Aseptic Practitioner

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare institution in Manchester is seeking an experienced individual for the role of aseptic production supervisor. The successful candidate will oversee cleanroom operations, support the administration of injectable medicines, and ensure compliance with stringent quality and safety standards. Excellent leadership and attention to detail are essential for managing a high-performing team in this vital healthcare service. Candidates should possess relevant qualifications and demonstrate a strong commitment to aseptic practices.

Qualifications

• Experience in aseptic production and handling of injectable medicines.
• Ability to manage cleanroom protocols and workflows.
• Understanding of COSHH regulations and GMP.

Responsibilities

• Supervise cleanroom staff and ensure compliance with procedures.
• Manage the aseptic preparation of injectable medicines.
• Conduct environmental monitoring and stock management.

Skills

Aseptic techniques

Good manufacturing practices

Team management

Attention to detail

Education

Pharmacy degree or equivalent

Job description

The successful candidate will participate in and supervise the aseptic production of Clinical trial, SACT, EAMS, FOC and Gene therapy injectable medicines and will be responsible for the daily supervision of aseptic staff during production. In addition, they will be involved in the procurement and stock control of all drugs and consumables used for aseptic preparation. If you have an interest in the safe manufacture of injectable medicines and a desire to develop supervisory skills to help manage a team, then this could be the role for you! The Aseptic Services Unit at the Christie NHS Trust is a world leader in the production of phase one clinical trial material, we prepare an extensive portfolio of over 100 different trials alongside EAMS, FOC and compassionate use schemes. The ideal candidate should possess a high level of concentration, the ability to manipulate syringes and needles to withdraw liquid media and to be able to accurately read volumes on syringes. The ability to stretch and twist is required for cleaning the facilities and the isolators. All work is carried out in a clean room environment under the supervision of the Accountable Pharmacist and a highly trained technical team.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Supervision of cleanroom staff and workflow

• Plan, organise and prioritise work activities within clean rooms
• Ensure all processes and procedures are followed by staff operating in the ASU
• Responsible for the safe use of equipment within clean rooms, ensuring clean room staff use equipment in accordance with instructions and SOPs
• Ensures that all required functional tests, inspections and verifications are carried out on clean room equipment before and after work sessions.
• Reports equipment faults and deviations and ensures that deviations are authorised and records are diligently completed.

Delivering products and service as part of the Aseptic team

• Experience and knowledge in good manufacturing and processing procedures
• To be part of the dispensing service for systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) requiring aseptic preparation including cytotoxic drugs, gene therapy and monoclonal antibodies from point of prescription receipt.
• To be aware and follow all departmental operating procedures and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidance at all times.
• To aseptically dispense products within the aseptic facilities including accurately measuring volumes and following aseptic no‑touch techniques.
• To be responsible for the transfer disinfection into the aseptic units of all items required for aseptic processing, following departmental processes.
• To be fully aware of the COSHH regulations particularly with regard to the safe storage and handling of pharmaceutical products, to be aware of the Aseptic Spillage procedure and what to do in the event of spillage of a drug product.
• Carry out environmental monitoring with swabs, contact and settle agar plates. To be responsible for sending environmental monitoring samples to Quality Control in a timely manner.
• Provide support to the aseptic administration systems.
• To participate in aseptic unit cleaning rota, including cleaning of the aseptic units before and after core hours, if required. To undertake regular cleaning duties carried out during the working day.
• To set up and assemble work trays according to departmental SOPs in a timely and efficient manner.
• To co‑ordinate daily workload, managing breaks and highlighting issues of productivity slowing down to a senior technician.
• To ensure adequate knowledge and understanding of clinical trials products prepared in aseptics relevant to the job role including accountability, stock control and storage requirements. To follow Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidance and undertake where relevant data collection for aseptic clinical trial products.
• To communicate effectively with healthcare professionals both within and outside the Trust. To ensure good team working with other pharmacy staff, ward staff and other service providers as necessary.
• To carry out stock management including receipt, correct storage, stock count, expiry check and weekly ordering of all aseptic items including drugs, diluents and consumables.
• To carry out stock ordering through multiple supply channels and monitor stock levels.
• To be able to participate in the on‑call rotation for making 'out‑of‑hours' aseptic SACT if the service demands.
• To train junior members of staff in core areas as deemed appropriate by the Aseptic Team Lead.
• To contribute to bank holiday working where required.
• Be available and flexible to potential move to seven day working.

Support and maintain the Quality Assurance system

• To be aware of and participate, where required, in departmental audits.
• To assist in the updating and reviewing of SOPs and the building of drugs in the pharmacy computer system.
• To assist with annual and ad‑hoc validations.
• Support and assist the Aseptic team Lead

Other

• To perform any other duties as requested by the line manager, Aseptic Services Manager or Director of Pharmacy.

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. Application Information – If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, I regret that on this occasion your application will have been unsuccessful.

Pre‑Employment Checks

• Identity verification
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) / Criminal record check (dependent on role, payment of this will be the applicant's responsibility)
• Professional registration and/or qualification check
• Occupational health assessment
• Employment history and reference validation

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.

No Smoking Policy – You should be aware the Trust operates a No Smoking Policy and therefore employees are not permitted to smoke at work.

Additional Information – We want to ensure that everyone who works at the Christie or uses our services is welcomed, valued and treated with dignity and respect. The Christie values diversity and is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all and fair representation across the organisation at all levels. In support of these commitments, we particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority people and people with disabilities for this post. Appointment will be only on merit. We are committed to creating a balanced and diverse workforce. As such we welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. Together we will foster inclusion and tackle inequity and health inequalities in cancer care. As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust is committed to the highest standards of ethical conduct and integrity in all our activities. We have a zero‑tolerance approach to modern slavery in any of its forms, including slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour, and human trafficking. We are fully committed to acting ethically and with transparency in all our business dealings and relationships, and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure modern slavery is not taking place anywhere in our organisation or supply chains.