County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Senior Pharmacy Technician (Aseptics)
The closing date is 23 June 2025
In CDDFT Pharmacy, we pride ourselves in working at theleading edge of pharmacy practice andmedicines management with our teams achieving nationalrecognition for innovative, high-quality patient care.
We have an exciting development opportunity for a SeniorPharmacy Technician to join our team.
You must be registered with the GeneralPharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and hold a L3 Diploma in the Principles andPractice for Pharmacy Technicians or an equivalent, recognised GPhCqualification.
Main duties of the job
The successful post holders will be based at DarlingtonMemorial Hospital and will:
Work under themanagement of the Cancer Services Lead Pharmacy Technician to ensure a safe andefficient service is maintained across our Pharmacy Aseptic Unit.
Have a specific area of responsibility, and contribute tothe dispensing of clinical trials, oral cytotoxic regimes and controlled drugs.
Act as an accuracy checking technician. The post holder willbe responsible for the final check of prescriptions, including out-sourcedchemotherapy prescriptions which have been professionally checked by apharmacist as outlined in departmental SOPs. You will have a duty of care andprofessional responsibility to refer back to the pharmacist any prescriptionthat requires clarification.
Take responsibility for the receipt, issue, dispensing, andsafe storage of medicines according to SOPs and legal requirements. This mayinclude the dispensing of clinical trials, oral cytotoxic regimes andcontrolled drugs.
Assist the Cancer Services Lead Technician to ensurecontinued achievement of audit criteria determined by the Department of Healthin EL(97)52 Aseptic Dispensing in NHS Hospitals
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents
Over reliance onAI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances ofsuccess
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two yearsof experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to considersponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria andhave a current visa expiring within 3 months)
Job responsibilities
The post holder will:
work closely with the Cancer Services Lead Technician toensure the maintenance of a sterile environment within the aseptic unitensuring the guidelines for Good Manufacturing Practice are followed at alltimes
work alongside the Cancer Services Lead Technician andAccountable Pharmacist in planning and prioritising workload to ensure a timelyand efficient medicines management service is provided
deputise in the absence of the Cancer Services LeadTechnician
receive, prepare and aseptically dispense prescriptionitems utilising the Chemocare system
accurately perform calculations to determine volumes ofdrugs and correct doses of chemotherapy to initial check work trays
participate in the QC monitoring of the aseptic departmentand to ensure a clean working environment is maintained by utilising brothtests, environmental and contact agar plates
complete validation processes according to SOPs
ensure appropriate safe and secure handling of medicines
assist the Cancer Services Lead Technician to ensurecontinued achievement of audit criteria determined by the Department of Healthin EL(97)52 Aseptic Dispensing in NHS Hospitals
participate in the preparation of documentation and ensurethat all records of all products prepared are completed and correctly filed.
be registered to release intrathecal chemotherapy inaccordance to the national guidelines
provide information to other healthcare professionalswithin the limits of knowledge
ensure expiry dates within the pharmacy department arechecked on a regular basis and book out expired stock from Ascribe andhighlight items that are close to their expiry date
dispose of pharmaceutical waste according to local andnational waste guidelines
take responsibility for the receipt, issue,dispensing, and safe storage of medicines according to SOPs and legalrequirements. This may include the dispensing of clinical trials, oralcytotoxic regimes and controlled drugs.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* 4 GCSEs level 4 / grade C/4 (or equivalent) in Maths, English and science Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Pharmacy Service Skills (or equivalent qualifications recognized by the GPhC).
* Level 3 Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science (QCF) (or equivalent qualifications recognized by the GPhC).
* The post holder must meet at least one of the following requirements and will be expected to have commenced another within 12 to 18 months of employment
* - Pre and IN Process Checking within Aseptic Services(PIPC).
* Supervisory/management qualifications or training
* Northern Sector Course for the Final Accuracy Checking of Dispensed Items by Pharmacy Technicians (PETO) or Nationally recognised award Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice, quality assurance and quality control as applied to the hospital aseptic services
* Aseptic Preparation and Dispensing of Medicines (APDM)
* Supervisory Skills for Technical Services
Special Requirements
* Team player
* Able to demonstrate own initiative, Motivated and enthusiastic Able to work under pressure
* Good communication and organisational skills and good time management
Experience
* Experience as a qualified pharmacy technician in a hospital environment Experience in the preparation of cytotoxic drugs and Good Manufacturing Practice.
* Practical experience of quality assurance, quality control, the use of isolators and audit requirements
* Experience of Project or developmental work
* Experience of problem solving Experience of Policy and or Procedure writing
* Experience of supervision of others
Special Skills & Knowledge
* Meets GPhC requirements for CPD
* Record of personal development
* IT Literate
* Good knowledge of MS excel, word and Pharmacy dispensing software Excellent customer care skills
* Evidence of self-development Evidence of change management Evidence of training, mentoring and coaching staff
* Understanding of audit processes Awareness of EMIS/ Chemocare systems.
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.
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
£29,970 to £36,483 a yearper annum, pro rata
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