Quality Assurance Assistant

We are looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated Quality Assurance Assistant to join our Pharmacy Quality Assurance Team. As part of the pharmacy team, the post holder will be working closely with the QA technicians in the provision of a quality control/assurance service to Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust and other customers.

We are looking for candidates with at least 1 years' experience working in a laboratory or clean room. Experience of some microbiological analysis, and pharmaceutical clean room environmental monitoring would be advantageous.

The post holder must be able to work well within a team and in an aseptic environment. The job requires good communication and IT skills, flexibility and willingness to travel to external sites for customers visits. Full valid driving license and access to car are essential.

Main duties of the job

1. Concentration at all times to minimise risk of errors.
2. Ensure safe working practices and a safe working environment at all times.
3. Working in busy environments such as NHS aseptic units, in a commercial unit or in the quality control laboratory.
4. Position requires some physical activity - lifting and travel between sites.
5. Availability for flexible working hours with early or late start when required.
6. Ability to work in a controlled environment i.e. cleanrooms.
7. Use of precision instruments such as microscope, active air samplers, anemometer, airborne particle counter, water bath.
8. Working with hazardous substances such as chemical reagents, cytotoxic or mutagenic substances, microorganisms and culture media.
9. Working according to the department's Standard Operating Procedures.
10. Computer systems knowledge - Windows/Word/Excel.
11. Ability to communicate and work in a team environment.
12. Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.

About us

Why colleagues think we are "a great place to work!"

What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?

As part of our BHT family, you'll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.

Alongside NHS benefits of generous annual leave entitlement and pension scheme, you'll have access to NHS discount schemes.

We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.

What do we stand for?

Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work.

Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time.

We are working hard to increase diversity at all levels within the trust. We believe a diverse workforce can have a positive effect on both staff wellbeing and patient outcomes.

We welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, candidates with disabilities and care-experienced candidates.

We are proud to achieve the Gold award for the Armed Forces Covenant and support applications from the Armed Forces Community. Please contact Pam.Daley@nhs.net (our Armed Forces Covenant Lead) if you would like guidance or assistance with your application.

We make employment decisions by matching our service needs with the skills and experience of candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

Job responsibilities

For a comprehensive list of responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to the Job Description and Person Specification by downloading the JD and PS attachment in the advert.

Person Specification

Education, Qualifications and Training

• Level 2 NVQ Diploma or BTEC first certificate or GCSE grades A - C or Equivalent
• Experience of working in a Pharmaceutical Laboratory or Cleanroom environment for 1 year

Experience

• Some experience of working in a microbiology laboratory/ environmental monitoring
• Some experience of time management skills and prioritising work
• Some experience working in fast-paced environment

Skills, abilities and knowledge

• Able to work to set procedures
• Able to work as part of a team
• Able to communicate routine information effectively using clear written and spoken English
• Able to handle materials which are hazardous (microorganisms/cytotoxic)
• Able to work in pharmaceutical clean room environment
• Able to prioritise and organise daily tasks using own initiative
• Able to use computer programmes such as MS Word Excel, Outlook, data collection
• Ability to work to deadlines and achieve agreed objectives
• Ability to sit or stand at workstation such as bench, safety cabinet or isolators for periods of the working time

Special circumstances

• Full valid driving license and access to car
• Able to travel to customer sites within the Trust and customer sites outside the Trust
• Able to meet the physical and educational demands of the role
• Flexible and adaptable to change - able to work a range of hours when needed

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.

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

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working