Job summary
We are very excited to be seeking a Specialist Aseptic Services Pharmacist to join our team.
If you are an enthusiastic, motivated and dynamic pharmacist who would keen to take the next step in their career development and specialise in aseptic services, we would love to hear from you.
This post provides an opportunity for the post holder to enjoy comprehensive training and to develop their skills in all aspects of aseptic services and to be a key part of the pharmacy team as department moves to new Aseptic facilities in the future.
You will play a key role supporting the Accountable pharmacist and checking and releasing aseptically prepared products alongside managing the wider Pharmaceutical Quality Systems (PQS) to ensure that products are prepared in accordance with the principles of good manufacturing practice (GMP).
This is a really exciting time to join University Hospitals Plymouth as following significant investment by the Trust Board, as part of a 5 year workforce plan, we are looking for pharmacists who are passionate about patient care and share our commitment to support and complement the multi-disciplinary team as we develop integration of aseptic and clinical pharmacy services across all areas of the Trust.
Depending on the stage of your career, a diploma, PTQA or independent prescribing qualification will be funded. Practice research is also encouraged in this role.
Main duties of the job
- Delivery of a high quality specialised pharmacy aseptic service under Section 10 of the Medicines Act 1968 and compliant with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) to ensure the optimisation of medicines for patients attending and admitted to University Hospitals Plymouth.
- Be responsible for the provision and development of pharmaceutical care for patients served by the pharmacy aseptic services team.
- Act as team leader for the aseptic services pharmacy team in the absence of seniors and deputising for the Accountable Pharmacist aseptic services, taking responsibility for the preparation of medicines under Section 10 of the Medicines Act 1968 as well as fulfilling any delegated responsibilities
- Undertake teaching and clinical supervision of pharmacy staff and other healthcare employees.
- Undertake audits and engage with Quality Improvement and practice research projects.
- Work with and support senior pharmacists, clinical and governance teams to develop guidelines and protocols within those areas impacted by the aseptic services provision
- Support research within aseptic services and the wider UHP Trust.
***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.***
About us
University Hospitals Plymouth (UHP) NHS is the largest hospital on the Southwest Peninsula providing comprehensive secondary and tertiary care to a population of around 2,000,000 people who can access our specialist services including bone marrow transplant, sarcoma surgery and hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancer surgery (not exhaustive) and the regional trauma Centre.
UHP is a lager tertiary centre, with an expanding clinical trial portfolio across cancer services. We hold JACIE accreditation for Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) and are currently going through the onboarding process as one of NHS England's Wave 3 CAR-T centres.
From September 2024, the highly-ranked University of Bath MPharm degree will be available to study at the University of Plymouth. There will be opportunities for pharmacist colleagues to participate in these educational activities, with the potential for more formal roles with the University of Bath in the future.
The pharmacy department has recently undergone an exciting refurbishment including the installation of state-of-the-art robots and automated controlled drug cabinets alongside the opening of a new outpatient pharmacy.
We are a team who are truly committed to the development of our staff both personally and professionally and would support you to attain your goals. You will be working with a Chief Pharmacist who is committed to you as an individual.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Responsible to the B8a Advanced Specialist Pharmacist Aseptic Services pharmacist and Aseptic Services Manager for the delivery of the pharmacy aseptic service to patients within all care areas that require the provision.
- Support the senior pharmacists and Aseptic Services Manager within the aseptic services pharmacy team in developing, monitoring and reporting on drug expenditure and medicines budget.
- Work as a member of the aseptic services pharmacy team.
- To act as an Authorised Pharmacist and take professional responsibility for the provision of sterile and non-sterile pharmaceuticals prepared under Exemption 10 of the Medicines Act 1968.
- Authorise, in conjunction with the Aseptic Services Manager, standard operating procedures for use in Aseptic Services.
- Authorise, in conjunction with the Aseptic Services Manager, manufacturing worksheets and labels for new products prior to their manufacture ensuring the following have been properly considered:
- Clinical suitability of the preparation
- Formulation
- Stability of the final product
- Storage
- Administration
- Presentation
- Monitoring
- Potential Problems
- Ensure appropriate change control processes are followed and authorise changes to any existing product/process or the implementation of any new product or process.
- Assist the Aseptic Services Manager with the management of out of specifications and product/process deviations relating to Aseptic Services.
- Support senior pharmacists and Aseptic Services Manager to manage, lead and co-ordinate the aseptic services pharmacy team including junior pharmacists and technicians in the provision of a safe, effective and efficient pharmacy aseptic service in accordance with local and national standards and strategy and to ensure all members of the pharmacy team are trained and competent for their roles.
- To complete aseptic verification of worksheets where appropriate
- Assist and support with the running and maintenance of the Pharmaceutical Quality Management System (QMS), internal and external audits.
- Supervise the preparation of medicinal products made under section 10 of the medicines act 1968 and ensure compliance with Quality Assurance of Aseptic Preparation Services to provide products that are fit for their intended use:
- a) Ensure the initial check and preparation of medicinal products is undertaken according to local procedures.
- b) Undertake the final check for these products taking responsibility for the final product approval (release) of medicinal products to the patient.
- c) Act as an advisor to all staff if support or intervention is required.
- d) Be on the Trust register for the final product approval (release) of intrathecal preparations from the Pharmacy Department in line with Department of Health guidelines and Trust Policy.
- Ensure that safe and effective systems of work are followed within the unit in compliance with the COSHH (1988) Regulations.
- Assist in the validation and maintenance of computer programmes and systems used in named-patient preparation processes e.g. EMIS
- Assist in ensuring the department is fully compliant with the requirements associated with the regulation of clinical trials in the provision of aseptic products for clinical trials.
- To act as a role model and mentor for junior pharmacists, trainee pharmacists, technicians and ATOs.
- To work towards practicing as an independent prescriber.
- To engage with Quality Improvement and practice research.
- To support senior pharmacists in writing and reviewing policies, procedures and guidelines relevant to medicines and pharmacy practice within the Pharmacy Aseptic Services.
- Liaise with the aseptic services senior team in the development of products and services and future strategy.
- Ensure that expertise within your area is seen as a resource within and outside the Trust and form working partnerships with other health and social care service providers.
- Recommendation of appropriate therapy for individual patients where evidence is not available, controversial evidence exists or other professionals may challenge advice.
- Promote compliance by prescribers and other healthcare staff with local/national policies and the South and West Devon Formulary.
- Manage day to day medicines queries related to the aseptic services provision.
- Liaise with all levels of healthcare staff, patients and carers in all areas of work
- Analysis, interpretation and monitoring of clinical data including drug levels, U&Es, blood counts and microbiological sensitivities to guide diagnosis and drug therapy related to the service provision.
- Provide education and training to all healthcare professionals including medical students.
- Pharmacists are expected to work largely unsupervised and to act on their own professional judgement supported by policies and guidelines.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Responsible to the B8a Advanced Specialist Pharmacist Aseptic Services pharmacist and Aseptic Services Manager for the delivery of the pharmacy aseptic service to patients within all care areas that require the provision.
- Support the senior pharmacists and Aseptic Services Manager within the aseptic services pharmacy team in developing, monitoring and reporting on drug expenditure and medicines budget.
- Work as a member of the aseptic services pharmacy team.
- To act as an Authorised Pharmacist and take professional responsibility for the provision of sterile and non-sterile pharmaceuticals prepared under Exemption 10 of the Medicines Act 1968.
- Authorise, in conjunction with the Aseptic Services Manager, standard operating procedures for use in Aseptic Services.
- Authorise, in conjunction with the Aseptic Services Manager, manufacturing worksheets and labels for new products prior to their manufacture ensuring the following have been properly considered:
- Clinical suitability of the preparation
- Formulation
- Stability of the final product
- Storage
- Administration
- Presentation
- Monitoring
- Potential Problems
- Ensure appropriate change control processes are followed and authorise changes to any existing product/process or the implementation of any new product or process.
- Assist the Aseptic Services Manager with the management of out of specifications and product/process deviations relating to Aseptic Services.
- Support senior pharmacists and Aseptic Services Manager to manage, lead and co-ordinate the aseptic services pharmacy team including junior pharmacists and technicians in the provision of a safe, effective and efficient pharmacy aseptic service in accordance with local and national standards and strategy and to ensure all members of the pharmacy team are trained and competent for their roles.
- To complete aseptic verification of worksheets where appropriate
- Assist and support with the running and maintenance of the Pharmaceutical Quality Management System (QMS), internal and external audits.
- Supervise the preparation of medicinal products made under section 10 of the medicines act 1968 and ensure compliance with Quality Assurance of Aseptic Preparation Services to provide products that are fit for their intended use:
- a) Ensure the initial check and preparation of medicinal products is undertaken according to local procedures.
- b) Undertake the final check for these products taking responsibility for the final product approval (release) of medicinal products to the patient.
- c) Act as an advisor to all staff if support or intervention is required.
- d) Be on the Trust register for the final product approval (release) of intrathecal preparations from the Pharmacy Department in line with Department of Health guidelines and Trust Policy.
- Ensure that safe and effective systems of work are followed within the unit in compliance with the COSHH (1988) Regulations.
- Assist in the validation and maintenance of computer programmes and systems used in named-patient preparation processes e.g. EMIS
- Assist in ensuring the department is fully compliant with the requirements associated with the regulation of clinical trials in the provision of aseptic products for clinical trials.
- To act as a role model and mentor for junior pharmacists, trainee pharmacists, technicians and ATOs.
- To work towards practicing as an independent prescriber.
- To engage with Quality Improvement and practice research.
- To support senior pharmacists in writing and reviewing policies, procedures and guidelines relevant to medicines and pharmacy practice within the Pharmacy Aseptic Services.
- Liaise with the aseptic services senior team in the development of products and services and future strategy.
- Ensure that expertise within your area is seen as a resource within and outside the Trust and form working partnerships with other health and social care service providers.
- Recommendation of appropriate therapy for individual patients where evidence is not available, controversial evidence exists or other professionals may challenge advice.
- Promote compliance by prescribers and other healthcare staff with local/national policies and the South and West Devon Formulary.
- Manage day to day medicines queries related to the aseptic services provision.
- Liaise with all levels of healthcare staff, patients and carers in all areas of work
- Analysis, interpretation and monitoring of clinical data including drug levels, U&Es, blood counts and microbiological sensitivities to guide diagnosis and drug therapy related to the service provision.
- Provide education and training to all healthcare professionals including medical students.
- Pharmacists are expected to work largely unsupervised and to act on their own professional judgement supported by policies and guidelines.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Relevant demonstrable post-registration experience as a pharmacist in UK and broad knowledge base
- Good proven general pharmaceutical, technical & clinical knowledge
- Previous demonstrable experience in an aseptic preparation workplace, which may have included the preparation of chemotherapy or parenteral nutrition
- Excellent written and oral communication skills and able to communicate effectively with clinical staff, patients and relatives.
- Able to prioritise work and work well within a bust working environment
- Audit skills
- Able to supervise and guide the work of less experienced members of staff
- A proven understanding of pharmacy interfaces and current NHS drivers affecting these
Desirable
- Demonstrable experience of clinical/technical supervision of junior staff
- Completed clinical rotations in Medicine, Surgery, Medicines Information, aseptics and Cancer Services
- Demonstrable supervision and management experience
- Critical appraisal skills
- Influencing/negotiating skills
Qualifications
Essential
- Master's Degree (or equivalent) in Pharmacy.
- Current registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council
- Non-medical prescriber (or must be willing to undertake this when requested)
- Post Graduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy or Equivalent
- Working towards a Post graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent e.g., PTQA (must have certificate level)
Desirable
- Postgraduate Diploma in Pharmacy Practice or working towards equivalent qualification e.g. PTQA
- Practice Supervisor Qualification
- Current registration with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
- Further clinical, research or management qualification
- Member of British Oncology Pharmacy Association (BOPA) or the United Kingdom Clinical Pharmacy Association (UKCPA) or equivalent pharmacist specialist interest group
Aptitude and Abilities
Essential
- Good communication skills, written and verbal, with ability to demonstrate fluency, clarity and effectiveness at all levels.
- Time management skills.
Desirable
- Demonstrate potential management ability
- Proven knowledge and understanding of financial issues
Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Relevant demonstrable post-registration experience as a pharmacist in UK and broad knowledge base
- Good proven general pharmaceutical, technical & clinical knowledge
- Previous demonstrable experience in an aseptic preparation workplace, which may have included the preparation of chemotherapy or parenteral nutrition
- Excellent written and oral communication skills and able to communicate effectively with clinical staff, patients and relatives.
- Able to prioritise work and work well within a bust working environment
- Audit skills
- Able to supervise and guide the work of less experienced members of staff
- A proven understanding of pharmacy interfaces and current NHS drivers affecting these
Desirable
- Demonstrable experience of clinical/technical supervision of junior staff
- Completed clinical rotations in Medicine, Surgery, Medicines Information, aseptics and Cancer Services
- Demonstrable supervision and management experience
- Critical appraisal skills
- Influencing/negotiating skills
Qualifications
Essential
- Master's Degree (or equivalent) in Pharmacy.
- Current registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council
- Non-medical prescriber (or must be willing to undertake this when requested)
- Post Graduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy or Equivalent
- Working towards a Post graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent e.g., PTQA (must have certificate level)
Desirable
- Postgraduate Diploma in Pharmacy Practice or working towards equivalent qualification e.g. PTQA
- Practice Supervisor Qualification
- Current registration with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
- Further clinical, research or management qualification
- Member of British Oncology Pharmacy Association (BOPA) or the United Kingdom Clinical Pharmacy Association (UKCPA) or equivalent pharmacist specialist interest group
Aptitude and Abilities
Essential
- Good communication skills, written and verbal, with ability to demonstrate fluency, clarity and effectiveness at all levels.
- Time management skills.
Desirable
- Demonstrate potential management ability
- Proven knowledge and understanding of financial issues
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).
