Pharmacy Technician - Aseptics - Band 4 to Band 5 Progression
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Join us as a key member of our friendly team dedicated to ensuring the safe and efficient supply of chemotherapy and supportive medicines for patients in the Primrose Oncology Unit and Day Treatment Unit.
An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic qualified pharmacy technician who is committed to contributing to the best pharmacy experience for our cancer patients.
Once set criteria has been met and reviewed, the post holder will progress to a senior pharmacy technician, undertaking a leadership role including line management responsibilities.
An ACPT qualification is an advantage, but a successful candidate without the ACPT will be required to undertake accreditation.
Main duties of the job
* To carry out technical pharmaceutical duties and provide organisational support to senior colleagues within Pharmacy Aseptics.
* Assist in the supervision and organisation of the technical aspects of chemotherapy supply to hospital departments to ensure the provision of high quality pharmaceutical products.
* Support the provision and implementation of effective training for technicians and assistants working in Aseptics.
* Contribute to developmental/operational proposals for service improvement to maintain a safe, effective, high quality service.
* To work as an accredited checking pharmacy technician (ACPT) once qualified.
Job responsibilities
* To assist in the delivery of the safe, effective and efficient supply of aseptically prepared chemotherapy and other medicinal products in accordance with work instructions.
* To prepare documentation and labels for supply of ready-made aseptically prepared products.
* To accurately dispense outsourced parenteral chemotherapy treatment, ensuring product is fit for purpose and the batch number and expiry dates are recorded accurately.
* To dispense oral chemotherapy and supportive medicines on electronic prescriptions from the Oncology and Haematology department, according to specific drug requirements.
* To ensure materials are stored appropriately according to manufacturers requirements; to monitor expiry dates optimising drug usage.
* To organise and maintain documentation and records, archiving according to legal requirements.
* To report to Senior/Lead Aseptic staff any incidents and procedural deficiencies which require corrective and preventative actions.
* To work with Senior Aseptic Technicians to ensure all required chemotherapy is ordered and allocated to patients and the relevant databases updated.
* To assist with ordering of patient-specific chemotherapy doses from external aseptic compounding companies, communicating and problem solving issues regarding dose changes and cancellations.
* To be responsible for receipting chemotherapy doses for patients, allocating doses appropriately using the in-house ordering database and highlighting defective products all in accordance with the MHRAs GDP.
* To deliver checked and released patient specific chemotherapy to the Oncology day unit at start of day, relaying back to senior colleagues any queries from nursing staff regarding that days chemotherapy.
* To monitor expired drug stock and minimise wastage; to help maintain the stock wastage database.
* To relabel outsourced adult Parenteral Nutrition (PN) infusion bags in an accurate and safe manner, if required by the PN team Pharmacist.
* To contribute to the Quality Assurance of all products and supplies by using approved systems of work and participating in audit.
* To undertake continued professional development and training as necessary to ensure a high level of competency in carrying out the tasks required and to enable further appropriate development.
* To participate in the Final Accuracy Checking Pharmacy Technician (ACPT) Scheme. To be an ACPT and complete final accuracy checks on Chemotherapy and supportive medicines, against clinically screened prescriptions.
* To regularly attend and actively participate in discussions at Aseptic Services staff meetings.
* To obtain GCP qualification and maintain Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and annual updates regarding Clinical Trials.
* To accurately dispense clinical trial prescriptions to Pharmacy Aseptics standards after completing documented trial specific training for each trial after appropriate training and competency assessment/achievement of Pharmacy Aseptics dispensing standards.
* To train and participate in statutory temperature monitoring of clinical trial drugs and all other drugs held for chemotherapy and haematology use.
* To ensure the disposal and recycling of chemotherapy and other medicinal products is carried out in a safe and efficient manner within the Aseptics Unit in accordance with Health & Safety (H & S), COSHH regulations and departmental work instructions.
* If requested, to be part of the Health & Safety Team for Pharmacy and take part in Health & Safety assessments to ensure a safe environment for working.
The list of responsibilities above are key primary requirements for the role, however, additional duties may be required to ensure patient and employee safety is met.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
* BTEC or NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent qualification
* Evidence of commitment to CPD
* Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training
* Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)
Experience
* Good dispensing practice
* Working within a Team
* Recognises own limitation
* Previous experience of working in Aseptic production or oncology
* Participation in training staff
* Experience of supporting junior staff
* Procedure writing
* Supervisory skills
* Participation in audits
Knowledge
* Working knowledge of chemotherapy treatments
* Demonstrate ability to perform calculations
* Understanding of the running of a dispensary service
* Understanding of Health & Safety requirements
* Knowledge of JAC computer system
* Knowledge of chemotherapy prescribing systems - iQemo
Personal Skills
* Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
* Methodical with attention to detail
* Ability to work under pressure whilst maintaining accuracy
* Ability to seek advice appropriately from senior staff
* Ability to cascade information to pharmacy staff accurately and timely
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
£26,530 to £29,114 a year per annum pro rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
418-AHP9999-MR
Job locations
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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