Job overview
An exciting and unique opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, dynamic and self-motivated professional to join our aseptic team at the Sutton site of the Royal Marsden.
You will be part of a team consisting of Pharmacists, Technicians and Assistants, who are always striving for excellence in all aspects of our work. We are working collaboratively as part of a Multi-Disciplinary Team to ensure we always deliver outstanding care to our patients.
It is an exciting time to join the Royal Marsden Hospital Aseptic Department. Our service is built around providing a high-quality service to our patients and staff of the Trust. The department works closely with the Institute of Cancer Research and the post-holder will be supporting the development of innovative new cancer medicines as these drugs enter early phase clinical trials. The Oak Cancer Centre (a new, state-of-the-art treatment and research facility) opened in June 2023 in Sutton which will speed up the translation of world-leading research into breakthroughs in treatment and care, transforming the lives of cancer patients at The Royal Marsden and beyond.
The hospital introduced the EPIC digital health record system in March 2023 and are looking to become a truly paperless department 2025.
Over the next year a brand-new state of the art aseptic suite will be opening at the Sutton site to facilitate the growth of the aseptic service.
Main duties of the job
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1. Become familiar with Standard Operating Procedures and COSHH forms for Technical Services.
2. Complete the in-house training programme and the in-house accreditation programme according to grade and responsibility.
3. Gain an in-depth knowledge and skill in the handling and compounding of cytotoxic medicines, biological medicines and other medicines.
4. Assemble, spray and wipe, prepare/compound products, using aseptic technique in a grade A environment.
5. Dispense, label and assist in the distribution of compounded products to patients.
6. Support the Technical Services management team in the training of new operatives
7. Dispose of Technical Services waste appropriately according to SOP.
Cleaning of the aseptic unit environment and equipment as required (all staff).
8. Liaise with the clinical trial team on the manufacturing requirements of clinical trial products
Person specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential criteria
9. GCSE level (Grade A-C in English and Maths) or Numeracy and Literacy functional skills level 2 (or equivalent).
Desirable criteria
10. NVQ level 2 in Pharmacy Practice or equivalent experience
Experience
Essential criteria
11. For band 3; Experience of working in a hospital compounding unit or pharmaceutical industry (preferably in a clean room environment) or equivalent experience. A Band 2 position may be offered to applicants with no experience and robust objectives would be set to be achieved in order to progress to Band 3 level
Desirable criteria
12. Knowledge of the Principles of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).
13. Awareness of handling anti-cancer products
14. Experience in a Quality Assurance environment including monitoring and validation
15. Previous satisfactory performance in a busy team-orientated environment
Skills Abilities/knowledge
Essential criteria
16. Ability to communicate effectively in clear English with members of the public and with other health care professionals
17. Ability to work effectively as part of a team and with staff at all levels.
18. Time management / Organisational / Problem solving Skills; ability to priorities own workload and that of others and to manage own time effectively.
19. Computer skills: ability to use Microsoft Office applications eg Word, Excel, Outlook
Desirable criteria
20. Training Skills: ability to train/coach/teach tasks to other assistants
21. Experience with EPIC -computer system
The Royal Marsden values diversity and is committed to the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority groups. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates with disabilities.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we are working to create a workplace that enables all staff to reach their full potential. We are committed to this because we know that greater diversity and inclusion will lead to an even greater positive impact for the people we serve.
Due to the high volumes of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close any adverts before the published closing date once we have received a sufficient number of applications. We advise you to submit your application as early as possible to prevent disappointment.
Flu Vaccination – What We Expect of our Staff
At The Royal Marsden we have an immune compromised patient population who we must protect as much as we can against the flu virus. Each year, seasonal flu affects thousands of people in the UK. Occurring mainly in winter, it is an infectious respiratory disease capable of producing symptoms ranging from those similar to a common cold, through to very severe or even fatal disease.
The wellbeing of our staff and patients is of the upmost importance to us, and it is the expectation of The Royal Marsden that all patient-facing staff have an annual flu vaccination, provided free of charge by the Trust.
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