Job Overview
The importance of clinical research in the NHS is embedded in NUH Trust Objectives and long‑term strategy. The Trust Research and Innovation department recognises the vital role pharmacy plays in the management of good quality clinical research. As a registered pharmacy technician you will be part of the dedicated pharmacy clinical trials team delivering a high‑quality and responsive service to patients, clinical staff and sponsors who use our services at NUH. Currently there are about 200 studies of Investigational Medicinal Products (IMPs) that are either recruiting patients or ready to begin recruitment. You will support the lead technicians in the delivery of clinical trials services for all studies open to recruitment, which includes dispensing of IMPs, accurate completion of accountability documentation, maintenance of pharmacy files and all aspects of IMP management.
Please refer to the job description and person specification attached to the advert for the full details of the vacancy.
Main Duties of the Job
To carry out pharmaceutical technical duties in the provision of pharmacy services in trials of Investigational Medicinal Products, ensuring compliance with standards of clinical trial management as outlined in NUH Trust Clinical Trials Policy, Guidelines for the Safe and Secure Handling of Medicines, relevant EU and UK legislation and the Research Governance Framework for Health and Social Care 2005. You must be an enthusiastic and adaptable team player with good written and verbal communication skills and a sharp eye for detail. Liaison will include other members of the pharmacy clinical trials team, Trust and University of Nottingham research staff, and representatives from pharmaceutical companies sponsoring research within the Trust. The post holder will be expected to rotate between campuses as required.
Working for Our Organisation
With over 19,000 staff we are one of the biggest employers in the city, playing a leading role in research, education and innovation. Join our wonderful team at NUH. We are big believers in diversity and welcome new ideas to help develop our staff and deliver world‑class healthcare to the vast patient populations we serve. With endless personal development opportunities, at NUH we will endeavour to turn your job into a career! We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, or Disabled, as we are striving to be better represented at NUH.
Detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities
* Successfully complete and maintain a dispensing validation; accurately label, assemble prescribed items, dispense and perform in‑process self‑checking of all medicines (including cytotoxic drugs) safely and timely by following clinical‑trial specific procedures.
* Complete the accuracy‑checking validation for all investigational medicinal products in a timely manner for patients recruited into clinical trials.
* Assist with coordination of the dispensary and prioritize workload to ensure effective, responsive service, identifying delays and working to minimise them.
* Support development of clinical and technical services provided by the pharmacy clinical trials team.
* Provide technical support for interpretation, dispensing and checking of clinical trials (after completion of training and validation in accuracy checking).
* Support planning and efficient processing of clinical trial prescriptions, prioritizing according to urgency.
* Assist in the appropriate, accurate and legible completion of Investigational Medicinal Products (IMPs) and Non‑Investigational Medicinal Products (NIMPs) accountability documentation.
* Assist in stock control and related issues for all medicines, including IMPs, NIMPs and medicines under expanded access programmes; order, receipt, monitor stock levels and expiry dates and ensure appropriate storage conditions; under departmental Chief Technician direction ensure adequate stock is available.
* Order and receive stock via the Pharmacy computer system.
* Receive shipments of IMP via the IWRS sponsor system.
* Receive and replenish stock orders from Pharmacy Stores.
* Identify, investigate and reconcile any stock discrepancies in a timely manner.
* Ensure stock is rotated and used according to its expiry.
* Maintain stock to minimise expenditure, stock‑holding and wastage.
* Participate in all stock‑taking activities, ensuring procedures are followed to maintain accurate stock balances.
* Successfully complete and maintain a shipment receipt validation of clinical trial materials from external suppliers, according to procedures.
* Successfully maintain destructions of IMP validations of clinical trial materials.
* Assist in upkeep of dedicated clinical trials storage areas, including daily temperature control and monitoring.
* Manage telephone and face‑to‑face enquiries from a wide range of staff groups and service users, resolving where possible and referring queries to relevant members of the trials team.
* Support preparation of proposed charges for pharmacy clinical trial services incurred in named protocols and collate information required for invoice submission for goods or services.
* Support lead pharmacy technicians in assisting with the sponsor representative during pharmacy monitoring visits.
* Assist with training and act as a role model to other members of technical and support staff providing the clinical trials service.
* Attend team meetings and other events within the organisation, and take comprehensive and accurate minutes.
* Support and participate in preparation for and during clinical trial audit by sponsors and MHRA inspections.
* Assist with close‑out preparations of studies that have finished with any pharmacy activities.
* Deputise for Lead Technicians – Clinical Trials by acting as the lead in operational management of the trials dispensary where appropriate and when required; coordinate work in the trials dispensary and liaise closely with the aseptic unit and trials technician within the unit to ensure timely delivery of trial IMPs for aseptic preparation.
* Support Lead Technicians and Trials Pharmacists in maintaining ongoing trials; duties include arranging sponsor visits, overseeing sponsor representatives during visits and acting on sponsor requests in liaison with Lead Technicians.
* Maintain regular personal practice skills in dispensing, counseling patients on their medication, accuracy checking and the pharmacy computer system in dispensary satellites; this includes dispensing and safe handling of controlled drugs and cytotoxic medicines.
* Undertake 2 yearly NIHR GCP training and complete NUH mandatory training.
* Work over 7 days, as per local shift and bank holiday duties: participate in departmental weekend, bank holiday and late duty working as required; uphold flexible shifts to facilitate NUH pharmacy opening times.
* Adapt to move from one work area to another at short notice in response to demands on the service.
* Participate as an appraisee in the departmental Personal Development Review (PDR) and work to achieve agreed objectives.
Person Specification
Training and Qualifications
* Essential criteria:
o Registered Pharmacy Technician with GPhC, or will qualify and register with GPhC within the next 6 months.
* Desirable criteria:
o Accredited accuracy checker (to successfully complete validation within 6 months of appointment).
Experience
* Essential criteria:
o Previous pharmacy experience: receiving and dispensing prescriptions; pharmacy electronic systems for labelling and stock management; stock management; ability to work in a productive team; ability to work safely as an individual.
o Awareness of pharmacy clinical trials services.
* Desirable criteria:
o Experience in clinical trials services.
o Evidence of understanding of extended technician roles.
Communication and Relationships Skills
* Essential criteria:
o Ability to communicate clearly verbally and electronically within a multidisciplinary team.
o Demonstrate approachability and relay information in a manner others understand.
o Respond positively to both positive and negative feedback and reflect on practice to make necessary changes.
o Act as a positive role model to junior staff.
* Desirable criteria:
o Evidence of an ability to train colleagues and junior staff.
Analytical and Judgment Skills
* Essential criteria:
o Accurate with good attention to detail.
o Able to follow instructions and standard operating procedures.
o Able to work accurately and sustain concentration over short to long periods.
o Able to work accurately and consistently while repeatedly dealing with interruptions.
o Able to identify delays in workflow and actively work towards minimising them.
o Able to identify and work within limits of own knowledge and responsibilities.
o Able to accurately record simple and complex data across a variety of computer programs.
Planning and Organisation Skills
* Essential criteria:
o Able to work on own initiative and manage own time to meet deadlines.
o Able to prioritize tasks in accordance with department and patient needs.
o Demonstrate ability to multitask.
o Methodical and well organised.
* Desirable criteria:
o Demonstrate taking a key role in the organisation of a team or function (e.g. previous pharmacy role, voluntary work).
Seniority Level
Entry level
Employment Type
Full‑time
Job Function
Health Care Provider
Industries
Hospitals and Health Care
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