Job summary
This is an exciting time to join University Hospitals Plymouth.
Following significant investment by the Trust board as part of a 5-year workforce plan, we are able to offer this Senior Specialist Pharmacy Technician role in Aseptic Services.
The post holders will have the opportunity to lead on Supply Chain Management and be involved in Accuracy Checking and Product Release. We work in a multidisciplinary team of Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacy support workers.
We provide cytotoxic chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies and parenteral nutrition in house.
We are currently planning an offsite aseptic unit which will offer opportunities for the future.
If you are an enthusiastic and motivated experienced Pharmacy Technician who would like the opportunity to develop your leadership and management skills in an innovative department, we would love to hear from you.
Depending on the stage of your career, further study will be encouraged.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
Main duties of the job
- Responsible for ensuring the performance of the supply chain of licensed starting materials and consumables in accordance with Good Distribution Practice, Medicines legislation and local policies and procedures.
- Responsible for control of procurement contract changes for starting materials and components, including chemotherapy and parenteral nutrition from 'specials' manufacturers.
- Responsible for completing the final accuracy check and Product Release of dispensed chemotherapy, parenteral nutrition and ancillary items.
About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Is the lead person responsible for management of the supply chain of licensed starting materials and consumables.
- Responsible for reviewing and maintaining stock levels of cytotoxic drugs, monoclonal antibodies and consumables, to ensure availability of and prevent delays to patients treatment whilst achieving minimal stock holding.
- Manages staff in the Supply Chain Management Team.
- Is responsible for initiating a formal change control procedure for any changes to starting materials and key components before they are introduced, in response to new contracts or medicines shortages.
- Assesses new drugs / consumables including initialising drug files and life cycle documents.
- Order and receive goods and services on the Emis Pharmacy IT system. Book out products to correct stock centres.
- Liaises directly with Commercial Suppliers in relation to drugs and consumables.
- Responsible for quarantine and returning of faulty product (in liaison with Quality Control) and ensuring paperwork is completed to ensure full repayment / credit to the Trust.
- Will lead on any national / MHRA (Medicines Healthcare Regulatory Authority) drug
- Responsible for the maintenance of unit stock, including ensuring they are put away in the correct location and stock is rotated following delivery.
- To ensure all stock taking requirements are met
- To investigate stock level discrepancies and escalate to Production Manager or Accountable Pharmacist where appropriate.
- Authorised to write off stock and to amend incorrect stock levels.
- Responsible for managing an electronic system for returned pharmaceutical products to ensure that items are reused if appropriate to minimise wastage and maximise cost effectiveness.
- Co-ordinates ordering processes to ensure appropriate stock levels during weekends and public holdays.
- Manages the ordering and stock control of pre-made chemotherapy to increase departmental dispensing capacity whilst minimising wastage.
- Act as an A1 NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) assessor to review work performances of students and Assistant Technical Officers and ensure standardisation of NVQ units.
- Responsible for ensuring that all NVQ training is completed along with necessary assessments. Ensure development and progression of all staff undertaking NVQs.
- To act as Educational Supervisor for PIPC (Pre and in -Process Checking) and PAAP (Product Approval Accreditation Programme) national checking accreditation schemes.
- Act as a mentor and assessor to ensure career and personal development of colleagues.
- Tact and persuasive skills are required when advising staff of corrective action needed following any deficits in competency assessments.
- Undertake the final accuracy check and Product Release of dispensed chemotherapy, parenteral nutrition and ancillary items.
- Ensure compliance with Aseptic Dispensing for NHS Patients to ensure the product is fit for its intended use.
- Handle complex, sensitive information e.g. patient data including diagnosis and treatment regimens, in a confidential, professional manner with efficiency, tact and diplomacy, ensuring compliance with data protection legislation and information governance.
- Ensure attendance at Regional Procurement Supplier contract review meetings, feeding back supply issues.
- Assist in ensuring the department is fully compliant with the requirements of EL (97) 52 audits, to ensure all production operations are carried out in accordance to pre-established procedures and in accordance with good manufacturing practice.
- To develop the service in conjunction with the Production services manager/Deputy and the Accountable Pharmacist to ensure that the best possible service is provided to all patients.
- Establish, build and maintain good working relationships with various colleagues identified under communications and working relationships.
- Raise change control documentation for approval by the Production Services Manager and the Accountable Pharmacist for any change to processes within production services and complete actions as assigned to ensure the change is implemented satisfactorily.
- Raise deviations for any change to a process or procedure and ensure they are escalated appropriately to the Production Services Manager/deputy and the Accountable Pharmacist/Deputy and any actions as requested completed.
- Assist in ensuring compliance of the unit with the COSHH (1988) Regulations.
- Take part in the internal audit programme covering stock control, ensuring follow up actions are completed.
- To actively participate in departmental QMS (Quality Management System) meetings, preparing monthly reports for presentation.
- Interview as part of the recruitment and selection process as required by the Production Services Manager/Deputy.
- To participate in appraising members of the team.
- Responsible for all staff adherence to trust mandatory training and appraisals.
- Work with the Production services manager/Deputy and Accountable Pharmacist/Deputy in the production and maintenance of standard operating procedures relating to stock management.
- Work with the Production services manager/Deputy and Accountable Pharmacist/Deputy in managing the units product portfolio including the outsourcing strategy.
- Deliver cancer chemotherapy for intrathecal use to the correct person and place according to Department of Health guidelines, local trust policy and departmental procedures.
- Ensure that the Production Services Unit is maintained in a tidy, ordered condition and to a standard of appearance concordant with the professional nature of the work.
- To assist in any research and service development projects.
- Take part in an on-call emergency duty rota to assist the on-call pharmacist to include;
- Information relating to queries about technical services work
- Preparation of emergency medicines, for example, cancer chemotherapy, eye drops, oral mixtures etc.
- Preparation of scheduled treatments unable to be made in advance.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Is the lead person responsible for management of the supply chain of licensed starting materials and consumables.
- Responsible for reviewing and maintaining stock levels of cytotoxic drugs, monoclonal antibodies and consumables, to ensure availability of and prevent delays to patients treatment whilst achieving minimal stock holding.
- Manages staff in the Supply Chain Management Team.
- Is responsible for initiating a formal change control procedure for any changes to starting materials and key components before they are introduced, in response to new contracts or medicines shortages.
- Assesses new drugs / consumables including initialising drug files and life cycle documents.
- Order and receive goods and services on the Emis Pharmacy IT system. Book out products to correct stock centres.
- Liaises directly with Commercial Suppliers in relation to drugs and consumables.
- Responsible for quarantine and returning of faulty product (in liaison with Quality Control) and ensuring paperwork is completed to ensure full repayment / credit to the Trust.
- Will lead on any national / MHRA (Medicines Healthcare Regulatory Authority) drug
- Responsible for the maintenance of unit stock, including ensuring they are put away in the correct location and stock is rotated following delivery.
- To ensure all stock taking requirements are met
- To investigate stock level discrepancies and escalate to Production Manager or Accountable Pharmacist where appropriate.
- Authorised to write off stock and to amend incorrect stock levels.
- Responsible for managing an electronic system for returned pharmaceutical products to ensure that items are reused if appropriate to minimise wastage and maximise cost effectiveness.
- Co-ordinates ordering processes to ensure appropriate stock levels during weekends and public holdays.
- Manages the ordering and stock control of pre-made chemotherapy to increase departmental dispensing capacity whilst minimising wastage.
- Act as an A1 NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) assessor to review work performances of students and Assistant Technical Officers and ensure standardisation of NVQ units.
- Responsible for ensuring that all NVQ training is completed along with necessary assessments. Ensure development and progression of all staff undertaking NVQs.
- To act as Educational Supervisor for PIPC (Pre and in -Process Checking) and PAAP (Product Approval Accreditation Programme) national checking accreditation schemes.
- Act as a mentor and assessor to ensure career and personal development of colleagues.
- Tact and persuasive skills are required when advising staff of corrective action needed following any deficits in competency assessments.
- Undertake the final accuracy check and Product Release of dispensed chemotherapy, parenteral nutrition and ancillary items.
- Ensure compliance with Aseptic Dispensing for NHS Patients to ensure the product is fit for its intended use.
- Handle complex, sensitive information e.g. patient data including diagnosis and treatment regimens, in a confidential, professional manner with efficiency, tact and diplomacy, ensuring compliance with data protection legislation and information governance.
- Ensure attendance at Regional Procurement Supplier contract review meetings, feeding back supply issues.
- Assist in ensuring the department is fully compliant with the requirements of EL (97) 52 audits, to ensure all production operations are carried out in accordance to pre-established procedures and in accordance with good manufacturing practice.
- To develop the service in conjunction with the Production services manager/Deputy and the Accountable Pharmacist to ensure that the best possible service is provided to all patients.
- Establish, build and maintain good working relationships with various colleagues identified under communications and working relationships.
- Raise change control documentation for approval by the Production Services Manager and the Accountable Pharmacist for any change to processes within production services and complete actions as assigned to ensure the change is implemented satisfactorily.
- Raise deviations for any change to a process or procedure and ensure they are escalated appropriately to the Production Services Manager/deputy and the Accountable Pharmacist/Deputy and any actions as requested completed.
- Assist in ensuring compliance of the unit with the COSHH (1988) Regulations.
- Take part in the internal audit programme covering stock control, ensuring follow up actions are completed.
- To actively participate in departmental QMS (Quality Management System) meetings, preparing monthly reports for presentation.
- Interview as part of the recruitment and selection process as required by the Production Services Manager/Deputy.
- To participate in appraising members of the team.
- Responsible for all staff adherence to trust mandatory training and appraisals.
- Work with the Production services manager/Deputy and Accountable Pharmacist/Deputy in the production and maintenance of standard operating procedures relating to stock management.
- Work with the Production services manager/Deputy and Accountable Pharmacist/Deputy in managing the units product portfolio including the outsourcing strategy.
- Deliver cancer chemotherapy for intrathecal use to the correct person and place according to Department of Health guidelines, local trust policy and departmental procedures.
- Ensure that the Production Services Unit is maintained in a tidy, ordered condition and to a standard of appearance concordant with the professional nature of the work.
- To assist in any research and service development projects.
- Take part in an on-call emergency duty rota to assist the on-call pharmacist to include;
- Information relating to queries about technical services work
- Preparation of emergency medicines, for example, cancer chemotherapy, eye drops, oral mixtures etc.
- Preparation of scheduled treatments unable to be made in advance.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GPHC Registered pharmacy technician
- PIPC National accuracy accreditation for pre and in process checking (or working towards)
- PAAP National accuracy accreditation for final approval and release (or working towards)
- A1 NVQ assessor award (or working towards)
Desirable
- Supervisory/Management training (Level 3 or equivalent)
- Formal mentoring course
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of coaching and mentoring
- Good working knowledge of current legislation, DOH guidelines and MHRA regulations
- Demonstrable pre and in process checking experience
- Final accuracy checking and product release experience
- Good understanding of COSHH regulations
- Demonstrable experience of effectively managing staff
- Evidence of recent CPD in the form of study days, courses or self study
Desirable
- Leeds aseptic preparation and dispensing of medicines course
- Demonstrable Final Approval and Release experience
- Experience of making advances and raising standards in supply chain management
Aptitude & Abilities
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent organisational skills
- Excellent training skills
- Computer skills
- Ability to manage and implement change
Desirable
- Counselling skills.
- Recruitment training and Interview skills
Disposition/Attitude/Motivation
Essential
- Ability to cope under pressure
- Able to use own initiative
- Ability to initiate new developments
- Ability to self-motivate and motivate others
- Ability to accept responsibility
- Ability to work in a team
Other Factors
Essential
- Commitment to participate in the Production Services on-call and bank holiday rotas
- Must have a flexible approach
- Handling of Cytotoxic drugs
- Good Health as verified by Occupational Health
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GPHC Registered pharmacy technician
- PIPC National accuracy accreditation for pre and in process checking (or working towards)
- PAAP National accuracy accreditation for final approval and release (or working towards)
- A1 NVQ assessor award (or working towards)
Desirable
- Supervisory/Management training (Level 3 or equivalent)
- Formal mentoring course
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of coaching and mentoring
- Good working knowledge of current legislation, DOH guidelines and MHRA regulations
- Demonstrable pre and in process checking experience
- Final accuracy checking and product release experience
- Good understanding of COSHH regulations
- Demonstrable experience of effectively managing staff
- Evidence of recent CPD in the form of study days, courses or self study
Desirable
- Leeds aseptic preparation and dispensing of medicines course
- Demonstrable Final Approval and Release experience
- Experience of making advances and raising standards in supply chain management
Aptitude & Abilities
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent organisational skills
- Excellent training skills
- Computer skills
- Ability to manage and implement change
Desirable
- Counselling skills.
- Recruitment training and Interview skills
Disposition/Attitude/Motivation
Essential
- Ability to cope under pressure
- Able to use own initiative
- Ability to initiate new developments
- Ability to self-motivate and motivate others
- Ability to accept responsibility
- Ability to work in a team
Other Factors
Essential
- Commitment to participate in the Production Services on-call and bank holiday rotas
- Must have a flexible approach
- Handling of Cytotoxic drugs
- Good Health as verified by Occupational Health
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).
