Lead Pharmacist Aseptic Services

NHS; Canterbury; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 75,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Canterbury seeks an experienced pharmacist to lead its Aseptic Services Unit, ensuring compliance with standards while managing a dedicated team. This role requires a Master's degree in Pharmacy, registration with GPhC, and skills in team management and service improvement. Ideal candidates bring experience in aseptic units and clinical trials. This part-time position offers competitive pay and flexible working hours.

Qualifications

• Member of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
• Essential skills include managing service improvements.
• Desirable experience in managing Clinical Trials.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Pharmacy Aseptic Services Unit.
• Provide leadership and governance to Aseptic services.
• Work on service improvement and quality assurance.

Skills

Experience of working within an aseptic unit

Experience of managing work for a team

Commitment to professional updating

Critical analysis skills

Education

Master's degree in Pharmacy (MPharm)

Tools

Aria e-prescribing system

Job description

Overview

This role provides leadership and management of the Pharmacy Aseptic Services Unit in accordance with current legislation, Pharmacy, Trust, local and National Standards. The unit produces over 3000 items a month, mixed between ready-to-use and named-patient dispensed, and is undergoing refurbishment as part of a longer-term replacement process. It has a dedicated team supported by an in-house Quality Assurance/Control service as well as extensive clinical pharmacy and clinical trials services.

Job responsibilities

An opportunity to work with a brilliant and passionate team for a highly motivated and experienced pharmacist to lead our Aseptic services and make a difference to patients\' outcomes and wellbeing. This role is a band 8b position and includes the role of Accountable Pharmacist, supported by an experienced Production Manager and Quality Assurance team. The outline job plan is appended; we will consider developing and maintaining a current specialism linked to the role and your development pathway. There is potential for progression from 8a to 8b against agreed milestones (Appendix 21 of Agenda for Change) including knowledge and skills development through specialist Pharmacy colleagues and recognised training and qualifications.

East Kent Hospitals is refurbishing the Aseptic Services unit to improve the facility, with close links to the clinical service and the clinical trials unit to support innovative research for the citizens we serve. Your experience as a pharmacist and transferable skills will provide leadership, clinical support, financial oversight and governance to the operation of the Pharmacy Aseptic service.

Details

Date posted: 25 September 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 8b

Salary: £64,455 to £74,896 a year pro-rata

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Part-time, Flexible working, Annualised hours

Reference number: 344-8374DCB-A

Job locations: Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Ethelbert Road, Canterbury, CT1 3NG

Qualifications

Essential

• Master\'s degree in Pharmacy (MPharm) or equivalent.
• Member of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).

Desirable

• Post graduate certificate/diploma or MSc in Pharmaceutical Technology and Quality Assurance (PTQA) or quality management.

Skills

Essential

• Experience of working within an aseptic unit at various levels.
• Experience of managing or allocating work for a team.
• Experience of implementing service improvement and change projects.
• Commitment to professional updating and formal continuous professional development.

Desirable

• Experience in managing Clinical Trials through Aseptic Services.
• Experience of using the Aria e-prescribing system.
• Clinical audit projects or practice research.
• Experience in GMP documentation (protocols, SOPs, specifications etc).
• Experience in design, business case development, commissioning and validation of production facilities.
• Experience in Radiopharmacy units.
• Experience in senior pharmacy positions and regulatory audits.

Knowledge

Essential

• Advanced knowledge of quality management systems in aseptic dispensing and production facilities.
• Knowledge and understanding of good manufacturing practice.
• Demonstrable specialism in a related area of pharmacy.

Desirable

• Advanced understanding of audit processes (internal and external).
• Knowledge of radiopharmacy, CBD and licensing standards, and MHRA guidance.

Personal & Professional Attributes

Essential

• Ability to plan and complete tasks, meet deadlines and manage time effectively.
• Ability to work unsupervised and as part of a team.
• Computer literate and has a positive, enthusiastic attitude.
• Critical analysis skills and understanding of financial issues in managing a Pharmacy Technical service.
• Evidence of leadership of a team and support for extended/clinical role of technicians.

Desirable

• Influencing and negotiating skills to work with senior managers; ability to manage change effectively.
• Special interest in oncology, haematology or Radiopharmacy.

Other Requirements

Essential

• To be aware of and adhere to the Trust\'s values.

Legal and regulatory

Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A submission for Disclosure to the DBS is required to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information, see the UK Visas and Immigration website.

UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers.

Employer details

Employer: East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Ethelbert Road, Canterbury, CT1 3NG

Employer\'s website: ekhuft.nhs.uk