Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officer Aseptic Service & Quality Control

NHS; Stockton-on-Tees; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job description

Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officer Aseptic Service & Quality Control

Advert may close once sufficient number of applications is reached.

An exciting and unique opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, dynamic and self-motivated professional to join our aseptic team within Aseptic services and Quality control at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.

The aseptic unit at University Hospital of North Tees prepares and dispense injectable chemotherapy and Parenteral Nutrition for patients treated at both University Hospital of North Tees and University Hospital of Hartlepool.

Stockton Quality Control Laboratory is an MHRA inspected laboratory offering a comprehensive range of quality control services to NHS providers including microbiological services, chemical analysis and specialist ventilation system testing.

The post holder will contribute to the delivery of high quality, efficient, effective comprehensive aseptic and Quality control services within the Trust, based in both the aseptic unit and the Quality Control laboratory.

Main duties of the job

To work as part of the pharmacy Aseptic Compounding and Quality Control Laboratory teams to provide an effective, patient focussed aseptic service. This will include:

1. Aseptic preparation, dispensing and in-process check of chemotherapy and parenteral nutrition products within a cleanroom facility.
2. Receipt, testing and reading of laboratory samples.
3. Perform work under the requirements of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's).

About us

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust is an ambitious organisation with a focus on excellent patient care. Our teams operate across two acute hospital sites, a community hospital in Peterlee and a number of other community-based hubs employing 5,500 staff who provide integrated hospital and community based services.

Patient safety is our absolute, number one priority and is reflected in everything we do. We expect every colleague, clinical or non-clinical, to always put our patients first.

Staff members enjoy significant benefits such as access to unique NHS discount services (including retail, insurance and travel) and we pride ourselves on our commitment to the health and wellbeing of our colleagues.

Job responsibilities

1. Assemble ingredients for items to be made according to the worksheet and SOPs.
2. Generating worksheets and labels according to SOPs and prescriptions.
3. Undertake transfer disinfection into the aseptic unit and isolators according to procedures.
4. Preparation and dispensing of aseptically produced items including chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies and Parenteral Nutrition within clean air devices.
5. Carry out In Process Checks during the preparation of products.
6. Carry out cleaning and environmental monitoring media activities within the clean room.
7. Participate in the dispensary weekend and Bank Holiday rotas.
8. Undertake basic microbiological tests such as bioburdens and test on non-sterile samples using a laminar flow cabinet and aseptic technique.
9. Perform identification tests on micro-organisms using instrumental and classical microbiology techniques.
10. Verification of microbiology kits and sterility test samples in accordance with laboratory procedures.
11. Perform basic checks and tests on samples which includes accurately reading agar plates and other basic laboratory testing.
12. Support the section responsible for the receipt of samples and media into the laboratory ensuring all samples and goods are receipted in accordance with Laboratory procedures.
13. Assemble deliveries for customers, ensuring drivers receive all items in a timely manner, taking into account schedules when dealing with urgent orders.
14. Supervise Assistant Technical Officers working in the laboratory and cover the supervisory duties of the Senior Assistant Technical Officers in relevant sections in their absence.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

• GCSE Maths/ English and Science grade C or above or 4 (or equivalent).
• Level 2 BTEC/NVQ in Pharmacy Services or Functional skills or Science Manufacturing Process Operative Level 2.
• Previous training in aseptic services.
• Pre and In Process Checking within Aseptic Services (PIPC) accreditation.
• Qualification in Pharmacy Services or Laboratory Sciences at Level 2 (or equivalent).

Experience

• Relevant experience of working in a regulated pharmacy production or laboratory environment.
• Experience of working in a busy environment.
• Experience of working in teams.
• Experience working in pharmaceutical or healthcare environment.
• Pharmacy experience in either a hospital or community setting.
• Experience in a Quality Control role within the chemical or pharmaceutical environment.
• Experience in Stock control.
• Experience of working within a clean room setting.

Knowledge

• Demonstrates knowledge of current legislations and regulations, e.g. COSHH and Health and Safety at Work Act.
• Understanding of stock control systems.
• Understanding of the importance of adherence to SOPs and legislation.
• Demonstrates practical knowledge of Quality systems.
• Demonstrates a good understanding of patient safety initiatives.
• Demonstrates practical knowledge of GMP.

Skills & Attributes

• Ability to work accurately and maintain levels of concentration when checking detailed documents/analysing data.
• IT literate and able to use Microsoft office.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to problem solve.
• Ability to motivate self and others.
• Lone and team working skills.
• Dexterity for Aseptic manipulation.
• Able to perform pharmaceutical calculations.
• Accurate and logical approach to work.
• Flexible to changing situations.

Management & Supervision

• Experience in planning own tasks.
• Experience in planning tasks of others.

Communication

• Ability to communicate with a range of healthcare professionals within own field of knowledge.
• Ability to receive and communicate technical information.

Finance & Physical Resources

• Experience of ordering consumables.
• Experience of stock management.

Other

• Ability to undertake manual tasks e.g., mopping floors, walls, ceilings and to clean within a clean air device, lift and handle pharmaceutical items. There is a requirement/combination of sitting, standing, and walking. The post holder must have the ability to work in a cleanroom environment.
• Experience in cleaning controlled areas such as clean rooms.

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.

Aseptic Lead Pharmacist & SQCL Quality Assurance

£24,625 to £25,674 a year pro rata per annum