Job summary
- Main area
- Pharmacy Production Services
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday - Friday)
- Job ref
- 216-PL-C7337313
- Employer
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Derriford Hospital Plymouth, Pharmacy Dept, Level 5
- Town
- PLYMOUTH
- Salary
- £24,937 - £26,598 Per Annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 06/11/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Senior ATO Aseptic Services
NHS AfC: Band 3
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for Senior Assistant Technical officer to join University Hospitals Plymouth within our aseptic services department.
Undertake technical duties in the preparation of Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) within the Pharmacy Aseptic Services Unit ensuring all products are prepared following Good Manufacturing Process (GMP) to ensure patients receive treatments that are safe to use. To supervise the work of Assistant Technical Officers and trainee technicians in conjunction with the specialist technicians.
We provide cytotoxic chemotherapy and monoclonal antibodies.
We are currently planning for an offsite aseptic unit which will offer opportunities for the future.
Are you enthusiastic and self-motivated? Would like the opportunity to develop your skills in an innovative department? We would love to hear from you.
Further study will be encouraged for you to progress your pharmacy career.
***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
To prepare systemic anti-cancer therapies (SACT) in a section 10 manufacturing unit. Working closely with clinical trials to produce treatments for all patients in a safe and timely manner.
You will be expected to complete a BTEC level 2 relevant to your area of work, along with full in-house training competencies.
You will be responsible for the preparation of SACT and supervising assistant technical staff in the preparation and manufacture of treatments.
You will also produce documentation relating to the preparation of SACT.
Working for our organisation
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.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To prepare cancer chemotherapy and medicines for injection manufactured under section 10 exemption of the Medicines Act 1968, using isolator technology, providing all necessary in-process checks, within the clean room environment under the guidance of good manufacturing practice.
To prepare chemotherapy for intrathecal use according to Department of health guidelines, local trust policy and departmental procedures.
To supervise, train and complete competency assessments of Assistant Technical Officers, rotational technicians and student technicians in the preparation of specified products including, medicines for injection and cancer chemotherapy under the guidance of the senior specialist technicians.
To follow carefully all standard operating procedures to ensure all products are made safely and efficiently in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice guidelines.
To prepare all types of product documentation, including electronic worksheets with all types of calculations, and the production of labels using the Prisym 2000 label software.
To supervise the documentation room, answering simple queries from ward staff and influencing the flow of work into the preparation area.
To participate in the preparation of clinical trials completing all necessary documentation as described in the study protocol.
To assemble the raw materials and consumables required to prepare each individual product, ensuring total segregation of each preparation using a box or tray segregation system as defined in the standard operating procedure.
To prepare master product documentation under the supervision of the senior specialist technicians.
To partner the specialist senior technician or production team manager in the recruitment and selection process for Assistant Technical Officers.
To conduct an individual performance review in liaison with the production team manager for each Assistant Technical Officer to ensure continued professional development.
To complete any environmental monitoring or operator validation tests requested by the quality assurance manager.
To assist with stock control to include the production and checking of routine stock checks, ensuring stock rotation and expiry date checks are completed and investigating stock discrepancies.
To complete, maintain and file all relevant documents, records and reports.
To clean the pharmacy aseptic suite and support rooms following standard operating procedures and using specific methods of cleaning, ensuring appropriate quality control samples are taken and cleaning logs filled out.
To cover the delivery and collection of items to the wards and other departments in the absence of Aseptic services ATOs.
To cover the transfer of waste for disposal, some of which is hazardous from the pharmacy to the collection point in the absence of technical services ATOs.
To co-operate and participate in any training and development in Aseptic services, attending such study days and courses as necessary for service development.
Person specification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
- Proven knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice
- Good working proven knowledge of aseptic procedures and working practices
Desirable criteria
- Previous demonstrable experience in aseptic preparation
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- GCSEs grade 9-4 (A-C) in English and Maths and 3 others
- NVQ level 2 in pharmacy services or equivalent demonstrable experience
Desirable criteria
- In house training checklist and competency assessment for the assembly, preparation of documentation and preparation of all products. (Senior Assistant Technical Officer level) or equivalent demonstrable experience
Aptitude and Abilities
Essential criteria
- Good training skills
- Ability to manage own time effectively
- Ability to communicate with others effectively
- Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy in a busy environment
- Able to demonstrate good manual dexterity
Desirable criteria
- Ability to motivate others
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Claire Rogers
- Job title
- Senior Pharmacy Technician
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01752 432346
- Additional information
For an informal discussion or to arrange a site visit please contact Claire Rogers Senior Pharmacy Technician via [email protected]
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