Job Summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated production technician to work in the pharmacy production unit at Sunderland Royal Hospital. The role entails working in a cleanroom environment to undertake all workflow steps required to produce aseptic products, from generation of patient‑specific documents, dispensing of the necessary starting materials, and use of negative pressure isolators to undertake aseptic dispensing of chemotherapy doses. Previous experience in an aseptic unit is essential.
Key Responsibilities
* Prepare aseptic, cytotoxic and extemporaneous products not commercially available.
* Work in accordance with professional standards, good manufacturing practices and legislation to ensure all health and safety, COSSH and departmental standards are met.
* Maintain adequate stock levels of pharmaceuticals, ensuring all transactions are correctly entered to minimise stock discrepancies and out‑of‑stock situations.
* Identify prescribing practices that do not comply with Trust policy or practice and ensure appropriate action is taken.
* Carry out quality assurance, drawing attention to items that appear defective.
* Advise staff and patients on routine pharmaceutical matters and refer to a pharmacist when necessary.
* Perform documentation, record keeping and other relevant administration procedures.
* Assist in organising work to promote efficient utilisation of time (e.g., prioritisation of workload).
* Ensure cleaning and maintenance of the environment and equipment used for dispensing and aseptic preparation.
* Promote proper storage of pharmaceuticals, rotate stock and perform expiry date checks to minimise financial loss.
* Provide cover to all areas/sites as required.
* Identify and pursue personal training and development needs to improve performance and stay current with new developments.
Qualifications and Experience
* NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services and a registered Pharmacy Technician, OR NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services with a Science Manufacturing Technician qualification and Level 3 Diploma in Principles of Aseptic Pharmaceutical Processing.
* Registered with the Science Council (for Science Manufacturing Technician).
* Experience in aseptic and chemotherapy production.
* Ability to dispense aseptic products accurately following GMP and SOPs.
* Good knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice, good IT skills and manual dexterity to perform detailed technical tasks.
* Basic numeracy, literacy and IT skills (Level 1 or equivalent).
* For Band 4, possession of Level 3 NVQ Pharmacy with BTEC or equivalent, or Level 2 Qualification in Pharmacy Services, and the Science Manufacturing Technician qualification with a Level 3 Diploma in Principles of Aseptic Pharmaceutical Processing. Registration with GPhC or RSciTech is required; if not yet held, the postholder will be on Band 3 until these qualifications are achieved.
Essential Physical and Personal Qualities
* Manual dexterity to perform detailed technical tasks accurately while handling potentially hazardous solutions.
* Ability to concentrate for prolonged periods and work in an isolator for prolonged periods.
* Adaptable, able to work on own initiative, and capable of working under pressure.
* Enthusiastic and well motivated.
Benefits
* Competitive salary: £28,392 to £31,157 a year.
* Permanent, full‑time contract.
* Band 3 initially with potential for rise to Band 4 upon qualification.
* Access to health and wellbeing services, fitness centre, libraries, chaplaincy support and Care Coordinator for childcare arrangements.
* Flexible working supported via the Flexible Working Policy.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We welcome all applications irrespective of race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, gender identity, marriage, civil partnership or pregnancy/maternity, and in particular those from under‑represented groups.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service will be required to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Contact
Dominic Anderson – d.anderson13@nhs.net
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