy and authorising final release of products for administration to patients in line with local and national policies and standards. You will develop and maintain your specialist knowledge in the use of medicines within Cancer Services.
You will provide person centred, safe and timely patient care. The post holder will work in close conjunction with relevant medical consultants and nursing staff.
Main duties of the job
- The Accountable Pharmacist is responsible for all activities at all times within the Pharmacy Aseptic Unit (PAU)
- Liaises with operational colleagues to provide a high quality, responsive service for patients
- Leads the strategic development of the PAU in response to national, regional and local policy and needs
- Ensures that all manufactured products undergo final check and release by an authorised person
- Attends the weekly Quality Meeting to discuss Quality Exception Reports (QERs), daily and weekly monitoring checks reports and any other quality matters. Provides assurance to the Chief Pharmacist that the PAU is operating safely.
- Adheres to the requirements of the current edition of the professional standards, Quality assurance of aseptic preparation services (QAAPS) and ensures that reporting quality indicators monthly to NHS England via the iQAAPS system is completed
- Facilitates and responds to audits by Specialist Pharmacy Services Quality Assurance and implements and updates action plans to agreed timescales
About us
There's never been a more exciting time to join TeamQEH. We're working on a once in a generation opportunity to build a new state-of-the-art hospital and we are also carrying out on one of the biggest pieces of digital transformation work we've ever undertaken.
Our new electronic patient record (EPR) will replace paper-based patient records from 2026 and will lead to better, safer, joined-up care at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and beyond.
At The QEH we provide a comprehensive range of specialist, acute, obstetrics and community-based services to around 331,000 people across west and north Norfolk, North Cambs and South Lincs.
We are an ambitious organisation that upholds our values of kindness, wellness and fairness. We strive for continuous quality improvement, recently demonstrated in our 2024 CQC maternity inspection rating our services as 'Good', and we are proud to be a place to learn and grow through recognised learning and apprenticeships.
We recognise and reward our 4,000 staff and volunteers, priding ourselves on a community atmosphere and positive team spirit. We have approx. 530 beds across 33 wards and have newly built education and training facilities, a range of modern award-winning centres alongside a talented team of people ready to give you a warm welcome.
We love working here and think you will too.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information about this role, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information about this role, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification
Person Specification
Qualifications/training and professional development
Essential
- Master's (MPharm) Degree in Pharmacy or equivalent
- Registered member of the General Pharmaceutical Council
- Relevant post graduate training in aseptic processing such as the Pharmaceutical Technology and Quality Assurance (PTQA) PGCert/PGDip/MSc (Or is prepared to complete PTQA qualification as part of a developmental role from 8a Specialist Pharmacist to 8b Lead Cancer Services Pharmacist with Accountable Pharmacist responsibilities).
- Strong understanding of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), quality assurance, and relevant national standards/guidelines
- Postgraduate certificate and diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or Pharmacy Practice or equivalent experience
Desirable
- Independent Prescriber (IP), or working towards IP qualification or willing to undertake training to become an IP
Experience
Essential
- Significant post-registration hospital experience (minimum 4 years) with at least 2 years specifically in an aseptic unit
- Able to demonstrate advanced specialist cancer services and providing a clinical service for oncology and haematology patients
- Experience in supervising staff, delivering training, and managing quality systems/audits
- Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team
Skills, abilities and knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of statutory requirements for the operation of an aseptic production unit
- Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills to manage complex, highly sensitive issues (e.g., product recalls, incidents) and make critical professional judgments, sometimes with limited information.
- Ability to deliver a highly specialised clinical pharmacy service to patients
Person Specification
Qualifications/training and professional development
Essential
- Master's (MPharm) Degree in Pharmacy or equivalent
- Registered member of the General Pharmaceutical Council
- Relevant post graduate training in aseptic processing such as the Pharmaceutical Technology and Quality Assurance (PTQA) PGCert/PGDip/MSc (Or is prepared to complete PTQA qualification as part of a developmental role from 8a Specialist Pharmacist to 8b Lead Cancer Services Pharmacist with Accountable Pharmacist responsibilities).
- Strong understanding of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), quality assurance, and relevant national standards/guidelines
- Postgraduate certificate and diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or Pharmacy Practice or equivalent experience
Desirable
- Independent Prescriber (IP), or working towards IP qualification or willing to undertake training to become an IP
Experience
Essential
- Significant post-registration hospital experience (minimum 4 years) with at least 2 years specifically in an aseptic unit
- Able to demonstrate advanced specialist cancer services and providing a clinical service for oncology and haematology patients
- Experience in supervising staff, delivering training, and managing quality systems/audits
- Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team
Skills, abilities and knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of statutory requirements for the operation of an aseptic production unit
- Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills to manage complex, highly sensitive issues (e.g., product recalls, incidents) and make critical professional judgments, sometimes with limited information.
- Ability to deliver a highly specialised clinical pharmacy service to patients
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).
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