Advanced Specialist Aseptic Services Pharmacist

The Christie International; Manchester; On-site; GBP 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an Advanced Specialist Aseptic Services Pharmacist (Band 8a) in Manchester. The post leads aseptic preparation, supports service development and acts as Accountable Pharmacist when needed, across two cleanrooms and a gene therapy facility.

You will contribute to clinical care and research, work with multidisciplinary teams, and benefit from ongoing staff development and postgraduate opportunities within a dynamic pathology and pharmacy service.

Qualifications

• Significant post-qualification hospital pharmacy experience in aseptic services.
• Experience of clinical trials and handling unlicensed medicines.
• Experience in staff supervision, training and performance management.

Responsibilities

• Lead aseptic preparation under Section 10 exemptions, including clinical trial products.
• Support strategic development of aseptic services through evaluation and horizon scanning.
• Act as Accountable Pharmacist when required for medicine preparation and release.
• Contribute to planning, design and upgrades of aseptic facilities.
• Provide line management and ensure staff competency and training.
• Maintain Quality Management System and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Facilitate research, clinical trials and collaborative projects.

Skills

Aseptic handling

Analytical skills

Communication

Leadership

IT proficiency

Education

Master’s degree in pharmacy

GPhC registration as Pharmacist

Job description

Advanced Specialist Aseptic Services Pharmacist

Band 8a

Main area Advanced Specialist Aseptic Services Pharmacist Grade Band 8a Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 413-108071-CSSS-DA-B

Site Pharmacy Aseptics - E00921 Town Manchester Salary £57,528 - £64,750 Pro rata Per Annum Salary period Yearly Closing 14/10/2026 23:59

Job overview

This is an exciting and innovative time to join Aseptic Services at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. We offer an excellent opportunity for an experienced pharmacist with a keen interest in aseptic services to join our dynamic team. You will work within a high-performing aseptic unit during a key phase of service development, supporting a diverse portfolio including Phase I clinical trials, gene therapies, Early Access Medicines and compassionate use programmes. The unit operates across two cleanrooms, including a dedicated gene therapy facility, with five negative pressure isolators. Working closely with multidisciplinary teams, you will help ensure patients have timely access to the latest oncology and haematology treatments. You will contribute to both clinical care and research, becoming an integral part of our aseptic and wider pharmacy services. The department is actively involved in collaborative projects and maintains strong links with the University of Manchester. We are committed to staff development and encourage postgraduate study, research and secondment opportunities.

Main duties of the job

• Lead and contribute to all aspects of aseptic preparation under the Section 10 exemption of the Medicines Act 1968, including clinical trial products, ensuring safe, effective and compliant practice.
• Support the strategic development of aseptic services through service evaluation, data analysis, horizon scanning and implementation of local and national initiatives.
• Act as the Accountable Pharmacist when required, taking responsibility for the preparation and release of medicines in line with Section 10 of the Medicines Act 1968.
• Contribute to the planning, design, commissioning and operation of new aseptic facilities and upgrades to existing services.
• Provide line management to designated staff, promoting a positive, high-performing team environment.
• Ensure all aseptic staff are appropriately trained and competency assessed in line with local, regional and national standards.
• Maintain safe, efficient and responsive services, prioritising workload during capacity constraints and liaising effectively with clinical and operational teams.
• Support the ongoing development and maintenance of the Quality Management System, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Facilitate research and innovation within Aseptic Services, including support for clinical trials and collaborative projects.

Working for our organisation

We are an ever-expanding multi-disciplinary team of Assistants, Practitioners, Technicians, and Pharmacists who strive to produce exceptionally high-quality injectable medicines to each patient that uses our service. The Aseptic team is a diverse and dynamic team who work in a specialised cleanroom environment where teamwork is the key to efficiency and managing the patient experience. Each day is both challenging and rewarding in equal measures, with cancer treatments constantly evolving and new types of drugs being trialled each year. We are at the forefront of developments in terms of drug innovation and team development. We were one of the first hospitals to introduce the progression roles for technical assistants and Science Manufacturing Technicians to our ever-expanding portfolio of training and staff qualifications here at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. The Pharmacy department has a developed career pathway for aseptic staff wishing to progress as far as achievable. Helping support all qualifications and in‑house training that allow for this progression should you wish to further your career within the pharmacy aseptic team. So, if you want to work as part of an ever-progressing team and you enjoy a challenge then we could be the team for you.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Management

• Plans, implements and evaluates aseptic services, including staffing, resources and workflows, to ensure safe, efficient and responsive service delivery.
• Identifies, evaluates and implements new services and service improvements to meet patient need and align with strategic objectives.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with pharmacy, medical and nursing staff to support coordinated patient care.
• Prepares, reviews and maintains Standard Operating Procedures to ensure compliance with national, regional and Trust standards.
• Coordinates the use of unlicensed medicines to ensure safe, compliant and cost-effective supply.
• Oversees equipment validation and maintenance to ensure safe and reliable operation of aseptic facilities.
• Manages environmental monitoring processes and liaises with external quality providers to ensure compliance and timely resolution of deviations.
• Investigates and resolves complaints, defects and recalls to maintain quality and patient safety.
• Manages staff performance, attendance and development in line with Trust policies to maintain a skilled and effective workforce.
• Analyses data and produces reports to inform decision‑making, service improvement and governance requirements.

Leadership

• Demonstrates professional leadership and promotes a positive team culture to support high-quality service delivery.
• Provides specialist advice on aseptic services to support clinical and operational decision‑making.
• Represents the department at internal and external meetings to share expertise and communicate key outcomes.

Service Development

• Evaluates new products, equipment and processes to support innovation and service advancement.
• Develops business cases and capacity plans to support sustainable service growth.
• Contributes to facility design, commissioning and upgrades to ensure services meet current and future demands.

Aseptic Services

• Prepares, checks and releases aseptic products in accordance with Section 10 and GMP principles to ensure products are safe and fit for use.
• Supervises aseptic operations and coordinates daily workload to meet clinical priorities and capacity plans.
• Maintains accurate documentation and ensures adherence to cleanroom and hygiene standards to meet regulatory requirements.
• Performs and verifies complex dose calculations to ensure accuracy and patient safety.
• Manages stock, procurement and resource use to ensure efficiency and value for money.

Clinical Governance and Quality

• Maintains and develops the Quality Management System to ensure compliance with regulatory and professional standards.
• Monitors incidents, deviations and errors and implements corrective actions to support continuous improvement.
• Conducts audits and supports validation activities to ensure ongoing service assurance.
• Applies change control processes to ensure safe implementation of new or revised practices.

Education and Training

• Develops and delivers training programmes to ensure staff competence and compliance with standards.
• Maintains and develops specialist knowledge to support safe and effective practice.
• Supports professional development and training of pharmacists, technicians and support staff to sustain workforce capability.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in pharmacy
• Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (Pharmacist)
• Evidence of up to date CPD
• Pharmaceutical Technology and Quality Assurance

Experience

• Significant post qualification experience in hospital pharmacy with specialist knowledge of working in aseptic services
• Experience of aseptic preparation in an unlicensed unit
• Experience of clinical trials and unlicensed medicines handling
• Experience of staff supervision, training and performance management
• Experience of writing and developing SOPs
• Experience of quality systems, including audit, deviations and CAPA
• Experience of service evaluation and implementation of improvements
• Experience working with clinical trials within an aseptic environment
• Experience of cleanroom commissioning, validation or refurbishment
• Experience dealing with external agencies

Skills

• Ability to plan, deliver and evaluate complex aseptic services
• Strong analytical skills, including data interpretation and report writing
• Excellent communication skills, including conveying complex or sensitive information
• Effective leadership and team management skills
• Ability to prioritise workload and manage competing service demands
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to liaise with senior Trust managers
• Ability to deal with difficult situations and staff
• Can remain composed and effective in demanding situations
• Advanced IT skills, including aseptic or prescribing systems

Knowledge

• Advanced knowledge of aseptic preparation, cleanroom standards and contamination control
• Knowledge of Human Medicines Regulations 2012 and Medicines Act 1968
• Understanding of GMP, quality assurance and risk management principles
• Knowledge of clinical trials governance and regulatory requirements
• Knowledge of HR policies and procedures, including appraisals
• Knowledge of facility design and validation standards
• Understanding of emerging therapies, including gene therapies
• Knowledge of budget setting and management

Values

• Demonstrates commitment to patient safety and high-quality care
• Shows professionalism, accountability and integrity in practice
• Works collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and external partners

Other

• Involvement in Saturday, Bank Holiday and On Call working.

The closing date for this post may be extended if there are insufficient applicants or brought forward if there is a high volume of applicants.

Sponsorship Information -We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications.Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship.You can review the list of eligible role and requirements on the government website.

Pre-Employment Checks -To confirm your suitability for the role, we will carry out pre-employment checks in line with NHS Employment Check Standards . These include:

• Identity verification
• Right to work check
• Disclosure and barring service (DBS)/Criminal record check (dependent on role, payment of this will be