Job overview
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
Tunbridge Wells Hospital
Aseptic Services
Pharmacy Department
Band 6 Chief Aseptic Manufacturing Technician
The Kent Oncology Centre provides comprehensive cancer services for the 1.8million population of Kent Medway and East Sussex.
The Kent Oncology Centre Provides a full range of chemotherapy and supportive treatment at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Hospitals
The Oncology Pharmacy Team benefits from a high profile within the Kent Oncology Centre and the Kent & Medway Cancer Collaborative. We are always striving to improve in order to meet the demands and challenges of an evolving service. The Aseptic Department is situated at the Tunbridge Wells Hospital @ Pembury and supplies IV SACT treatments to our designated Chemotherapy wards and Clinics across the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust Hospitals
An exciting and rare opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, dynamic and self-motivated professional technician who is ready to take the next step in their career within Aseptic Services.
You will be part of a team consisting of like-minded pharmacists, technicians and assistants, who are always striving for excellence in all aspects of service.
Main duties of the job
The job description outlines the role of the Chief Aseptic Manufacturing Technician.
1. ·The role requires extensive technical knowledge in aseptic preparation of injectable cytotoxic and immunotherapy agents, adherence to regulatory standards and a commitment to ensuring the safety and efficacy of aseptic products.
2. ·You will supervise and direct the day to day running of the Aseptic Services.
3. ·Support the Aseptic Services Manager to ensure a comprehensive service complying with relevant legislation, good practices and following standard operating procedures.
4. ·You will work closely with the Clinical Trials team to ensure all IV IMP’s are manufactured following trial sponsors guidelines and GCP regulations.
5. ·You will work collaboratively with the QA team to support the ongoing Quality Management system for the unit.
6. We are investing in the SMT and SMPO courses for our staff and therefore part of the Chief Aseptic Manufacturing Technician role is supporting the mentoring and training of the members of staff as they start their journey within Aseptics.
Working for our organisation
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey.
We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.
Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.
Looking for flexible working?
We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it’s adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.
to hear what our staff say.
Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:
7. At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
8. Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
9. Blue Light card eligibility
10. And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We’ve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.
Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children). If a role involves regulated activity and requires a DBS check with a barred list check, you cannot apply if you are on the barred list.
All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
11. •BTec in Pharmaceutical Science and/or NVQ Pharmacy Services Level 3 or Scientific Manufacturing Technician Level 3
12. •Registered Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council or equivalent body.
13. •Pre and in process checking within aseptic services accreditation
14. •Attendance at relevant study days/courses related to sterile production e.g. Leeds Aseptic Course
Desirable criteria
15. •Completed the externally recognised product approval training program and carryout regular product approval within the aseptic unit.
16. •Attendance at relevant study days/courses related to Aseptic / Oncology services
17. •GCP certificate
Experience/Knowledge
Essential criteria
18. •A minimum of five years hospital pharmacy experience post qualification working in an aseptic unit full time Or A minimum of five years’ experience working in a commercial aseptic unit rotation full time
19. •Experience in directing and supervising staff
20. •Experience with Internal and External MHRA audits relating to Aseptic and / or regional audits under Section10 Medicine Act
21. •Knowledge of the environmental standards required in an Aseptic Unit
22. •Knowledge of the guidance relating to the safe handling of cytotoxic drugs
Desirable criteria
23. •Experience in training staff
24. •Experience of working in a multidisciplinary environment
25. •Knowledge of chemotherapy regimes
26. •Understanding of Clinical Governance and Risk Management and their influence on current practice
Skills
Essential criteria
27. •Skilled in effective and efficient manual techniques relating to aseptic transfer
28. •Ability to plan, prioritise and organise workload.
29. •Effective customer service skills – able to work to meet the needs of customers of the department.
30. •Good time management skills
Desirable criteria
31. •Good word processing and IT skills