Pharmacy Quality Assurance Lead

NHS; Aylesbury; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS trust is seeking a Microbiologist to manage the microbiology section within the Pharmacy Quality Control Laboratory. The role involves ensuring Good Laboratory Practice standards, leading a team, and supporting quality assurance for NHS and commercial clients. Candidates should have significant experience in microbiology and a strong understanding of pharmaceutical quality management.

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement

Pension scheme

NHS discount schemes

Health and wellbeing services

Qualifications

• MSc Microbiology or related biological Science required.
• Significant experience in microbiology laboratory/environmental monitoring essential.
• Experience in quality inspection and audits is crucial.

Responsibilities

• Manage microbiology section ensuring Good Laboratory Practice standards.
• Support clients in quality assurance matters including audits.
• Lead and develop a small team in providing NHS services.

Skills

Knowledge of Pharmaceutical Quality Management System

Ability to write validation protocol

Ability to plan, organise, train and lead a team

Communication with clients

Knowledge of microbiological testing methods

Education

MSc Microbiology

Diploma or Higher Certificate in Leadership and Management

Job description

Job summary

Our Quality Assurance department provides services to our own trust and a number of commercial and other NHS clients. As part of the broader Pharmacy department we are ambitious, continually looking to be developing our services and are committed to the development of our staff.

We are looking for a Microbiologist who has experience of NHS or pharmaceutical and environmental monitoring and is looking to lead and develop a small team in providing NHS and commercial client services.

Main duties of the job

As the manager of the microbiology section of the Pharmacy Quality Control Laboratory, the post holder is expected to ensure that Good Laboratory Practice standards are maintained in accordance with national standards and MHRA licensed status.

Working knowledge of pharmaceutical manufacture, likely contaminates, good clean room design, and environmental pathogens will all be advantageous.

Client relations, the ability to clearly advise customers of the implications of testing, and guidance in actions to be taken are essential.

Supporting clients and your host trust in quality assurance matters including Quality Management Systems, Internal and External Audit process.

About us

Why colleagues think we are "a great place to work!"

What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?

As part of our BHT family, you'll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.

Alongside NHS benefits of generous annual leave entitlement and pension scheme, you'll have access to NHS discount schemes.

We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.

What do we stand for?

Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work.

Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time.

We are working hard to increase diversity at all levels within the trust. We believe a diverse workforce can have a positive effect on both staff wellbeing and patient outcomes.

We welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, candidates with disabilities and care-experienced candidates.

We are proud to achieve the Gold award for the Armed Forces Covenant and support applications from the Armed Forces Community. Please contact [e-mail] (our Armed Forces Covenant Lead) if you would like guidance or assistance with your application.

We make employment decisions by matching our service needs with the skills and experience of candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

Details Date posted

21 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

434-SCS7029265-A

Job locations

Stoke Mandeville Hospital

Mandeville Road

Aylesbury

HP21 8AL

Job description Job responsibilities

For a comprehensive list of responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to the Job Description and Person Specification by downloading the JD and PS attachment in the advert.

Job description Job responsibilities

For a comprehensive list of responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to the Job Description and Person Specification by downloading the JD and PS attachment in the advert.

Person Specification Education, Qualification and Training Essential

• MSc Microbiology or other related biological Science.

Desirable

• Diploma or Higher Certificate in Leadership and Management

Experience Essential

• Significant experience of working in a microbiology laboratory/ environmental monitoring
• Experience in quality inspection and audits (EL(97) , MHRA)
• Experience of devising, implementing and reviewing policies and procedures
• Experience of design and delivery of development activities such as training, validation etc.
• Experience in operational planning and management (leading people, team performance monitoring, change management, recruitment and selection)
• Experience of budget management, supplier selection, procurement, contract negotiation with NHS clients

Desirable

• Evidence of operational planning
• Experience of MHRA audit, aseptic systems, clean room operation

Skills, Ability and Knowledge Essential

• Knowledge of Pharmaceutical Quality Management System
• Ability to write validation protocol, reports, procedures
• Ability to plan, organise, train and lead a team
• Knowledge of variety of microbiological testing methods, interpretation of results.
• Communication with clients of results and implications for process / performance
• Clear understanding of regulatory requirement
• Able to communicate routine information effectively using clear written and spoken English and overcome barriers to understanding
• Able to use computer programmes such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook
• Ability to work across disciplines and to liaise closely with stakeholders
• Knowledge of motivation, delegation, improvement performance, coaching and mentoring techniques
• Knowledge how to manage conflict at all levels
• Ability to identify and share good practice and work collaboration with others - both inside and outside of the organisation
• Ability to input into strategic planning and create plans in line with departmental objectives
• Knowledge of setting up and manging a project using relevant tools and techniques
• Good understanding of risk management, quality assurance and complaints handling

Desirable

• Stakeholder management
• Delivering team performance
• Strategic planning
• Project management

Special Circumstances Essential

• Able to travel to customer sites within the Trust and customer sites outside the Trust
• Able to comply with requirements for clean room operation and working within semi sterile environments

Person Specification Education, Qualification and Training Essential

• MSc Microbiology or other related biological Science.

Desirable

• Diploma or Higher Certificate in Leadership and Management

Experience Essential

• Significant experience of working in a microbiology laboratory/ environmental monitoring
• Experience in quality inspection and audits (EL(97) , MHRA)
• Experience of devising, implementing and reviewing policies and procedures
• Experience of design and delivery of development activities such as training, validation etc.
• Experience in operational planning and management (leading people, team performance monitoring, change management, recruitment and selection)
• Experience of budget management, supplier selection, procurement, contract negotiation with NHS clients

Desirable

• Evidence of operational planning
• Experience of MHRA audit, aseptic systems, clean room operation

Skills, Ability and Knowledge Essential

• Knowledge of Pharmaceutical Quality Management System
• Ability to write validation protocol, reports, procedures
• Ability to plan, organise, train and lead a team
• Knowledge of variety of microbiological testing methods, interpretation of results.
• Communication with clients of results and implications for process / performance
• Clear understanding of regulatory requirement
• Able to communicate routine information effectively using clear written and spoken English and overcome barriers to understanding
• Able to use computer programmes such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook
• Ability to work across disciplines and to liaise closely with stakeholders
• Knowledge of motivation, delegation, improvement performance, coaching and mentoring techniques
• Knowledge how to manage conflict at all levels
• Ability to identify and share good practice and work collaboration with others - both inside and outside of the organisation
• Ability to input into strategic planning and create plans in line with departmental objectives
• Knowledge of setting up and manging a project using relevant tools and techniques
• Good understanding of risk management, quality assurance and complaints handling

Desirable

• Stakeholder management
• Delivering team performance
• Strategic planning
• Project management

Special Circumstances Essential

• Able to travel to customer sites within the Trust and customer sites outside the Trust
• Able to comply with requirements for clean room operation and working within semi sterile environments

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details Employer name

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Stoke Mandeville Hospital

Mandeville Road

Aylesbury

HP21 8AL

Employer's website

https://careers.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Stoke Mandeville Hospital

Mandeville Road

Aylesbury

HP21 8AL

Employer's website

https://careers.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)