Job Description

To manage, provide, co-ordinate, participate and develop the aseptic technical service.



To assist and take part in the production of aseptically prepared products in the Aseptic Unit.



To lead the pharmacy team that provides technical pharmacy services in the specialist area, e.g. Aseptic Unit and to manage the day-to-day activities of the technical support staff team, liaising closely with the Lead/Accountable pharmacist for the specialist area.



To manage the work of the Pharmacy Technicians, the Senior Pharmacy Assistant and Pharmacy Assistants within their area of responsibility and to ensure that the delivery and quality of pharmacy support services is constantly maintained.



To be responsible in ensuring that the preparation of chemotherapy and reconstitution of cytotoxic agents, e.g. monoclonal antibodies, is prepared in the aseptic suite by trained and competency assessed staff. A register of all staff holding a competency and training is maintained and is up to date.



The post holder is responsible for facilitating training programmes in their area of specialisation and for developing and implementing standard operating procedures in that area and associated areas.



The Senior Pharmacy Technicians work as a team supporting the Pharmacy Operations Manager in the day-to-day management of the technical services of the pharmacy department. They work with other members of the Senior Pharmacy team to develop services in line with Trust and National NHS directives.



To be responsible for the management of the daily workload in the unit working with the Lead/Accountable Pharmacist, coordinating the treatment for each patient. Liaising closely with the staff in the chemotherapy unit and coordinate the work efficiently through planning and agreeing workload and patient numbers according to capacity.



To be responsible for the running of the Aseptic Unit on a daily basis ensuring weekly procedures are followed including cleaning, maintenance and environmental monitoring.



To supervise and direct staff who work in the Aseptic Unit.



To actively take part in the preparation of cytotoxic preparations according to service demand. In addition, support and ensure the provision of TPN for adults and Baby TPN according to patient needs.



To pre and in process check within the Aseptic Services as per recognised accreditation.



To check worksheets, labels and cytotoxic products before preparation as per the pre and in process check. Ensure worksheets are accurate.



To check volumes during the preparation of products in the lab in line with the pre and in process checking guidelines and demands in the service.



Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is an integrated Trust and the only provider of NHS acute care in Walsall, serving a population of 284,300, providing inpatient and outpatient services at the Manor Hospital as well as a wide range of services in the community. Walsall Manor houses the full range of district general hospital services under one roof. The 170 million development was completed in 2010 and the continued upgrading of existing areas ensures the Trust now has a state-of-the-art Critical Care Unit, Neonatal Unit, Obstetric Theatre, and Integrated Assessment Unit facilities.



A new Urgent Emergency Care Centre was opened in March 2023. The two-storey development has significantly improved emergency care facilities and capacity and has provided almost 5,000 square metres of additional clinical space.



8. To lead with the Specialist Pharmacist in investigating and overcoming problems including for stock issues and technical queries.



9. To be responsible in maintaining, reviewing and updating all relevant documentation, ensuring all is completed correctly and timely for audit and inspections.



10. To ensure there is continuity of staff and adequate staff cover in the unit, liaising with Other Senior Technician leads and other Lead Pharmacists.



11. To organise quarterly maintenance visits including making arrangements to close the unit, liaising with the Chemotherapy unit staff to reschedule work and minimise disruption to patients' treatment.



12. To be responsible for maintaining environmental monitoring records, cleaning records and ensuring regular cleaning is maintained in the unit and all areas are kept tidy and clutter free.



13. To prepare and keep in date, standard operating procedures and all master documents and comply with all policies and procedures.



14. To ensure all Aseptic staffs follow standard operating procedures, local and Trust cytotoxic policy and mandatory guidelines. Ensure personnel records are kept up to date of all designated posts including staffs having valid broth tests.



15. To ensure access to cytotoxic drugs storage is limited to authorised staff and that storage shelves are designed to reduce/minimise breakage of containers.



16. To keep accurate records and communicate within the guidelines stated in National and Local policies.



17. To be responsible for maintaining and producing database reports for own specialised area and other areas when required.



18. To work with the Lead/Accountable Pharmacist in the strategic planning of the Aseptic services and including the service users.



19. To assist in the supervision and training of Assistants, Pre-registration Pharmacists and Student Pharmacy Technicians, Pharmacy Assistants and Pharmacists, to ensure their duties are carried out in accordance with agreed policies and procedures. This will include supporting staff in the course of carrying out their duties and ensuring staffs aseptic techniques are regularly validated.



20. To ensure that pharmacy staff involved in handling of cytotoxic drugs, i.e. purchasing, receipt of goods, packing, storage and transport satisfy appropriate local training.



21. To conduct regular staff meetings with the Aseptic Team of all grades to disseminate information and agree rotas.



22. To be responsible for ordering and maintaining adequate stock levels of materials, equipment and pharmaceutical stocks related to the preparation of chemotherapy and in a cost-effective manner.



23. To observe Health and Safety in the unit for own self and for staff in the area, ensuring staffs follow all health and safety procedures and correct personal protection equipment is available and exposure of cytotoxic agents.



24. To ensure all areas where cytotoxics are handled, have correct spill kits and staffs receive the necessary training on how to deal with spillages safely.



25. To be responsible for the technical staff in the area and other technical staff from other departmental areas for the delivery of annual individual performance development reviews, managing sickness and absence, management of staff where there is poor performance



26. To ensure all cytotoxic related errors are reported locally and if applicable to technical subgroup reporting to the West Midlands Chief Pharmacists Group. Ensure that the cytotoxic operational policy is maintained and updated and relates to the peer review standards.



27. To follow correct disposal methods for cytotoxic waste in line with local waste policy and using the correct disposal containers.



28. To conduct audits of activity within the specialist area and contribute to service review and improvement.



29. To ensure the unit is maintained for regular inspection from local and Regional Pharmacy Quality Assurance Departments.



30. To ensure patients are counselled on the use of their medicines particularly oral chemotherapy treatments.



31. Liaise with the Business Performance Lead on all types of finances.



32. To ensure personal and professional development is carried out to allow for the aseptic service to develop and utilise skills.



33. To be the nominated lead and manage the implementation of the Farwell audit actions in collaboration with the Lead/Accountable Pharmacist Oncology



34. To collate the dataset required for the pharmacy aspect of the cancer peer review in collaboration with the Lead/Accountable Pharmacist Oncology



Please see for further details.