Job summary
A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen for ambitious individual seeking to advance their career in Quality in the NHS. The Radiopharmacy department at Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) is looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated person to join our friendly and dynamic team, providing a high-quality radiopharmaceutical service. Reporting to the Chief Radiopharmacist/Head of Radiopharmacy and a key member of the Radiopharmacy Senior Leadership Team, the Radiopharmacy Head of Quality/Quality Controller (Quality Assurance/Quality Control) will be directly accountable to the Chief Radiopharmacist/Head of Radiopharmacy for maintaining professional and clinical/technical standards within their area of responsibility and progressing the overarching Radiopharmacy strategy.
They will also work closely with the Chief Radiopharmacist/Head of Radiopharmacy, Radiopharmacy's Operations, Quality, Technical and Clinical Teams to provide a consistent, high quality Radiopharmacy service, whilst optimising the radiopharmaceuticals service for patients, CUH and Partners from a Quality Assurance/Quality Control perspective. For the right candidate who demonstrates an aptitude for the role, we offer further training to support future career development.
Main duties of the job
The Radiopharmacy Head of Quality (Quality Assurance/Quality Control) will be directly accountable to the Chief Radiopharmacist/Head of Radiopharmacy for maintaining professional and clinical/technical standards within their area of responsibility and progressing the overarching Radiopharmacy strategy.
They will also work closely with the Radiopharmacy Clinical Trials Lead Pharmacist, Radiopharmacy's Operations, Quality, Technical and Clinical Leadership Team to maximise the benefits of working within the sites, to provide a cohesive Radiopharmacy and Radiopharmaceuticals optimisation service for patients, the Trust and Partners.
Provides strategic direction, leadership and the development of Pharmaceutical QA and QC Services to the Radiopharmacy services, to meet local, regional, and nationally agreed requirements and priorities.
Provides assurance to senior management of ongoing and future regulatory compliance status of the activities covered by the role and escalate compliance concerns to Chief Radiopharmacist/Head of Radiopharmacy and senior management.
Performs the role of Qualified Person/Quality Controller for all current and any future licensable activities within the Radiopharmacy as required by the Medicines Act and MHRA.
Leads a robust Quality Management System across all areas of Radiopharmacy Technical services ensuring compliance with statutory regulations and safe systems of work.
About us
Our Trust
Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values - Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent - are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.
CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Addenbrookes CUH strives to innovate and improve care to patients. You will be part of a team of highly professional and dedicated staff whose aim is to provide an excellent, patient focus service. The prime function of the unit is the preparation of diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals, in a safe and efficient manner according to Good Manufacturing Practice and National Standards.
We are dedicated to equipping our valued staff with the training they need to become skilled, competent, and confident in their roles. We foster innovative work practices, including the enhancement of our facilities to comply with regulatory standards and address the evolving needs of our services. We champion learning and development within our organisation.
We invite applicants from both within and outside the NHS eager to join a dynamic team in a diverse department.
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:- applied for a Graduate visa- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employmentFor NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough based roles, all applicants from NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who have identified that they are at risk of redundancy will be prioritised over those not at risk. However, interviews cannot be guaranteed.This vacancy will close at midnight on 13th August 2025
Interviews are due to be held on 20th August 2025
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Addenbrookes CUH strives to innovate and improve care to patients. You will be part of a team of highly professional and dedicated staff whose aim is to provide an excellent, patient focus service. The prime function of the unit is the preparation of diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals, in a safe and efficient manner according to Good Manufacturing Practice and National Standards.
We are dedicated to equipping our valued staff with the training they need to become skilled, competent, and confident in their roles. We foster innovative work practices, including the enhancement of our facilities to comply with regulatory standards and address the evolving needs of our services. We champion learning and development within our organisation.
We invite applicants from both within and outside the NHS eager to join a dynamic team in a diverse department.
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:- applied for a Graduate visa- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employmentFor NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough based roles, all applicants from NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who have identified that they are at risk of redundancy will be prioritised over those not at risk. However, interviews cannot be guaranteed.This vacancy will close at midnight on 13th August 2025
Interviews are due to be held on 20th August 2025
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters level Pharmacy degree (MPharm) or scientific equivalent e.g. MSc or BSc, BPharm with post graduate certificate or diploma in PTQA or other relevant qualification
- Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council or member of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Institute of Biology, or other equivalent body
Desirable
- Education and Training qualification
- Membership of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
- Formal Management Qualifications
- Further qualifications in relevant technical or management area
- Eligible as Quality Controller for the purposes of HTM 02 relating to piped medical gases
- MSC/Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent experience
- Eligible as Qualified Person (QP(IMP) under the medicines act and EU Directive
Experience
Essential
- Substantial and proven post qualification relevant GMP
- Extensive relevant postgraduate experience in radiopharmaceutical or pharmaceutical manufacturing, including experience in large, licensed facility
- Experience in a QC/laboratory and QA department
- Experience of training and supervising staff
- Experience of managing and developing a pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Service
- Experience of demonstrating expert technical knowledge covering Radiopharmaceutical of Pharmaceutical QA and production
- Previous experience of contributing to the operational and strategic direction of the Radiopharmacy or Pharmacy department
- Previous relevant experience at Senior Level e.g. Head of Section of Quality, Aseptic Technical Services or Radiopharmacy Quality
- Evidence of implementation of significant service change/innovation
- Effective project development and management
- Experience of validation and commissioning of new equipment and/or facilities
Desirable
- A proven ability to deliver education and training
- Previous experience of national presentations and publications
- Proven track record of exerting influence at a strategic level
- Line management experience
- Published pharmaceutical research in a peer-reviewed journal
- Financial awareness rearding the management of drug budgets
Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrable knowledge of the validation requirements for radiopharmaceutical or pharmaceutical production facilities, equipment, personnel and processes
- Demonstrated knowledge of principles and practices of aseptic/parenterals e.g. formulation, QC, stability, administration and legal issues
- Knowledge of COSHH and health and safety at work
- Demonstrated knowledge of radiopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical microbiology
- Knowledge of all aspects of current GMP and all current legislation and regulations and ability to apply this knowledge to develop and run Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Services
- Demonstrates knowledge of clinical governance and pharmaceutical risk assessment
- Demonstrates ability to monitor and take action on out-of-specification results, process deviations including reporting to the MHRA
- Highly computer literate
Desirable
- Knowledge of validation of IT systems
- Q-Pulse Management
- Radiopharmacy
- IBC Software
- Annex 1
- A thorough knowledge of Hospital Radiopharmacy or Pharmacy Technical Services (e.g. clean room design, isolator technology and production methodology etc.)
Skills
Essential
- Demonstrate leadership skills and abilities
- Ability to work on own initiative, be innovative and develop the role
- Able to communicate complex, contentious and sensitive information effectively both verbally and in writing
- Able to develop staff within the team to release full potential
- Able to communicate effectively with all healthcare professionals and colleagues
- Demonstrated ability to influence senior medical staff, multidisciplinary teams, and management
- Able to promote and evaluate best practice within Radiopharmaceutical or Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance services
- Able to improve service quality at operational management level
- Communicate complex and specialised information to other staff and the representatives of external and governmental Discuss specialised information regarding Pharmaceutical Services with Regulatory Authorities
- Respond to complaints and reports of defective medicines and services
- Communicate with other staff outside of Radiopharmacy in the contracted Trusts
- Liaise with external contractors in the provision of goods and services to the Trusts
- Liaise with external agencies and contractors in the planning of facilities and services for radiopharmaceuticals
- Communicate complex and specialised information to other staff and the representatives of external and governmental agencies
- Able to identify and manage risks
- Able to manage non-compliances and incidents and develop and review action plans to resolve them
- Able to develop new systems of work
- Able to negotiate effectively and write business cases
- Able to prepare and complete documentation accurately with attention to detail, even when under pressure
- Demonstrated ability to perform accurate complex calculations and numeracy skills and to teach these
- Able to plan, prioritise and organise self and of others
- Good time management and organisational skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Critical appraisal skills (e.g. Clinical trials)
- Highly motivated and able to manage their own workload
- Able to work well under pressure and to prioritise work
- Flexible attitude to work and working hours to meet service needs
- Has a progressive proactive and innovative approach
- Standard keyboard skills
- Ability to maintain effectiveness and concentration under pressure and interruptions
- Ability to deal with confrontation
- Keyboard skills and IT knowledge - the ability to use word processing and to set up and use databases and spreadsheets as a minimum
- Ability to use complex laboratory and testing equipment and to train others in its use
- oAbility to work in varying environments (laboratory, ward, operating theatre etc.)
Desirable
- Supervisory and training skills
- Familiarity with Radiopharmacy or Pharmacy computer systems including Pharmagraph
- To be able to respond to changing priorities
- Advanced IT skills including email, work processing spreadsheets databases, accurate data entry and use of specialist computer programmes
- Demonstrated ability to deliver lectures, workshops, and formal presentations
Additional Requirements
Essential
- The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent.
- A valid UK driving license and the ability to drive or otherwise travel between the locations of contracted Trusts therefore unable to fulfil the travel requirements of the post
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters level Pharmacy degree (MPharm) or scientific equivalent e.g. MSc or BSc, BPharm with post graduate certificate or diploma in PTQA or other relevant qualification
- Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council or member of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Institute of Biology, or other equivalent body
Desirable
- Education and Training qualification
- Membership of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
- Formal Management Qualifications
- Further qualifications in relevant technical or management area
- Eligible as Quality Controller for the purposes of HTM 02 relating to piped medical gases
- MSC/Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent experience
- Eligible as Qualified Person (QP(IMP) under the medicines act and EU Directive
Experience
Essential
- Substantial and proven post qualification relevant GMP
- Extensive relevant postgraduate experience in radiopharmaceutical or pharmaceutical manufacturing, including experience in large, licensed facility
- Experience in a QC/laboratory and QA department
- Experience of training and supervising staff
- Experience of managing and developing a pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Service
- Experience of demonstrating expert technical knowledge covering Radiopharmaceutical of Pharmaceutical QA and production
- Previous experience of contributing to the operational and strategic direction of the Radiopharmacy or Pharmacy department
- Previous relevant experience at Senior Level e.g. Head of Section of Quality, Aseptic Technical Services or Radiopharmacy Quality
- Evidence of implementation of significant service change/innovation
- Effective project development and management
- Experience of validation and commissioning of new equipment and/or facilities
Desirable
- A proven ability to deliver education and training
- Previous experience of national presentations and publications
- Proven track record of exerting influence at a strategic level
- Line management experience
- Published pharmaceutical research in a peer-reviewed journal
- Financial awareness rearding the management of drug budgets
Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrable knowledge of the validation requirements for radiopharmaceutical or pharmaceutical production facilities, equipment, personnel and processes
- Demonstrated knowledge of principles and practices of aseptic/parenterals e.g. formulation, QC, stability, administration and legal issues
- Knowledge of COSHH and health and safety at work
- Demonstrated knowledge of radiopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical microbiology
- Knowledge of all aspects of current GMP and all current legislation and regulations and ability to apply this knowledge to develop and run Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Services
- Demonstrates knowledge of clinical governance and pharmaceutical risk assessment
- Demonstrates ability to monitor and take action on out-of-specification results, process deviations including reporting to the MHRA
- Highly computer literate
Desirable
- Knowledge of validation of IT systems
- Q-Pulse Management
- Radiopharmacy
- IBC Software
- Annex 1
- A thorough knowledge of Hospital Radiopharmacy or Pharmacy Technical Services (e.g. clean room design, isolator technology and production methodology etc.)
Skills
Essential
- Demonstrate leadership skills and abilities
- Ability to work on own initiative, be innovative and develop the role
- Able to communicate complex, contentious and sensitive information effectively both verbally and in writing
- Able to develop staff within the team to release full potential
- Able to communicate effectively with all healthcare professionals and colleagues
- Demonstrated ability to influence senior medical staff, multidisciplinary teams, and management
- Able to promote and evaluate best practice within Radiopharmaceutical or Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance services
- Able to improve service quality at operational management level
- Communicate complex and specialised information to other staff and the representatives of external and governmental Discuss specialised information regarding Pharmaceutical Services with Regulatory Authorities
- Respond to complaints and reports of defective medicines and services
- Communicate with other staff outside of Radiopharmacy in the contracted Trusts
- Liaise with external contractors in the provision of goods and services to the Trusts
- Liaise with external agencies and contractors in the planning of facilities and services for radiopharmaceuticals
- Communicate complex and specialised information to other staff and the representatives of external and governmental agencies
- Able to identify and manage risks
- Able to manage non-compliances and incidents and develop and review action plans to resolve them
- Able to develop new systems of work
- Able to negotiate effectively and write business cases
- Able to prepare and complete documentation accurately with attention to detail, even when under pressure
- Demonstrated ability to perform accurate complex calculations and numeracy skills and to teach these
- Able to plan, prioritise and organise self and of others
- Good time management and organisational skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Critical appraisal skills (e.g. Clinical trials)
- Highly motivated and able to manage their own workload
- Able to work well under pressure and to prioritise work
- Flexible attitude to work and working hours to meet service needs
- Has a progressive proactive and innovative approach
- Standard keyboard skills
- Ability to maintain effectiveness and concentration under pressure and interruptions
- Ability to deal with confrontation
- Keyboard skills and IT knowledge - the ability to use word processing and to set up and use databases and spreadsheets as a minimum
- Ability to use complex laboratory and testing equipment and to train others in its use
- oAbility to work in varying environments (laboratory, ward, operating theatre etc.)
Desirable
- Supervisory and training skills
- Familiarity with Radiopharmacy or Pharmacy computer systems including Pharmagraph
- To be able to respond to changing priorities
- Advanced IT skills including email, work processing spreadsheets databases, accurate data entry and use of specialist computer programmes
- Demonstrated ability to deliver lectures, workshops, and formal presentations
Additional Requirements
Essential
- The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent.
- A valid UK driving license and the ability to drive or otherwise travel between the locations of contracted Trusts therefore unable to fulfil the travel requirements of the post
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).