Specialist Production Technician

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust is seeking a Specialist Production Technician to join their team in Newcastle upon Tyne. The role involves preparing a variety of pharmaceuticals, working under strict quality control standards, and contributing to staff training efforts. Ideal candidates should possess relevant qualifications and experience, and demonstrate effective communication and teamwork skills. Opportunities for training and development are offered.

Qualifications

• Must hold NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent.
• Registered Pharmacy Technician with GPhC or Science Council.
• Experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing and aseptic preparations.

Responsibilities

• Prepare CIVAS, parental nutrition, cytotoxics, and clinical trials.
• Support maintenance of Production Quality Systems.
• Train and supervise junior staff.

Skills

Pharmaceutical production skills

Good communication skills

Organizational skills

Basic training skills

Education

S/NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services

BTEC National Certificate in Pharmaceutical Services

Level 3 Diploma in Aseptic Pharmaceuticals Processing

Tools

Laminar Flow Cabinets

Calibration equipment

Job description

Specialist Production Technician

The closing date is 16 November 2025

We are looking for team players with an active interest in all aspects of Production Services. As a Specialist Production Technician, you would join a core team of twelve pharmacists and over seventy technical and support staff to provide Pharmacy Production Service across the Royal Victoria Infirmary and Freeman hospital sites. Services provided comprise a range of activities from non-sterile manufacture to the aseptic dispensing of chemotherapy. A wide range of specialist GMP equipment is also in operation across all facilities.

There are many opportunities for training and development in aseptic preparation services supported by a large team of skilled staff.

• Interview Date Monday 01 December 2025
• You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE

Main duties of the job

The Specialist Production Technician post involves the preparation of CIVAS, parental nutrition, cytotoxics, monoclonal antibodies and clinical trials. The post holder will also be involved in staff training and supervision, processing of orders and documentation, monitoring and preparation of facilities and equipment and stock control and management. They will support the maintenance of Production Quality Systems and contribute to service improvement developments.

Applicants must hold NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent and BTEC National Certificate in Pharmaceutical Services or equivalent OR a Level 3 Diploma in the Principles of Aseptic Pharmaceuticals Processing. Suitable candidates should also have practical experience working in licensed specials manufacturing and/or unlicensed preparation unit. They must be an excellent team player, have good verbal and written communication skills and be able to demonstrate practical and theoretical knowledge of GMP. Applications from students qualifying in 2025 will be considered but successful applicants must also be registered with the GPhC or Science Council prior to commencing post.

About us

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.

Our staff oversee over 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:

• Freeman Hospital
• Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
• Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)
• Newcastle Dental Hospital
• Newcastle Fertility Centre
• Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
• Northern Genetics Service

These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting‑edge care (supported by state‑of‑the‑art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.

We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.

Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.

For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Job responsibilities

• To undertake a full range of technical pharmaceutical activities within the pharmacy production and preparation service under the direct supervision of a Section Lead or Pharmacist.
• To carry out preparation and / or manufacture of medicines from raw materials, having successfully completed the in‑house competency‑based training programme that encompasses the concepts of Quality Assurance, GMP and Quality Control.
• Provide technical support to production services including carrying out routine procedures in the ordering, packing, distribution and storage of pharmaceutical stock.

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS

• S/NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent, and approved underpinning knowledge e.g. BTEC in Pharmaceutical Science or equivalent recognised pharmacy technician’s qualification OR Level 3 Diploma in the Principles od Aspetic Pharmaceuticals Processing
• Registered Pharmacy Technician with GPhC or registered Technician with the Science Council
• Completion of in‑house competency‑based training

KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of Pharmaceutical Preparation and Manufacturing Services, Quality Assurance and Quality Control
• Theoretical knowledge and practical experience of Good Manufacturing Practice
• Experience of the manufacture of a range of specialist pharmaceutical products. To include demonstrable understanding of a range of pharmacy work practices and procedures
• Knowledge of environmental monitoring and an understanding of microbiological factors relating to aseptic preparation and licensed manufacturing
• An understanding of current legislation and guidance documents on aseptic preparation and licensed manufacturing
• Evidence of professional CPD
• Theoretical and practical knowledge of isolator and laminar flow technology
• Awareness of the importance and application of Health and Safety and COSHH within Production Services

EXPERIENCE

• Experience of Isolator Technology and Laminar Flow Cabinets
• Experience of Pharmaceutical Quality Management Systems
• Experience of working in a busy hospital Production service
• Experience of CIVA, PN, Cytotoxics and aseptic manufacturing as well as the manufacture of sterile and non‑sterile products

SKILLS

• Pharmaceutical production skills to include a range of pharmaceutical preparations, setting up and calibrating complex equipment and handling cytotoxics
• An ability to follow written standard operating procedures
• General keyboard skills and accuracy in use of dispensing/manufacturing computer software
• Basic training skills
• Good organisational skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Good customer care skills
• Able to manage own workload and that of designated Production areas
• Ability to manage change

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.

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust