Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officer Aseptic Service & Quality Control

North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 28 April 2025

Job summary

Advert may close once sufficient number of applications is reached.

An exciting and unique opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, dynamic and self-motivated professional to join our aseptic team within Aseptic services and Quality control at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.

The aseptic unit at University Hospital of North Tees prepares and dispense injectable chemotherapy and Parenteral Nutrition for patients treated at both University Hospital of North Tees and University Hospital of Hartlepool.

Stockton Quality Control Laboratory is an MHRA inspected laboratory offering a comprehensive range of quality control services to NHS providers including microbiological services, chemical analysis and specialist ventilation system testing.

The post holder will contribute to the delivery of high quality, efficient, effective comprehensive aseptic and Quality control services within the Trust, based in both the aseptic unit and the Quality Control laboratory .

The ideal candidate holds or is willing to work toward a Pharmacy Services or Laboratory Sciences or Science Manufacturing Process Operative apprenticeship/NVQ at Level 2.

Main duties of the job

To work as part of the pharmacy Aseptic Compounding and Quality Control Laboratory teams to provide an effective, patient focussed aseptic service. This will include:

Aseptic preparation, dispensing and in-process check of chemotherapy and parenteral nutrition products within a cleanroom facility.

Receipt, testing and reading of laboratory samples.

Perform work under the requirements of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's).

About us

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust is an ambitious organisation with a focus on excellent patient care. Our teams operate across two acute hospital sites, a community hospital in Peterlee and a number of other community-based hubs employing 5,500 staff who provide integrated hospital and community based services.

We have an income of around £360m and serve a population of c.400,000 living within Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees, East Durham and surrounding areas including Sedgefield, Easington and Peterlee and wider population for our NHS England commissioned services on bowel, breast and cervical cancer.

Patient safety is our absolute, number one priority and is reflected in everything we do. We expect every colleague, clinical or non-clinical, to always put our patients first.

Staff members enjoy significant benefits such as access to unique NHS discount services (including retail, insurance and travel) and we pride ourselves on our commitment to the health and wellbeing of our colleagues.

Our vision is to be a consistently high performing and financially sustainable Trust. We are well on the way to achieving this and by joining us now, you can contribute to our continued journey.

We are looking for people to join us at NTHFT who are aligned with our values: Collaborative Aspirational, Respectful, Empathetic.

Date posted

07 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 to £25,674 a year pro rata per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

345-COM6582938-C

Job locations

University Hospital of North Tees

Hardwick Road

Stockton-on-Tees

TS19 8PE


Job description

Job responsibilities

Assemble ingredients for items to be made according to the worksheet and SOPs.

Generating worksheets and labels according to SOPs and prescriptions

Undertake transfer disinfection into the aseptic unit and isolators according to procedures

Preparation and dispensing of aseptically produced items including chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies and Parenteral Nutrition within clean air devices.

Carry out In Process Checks during the preparation of products

Carry out cleaning and environmental monitoring media activities within the clean room

Participate in the dispensary weekend and Bank Holiday rotas

Undertake basic microbiological tests such as bioburdens and test on non-sterile samples using a laminar flow cabinet and aseptic technique.

Perform identification tests on micro-organisms using instrumental and classical microbiology techniques.

Verification of microbiology kits and sterility test samples in accordance with laboratory procedures.

Perform basic checks and tests on samples which includes accurately reading agar plates and other basic laboratory testing.

Support the section responsible for the receipt of samples and media into the laboratory ensuring all samples and goods are receipted in accordance with Laboratory procedures.

Assemble deliveries for customers, ensuring drivers receive all items in a timely manner, taking into account schedules when dealing with urgent orders.

Supervise Assistant Technical Officers working in the laboratory and cover the supervisory duties of the Senior Assistant Technical Officers in relevant sections in their absence.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Assemble ingredients for items to be made according to the worksheet and SOPs.

Generating worksheets and labels according to SOPs and prescriptions

Undertake transfer disinfection into the aseptic unit and isolators according to procedures

Preparation and dispensing of aseptically produced items including chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies and Parenteral Nutrition within clean air devices.

Carry out In Process Checks during the preparation of products

Carry out cleaning and environmental monitoring media activities within the clean room

Participate in the dispensary weekend and Bank Holiday rotas

Undertake basic microbiological tests such as bioburdens and test on non-sterile samples using a laminar flow cabinet and aseptic technique.

Perform identification tests on micro-organisms using instrumental and classical microbiology techniques.

Verification of microbiology kits and sterility test samples in accordance with laboratory procedures.

Perform basic checks and tests on samples which includes accurately reading agar plates and other basic laboratory testing.

Support the section responsible for the receipt of samples and media into the laboratory ensuring all samples and goods are receipted in accordance with Laboratory procedures.

Assemble deliveries for customers, ensuring drivers receive all items in a timely manner, taking into account schedules when dealing with urgent orders.

Supervise Assistant Technical Officers working in the laboratory and cover the supervisory duties of the Senior Assistant Technical Officers in relevant sections in their absence.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

  • GCSE Maths/ English and Science grade C or above or 4 (or equivalent)
  • Level 2 BTEC/NVQ in Pharmacy Services or Functional skills or Science Manufacturing Process Operative Level 2

Desirable

  • Previous training in aseptic services
  • Pre and In Process Checking within Aseptic Services (PIPC) accreditation.
  • Qualification in Pharmacy Services or Laboratory Sciences at Level 2 (or equivalent)

Experience

Essential

  • Relevant experience of working in a regulated pharmacy production or laboratory environment.
  • Experience of working in a busy environment
  • Experience of working in teams
  • Experience working in pharmaceutical or healthcare environment

Desirable

  • Pharmacy experience in either a hospital or community setting
  • Experience in a Quality Control role within the chemical or pharmaceutical environment
  • Experience in Stock control.
  • Experience of working within a clean room setting

Knowledge

Essential

  • Demonstrates knowledge of current legislations and regulations, e.g. COSHH and Health and Safety at Work Act
  • Understanding of stock control systems.
  • Understanding of the importance of adherence to SOPs and legislation.

Desirable

  • Demonstrates practical knowledge of Quality systems.
  • Demonstrates a good understanding of patient safety initiatives
  • Demonstrates practical knowledge of GMP

Skills & Attributes

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills
  • Good numeracy skills.
  • Ability to work accurately and maintain levels of concentration when checking detailed documents/analysing data.
  • IT literate and able to use Microsoft office
  • Ability to work under pressure.
  • Ability to problem solve
  • Ability to motivate self and other
  • Lone and team working skills
  • Dexterity for Aseptic manipulation

Desirable

  • Able to perform pharmaceutical calculations
  • Accurate and logical approach to work.
  • Flexible to changing situations.

Management & Supervision

Essential

  • Experience in planning own tasks

Desirable

  • Experience in planning tasks of others

Communication

Essential

  • Ability to communicate with a range of healthcare professionals within own field of knowledge in own field of knowledge
  • Ability to receive and communicate technical information

Finance & Physical Resources

Essential

  • Experience of ordering consumables.

Desirable

  • Experience of stock management

Other

Essential

  • Ability to undertake manual tasks eg: mopping floors, walls, ceilings and to clean within a clean air device, lift and handle pharmaceutical items. There is a requirement/combination of sitting, standing, and walking. The post holder must have the ability to work in a cleanroom environment.

Desirable

  • Experience in cleaning controlled areas such as clean rooms.
Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

  • GCSE Maths/ English and Science grade C or above or 4 (or equivalent)
  • Level 2 BTEC/NVQ in Pharmacy Services or Functional skills or Science Manufacturing Process Operative Level 2

Desirable

  • Previous training in aseptic services
  • Pre and In Process Checking within Aseptic Services (PIPC) accreditation.
  • Qualification in Pharmacy Services or Laboratory Sciences at Level 2 (or equivalent)

Experience

Essential

  • Relevant experience of working in a regulated pharmacy production or laboratory environment.
  • Experience of working in a busy environment
  • Experience of working in teams
  • Experience working in pharmaceutical or healthcare environment

Desirable

  • Pharmacy experience in either a hospital or community setting
  • Experience in a Quality Control role within the chemical or pharmaceutical environment
  • Experience in Stock control.
  • Experience of working within a clean room setting

Knowledge

Essential

  • Demonstrates knowledge of current legislations and regulations, e.g. COSHH and Health and Safety at Work Act
  • Understanding of stock control systems.
  • Understanding of the importance of adherence to SOPs and legislation.

Desirable

  • Demonstrates practical knowledge of Quality systems.
  • Demonstrates a good understanding of patient safety initiatives
  • Demonstrates practical knowledge of GMP

Skills & Attributes

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills
  • Good numeracy skills.
  • Ability to work accurately and maintain levels of concentration when checking detailed documents/analysing data.
  • IT literate and able to use Microsoft office
  • Ability to work under pressure.
  • Ability to problem solve
  • Ability to motivate self and other
  • Lone and team working skills
  • Dexterity for Aseptic manipulation

Desirable

  • Able to perform pharmaceutical calculations
  • Accurate and logical approach to work.
  • Flexible to changing situations.

Management & Supervision

Essential

  • Experience in planning own tasks

Desirable

  • Experience in planning tasks of others

Communication

Essential

  • Ability to communicate with a range of healthcare professionals within own field of knowledge in own field of knowledge
  • Ability to receive and communicate technical information

Finance & Physical Resources

Essential

  • Experience of ordering consumables.

Desirable

  • Experience of stock management

Other

Essential

  • Ability to undertake manual tasks eg: mopping floors, walls, ceilings and to clean within a clean air device, lift and handle pharmaceutical items. There is a requirement/combination of sitting, standing, and walking. The post holder must have the ability to work in a cleanroom environment.

Desirable

  • Experience in cleaning controlled areas such as clean rooms.

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).

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.

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).

Employer details

Employer name

North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

Address

University Hospital of North Tees

Hardwick Road

Stockton-on-Tees

TS19 8PE


Employer's website

https://www.nth.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

Address

University Hospital of North Tees

Hardwick Road

Stockton-on-Tees

TS19 8PE


Employer's website

https://www.nth.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


For questions about the job, contact:

Aseptic Lead Pharmacist & SQCL Quality Assurance

Marco Picone

marco.picone1@nhs.net

01642624358

Date posted

07 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 to £25,674 a year pro rata per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

345-COM6582938-C

Job locations

University Hospital of North Tees

Hardwick Road

Stockton-on-Tees

TS19 8PE


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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