Job summary
We currently have a vacancy for a motivated Senior Pharmacy Assistant to join our small aseptic team working at the Princess Royal University Hospital in Orpington, Kent.
The aseptic unit at the Princess Royal University Hospital currently prepares chemotherapy and monoclonal antibody doses in house and dispenses TPN bags for patients having treatment on site.
The post will include supporting the Senior Aseptic Technicians in the provision of aseptic services. You will also be responsible for undertaking the preparation of cytotoxic doses, assisting in the training of staff in aseptic services, dispensing supportive medication, carrying out cleaning and monitoring of the aseptic unit and reading and recording microbiological results
The suitable applicant should be highly motivated and show accurate attention to detail. You should be organised and able to prioritise work effectively showing excellent interpersonal and communication skills. It is an essential requirement for the successful candidate to have a NVQ level 2 in pharmacy or equivalent.
You will be expected to participate in the extended hours rota which includes working weekends and Bank Holidays in the main pharmacy dispensary.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work alongside pharmacists and technicians in the pharmacy section 10 production unit at the Princess Royal University Hospital site in Orpington, Kent. The post holder will assist in the preparation and dispensing of aseptically produced products in isolators, as well as assisting with the daily monitoring and cleaning of isolators, and the monitoring of the clean room. The post holder will be expected to work to the principles of "Good Manufacturing Practice".
The post holder must be flexible to working at other King's College Hospital trust sites when required to fulfil the service needs of cross-site working.
All work will be carried out according to procedures and standards of professional practice in the Department; however, staff are expected to develop their own safe systems of work to ensure a high professional standard of work conducive to patient safety.
About us
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of £1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.
We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.
King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To actively encourage the adherence to Good Manufacturing Practice and all procedures relating to the aseptic services department and to suggest changes in practice and procedures as appropriate
To prepare chemotherapy, immunotherapies, CIVAS, parenteral nutrition and clinical trial patient doses, fully gowned and gloved in a clean room environment.
To assemble ingredients and consumables and record batch numbers and expiry dates accurately on aseptic worksheets.
To label and package final products accurately and store correctly following aseptic procedures.
To dispense and label oral chemotherapy does and supportive medicines for patients receiving treatment in the chemo ward and day unit
To actively encourage adherence to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)
To liaise with other Pharmacy Assistants and Senior Pharmacy Technicians to ensure the safe, efficient and timely delivery of aseptic products.
To ensure that all documentation is processed and filed correctly.
To ensure that all records and logs are completed correctly on a daily basis and to report any out of specification results to the Chief Pharmacy Technician or Associate Chief Pharmacist Aseptic Services.
To maintain equipment according to procedures, including leak testing of isolators and accurately maintain records.
To supervise other staff and deputise for the Senior Pharmacy Technicians in their absence
To check volumes for other Aseptic Services and rotational staff after undergoing an accredited competency process.
To tidy, clean and disinfect the Aseptic Services department according to procedures as required. This may involve an early start.
To participate in the monitoring and cleaning rota of the isolators and aseptic unit following standard operating procedures.
To undertake media and any other validation to ensure on going validation of aseptic competence
To prepare documentation and labels using the pharmacy computer system.
To undertake transfer disinfection into the aseptic unit and isolators according to procedures.
To sit or stand at isolators for long periods.
To participate in the dispensary weekend and Bank Holiday rotas
To assist in the maintenance of the Quality Management system ensuring the following documentation is completed as and when necessary: error reporting forms, quality exception forms, change control forms, risk assessments and CAPA
To read and record the results of microbiological monitoring and take appropriate action when results are not within set limits
To assist in the trending and analysis of microbiological results
Job description
Job responsibilities
To actively encourage the adherence to Good Manufacturing Practice and all procedures relating to the aseptic services department and to suggest changes in practice and procedures as appropriate
To prepare chemotherapy, immunotherapies, CIVAS, parenteral nutrition and clinical trial patient doses, fully gowned and gloved in a clean room environment.
To assemble ingredients and consumables and record batch numbers and expiry dates accurately on aseptic worksheets.
To label and package final products accurately and store correctly following aseptic procedures.
To dispense and label oral chemotherapy does and supportive medicines for patients receiving treatment in the chemo ward and day unit
To actively encourage adherence to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)
To liaise with other Pharmacy Assistants and Senior Pharmacy Technicians to ensure the safe, efficient and timely delivery of aseptic products.
To ensure that all documentation is processed and filed correctly.
To ensure that all records and logs are completed correctly on a daily basis and to report any out of specification results to the Chief Pharmacy Technician or Associate Chief Pharmacist Aseptic Services.
To maintain equipment according to procedures, including leak testing of isolators and accurately maintain records.
To supervise other staff and deputise for the Senior Pharmacy Technicians in their absence
To check volumes for other Aseptic Services and rotational staff after undergoing an accredited competency process.
To tidy, clean and disinfect the Aseptic Services department according to procedures as required. This may involve an early start.
To participate in the monitoring and cleaning rota of the isolators and aseptic unit following standard operating procedures.
To undertake media and any other validation to ensure on going validation of aseptic competence
To prepare documentation and labels using the pharmacy computer system.
To undertake transfer disinfection into the aseptic unit and isolators according to procedures.
To sit or stand at isolators for long periods.
To participate in the dispensary weekend and Bank Holiday rotas
To assist in the maintenance of the Quality Management system ensuring the following documentation is completed as and when necessary: error reporting forms, quality exception forms, change control forms, risk assessments and CAPA
To read and record the results of microbiological monitoring and take appropriate action when results are not within set limits
To assist in the trending and analysis of microbiological results
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Pharmacy Level 2 plus accredited underpinning knowledge or equivalent
- GCSEs in Maths and English or equivalent (4/C or above)
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of Good Manufacturing Practice
- Experience using aseptic technique
- Demonstrable understanding of Pharmaceutical Quality issues
Desirable
- Experience working in an aseptic unit
- Previous experience working with pharmaceutical isolators
- Knowledge of pharmacy computer systems
Skills and Competencies
Essential
- Good interpersonal and communication skills, written and oral
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Pharmacy Level 2 plus accredited underpinning knowledge or equivalent
- GCSEs in Maths and English or equivalent (4/C or above)
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of Good Manufacturing Practice
- Experience using aseptic technique
- Demonstrable understanding of Pharmaceutical Quality issues
Desirable
- Experience working in an aseptic unit
- Previous experience working with pharmaceutical isolators
- Knowledge of pharmacy computer systems
Skills and Competencies
Essential
- Good interpersonal and communication skills, written and oral
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).
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).
