Pharmacy Assistant - Band 2 Pharmacy Manufacturing

NHS; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 30,000

Job description

Pharmacy Assistant - Band 2 Pharmacy Manufacturing

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

GLOUCESTERSHIRE HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

PHARMACY ASEPTIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT

PHARMACY ASSISTANT BAND 2

FULL TIME PERMANENT POST

37.5 hours per week

An exciting opportunity to join our busy but friendly Aseptic Services Department has arisen at Cheltenham General Hospital. As part of the 3 Counties Cancer Network (3 CCN), our aseptic services unit prepares chemotherapy for patients from Gloucestershire and surrounding areas. We also dispense Parental Nutrition bags. We require an enthusiastic pharmacy assistant to join our growing production team.

Duties

Duties include:

1. Generating worksheets, labels and assembling raw materials for chemotherapy drugs.
2. Labelling of aseptic pharmaceutical products.
3. Working in the cleanrooms assisting the production of aseptically made chemotherapy syringes and infusions.
4. Regular cleaning within the unit and cleanrooms, including the isolators.
5. Comply with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and follow departmental standard operating procedures at all times.

Suitable candidates may be further trained in compounding if deemed suitable and progress to Band 3.

The post holder will be required to obtain relevant units of a Buttercups Pharmacy qualification (Nationally recognised) in Pharmacy Services or equivalent.

For further information please contact Natalie Knowles or Ally Baldwin on 0300 422 3032/3033.

Main duties of the job

Main duties of the job are:

1. To accurately follow the departments standard operating procedures and comply with Good Manufacturing Practice.
2. To receive chemotherapy prescriptions, generate worksheets and labels, assemble raw materials for all aseptically prepared products.
3. To support technicians and compounding pharmacy assistants to compound, using aseptic technique, cytotoxic intravenous infusions and syringes.
4. To perform volume checks on syringes once suitable training has been provided.
5. To view, label and package completed products.
6. To perform regular cleaning within the unit, including isolators.
7. To complete in-house competency training.
8. Participate in regular stock checks and audits.
9. To include weekend working when/if required.

The proposed interview date is: 29th April.

About us

We take pride in placing people at the centre of everything we do, working together as a united team. Driven by a shared ambition to continually grow, develop, and learn, we recognise and value every contribution. By combining our experience and skills, we not only support our vibrant, diverse communities, but also support one another.

With a team of over 9,000 employees, we are proud to be the largest employer in Gloucestershire and rank among the top 10 largest Trusts in the South West region. By joining our Trust, you will benefit from an excellent package that includes exclusive benefits, flexible working opportunities and the chance to gain valuable experience in one of our innovative hospitals. As well as generous annual leave allowance, access to the excellent NHS pension scheme, competitive bank rates, discounts at local shops and restaurants, access to two on-site nurseries, discounted public transport, reward and recognition, and a range of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Job responsibilities

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

1. Numeracy and literacy to Grade C (or equivalent) GCSE level.
2. Basic level of competence in a range of information technology skills.
3. Must be able to work well as part of a team as well as independently.
4. Completion of in-house competency training.

KEY RESULT AREAS

1. To accurately follow the departments standard operating procedures on a daily basis.
2. (For suitable individuals only) Aseptic preparation of chemotherapy drugs as specified and signed off as competent for in the individual training manual.
3. To ensure that all areas of the aseptic unit are of an appropriate standard of cleanliness.
4. To complete in-house competency training.
5. To assemble raw materials and complete worksheets for product preparation.
6. To perform regular cleaning within the unit including the cleaning of isolators, using specialist equipment, in accordance with set procedures.
7. To perform pressure decay tests when required for all isolators.
8. To maintain adequate stock levels of drugs and disposables in the unit and judge which stock is to be re-ordered.
9. Once trained to book out raw materials correctly and in a time-efficient manner.
10. To support the pharmacy technicians and compounding ATOs in the clean room prioritising workload, sanitising the products for production.
11. Performing volume checks on syringes, after suitable training has been given.
12. To view, label, package and deliver completed products.
13. To introduce the skills and knowledge relevant to a pharmacy assistant to new staff including student technicians when they first arrive within the manufacturing unit.
14. Occasional communication with doctors (of all grades), nursing staff and support workers and members of the public to provide factual information and receive messages from them relating to pharmacy manufacturing.
15. Administrative and clerical duties including:
1. Daily data entry to produce worksheets, labels and batch details for the department.
2. Photocopying.
16. To work across site at GRH if and when required.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Candidates will need to have achieved a grade C or equivalent in GCSE Maths and English.

Knowledge / Skills

• Attention to detail and accuracy, and to have the ability to concentrate for long periods of time.
• Be aware of the importance of our service to patients.
• Good communication skills, both written and oral. Communicate well with all grades of staff.
• Ability to work within a team and under supervision.
• Knowledge of computers and good keyboard skills.
• Able to prioritise work.
• Be flexible and reliable.

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 name

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust