Job overview
An opportunity has arisen within the Pharmacy Aseptic Unit at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in Chelsea for a full time Band 3 Senior Pharmacy Assistant, Aseptic Services. We provide a range of anti-cancer agents for both standard of care treatment and for clinical trials including cytotoxic chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies and gene therapy.
The successful applicant will also work in the support areas of the aseptic suite setting up product trays to be made and carrying out the compounding of aseptic products including gene therapy. All staff work closely with our main outsource provider, Baxter, to order, process and distribute bought-in pre-ordered IV products. Reporting to the Deputy Chief Technician, Aseptic Services you will possess good communication and inter-personal skills. Basic computer skills (Microsoft Office), flexibility in the role and good teamwork are essential. You must be able to partake in early and late weekday shifts, weekend and bank holiday working rotas. The post involves some manual handling and may require cross-site working on rare occasions.
Full training will be given for all aspects of the role. A Band 2 position may be offered to applicants with no experience and robust objectives would be set to be achieved in order to progress to Band 3 level. The post offers opportunities for development, and we are looking for individuals who want to grow and share in the future of the service.
Main duties of the job
This post is particularly suitable for those looking for experience in a hands-on operational GMP workplace.
You will gain a thorough understanding of working in a hospital pharmacy clean room environment and must be prepared to take your learning forward in order to contribute to the quality management system in addition to the manufacturing activity.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1. Assist in the maintenance of Technical Services facilities as defined in Good Manufacturing Practice (Rules and Guidance for Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Distributors 2017 – ‘The Orange Guide’) and to comply with current NHS guidance on Aseptic Processing (Quality Assurance of Aseptic Processing. 5th ed. Ed Alison Beaney, Pharmaceutical Press).
2. Become familiar with Standard Operating Procedures and COSHH forms for Technical Services.
3. Complete the in-house training programme and the in-house accreditation programme according to grade and responsibility.
4. Gain an in-depth knowledge and skill in the handling and compounding of cytotoxic medicines, biological medicines and other medicines.
5. Assemble, spray and wipe, prepare/compound products, using aseptic technique in a grade A environment.
6. Dispense, label and assist in the distribution of compounded products to patients.
7. Support the Technical Services management team in the training of new operatives
8. Dispose of Technical Services waste appropriately according to SOP.
9. Cleaning of the aseptic unit environment and equipment as required (all staff).
10. Occasionally to participate with late/early shifts and Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday rotas as required to meet service provisions and requirements for 7 day working. The Pharmacy is in a transitional period and moving over to a 7-day service, therefore staff are required to participate in a 7 day service which includes the requirement to work weekends, late shifts and bank holidays
11. Liaise with the clinical trial team on the manufacturing requirements of clinical trial products
12. Help with efficient stock control of medicinal products ensuring correct storage and rotation of medicines.
Person specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential criteria
13. GCSE level (Grade A-C in English and Maths) or Numeracy and Literacy functional skills level 2 (or equivalent).
Desirable criteria
14. NVQ level 2 in Pharmacy Practice or equivalent experience
Experience
Essential criteria
15. For band 3; Experience of working in a hospital compounding unit or pharmaceutical industry (preferably in a clean room environment) or equivalent experience
16. A Band 2 position may be offered to applicants with no experience and robust objectives would be set to be achieved in order to progress to Band 3 level
Desirable criteria
17. Knowledge of the Principles of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).
18. Awareness of handling anti-cancer products
19. Experience in a Quality Assurance environment including monitoring and validation
20. Previous satisfactory performance in a busy team-orientated environment
Skills Abilities/knowledge
Essential criteria
21. Ability to communicate effectively in clear English with members of the public and with other health care professionals.
22. Ability to work effectively as part of a team and with staff at all levels.
23. Time management / Organisational / Problem solving Skills; ability to priorities own workload and that of others and to manage own time effectively.
24. Computer skills: ability to use Microsoft Office applications eg Word, Excel, Outlook
Desirable criteria
25. Training Skills: ability to train/coach/teach tasks to other assistants
26. Experience with EPIC -computer system
The Royal Marsden values diversity and is committed to the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority groups. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates with disabilities.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we are working to create a workplace that enables all staff to reach their full potential. We are committed to this because we know that greater diversity and inclusion will lead to an even greater positive impact for the people we serve.
Due to the high volumes of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close any adverts before the published closing date once we have received a sufficient number of applications. We advise you to submit your application as early as possible to prevent disappointment.
Flu Vaccination – What We Expect of our Staff
At The Royal Marsden we have an immune compromised patient population who we must protect as much as we can against the flu virus. Each year, seasonal flu affects thousands of people in the UK. Occurring mainly in winter, it is an infectious respiratory disease capable of producing symptoms ranging from those similar to a common cold, through to very severe or even fatal disease.
The wellbeing of our staff and patients is of the upmost importance to us, and it is the expectation of The Royal Marsden that all patient-facing staff have an annual flu vaccination, provided free of charge by the Trust.
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