Employer: Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Torbay Hospital
Town: Torquay
Salary: £46,148 - £52,809 pa
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 28/02/2025 23:59
Pharmacy Quality Assurance Lead
NHS AfC: Band 7
Job overview
Are you a Pharmacist, Pharmacy Technician, Healthcare Scientist or Scientist working in Pharmacy or Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance?
We have a fantastic opportunity to join our department as Pharmacy Quality Assurance (QA) Lead based within our Pharmacy Aseptic Services Team.
Our QA Lead will provide a comprehensive quality assurance service to the Pharmacy Department at Torbay Hospital to support aseptic services, radiopharmacy, clinical trials, procurement and all other pharmacy activities.
They will support the implementation and ongoing development of effective Pharmaceutical Quality Systems (PQS) throughout the department to ensure continuous improvement of all aspects of the service, and to enhance patient safety.
The Quality Assurance service supports our Aseptic and Radiopharmacy departments which operate under Section 10 exemption providing high risk injectables to our patients including systemic anti-cancer treatments, parenteral nutrition, radiopharmaceuticals and other aseptic items.
Main duties of the job
1. Lead, manage and develop the Pharmacy Quality Assurance service and support the implementation and ongoing development of effective Pharmaceutical Quality Systems (PQS) and compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).
2. Ensure that all Quality Assurance (QA) activity is effectively managed to meet agreed Trust and Pharmacy Department objectives whilst complying with relevant local and national legislation, regulations and guidelines, particularly in relation to current GMP and Good Clinical Practice (GCP).
3. Be responsible for the environmental monitoring program within the unit(s), and the management of the in-house environmental laboratory facility.
4. Provide specialist interpretation of environmental monitoring results, advice and reports to the Accountable Pharmacist for Aseptic Services and Radiopharmacy.
5. Keep updated on all standards and guidelines relevant to the work of the pharmacy department. Interpret the standards and guidelines and ensure that all protocols and SOPs meet with current requirements.
6. Act as the line manager and manage the activities of the Quality Assurance Assistant Technical Officer.
7. Co-ordinate the provision of analytical and environmental monitoring services from the Regional Quality Control Laboratory, and other external agencies as required.
Working for our organisation
Our friendly forward thinking Pharmacy team provides procurement, distribution, dispensary, ward-based clinical, cancer, aseptic and homecare services to Torbay Hospital and other community health services.
The Pharmacy Aseptic Services department currently provides approximately 13,000 chemotherapy doses, 200 aseptic items and 1,000 parenteral nutrition bags per annum.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Relevant Science Degree or Masters Degree in Pharmacy or NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services and BTec in Pharmaceutical Science or equivalent qualification with extensive experience in QA/QC field.
Extensive specialist knowledge of pharmaceutical quality assurance and analysis.
Familiar with laboratory and environmental monitoring equipment.
Frequently required to concentrate for long periods on complex tasks or information.
For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities please refer to the job description attached to this vacancy.
Person specification
Qualifications and Training
* Relevant Science Degree or Masters Degree in Pharmacy or NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services and BTec in Pharmaceutical Science or equivalent qualification with extensive experience in QA/QC field.
* Registered or eligible to register with appropriate professional body.
* Postgraduate qualification e.g. MSc in Pharmaceutical Technology and Quality Assurance or equivalent training/experience.
* Management training or equivalent experience.
* Management Qualification or equivalent relevant experience.
Knowledge and Experience
* Extensive specialist knowledge of pharmaceutical quality assurance and analysis.
* Knowledge and understanding of systems for quality management and quality improvement.
* Excellent knowledge and understanding of current Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements and other relevant guidance on quality assurance.
* Knowledge and understanding of audit and improvement activities in a pharmaceutical environment.
* Knowledge of the theory of aseptic technique and understanding of implications.
* Proven record of working in a quality system meeting GMP requirements.
* Project management experience, including involvement of multi-disciplinary teams.
* Knowledge of configuration and use of Ideagen Quality Management Software (formerly Q-Pulse).
Specific Skills
* Excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills.
* Self-motivated and able to motivate others.
* Aware of good laboratory practice and good manufacturing practice.
* Well-developed IT skills and knowledge of electronic quality management systems e.g. Ideagen Quality Management Software and other IT applications including database programs.
* Familiar with laboratory and environmental monitoring equipment.
* Understanding of environmental monitoring techniques and data interpretation.
You will be joining the organisation at an exciting time. As the first fully integrated care organisation in England, we are working to improve the way we deliver safe, high-quality health and social care. We have a positive and vibrant working atmosphere, we are proud of our investment in our staff both in terms of developing potential career skills and valuing people.
If you provide support to a family member or friend with health or care needs, we aim to be a Carer-friendly employer. We have a ‘Staff Carers’ policy which includes flexible working where possible and a Carer’s Passport scheme that links you into support and discounts.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
* We reserve the right to close vacancies early if we receive a high volume of applications. Please apply promptly.
* Please read the job description and tailor your application to reflect the role.
* Correspondence will be via Trac, text and email. Please check your email and Trac account regularly.
* Applicants with no previous NHS experience will ordinarily be appointed to the minimum of the band.
* If you have not received an invitation to interview within 28 days of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
* It is your responsibility to assist us in the timely receipt of appropriate references.
The Trust is committed to preventing discrimination, valuing diversity and achieving equality of opportunity. No person (staff, patient or public) will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of the nine protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. If you require support you can obtain this from our Equality Business Forum which has representatives from all protected groups.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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.
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