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Senior Pharmacy Technician (Aseptics)

NHS

Darlington

On-site

GBP 29,000 - 37,000

Full time

2 days ago

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Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in Darlington is seeking a Senior Pharmacy Technician to enhance their Pharmacy Aseptic Unit. This role involves ensuring a safe and efficient service, acting as an accuracy checking technician, and supporting the cancer services team. Ideal candidates will possess a Level 3 Diploma and relevant hospital experience, contributing to high-quality patient care while adhering to stringent pharmaceutical standards.

Qualifications

Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
Experience as a qualified pharmacy technician in a hospital environment.
Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice.

Responsibilities

Work closely with the Cancer Services Lead Technician to maintain a sterile environment.
Deputise in the absence of the Lead Technician.
Responsible for the receipt, issue, dispensing, and safe storage of medicines.

Skills

Team player

Good communication skills

Organisational skills

IT Literate

Education

Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians

4 GCSEs level 4 / grade C/4 in Maths, English and science

Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Pharmacy Service Skills

Job summary

In CDDFT Pharmacy, we pride ourselves in working at the leading edge of pharmacy practice andmedicines management with our teams achieving national recognition for innovative, high-quality patient care.

We have an exciting development opportunity for a Senior Pharmacy Technician to join our team.

You must be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and hold a L3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians or an equivalent, recognised GPhC qualification.

Main duties of the job

The successful post holders will be based at Darlington Memorial Hospital and will:

Work under the management of the Cancer Services Lead Pharmacy Technician to ensure a safe and efficient service is maintained across our Pharmacy Aseptic Unit.

Have a specific area of responsibility, and contribute to the dispensing of clinical trials, oral cytotoxic regimes and controlled drugs.

Act as an accuracy checking technician. The post holder will be responsible for the final check of prescriptions, including out-sourced chemotherapy prescriptions which have been professionally checked by a pharmacist as outlined in departmental SOPs. You will have a duty of care and professional responsibility to refer back to the pharmacist any prescription that requires clarification.

Take responsibility for the receipt, issue, dispensing, and safe storage of medicines according to SOPs and legal requirements. This may include the dispensing of clinical trials, oral cytotoxic regimes and controlled drugs.

Assist the Cancer Services Lead Technician to ensure continued achievement of audit criteria determined by the Department of Health in EL(97)52 Aseptic Dispensing in NHS Hospitals

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents

Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two years of experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to consider sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and have a current visa expiring within 3 months)

Details Date posted

09 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£29,970 to £36,483 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

C9439-2425-1351-1

Job locations

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX

Job description Job responsibilities

The post holder will:

work closely with the Cancer Services Lead Technician to ensure the maintenance of a sterile environment within the aseptic unit ensuring the guidelines for Good Manufacturing Practice are followed at all times

work alongside the Cancer Services Lead Technician and Accountable Pharmacist in planning and prioritising workload to ensure a timely and efficient medicines management service is provided

deputise in the absence of the Cancer Services Lead Technician

receive, prepare and aseptically dispense prescription items utilising the Chemocare system

accurately perform calculations to determine volumes of drugs and correct doses of chemotherapy to initial check work trays

participate in the QC monitoring of the aseptic department and to ensure a clean working environment is maintained by utilising broth tests, environmental and contact agar plates

complete validation processes according to SOPs

ensure appropriate safe and secure handling of medicines

assist the Cancer Services Lead Technician to ensure continued achievement of audit criteria determined by the Department of Health in EL(97)52 Aseptic Dispensing in NHS Hospitals

participate in the preparation of documentation and ensure that all records of all products prepared are completed and correctly filed.

be registered to release intrathecal chemotherapy in accordance to the national guidelines

provide information to other healthcare professionals within the limits of knowledge

ensure expiry dates within the pharmacy department are checked on a regular basis and book out expired stock from Ascribe and highlight items that are close to their expiry date

dispose of pharmaceutical waste according to local and national waste guidelines

take responsibility for the receipt, issue, dispensing, and safe storage of medicines according to SOPs and legal requirements. This may include the dispensing of clinical trials, oral cytotoxic regimes and controlled drugs.

Job description Job responsibilities

The post holder will:

work alongside the Cancer Services Lead Technician and Accountable Pharmacist in planning and prioritising workload to ensure a timely and efficient medicines management service is provided

deputise in the absence of the Cancer Services Lead Technician

receive, prepare and aseptically dispense prescription items utilising the Chemocare system

accurately perform calculations to determine volumes of drugs and correct doses of chemotherapy to initial check work trays

participate in the QC monitoring of the aseptic department and to ensure a clean working environment is maintained by utilising broth tests, environmental and contact agar plates

complete validation processes according to SOPs

ensure appropriate safe and secure handling of medicines

assist the Cancer Services Lead Technician to ensure continued achievement of audit criteria determined by the Department of Health in EL(97)52 Aseptic Dispensing in NHS Hospitals

participate in the preparation of documentation and ensure that all records of all products prepared are completed and correctly filed.

be registered to release intrathecal chemotherapy in accordance to the national guidelines

provide information to other healthcare professionals within the limits of knowledge

ensure expiry dates within the pharmacy department are checked on a regular basis and book out expired stock from Ascribe and highlight items that are close to their expiry date

dispose of pharmaceutical waste according to local and national waste guidelines

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

4 GCSEs level 4 / grade C/4 (or equivalent) in Maths, English and science Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Pharmacy Service Skills (or equivalent qualifications recognized by the GPhC).
Level 3 Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science (QCF) (or equivalent qualifications recognized by the GPhC).
The post holder must meet at least one of the following requirements and will be expected to have commenced another within 12 to 18 months of employment
- Accuracy checking course
- Pre and IN Process Checking within Aseptic Services(PIPC).

Desirable

Supervisory/management qualifications or training
Northern Sector Course for the Final Accuracy Checking of Dispensed Items by Pharmacy Technicians (PETO) or Nationally recognised award Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice, quality assurance and quality control as applied to the hospital aseptic services
Aseptic Preparation and Dispensing of Medicines (APDM)
Supervisory Skills for Technical Services

Special Requirements Essential

Team player
Able to demonstrate own initiative, Motivated and enthusiastic Able to work under pressure
Good communication and organisational skills and good time management

Experience Essential

Experience as a qualified pharmacy technician in a hospital environment Experience in the preparation of cytotoxic drugs and Good Manufacturing Practice.
Practical experience of quality assurance, quality control, the use of isolators and audit requirements

Desirable

Experience of Project or developmental work
Experience of problem solving Experience of Policy and or Procedure writing
Experience of supervision of others

Special Skills & Knowledge Essential

Meets GPhC requirements for CPD
Record of personal development
IT Literate
Good knowledge of MS excel, word and Pharmacy dispensing software Excellent customer care skills

Desirable

Evidence of self-development Evidence of change management Evidence of training, mentoring and coaching staff
Understanding of audit processes Awareness of EMIS/ Chemocare systems.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

4 GCSEs level 4 / grade C/4 (or equivalent) in Maths, English and science Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Pharmacy Service Skills (or equivalent qualifications recognized by the GPhC).
Level 3 Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science (QCF) (or equivalent qualifications recognized by the GPhC).
The post holder must meet at least one of the following requirements and will be expected to have commenced another within 12 to 18 months of employment
- Accuracy checking course
- Pre and IN Process Checking within Aseptic Services(PIPC).

Desirable

Supervisory/management qualifications or training
Northern Sector Course for the Final Accuracy Checking of Dispensed Items by Pharmacy Technicians (PETO) or Nationally recognised award Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice, quality assurance and quality control as applied to the hospital aseptic services
Aseptic Preparation and Dispensing of Medicines (APDM)
Supervisory Skills for Technical Services

Special Requirements Essential

Team player
Able to demonstrate own initiative, Motivated and enthusiastic Able to work under pressure
Good communication and organisational skills and good time management

Experience Essential

Experience as a qualified pharmacy technician in a hospital environment Experience in the preparation of cytotoxic drugs and Good Manufacturing Practice.
Practical experience of quality assurance, quality control, the use of isolators and audit requirements

Desirable

Experience of Project or developmental work
Experience of problem solving Experience of Policy and or Procedure writing
Experience of supervision of others

Special Skills & Knowledge Essential

Meets GPhC requirements for CPD
Record of personal development
IT Literate
Good knowledge of MS excel, word and Pharmacy dispensing software Excellent customer care skills

Desirable

Evidence of self-development Evidence of change management Evidence of training, mentoring and coaching staff
Understanding of audit processes Awareness of EMIS/ Chemocare systems.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham