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Job summary

Main area
Pharmacy
Grade
Band 8b
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Part time
  • Flexible working
  • Annualised hours
37.5 hours per week (Flexible working encouraged and part time applications considered)
Job ref
344-8374DCB-A
Employer
East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Kent and Canterbury Hospital
Town
Canterbury
Salary
£64,455 - £74,896 pro-rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
09/10/2025 23:59

Employer heading

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust logo

Lead Pharmacist Aseptic Services

Band 8b

Job overview

This role Provides leadership and management of our Pharmacy Aseptic Services Unit in accordance with current legalisation, Pharmacy, Trust, local and National Standards.

The unit produces over 3000 items a month mixed between ready to use and named patient dispensed and is in the process of a planned refurbishment as part of a longer term process of replacement. 

It has a highly dedicated team and is supported by an  in house Quality Assurance/Control service as well as extensive clinical pharmacy and clinical trails service

 

Main duties of the job

An opportunity to work with brilliant and passionate team has arisen for a highly motivated and experienced pharmacist to make a difference to patients’ outcomes and wellbeing as the lead for our Aseptic services.

This role is open to all persons with or without aseptic service experience with relevant skills to learn, develop and a passion for leadership. We see the role as a stepping stone to further develop essential skills for more senior pharmacy roles in leadership, governance and quality management.

This is a band 8b role a component of which is the role of Accountable Pharmacist, in which role the successful candidate is supported by an experienced Production Manager and Quality Assurance team.

The outline job plan is appended of which the Accountable pharmacist is a part, the rest we will consider with candidates in terms of developing and or maintaining a current specialism for example from Clinical through digital and technical to Quality management that is linked to the role and the development pathway you want to pursue.

Further, for those candidates who don't meet all the essential criteria we are happy to consider a progression (8a to 8b) against agreed milestones on the basis of Appendix 21 of Agenda for Change. This includes the development of knowledge and skills within the role both clinically and operationally through support from specialist Pharmacy colleagues and various nationally recognised training and qualifications.

East Kent Hospitals is proud of its Aseptic Services team and the units  is currently undergoing substantial refurbishments to improve the facility. There are close links to the clinical service as well as links to our clinical trials unit which supports opportunities to deliver innovative research for the citizens we serve.

Your experience as a pharmacist and set of transferrable skills that you have acquired in the course of your practice will be well suited to provide leadership, clinical support, financial oversight and governance to the operation of the Pharmacy Aseptic service.

 

Working for our organisation

We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 800,000 people. Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people'. Everything we do is guided by our values: 'People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference’. We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called 'We care'. It's about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day. We're looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.



Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For more details on the job, its roles and responsibilities  pleases see the associated  Job Description and Person Specification

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Master’s degree in Pharmacy (MPharm) or equivalent.
  • Member of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
Desirable criteria
  • Post graduate certificate/diploma or MSc in Pharmaceutical Technology and Quality Assurance (PTQA) or quality management.

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Experience of working within an aseptic unit at various levels
  • Experience of managing or allocating work for a team.
  • Experience of and implementing service improvement and change projects.
  • Commitment and evidence of professional updating and formal continuous professional development.
Desirable criteria
  • Experience in managing Clinical Trials through Aseptic Services
  • Experience of using the Aria e-prescribing system
  • Clinical audit projects or practice research
  • Experience of writing GMP documentation (protocols, SOP, specifications etc)
  • Input into the design, business case development, commissioning and validation of production facilities
  • Experience in working in a Radiopharmacy unit
  • Experience in a senior pharmacy position
  • Interaction with auditors during regulatory audits
  • Experience in a senior pharmacy position

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Advanced knowledge and understanding of quality management systems in place in aseptic dispensing and production facilities
  • Knowledge and understanding of good manufacturing practice.
  • Demonstrable specialism in related area of pharmacy
Desirable criteria
  • Advanced understanding of the audit process, internal and external
  • Knowledge of quality management systems required to be in place in aseptic dispensing and production facilities
  • Leadership training
  • Knowledge of Radiopharmacy
  • Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health legislation
  • Healthcare products Regulatory Agency [MHRA] and licensing guidelines and standards

Personal & Professional Attributes

Essential criteria
  • Ability to plan and complete tasks/Able to meet deadlines/Effective Time Management Skills
  • Ability to work unsupervised and as part of a team
  • Computer literate
  • Positive/enthusiastic attitude
  • Critical Analysis skills
  • Understanding of financial issues relating to managing a Pharmacy Technical service
  • Evidence of leadership of a team
  • Supportive of extended/clinical role of technicians
Desirable criteria
  • Influencing and negotiating skills to work with other senior managers in the trust
  • Ability to manage change effectively
  • Special interest in oncology or haematology or Radiopharmacy

Other Requirements

Essential criteria
  • To be aware of and adhere to the Trust’s Values

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardThe Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion is the leading employer network covering all aspects of equality and inclusion in the workplace.Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerAge positiveInvestors in People: GoldDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - BronzeImproving working livesMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerThe Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion (enei) is the UK's leading employer network covering all aspects of equality and inclusion issues in the workplace.Prince's Trust - Proud to support the Prince's trust - Youth can do itStep into healthHappy to Talk Flexible WorkingArmed Forces Covenant

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

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

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Will Willson
Job title
Director of Pharmacy
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07866 599133
Additional information

The Pharmacy Office – 01227 206756 or 01227 868653 or email [email protected]

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