Senior Assistant Technical Officer

NHS; Stockport; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Stockport seeks a laboratory technician to conduct microbiological and chemical tests ensuring the safety of pharmaceutical products. The role requires relevant science education and proficiency in microbiological techniques. Responsibilities include ensuring the cleanliness of the lab and maintaining accurate records. The position offers competitive annual leave and various salary sacrifice benefits.

Benefits

27-33 days of annual leave plus bank holidays

Salary sacrifice schemes for lease cars and electronics

Cycle to work scheme

Salary finance for loans and savings

Local financial advice through Stockport Credit Union

Qualifications

• Ability to perform microbiological and chemical tests under supervision.
• Experience with laboratory procedures and maintaining cleanliness.
• Good health and flexibility for occasional out-of-hours working.

Responsibilities

• Conduct microbiological and chemical testing on pharmaceutical products.
• Prepare and store chemicals according to lab procedures.
• Keep accurate records and communicate effectively with staff.

Skills

Microbiological techniques

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Education

Relevant science A level or BTEC

Job description

To maintain the microbiology and chemistry support areas in a suitable condition including tasks associated with ensuring laboratory and equipment are clean and orderly.

To ensure pharmaceutical products are fit for patient use by carrying out microbiological, physical and chemical testing using a range of classical and instrumental techniques and working under the supervision of a qualified and experienced analyst.

Quality Control North West is part of Stockport NHS Foundation Trust and is an NHS regional specialty department responsible for providing pharmaceutical quality control services to NHS and non-NHS clients. The laboratories at Stockport arewell equipped and advanced in analytical instrumentation and are regulated by the MHRA and accredited to ISO 17025:2017 by UKAS.

Main duties of the job

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Scientists, to carry out a limited range of microbiological, physical and chemical tests on starting materials, packaging materials and pharmaceutical products to established specifications.

To sample raw materials from the production unit with particular regard to, avoidance of cross contamination, health and safety and adequate labelling.

To ensure chemicals used in pharmaceutical analysis are accurately prepared, stored, labelled and disposed of in accordance with laboratory procedures.

To perform regular inspection of reagents, chemicals reference materials and microbiological media.

To ensure glassware is ready to use.

To perform calibration checks on glassware using accurate analytical technique, and to produce and maintain accurate records.

To perform microbiological and chemical analysis on water and environmental samples in accordance with procedures, using a range of classical and instrumental techniques.

To perform routine downloads of temperature records from laboratory areas, to assess compliance.

Under supervision of the Senior Scientists, to carry out the calibration of a full range of laboratory equipment to predetermined time-scales.

To work at all times in accordance with the departmental Quality Manual.

To keep accurate records of all work performed.

About us

We hold a unique position in the Stockport community as the provider of healthcare and we are one of its largest employers.

We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve. We are therefore seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce to make it truly representative of our local population.

We actively encourage applications irrespective of race, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage & civil partnership, or pregnancy or maternity. Recognising those communities that are underrepresented within our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from you.

If you require support with your application please contact a member of the recruitment team, who can discuss alternative application methods.

We recognise that flexible working is important. We take requests for flexible working seriously, consider any request we receive and try to work with you, so we can explore if your request may fit with the needs of the service.

Benefits we offer to you:

• Between 27-33 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
• Salary sacrifice schemes for lease cars, home electronics and more, to make your salary go further
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary finance - for loans, savings, budget planning and tips on managing debt
• Stockport Credit Union- for local financial advice

Job responsibilities

Communications

To participate in staff meetings.

To take accurate messages and ensure they are passed to the intended recipient.

To communicate difficulties to senior staff in a timely manner to minimise delay in sample release.

To communicate verbally with Production and Aseptic Unit staff where necessary to resolve sample receipt problems.

To communicate verbally to team members any urgent special requests accompanying samples.

Responsibility for Patient Care

To ensure safety of medicines by carrying out, under supervision, a limited range of microbiological and chemical testing on packaging and starting materials and finished pharmaceutical products.

Under supervision, to carry out correct evaluation of data and production of laboratory reports for submission to the Senior Scientists.

To work to predetermined time scales ensuring timely release of products.

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and promote safeguarding by implementing the Trusts policies and procedures, acting promptly on concerns, communicating effectively and sharing information appropriately.

Important Notice on Visa Sponsorship Eligibility

Please note that whilst the trust does offer sponsorship this role isunfortunately not eligible for visa sponsorshipunder the UK Health and Care Worker visa route. This is due to the position not meeting theminimum salary threshold of £25,000 per annumand/or the requiredskill levelset by UK Visas and Immigration.

We appreciate your interest in this opportunity and encourage applications from candidates who already have theright to work in the UK.

Person Specification

Education

• Education - relevant science A level or BTEC

Knowledge

• Broad range of micro techniques

Skills

Skills

Experience

Work related circumstances

• Good health and flexibility to cover occasional OOH working

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.