Chemistry Technical Officer

Job overview

We are looking to appoint a highly enthusiastic individual educated to HNC(or equivalent or Higher) in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Science or a closely related scientific subject.  The successful candidate will have excellent analytical skills and experience of working in a laboratory.

Quality Control North West is part of Stockport 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 are well equipped and advanced in analytical instrumentation and are accredited to ISO 17025 by UKAS.

Main duties of the job

• To work at all times in accordance with the requirements of the Quality Manual, Good Laboratory Practice and UKAS. All testing must be performed in accordance with established procedures to assess compliance with approved specifications.
• To perform routine chemical testing on raw materials, in-process samples, finished pharmaceutical products and environmental samples. Testing would include HPLC, GC, pH, Titration, Dissolution, Polarimetry, Karl Fischer.
• To perform quantitative and semi-quantitative analysis of pharmaceutical clean down wipes from a range of pharmaceutical and environmental origins using the LC/MS .
• To perform method validation work, and prepare validation reports for all analytical techniques as directed by senior staff and laboratory procedures.
• To perform stability studies in accordance with agreed protocols.
• To undertake validation studies and research projects under the direction of the Section Head.
• To perform equipment calibration checks and maintenance as directed by laboratory procedures
• To maintain reagent stocks within the laboratory.
• To maintain the laboratory environment in an appropriate condition, including the cleandown of surfaces and cabinets and the safe disposal of laboratory waste.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Communications

• To participate in section and departmental staff meetings.
• To communicate with other team members so as to ensure the efficient use of equipment and the timely testing of samples.
• To communicate difficulties to senior staff in order to minimise delays.
• To deal with telephone enquiries from clients, ensuring that the query is passed on to the appropriate person where no answer can be given.

Responsibility for Patient Care

• Helping to ensure medicines prepared by Pharmaceutical Production Units and Aseptic Suites across the North West, meet statutory requirements for occupational safety.
• To perform routine chemical testing on raw materials, in-process samples, finished pharmaceutical products and environmental samples.
• To perform quantitative and semi-quantitative analysis of pharmaceutical clean down wipes  from a range of pharmaceutical and environmental origins samples using the LC/MS .
• To perform method validation work, and prepare validation reports for all analytical techniques as directed by senior staff and laboratory procedures.
• To undertake stability studies in accordance with agreed protocols.

Planning and organising

• To plan own work on a day-to-day basis, ensuring that the service is delivered in accordance with contracted turn-round times.

Responsibilities for Physical and / or Financial Resources

• To initiate the order of laboratory reagents and other consumables in order to maintain stocks.
• To maintain, calibrate and ensure the correct use of expensive laboratory equipment.

• To make suggestions in section and departmental staff meetings.
• To operate at all times in accordance with departmental policy and procedures.

None

To be involved in the training of new or junior staff.

• To maintain accurate records of analytical work in accordance with Good Laboratory Practice.
• To process analytical data, performing mathematical calculations (including statistics) to determine compliance with specifications.
• To perform data entry of large numbers of environmental test results onto the LIMS
• To prepare routine laboratory reports using LIMS for approval by laboratory signatories.
• To prepare complex validation or calibration reports using Microsoft Word for approval by the Section Head.

• To carry out a broad range of chemical tests on starting materials, packaging components environmental samples and pharmaceutical products to ensure they are fit for use.
• To be involved in Research and Development projects, performing work under the direction of the Senior Analyst
• All work performed is subject to annual inspection by internal and external auditors.

Physical Skills and Effort

• Some light lifting and moving duties are included.
• VDU work.

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 Trust’s policies and procedures, acting promptly on concerns, communicating effectively and sharing information appropriately.