Specialist Pharmacy or Science Manufacturing Technician

Job description

Job responsibilities

To assist in the provision of aseptically prepared pharmaceuticals (batches and patient specific). This will include the following tasks, all performed accurately and following SOPs:

To co-ordinate the day to day workload, ensuring items are manufactured in a timely manner and colleagues are supported.

To follow good manufacturing practice (GMP) at all times.

To generate worksheets and labels, ensuring medicines are charged correctly using the pharmacy computer system.

To in process check worksheets and labels, ensuring medicines are charged correctly.

To assemble drugs, diluents and consumables prior to aseptic dispensing.

To participate in in-process checks of drugs, diluents and consumables prior to aseptic dispensing.

To assist with decontamination of products from the support room & cleanroom prior to preparation (spraying and wiping).

To check /prepare the isolators and LAF cabinets are ready for use before each session.

To aseptically dispense injections and infusions within the appropriate work zone.

To in-process volume check injections and infusions.

To final pack and label prepared items and pass them to the final checking stage.

To dispense batched products, including product selection, labelling and packaging, including parental nutrition.

To order and dispense outsourced patient specific items, including parental nutrition. To be registered as a named person on the Intrathecal Chemotherapy register, in order to complete the above tasks for Intrathecal drugs.

To final check and release dispensed patient specific aseptic items.

To final check dispensed parental nutrition or other aseptic items manufactured by external suppliers.

To final check batched aseptic items & take these to QA for release.

To only complete the above tasks if validations and competencies have been completed and authorised, and to keep all validations and competencies for the above tasks in date.

To seek advice from senior colleagues where needed.

To perform other tasks necessary to ensure that ASU operates in an appropriate and efficient manner. This will include the following tasks:

To upload documents to the electronic quality management system (EQMS).

To accurately populate debtor forms to enable correct charging to external customers.

To assist in ensuring agreed environmental monitoring (including ensuring end of session broths are available) and cleaning procedures are carried out and relevant records kept.

To ensure adequate stock of outsourced and/or in-house dose-banded items.

To assist with reducing wastage by processing returns and re-using products where possible.

To assist with data collection and audits, when required.

To deliver exposed settle plates to microbiology at the end of each day.

To ensure delivery and collection of cleanroom clothing.

To assist in ensuring maintenance of adequate & accurate stock levels and proper storage of medicinal products and consumables used by ASU.

To assist in the training of pharmacy and other staff, when required.

To answer the telephone and liaise with pharmacy staff and ASU customers regarding patients treatment.

To attend ASU and other pharmacy meetings when required.

To attend study days and training programs as requested by Senior Technician, ASU to ensure continuing personal development.

To highlight potential corrective and preventable actions (CAPA) and service improvements to enable colleagues to learn from errors or quality issues.

To undertake any other related duties as may be deemed necessary.

To represent the ASU department at pharmacy meetings.

To assist in updating procedures and writing new procedures.

If required, to deputise for the Principal Pharmacy Technician.

To undertake any other related duties as may be deemed necessary.

To perform tasks necessary to ensure that ASU remains sustainable. This will include the following tasks:

To identify and streamline/ reduce paper heavy processes by digitising as much as possible.

To reduce wastage of medicines and consumables in ASU.

To improve resource efficiency (e.g. reduce water consumption, remove single use PPE where possible, increase re-use & recycling).

To keep up to date with trust sustainable initiatives & implement initiatives in ASU.

To reduce ASUs environmental impact by any other means, as much as practicable.

To share ideas across Pharmacy where multiple departments can benefit.

Other information

The post holder may be required to carry out other relevant duties as required.

The post holder will adhere to the duties specified under the Staff Responsibilities of the NHS Constitution in their day to day work and behaviours.

The post holder will be expected to aspire to the Values of the Trust in their day to day work and behaviours in order to support the Trust in achieving its Vision.

The post holder will adhere to, at all times, any Professional, NHS Code of Conducts and legislation relevant for their area of work.

The post holder will make themselves familiar with, and adhere to, at all times, the policies and procedures of the Trust, and their area of work.

The post holder will be expected to work to any Corporate/Division/Directorate/Department objectives and standards in order to provide an acceptable level of service.

The post holder will be expected to undertake training, including mandatory and role specific training, relevant to their role and ensure it is renewed as required.

Person Specification

Key Competencies/Personal Qualities and Attributes

Essential

• Both full time and part time candidates should have the ability to work shifts that will cover 7 days of the week
• Able to undertake aseptic manipulations in isolators
• Enthusiasm for the job
• Self motivated
• Appearance of cleanliness and good personal hygiene
• Accurate
• Ability to work independently and in a team
• Good time management
• Ability to work effectively under pressure
• Evidence of good attendance record

Educations, Training and Qualifications

Essential

• Qualified Pharmacy Technician; NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services, or equivalent qualification as a Pharmacy Technician OR Qualified Science Manufacturing Technician; Full Science Manufacturing Technician Level 3 Standard
• Registered Pharmacy Technician or Registered Science Manufacturing Technician

Desirable

• Aseptic Preparation and Dispensing of Medicines
• NVQ A1 Assessor

Skills

Essential

• Good communication skills
• Computer skills (dispensing, stock control)
• Use of Microsoft office applications, e.g. excel, word

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• In depth understanding of GMP.
• Knowledge of practice in hospital Aseptic Services
• Experience of counselling patients in the use of their medicines
• Experience of final checking
• Training of other staff.

Desirable

• Experience of GCP / setting up clinical trials within an aseptic unit
• Experience of creating debtor forms, dealing with invoice queries.
• Experience of conducting risk assessments and COSHH assessments
• Experience in the set-up of electronic systems e.g. EQMS or EMIS
• Experience of implementing CAPA
• Experience of NVQ assessing
• Supervisory Role

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Northampton General Hospital

Address

Northampton General Hospital

Cliftonville , Billing Road

Northampton

NN1 5BD

Employer's website

https://www.northamptongeneral.nhs.uk/Home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)