Job summary
In CDDFT Pharmacy, we pride ourselves in working at the
leading edge of pharmacy practice andmedicines management with our teams achieving national
recognition for innovative, high-quality patient care.
We have an exciting development opportunity for a Senior
Pharmacy Technician to join our team.
You must be registered with the General
Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and hold a L3 Diploma in the Principles and
Practice for Pharmacy Technicians or an equivalent, recognised GPhC
qualification.
Main duties of the job
The successful post holders will be based at Darlington
Memorial Hospital and will:
Work under the
management of the Cancer Services Lead Pharmacy Technician to ensure a safe and
efficient service is maintained across our Pharmacy Aseptic Unit.
Have a specific area of responsibility, and contribute to
the dispensing of clinical trials, oral cytotoxic regimes and controlled drugs.
Act as an accuracy checking technician. The post holder will
be responsible for the final check of prescriptions, including out-sourced
chemotherapy prescriptions which have been professionally checked by a
pharmacist as outlined in departmental SOPs. You will have a duty of care and
professional responsibility to refer back to the pharmacist any prescription
that requires clarification.
Take responsibility for the receipt, issue, dispensing, and
safe storage of medicines according to SOPs and legal requirements. This may
include the dispensing of clinical trials, oral cytotoxic regimes and
controlled drugs.
Assist the Cancer Services Lead Technician to ensure
continued achievement of audit criteria determined by the Department of Health
in EL(97)52 Aseptic Dispensing in NHS Hospitals
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents
Over reliance on
AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of
success
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two years
of experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to consider
sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and
have a current visa expiring within 3 months)
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will:
work closely with the Cancer Services Lead Technician to
ensure the maintenance of a sterile environment within the aseptic unit
ensuring the guidelines for Good Manufacturing Practice are followed at all
times
work alongside the Cancer Services Lead Technician and
Accountable Pharmacist in planning and prioritising workload to ensure a timely
and efficient medicines management service is provided
deputise in the absence of the Cancer Services Lead
Technician
receive, prepare and aseptically dispense prescription
items utilising the Chemocare system
accurately perform calculations to determine volumes of
drugs and correct doses of chemotherapy to initial check work trays
participate in the QC monitoring of the aseptic department
and to ensure a clean working environment is maintained by utilising broth
tests, environmental and contact agar plates
complete validation processes according to SOPs
ensure appropriate safe and secure handling of medicines
assist the Cancer Services Lead Technician to ensure
continued achievement of audit criteria determined by the Department of Health
in EL(97)52 Aseptic Dispensing in NHS Hospitals
participate in the preparation of documentation and ensure
that all records of all products prepared are completed and correctly filed.
be registered to release intrathecal chemotherapy in
accordance to the national guidelines
provide information to other healthcare professionals
within the limits of knowledge
ensure expiry dates within the pharmacy department are
checked on a regular basis and book out expired stock from Ascribe and
highlight items that are close to their expiry date
dispose of pharmaceutical waste according to local and
national waste guidelines
take responsibility for the receipt, issue,
dispensing, and safe storage of medicines according to SOPs and legal
requirements. This may include the dispensing of clinical trials, oral
cytotoxic regimes and controlled drugs.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will:
work closely with the Cancer Services Lead Technician to
ensure the maintenance of a sterile environment within the aseptic unit
ensuring the guidelines for Good Manufacturing Practice are followed at all
times
work alongside the Cancer Services Lead Technician and
Accountable Pharmacist in planning and prioritising workload to ensure a timely
and efficient medicines management service is provided
deputise in the absence of the Cancer Services Lead
Technician
receive, prepare and aseptically dispense prescription
items utilising the Chemocare system
accurately perform calculations to determine volumes of
drugs and correct doses of chemotherapy to initial check work trays
participate in the QC monitoring of the aseptic department
and to ensure a clean working environment is maintained by utilising broth
tests, environmental and contact agar plates
complete validation processes according to SOPs
ensure appropriate safe and secure handling of medicines
assist the Cancer Services Lead Technician to ensure
continued achievement of audit criteria determined by the Department of Health
in EL(97)52 Aseptic Dispensing in NHS Hospitals
participate in the preparation of documentation and ensure
that all records of all products prepared are completed and correctly filed.
be registered to release intrathecal chemotherapy in
accordance to the national guidelines
provide information to other healthcare professionals
within the limits of knowledge
ensure expiry dates within the pharmacy department are
checked on a regular basis and book out expired stock from Ascribe and
highlight items that are close to their expiry date
dispose of pharmaceutical waste according to local and
national waste guidelines
take responsibility for the receipt, issue,
dispensing, and safe storage of medicines according to SOPs and legal
requirements. This may include the dispensing of clinical trials, oral
cytotoxic regimes and controlled drugs.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- 4 GCSEs level 4 / grade C/4 (or equivalent) in Maths, English and science Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Pharmacy Service Skills (or equivalent qualifications recognized by the GPhC).
- Level 3 Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science (QCF) (or equivalent qualifications recognized by the GPhC).
- The post holder must meet at least one of the following requirements and will be expected to have commenced another within 12 to 18 months of employment
- - Accuracy checking course
- - Pre and IN Process Checking within Aseptic Services(PIPC).
Desirable
- Supervisory/management qualifications or training
- Northern Sector Course for the Final Accuracy Checking of Dispensed Items by Pharmacy Technicians (PETO) or Nationally recognised award Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice, quality assurance and quality control as applied to the hospital aseptic services
- Aseptic Preparation and Dispensing of Medicines (APDM)
- Supervisory Skills for Technical Services
Special Requirements
Essential
- Team player
- Able to demonstrate own initiative, Motivated and enthusiastic Able to work under pressure
- Good communication and organisational skills and good time management
Experience
Essential
- Experience as a qualified pharmacy technician in a hospital environment Experience in the preparation of cytotoxic drugs and Good Manufacturing Practice.
- Practical experience of quality assurance, quality control, the use of isolators and audit requirements
Desirable
- Experience of Project or developmental work
- Experience of problem solving Experience of Policy and or Procedure writing
- Experience of supervision of others
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Meets GPhC requirements for CPD
- Record of personal development
- IT Literate
- Good knowledge of MS excel, word and Pharmacy dispensing software Excellent customer care skills
Desirable
- Evidence of self-development Evidence of change management Evidence of training, mentoring and coaching staff
- Understanding of audit processes Awareness of EMIS/ Chemocare systems.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- 4 GCSEs level 4 / grade C/4 (or equivalent) in Maths, English and science Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Pharmacy Service Skills (or equivalent qualifications recognized by the GPhC).
- Level 3 Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science (QCF) (or equivalent qualifications recognized by the GPhC).
- The post holder must meet at least one of the following requirements and will be expected to have commenced another within 12 to 18 months of employment
- - Accuracy checking course
- - Pre and IN Process Checking within Aseptic Services(PIPC).
Desirable
- Supervisory/management qualifications or training
- Northern Sector Course for the Final Accuracy Checking of Dispensed Items by Pharmacy Technicians (PETO) or Nationally recognised award Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice, quality assurance and quality control as applied to the hospital aseptic services
- Aseptic Preparation and Dispensing of Medicines (APDM)
- Supervisory Skills for Technical Services
Special Requirements
Essential
- Team player
- Able to demonstrate own initiative, Motivated and enthusiastic Able to work under pressure
- Good communication and organisational skills and good time management
Experience
Essential
- Experience as a qualified pharmacy technician in a hospital environment Experience in the preparation of cytotoxic drugs and Good Manufacturing Practice.
- Practical experience of quality assurance, quality control, the use of isolators and audit requirements
Desirable
- Experience of Project or developmental work
- Experience of problem solving Experience of Policy and or Procedure writing
- Experience of supervision of others
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Meets GPhC requirements for CPD
- Record of personal development
- IT Literate
- Good knowledge of MS excel, word and Pharmacy dispensing software Excellent customer care skills
Desirable
- Evidence of self-development Evidence of change management Evidence of training, mentoring and coaching staff
- Understanding of audit processes Awareness of EMIS/ Chemocare systems.
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.
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.
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
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust
Hollyhurst Road
Darlington
County Durham
DL3 6HX
Employer's website
https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
