Specialist Pharmacist - Aseptic Services

Transformationunitgm; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is looking for a Specialist Aseptic Services Pharmacist to join their dynamic team. This role offers the opportunity to develop skills in aseptic services while ensuring compliance with good manufacturing practices. You will play a crucial role in delivering high-quality pharmaceutical care and managing a team dedicated to patient safety. With comprehensive training and support for professional growth, this position is ideal for motivated pharmacists eager to make a difference in patient care. Join a forward-thinking organization that values innovation and excellence in healthcare delivery.

Benefits

Relocation Allowance

Flexible Working Hours

Comprehensive Training

Professional Development Opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in aseptic preparation and compliance with GMP.
• Ability to manage and supervise pharmacy staff effectively.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality aseptic pharmacy services compliant with regulations.
• Supervise and train pharmacy staff in aseptic techniques.

Skills

Aseptic Preparation

Pharmaceutical Care

Quality Improvement

Clinical Supervision

Audit Skills

Education

Master’s Degree in Pharmacy

Current registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council

Post Graduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy

Tools

EMIS

Job description

Main area Specialist Pharmacist - Aseptic Services Grade NHS AfC: Band 7 Contract Permanent: This post will attract a Recruitment & Retention Premia (RRP) totalling £5,000, payable upon appointment Hours

• Full time
• Flexible working

37.5 hours per week Job ref 216-CB-C7086961

Employer University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust Employer type NHS Site Derriford Hospital Town Plymouth Salary £46,148 - £52,809 Per Annum Salary period Yearly Closing 22/05/2025 23:59

NHS AfC: Band 7

Job overview

We are excited to seek a Specialist Aseptic Services Pharmacist to join our team.

If you are an enthusiastic, motivated pharmacist keen to take the next step in your career & specialise in aseptics, we would love to hear from you.

This post offers the opportunity to receive comprehensive training & develop skills in all aspects of aseptic services, playing a key role as the department moves to new aseptic facilities.

You will support the Accountable pharmacist by checking & releasing aseptically prepared products & managing the Pharmaceutical Quality Systems to ensure compliance with good manufacturing practice.

This is an exciting time to join University Hospitals Plymouth, following investment from the Trust Board. As part of a five-year workforce plan, we are looking for pharmacists passionate about patient care to join our team and help integrate aseptic & clinical pharmacy services across the Trust.

Depending on your career stage, a diploma, PTQA, or independent prescribing qualification will be funded. Practice research is encouraged in this role.

This post will attract a Recruitment & Retention Premia (RRP) totalling £5,000, payable upon appointment, (covering 36 months of service) in addition to a relocation allowance (subject to eligibility). The RRP payment is for external candidates and is pro rata for part time employees.

If you would like further information, or to know the full terms of the RRP &/or the Relocation Allowance, please contact [e-mail]

Main duties of the job

• Delivery of a high quality specialised pharmacy aseptic service under Section 10 of the Medicines Act 1968 and compliant with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) to ensure the optimisation of medicines for patients attending and admitted to University Hospitals Plymouth.
• Be responsible for the provision and development of pharmaceutical care for patients served by the pharmacy aseptic services team.
• Act as team leader for the aseptic services pharmacy team in the absence of seniors and deputising for the Accountable Pharmacist aseptic services, taking responsibility for the preparation of medicines under Section 10 of the Medicines Act 1968 as well as fulfilling any delegated responsibilities
• Undertake teaching and clinical supervision of pharmacy staff and other healthcare employees.
• Undertake audits and engage with Quality Improvement and practice research projects.
• Work with and support senior pharmacists, clinical and governance teams to develop guidelines and protocols within those areas impacted by the aseptic services provision
• Support research within aseptic services and the wider UHP Trust.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Working for our organisation

University Hospitals Plymouth (UHP) NHS is the largest hospital on the Southwest Peninsula providing comprehensive secondary and tertiary care to a population of around 2,000,000 people who can access our specialist services including bone marrow transplant, sarcoma surgery and hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancer surgery (not exhaustive) and the regional trauma Centre.

UHP is a lager tertiary centre, with an expanding clinical trial portfolio across cancer services. We hold JACIE accreditation for Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) and are currently going through the onboarding process as one of NHS England’s Wave 3 CAR-T centres.

From September 2024, the highly-ranked University of Bath MPharm degree will be available to study at the University of Plymouth. There will be opportunities for pharmacist colleagues to participate in these educational activities, with the potential for more formal roles with the University of Bath in the future.

The pharmacy department has recently undergone an exciting refurbishment including the installation of state-of-the-art robots and automated controlled drug cabinets alongside the opening of a new outpatient pharmacy.

We are a team who are truly committed to the development of our staff both personally and professionally and would support you to attain your goals. You will be working with a Chief Pharmacist who is committed to you as an individual.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Responsible to the B8a Advanced Specialist Pharmacist Aseptic Services pharmacist and Aseptic Services Manager for the delivery of the pharmacy aseptic service to patients within all care areas that require the provision.
• Support the senior pharmacists and Aseptic Services Manager within the aseptic services pharmacy team in developing, monitoring and reporting on drug expenditure and medicines budget.
• Work as a member of the aseptic services pharmacy team.
• To act as an Authorised Pharmacist and take professional responsibility for the provision of sterile and non-sterile pharmaceuticals prepared under Exemption 10 of the Medicines Act 1968.
• Authorise, in conjunction with the Aseptic Services Manager, standard operating procedures for use in Aseptic Services.
• Authorise, in conjunction with the Aseptic Services Manager, manufacturing worksheets and labels for new products prior to their manufacture ensuring the following have been properly considered:
• Clinical suitability of the preparation
• Formulation
• Stability of the final product
• Storage
• Administration
• Presentation
• Monitoring
• Potential Problems
• Ensure appropriate change control processes are followed and authorise changes to any existing product/process or the implementation of any new product or process.
• Assist the Aseptic Services Manager with the management of “out of specifications” and product/process deviations relating to Aseptic Services.
• Support senior pharmacists and Aseptic Services Manager to manage, lead and co-ordinate the aseptic services pharmacy team including junior pharmacists and technicians in the provision of a safe, effective and efficient pharmacy aseptic service in accordance with local and national standards and strategy and to ensure all members of the pharmacy team are trained and competent for their roles.
• To complete aseptic verification of worksheets where appropriate
• Assist and support with the running and maintenance of the Pharmaceutical Quality Management System (QMS), internal and external audits.
• Supervise the preparation of medicinal products made under section 10 of the medicines act 1968 and ensure compliance with ‘Quality Assurance of Aseptic Preparation Services’ to provide products that are fit for their intended use:
• a) Ensure the initial check and preparation of medicinal products is undertaken according to local procedures.
• b) Undertake the final check for these products taking responsibility for the final product approval (release) of medicinal products to the patient.
• c) Act as an advisor to all staff if support or intervention is required.
• d) Be on the Trust register for the final product approval (release) of intrathecal preparations from the Pharmacy Department in line with Department of Health guidelines and Trust Policy.
• Ensure that safe and effective systems of work are followed within the unit in compliance with the COSHH (1988) Regulations.
• Assist in the validation and maintenance of computer programmes and systems used in named-patient preparation processes e.g. EMIS
• Assist in ensuring the department is fully compliant with the requirements associated with the regulation of clinical trials in the provision of aseptic products for clinical trials.
• To act as a role model and mentor for junior pharmacists, trainee pharmacists, technicians and ATOs.
• To work towards practicing as an independent prescriber.
• To engage with Quality Improvement and practice research.
• To support senior pharmacists in writing and reviewing policies, procedures and guidelines relevant to medicines and pharmacy practice within the Pharmacy Aseptic Services.
• Liaise with the aseptic services senior team in the development of products and services and future strategy.
• Ensure that expertise within your area is seen as a resource within and outside the Trust and form working partnerships with other health and social care service providers.
• Recommendation of appropriate therapy for individual patients where evidence is not available, controversial evidence exists or other professionals may challenge advice.
• Promote compliance by prescribers and other healthcare staff with local/national policies and the South and West Devon Formulary.
• Manage day to day medicines queries related to the aseptic services provision.
• Liaise with all levels of healthcare staff, patients and carers in all areas of work
• Analysis, interpretation and monitoring of clinical data including drug levels, U&E’s, blood counts and microbiological sensitivities to guide diagnosis and drug therapy related to the service provision.
• Provide education and training to all healthcare professionals including medical students.
• Pharmacists are expected to work largely unsupervised and to act on their own professional judgement supported by policies and guidelines.

Person specification

Knowledge and Experience

• Relevant demonstrable post-registration experience as a pharmacist in UK and broad knowledge base
• Good proven general pharmaceutical, technical & clinical knowledge
• Previous demonstrable experience in an aseptic preparation workplace, which may have included the preparation of chemotherapy or parenteral nutrition
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and able to communicate effectively with clinical staff, patients and relatives.
• Able to prioritise work and work well within a bust working environment
• Audit skills
• Able to supervise and guide the work of less experienced members of staff
• A proven understanding of pharmacy interfaces and current NHS drivers affecting these
• Demonstrable experience of clinical/technical supervision of junior staff
• Completed clinical rotations in Medicine, Surgery, Medicines Information, aseptics and Cancer Services
• Demonstrable supervision and management experience
• Critical appraisal skills

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree (or equivalent) in Pharmacy
• Current registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council
• Non-medical prescriber (or must be willing to undertake this when requested)
• Post Graduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy or Equivalent
• Working towards a Post graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent e.g., PTQA (must have certificate level)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Pharmacy Practice or working towards equivalent qualification e.g. PTQA
• Current registration with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
• Further clinical, research or management qualification
• Member of British Oncology Pharmacy Association (BOPA) or the United Kingdom Clinical Pharmacy Association (UKCPA) or equivalent pharmacist specialist interest group

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY INCLUDING YOUR JUNK FOLDER.

If you need support with the online application process or require reasonable adjustments with the application and/or interview process please contact the Recruiting Manager for this post.

We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants about less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. We recommend contacting the manager of the role prior to applying and we commit to giving requests full consideration.

We welcome and encourage applicants who identify with all protected characteristics to apply for our roles. We believe that diversity strengthens our teams and improves our patients' experience. At UHP we aim to create an inclusive workplace and hospital where everyone feels they belong and included .

It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Providing false information is an offence & could result in the application being rejected or summary dismissal/police action if an applicant is successful.

Please note that if you are successful in your application & accept the position you agree that the Staff Health and Wellbeing Department can access your health records from your current/previous employer in order to check the status of your inoculations & screening tests. This is an automated process & the information will only be used for these purposes prior to your taking up the position with us.

For Doctors Roles:

Unsolicited CVs and Candidate Profiles/Details
University Hospitals Plymouth has a commitment to sourcing candidates directly and as such we do not accept speculative CVs from agencies.

We do, however, work with a defined list of preferred HTE Framework suppliers who may be invited to support us in sourcing candidates for particular roles.

In line with our preferred supplier list, we only pay agency fees where we have a signed agreement in place and an agency has been instructed by a member of the Trust’s Medical Workforce team.

We do not pay agency fees where speculative and unsolicited CVs are submitted to the Trust or Trust employees by any other means than the official route above. Where this is not observed the Trust reserves the right to contact these candidates directly and initiate discussions without payment of any agency fee.

Any candidate details (whether written or spoken) or CVs that are referred directly will not constitute an introduction. The Trust will under no circumstances be responsible for any recruitment fees in relation to these contacts.

Submission of any unsolicited CVs, candidate’s details and/or proposals to the Trust will not be considered further and will be deemed evidence of full and unlimited acceptance of this Agency Protocol.

In order to establish and maintain good working relationships with the Trust’s agency suppliers, we ask that this Protocol is adhered to and thank you for your co-operation.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name Lukasz Kopocinski Job title Advanced Specialist Pharmacy -Aseptic Services Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 01752 437449 Additional information

For an informal discussion or to arrange a site visit please contact Lukasz Kopocinski, Advanced Specialist Pharmacist Aseptic Services & Deputy Accountable Pharmacist [e-mail] or Amanda Horton, Aseptic Services Manager [e-mail]