University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Band 6 Pharmacy Specialist - Quality Assurance Services
The closing date is 20 May 2026
Are you an experienced Quality Assurance Pharmacy Technician or Clinical Pharmaceutical Scientist ready to advance to a specialist leadership role? We’re seeking a dedicated Quality Assurance Specialist for Aseptic Services with leadership capabilities and quality assurance experience to join our team.
The Cancer Services Division at UHB delivers world class cancer care to patients from across the country, with specialised services in oncology and haematology. As part of our team, you’ll play a crucial role in ensuring the highest standards of pharmaceutical care.
In this specialist role, you’ll support the Deputy Quality Assurance Manager in managing the day-to-day provision of the quality assurance service within the aseptic units ensuring quality systems are in place and GMP standards are maintained.
Ideal candidates must demonstrate leadership and communication skills and comprehensive knowledge of GMP and Quality Assurance.
We encourage innovative working and actively promote learning and development, providing excellent training opportunities.
Join our team and help us build healthier lives through our values of being Kind, Connected, and Bold.
For information or to apply, contact Lucy Delaney, Deputy Quality Assurance Manager: lucy.delaney2@uhb.nhs.uk
Main duties of the job
* Manage the day-to-day provision of the Specialist Technical Pharmacy Quality Assurance (QA) service within the Aseptic Unit.
* Develop and maintain systems related to the Pharmaceutical Quality System to ensure compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practice.
* Ensure day-to-day cost-effective use of resources and encourage cost awareness in other Technical Services team members.
* Advise the Deputy QA Manager of resource required for on-going quality issues related to the QA service.
* Plan and organise the schedule of QA tasks with all trust pharmacy sites providing aseptic services. Where appropriate participate in performing QA monitoring and validation tasks to include process, operator and equipment validation. Interpret and communicate the resulting data to all relevant pharmacy / logistics staff, verbally and in the form of written reports and presentations.
* Monitor and prioritise workload and allocate work to technical staff to ensure the efficient use of staff and other resources.
* Continually develop and maintain the QA documentation system.
* Promote best GMP practice and a patient focused service.
About us
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust strives to have an inclusive culture where everyone feels like they belong, can thrive, knows that they add value and feels valued. We do this by developing compassionate and culturally competent leaders, being values driven in all that we do and by creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace that thrives on the diversity of our people. As such we want to attract and recruit talented individuals from all backgrounds, and for each of you to feel supported for the diversity you bring, to achieve your full potential. For those staff with a disability, including physical disability, long term health condition, mental health or neurodiverse condition, this also means being committed to making reasonable adjustments needed for you to carry out your role.
Job responsibilities
Please Note: For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description
Qualifications
* Education Qualifications
* GCSEs – Mathematics and English (Grade B/5) and four other subjects including Science (Grade C/4)
* OR
* GCSEs: Mathematics, English and Science (Grade C/4 or equivalent) and two other GCSEs (Grade C/4) and successful achievement of the pharmacy service skills Level 3 NVQ qualification (or equivalent)
* OR
* Three A levels, one of which is a relevant science subject and Mathematics B/5 (GCSE or equivalent)
* OR
* Degree in science or humanities and Mathematics B/5 (GCSE or equivalent)
* OR
* MPharm, MRPS, or science degree with advanced qualification
* OR
* Specialist higher Diploma (Masters) in technical services (e.g. National course in Pharmaceutical Technology & Quality Assurance, or Scientific Training Programme) or working towards.
* Professional Qualification
* Level 3 Diploma in Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians
* OR
* BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science and Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Pharmacy Service Skills
* OR
* Equivalent as defined by the General Pharmaceutical Council
* OR
* Professional Registration with the GPhC
* or
* Clinical Pharmaceutical Scientist training (complete)
* OR
* Eligible for registration with an appropriate professional body e.g. RSC or RSB or HCPC.
* Evidence of Continued Professional Development.
* Education Qualifications
* Leadership and Management qualification or equivalent knowledge and experience.
* Professional Qualifications
* Dispensing Accuracy Accreditation. West Midland's scheme or equivalent.
* Leeds University course in Aseptic Preparation and Dispensing of Medicines /Aston University course in Technical Pharmacy Training in Aseptic Processes / or willing to complete.
* Leeds University Aseptic Services for Manager course or willing to complete.
* South West Technical Services PIPC course - Pre and In process checking or willing to complete or Accredited Checker Technician.
Experience
* Experience
* Currently practicing as a registered pharmacy technician with at least three year's post-qualification experience or eligibility for registration with RSB or RSC and currently practicing within their code of ethics.
* Significant experience within a hospital pharmacy setting.
* Experience of the specialist function for area of responsibility.
* Experience in delivering training and supervision of others.
* Working under pressure, prioritising work as appropriate to achieve deadlines.
* Experience of planning workload according to departmental priorities.
* Knowledge
* Specialist knowledge of clean room practice and technology and its practice application in aseptic preparation.
* Knowledge of Good Distribution Practice (GDP), MHRA licensing requirements, COSHH.
* Demonstrates responsibility for complying with agreed personal development programme to meet set knowledge and competencies.
* Understanding of clinical governance and its implications for service including quality and audits.
* Experience of developing work processes and associated procedures.
* Experience of undertaking appraisals.
* Experience in staff management.
* Experience of chairing meetings.
* Knowledge
* Knowledge of HR policies and procedures.
* Full knowledge of the pharmacy supply process from procurement to receipt of drugs at ward level.
* Knowledge of ward staffing and management structure.
* Knowledge of drug costs.
Additional Criteria
* Able to or understand and work within Trust policies of data protection, equal opportunities, health and safety and meet differing needs of patients.
* Reliable and conscientious approach to work Good communication skills – written, verbal and electronic.
* Ability to work on own or within a team, able to act as team leader, motivating others.
* Able to co-ordinate work flows.
* Able to determine and manage staff working patterns.
* Ability to check the work of others.
* Good organisational skills.
* Ability to accept responsibility for specific work areas.
* Demonstrate problem solving skills Demonstrates ability to develop, implement and follow SOPs.
* Demonstrates ability to be flexible.
* Participate in the personal development and review systems of staff.
* Make judgements in involving a range of facts or situations.
* Accountable for own actions and those of others.
* Good patient counselling skills.
* Identify and fulfil training needs.
* Assist in the recruiting and selection process.
* Project leadership skills- ability to negotiate and implement.
* Personal Attributes
* Good interpersonal skills.
* Reliable.
* Punctual.
* Self-motivated.
* Able to manage difficult and stressful situations.
* Able to recognise limitations of self and job role.
* Other Factors
* Ability to travel to other Trust sites.
* Flexible to work in accordance with service needs.
* Committed to abide by the Trust vision and values.
* Able to manage sickness absence in accordance with Attendance Management Policy.
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.
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
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