Chief Technician Aseptic Services/Education and Training

University College London Hospitals; Greater London; On-site; GBP 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) invites applications for a Chief Technician for Aseptic Services, Education and Training. You will lead technical operations across PN/CIVAS, Cytos and ATMPS, driving quality, GMP compliance and staff development in a large, innovative pharmacy production service.

As a senior leader, you will deputise for the Operational Manager in their absence, shape the education strategy for apprentices and trainees, and ensure robust QA systems

Qualifications

• Post-registration hospital pharmacy practice experience.
• Aseptic manufacture experience (Chemotherapy, CIVAS, PN).
• Experience in managing/leading an aseptic service.
• Experience with MHRA/audits and quality systems.
• Experience designing or commissioning production facilities.

Responsibilities

• Depute for the Operational Manager Aseptic Services when absent.
• Provide technical leadership for PN/CIVAS, Cytos and ATMPS operations.
• Ensure aseptic products meet GMP and QA standards.
• Lead education and training for technicians and apprentices.
• Develop and maintain the Pharmaceutical Quality System.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Staff development

Education & training

Communication skills

Aseptic manufacturing

GMP/QA knowledge

Team leadership

Education

NVQ Pharmacy Services Level 3

BTEC Pharmaceutical Science or SMT

GPhC registration or SMT registration

PTQA MSc or equivalent

Tools

Laminar flow cabinet

Isolator handling

Job description

Chief Technician Aseptic Services/Education and Training

NHS AfC: Band 7

Main area Pharmacy Grade NHS AfC: Band 7 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 309-UCLH-8381717

Site University College London Hospitals Town London Salary £58,133 - £65,261 Per annum inclusive of HCAS Salary period Yearly Closing 15/11/2026 23:59

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Are you an experienced Pharmacy Aseptics Technician with a passion for aseptic services, education and developing others? Join University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) as our Chief Technician for Aseptic Services, Education and Training and play a key leadership role for our CIVAS and Parenteral Nutrition (PN) service within one of the UK's largest and most innovative pharmacy production services.

This is an exciting opportunity to influence both service delivery and workforce development across a complex aseptic environment supporting specialist patient care. You will work alongside a highly skilled multidisciplinary team, leading the development of technical staff, apprentices and trainees while helping to shape the future of aseptic pharmacy services.

We are looking for an inspirational and forward-thinking leader with significant aseptic manufacturing experience, strong people management skills and a commitment to quality, safety and continuous improvement. In return, you will have the opportunity to work within a world-renowned organisation that values innovation, education and professional development, enabling you to make a lasting impact on patients, staff and services across the Trust.

Main duties of the job

To deputise, in all technical areas of management, for the Operational Manager Aseptic Services in their absence.

To provide technical leadership, management and development for all technical operations of the UCLH pharmacy production aseptic services (PN/CIVAS, Cytos and ATMPS) and ensure these services are delivered in accordance with the principles of Good Manufacturing Practice, nationally agreed standards and agreed objectives for the service.

To be responsible for all technical aspects of the aseptic manufacturing and to ensure products are made to the highest quality, enforced by GMP and QA systems and that they are fit for their intended use.

To provide operational leadership and management responsibility to technicians and other support staff working in the Pharmacy Production Service areas across all sites within the trust.

To support the strategic leadership for the professional development of technicians and support staff including the registration of technicians with GPhC and science manufacturing technicians

To lead the education and training of all technical and support staff, this includes all apprenticeship, NVQ qualifications, Science Manufacturing course and post qualifications in all areas of production.

Working for our organisation

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.

We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:

• University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
• National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
• Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
• University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
• Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
• University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
• The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
• University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street

We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women’s health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.

We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

To co-ordinate, develop and contribute to pre-registration and post registration teaching programmes.

To meet the demands of UCLH for manufactured aseptic products, which are not commercially available.

To lead and support the establishment of a high quality, appropriately skilled and motivated aseptic production technical team.

To support the development and maintenance of the aseptic production responsibilities of the Pharmaceutical Quality System.

To review and revise manufacturing production methods and techniques, including appropriate use of equipment and process validation and change control.

To undertake the final production check on aseptic manufactured batch manufactured products, prior to bonding and release by Quality Assurance.

Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*

* UCLH top trust to work at in England - In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England – for the third year in a row.

UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff – To find out more, visit: Flexible working.

To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH?

Person specification

Knowledge and Qualifications

• NVQ Pharmacy Services Level 3 plus an accredited underpinning knowledge or BTEC Pharmaceutical Science or Science manufacturing Technician (SMT).
• Pharmacy Technician Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council or SMT registration with the Science Council
• Specialist Qualification in Pharmaceutical Technical Services, e.g. PTQA MSc or equivalent experience and expertise

Experience

• Demonstrable significant post registration work in hospital pharmacy practise.
• Demonstrable significant experience of aseptic manufacture (Chemotherapy, CIVAS and PN)
• Demonstrable experience of managing/leading an aseptic service.
• Experience of dealing with MHRA and/or other external auditing agencies
• Experience of service management including managing human resources issues, e.g. Sickness, disciplinary
• Previous assessable experience in the design, building and commissioning of new production facilities

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of all aspects of GMP and QA and a proven ability to apply this knowledge to maintain a production quality system
• Demonstrated accurate numeracy skills, without using a calculator.
• Flexibility with regard to changes in work schedules

Communication

• Demonstrable ability to lead and to work effectively as part of a team
• Able to communicate complex, contentious and sensitive information effectively when using clear written and spoken English.
• Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues at all levels both within and beyond pharmacy and the trust.
• Leads by example, promoting the highest standards of personal and professional conduct, integrity and probity.

Personal and People Development

• Awareness of the needs of confidentiality
• Demonstrated ability to manage load handling issues and ensure manual handling risk assessments for all activities within production

Specific Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to undertake validated aseptic manipulation requiring fine and accurate motor skills and concentration
• Ability to work at a laminar flow cabinet or isolator for periods of the working time.

At UCLH, we have a real ‘One Team’ ethos, and our values – safety, kindness, teamwork and improving, are central to the way we work. This is supported by our staff, who voted us as the #1 NHS Acute Trust to work for in the whole of England.

At UCLH we take equality of opportunity seriously and are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer, with a culture that creates a real sense of belonging and trust. It is our fundamental aim, to recruit, retain and promote a diverse mix of people who are representative of our local communities. Applications are encouraged from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives to support our world class research, innovation and creativity.

UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff and has a dedicated policy which allows staff to apply for flexible working right from the beginning of employment. For more information please go to: https://www.uclh.nhs.uk/work-with-us/why-choose-uclh/flexible-working.

We offer our permanent staff an interest free season ticket loan for travel, all our staff have access to free independent and confidential support, large retail discounts, a staff discount platform, cycle to work scheme and on‑site accommodation to name a few.

Additionally, UCLH Arts and Heritage’s staff wellbeing programme, Creative Comfort, offers a variety of ways to engage with the arts as a member of UCLH staff. You can try out the weekly choir, weekly art club and join the Culture Club for exclusive access to free and discounted tickets for opera, exhibitions, theatre and more.

We recognise, reward and thank colleagues by nominating them for our annual Celebrating Excellence Awards, which are funded by UCLH Charity.

We are also members of www.mytrustbenefits.co.uk/ which offers discounts on high street retail stores, offers on travel deals, and also to take advantage of cash back schemes.

You must already have the right to work in the United Kingdom or fully meet the eligibility criteria for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route. We welcome applications from candidates who require visa sponsorship; however, we can only consider these where all UKVI requirements are met. Before applying, please ensure that both you and the role satisfy the relevant UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) points‑based system criteria, as applications that do not meet these requirements cannot be progressed. For more information about the criteria, please click here

This vacancy may close before the current listed closing date. You are advised not to delay submitting your completed application.

Please note that all correspondence regarding your application will be via email. The emails will be sent to you via TRAC.jobs and not via NHS Jobs, we encourage you to check your inbox regularly.

Please note that if you have not heard from us within 3 weeks of the closing date of the advert to assume that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion.

The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.