Job Description

We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and dynamic lead pharmacy technician to join our team in aseptics. This is a pivotal leadership role, directly managing a team of technicians and assistants, overseeing the daily operational aseptic provision to the Trust.



The Trust is developing a new Cancer Centre for the three counties area, with aseptics as a major stakeholder in this project. This is an exciting time to join our dedicated pharmacy team in building a new service delivery.



The proposed interview date is 29th September



To manage and be responsible for all aspects of the day -to-day delivery of the aseptic service ensuring compliance with all current regulatory requirements.



Good leadership skills and motivational skills and the ability to positively promote change in a complex healthcare environment.



Demonstrate ability to delegate appropriately maintaining own and team motivation to deliver objectives for aseptic services and as part of the wider pharmacy team.



Perform and record appraisals for technicians and pharmacy assistants in accordance with Trust appraisal processes.

Responsible for sickness and absence management, including disciplinary reviews.

Responsible for maternity/paternity/adoption leave policies and risk assessments.

Responsible for recruitment and interviewing of technical staff within the unit.



Liaise with the Lead Training technician to assist with the training of other pharmacy staff in the unit including foundation year pharmacists, PIPC accredited checkers and apprenticeships.



With a team of over 9,000 employees, we are proud to be the largest employer in Gloucestershire and rank among the top 10 largest Trusts in the South West region. By joining our Trust, you will benefit from an excellent package that includes exclusive benefits, flexible working opportunities and the chance to gain valuable experience. CGH is located in the city centre with access to shops and cafes.



The pharmacy manufacturing unit has approximately 31 staff and we provide a service to both sites CGH and GRH for oncology & haematology patients.



We are a friendly, inclusive department who wish to nurture and develop our staff at all grades.



Organisation, Leadership and Management



To manage and be responsible for all aspects of the day -to-day delivery of the aseptic service ensuring compliance with all current regulatory requirements



Weekly rota planning to ensure there is adequate staffing levels and appropriate skill mix within the unit.



Ensure adequate training is provided and any training issues are being addressed.



Good leadership skills and motivational skills and the ability to positively promote change in a complex healthcare environment.



Demonstrate ability to delegate appropriately maintaining own and team motivation to deliver objectives for aseptic services and as part of the wider pharmacy team



Perform and record appraisals for technicians and pharmacy assistants in accordance with Trust appraisal processes.



Responsible for sickness and absence management, including disciplinary reviews.



Responsible for maternity/paternity/adoption leave policies and risk assessments.



Responsible for recruitment and interviewing of technical staff within the unit.



Assist QA team with maintenance of Quality Management Systems and Section 10 audits.



Liaise with the Lead Training technician to assist with the training of other pharmacy staff in the unit including foundation year pharmacists, PIPC accredited checkers and apprenticeships.



Liaise with the Lead Training technician to co-ordinate the assessments/exams of candidates for relevant training courses and accreditations



Assist in organising time tables for vacation placement and other students



Experience of training others in specialised areas of aseptic services



Maintain Health Roster records on a daily basis, including recording sickness absence and approving Annual Leave requests.



Responsible for organising and overseeing induction programme for new technical staff



Assist in keeping records of workload



Ensure that standard operating procedures are adhered to and Health and Safety procedures followed.



Be responsible for managing self to organise own daily duties. Be willing to re-arrange duties and prioritise according to service need if required to



cover for absence.



Service Delivery



Aseptically prepare adult & paediatric products within a strictly controlled environment following validated methods and standard operating procedures under Section 10.



Demonstrate and maintain aseptic competence by successfully completing broth validation every 3 months



To receive cytotoxic prescriptions, and help to co-ordinate workload outside the clean room involving communication with clinical oncology pharmacy and nursing staff in chemotherapy clinics & wards.



Timely provision of patient treatment through prioritisation



To generate worksheets & labels and assemble raw materials for all aseptically prepared products.

Use PIPC qualification to:

Perform pre-process checks on ingredients and worksheets



Perform in-process checks in clean rooms



Perform Product Approval role under the supervision of the Accountable / Authorised Pharmacists; if qualified to do so.



Undertake checking of outsourced dispensed items, under the supervision of the Accountable / Authorised Pharmacists; if qualified to do so.



To undertake the role of clean room supervisor as required.



Promote Good Manufacturing Practice so to ensure the provision of a safe effective and efficient service is maintained.



Participate in aseptic clinical trial processes.



To undertake dispensing and labelling of outsourced drugs.



To be able to perform any other more junior job role as required ensuring continuity of service.



Handle complex, sensitive information e.g. patient data including diagnosis and treatment regimens, in a confidential, professional manner with efficiency, tact and diplomacy, ensuring compliance with data protection legislation and information governance.



Training & Supervision



To assist in developing and maintain the delivery of all grades of pharmacy technical staff training with the Lead training technician.



Ensure training is provided for all pharmacy technical staff including new and existing staff.



Ensure training is provided for staff rotating into the unit and visiting students.



Act as Educational Supervisor for Pre and In-Process Checking (PIPC) national checking accreditation scheme.



Motivate, manage and support staff undergoing training



Agree staff training objectives with the Lead training technician.



Agree competencies for pharmacy technical staff with Lead training technician.



Manage and assess pre-registration pharmacy technicians and science manufacturing technicians leading to registration with their professional body and assist them in gaining their qualification using a range of education methods.



Lead and participate in competency assessing pharmacy assistants according to in-house and / or apprenticeship standards



Attend training courses to ensure skills, knowledge and practice are current and recommend such courses to other staff.



Co-ordinate and ensure statutory and mandatory training are undertaken by all pharmacy technical staff.



To monitor the validation status of all aseptic unit staff to ensure that all routine validation procedures are organised.



Tact and persuasive skills are required when advising staff of corrective action needed following any deficits in competency assessments



Procedure and policies



To provide a regular review of all procedures and policies and re-writes if necessary and to write any new procedures as and when the need arises.



To ensure that any new relevant legislation is implemented and adhered to in conjunction with the Accountable pharmacist.



Health and Safety

Responsible in conjunction with the Accountable pharmacist for ensuring safe working practice and environment through legislation such as the



Health and Safety at Work Act and COSHH regulations, along with local policies and procedures including manual handling.



Ensure representation of the PAU within the whole Pharmacy H&S team.



Stock Control



Oversee the ordering of disposables for the unit.



Liaise with the designated lead for stock to control to ensure:



Adequate stocks are maintained.



Stock checks are regularly performed.



Accurate computerised stock balances are maintained.



Discrepancies in computerised stock balances are investigated and corrected in a timely manner.



Ensure a robust system is in place for stock ordering