Pharmacy Support Worker - Clinical Trials

Job overview

We are looking to recruit a Pharmacy Support Worker to join our caring, forward thinking Pharmacy clinical trial team. This is a great opportunity for those who would like to work in hospital pharmacy and gain valuable experience working in a clinical trial role and with the wider pharmacy team.

This a full time post, 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 8.45am – 5pm. This role also includes supporting the dispensary service with Evening/Weekend & Bank Holiday working on a rotational basis.

Duties include:

To work according to study protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs), Good Clinical Practice (GCP), departmental and Trust policies & procedures.

• To work with other members of the pharmacy clinical trials team to help improve the clinical trials service.
• To communicate effectively within the team, and with the wider pharmacy department, clinical trial research teams and external trial sponsor representatives, to ensure all pharmacy aspects of clinical trials, including clinical trial data queries are completed.
• To contribute to the smooth and efficient running of the clinical trials service.
• Routine duties will include assisting, under supervision, in the preparation of chemotherapy in our aseptic unit and dispensing of inpatient and discharge medication, within the main dispensary.

Please note this role will not be eligible for sponsorship as it doesn't meet the minimum salary requirements for a skilled worker visa, therefore you must have appropriate right to work in the UK or your application will not be progressed to the next stage of Recruitment.

Main duties of the job

You will assist the Pharmacy Clinical Trials Team with all aspects of ordering, receipt, dispensing and returned medication. Also, administration tasks related to clinical trials, according to Good Clinical Practice (GCP), standard operating procedures (SOPs) and Trust policies.

Previous pharmacy experience is desirable. We will provide full training and support.

Applicants without an NVQ level 2 in Pharmacy Services will be initially appointed as a Band 2 and upon achievement of this qualification, will gain promotion to Band 3.

The suitable candidate should be reliable, have a methodical approach to their work, the ability to work unsupervised using their own initiative and be committed to ensuring that high standards are met. Good oral communication skills are essential.

If the above applies to you, please feel free to contact or visit us, to discuss the role further.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Trials

• 1) Perform dispensing, drug accountability and destruction of clinical trial products, within pharmacy department at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, as part of the pharmacy clinical trials team. Using departmental and study specific SOPs, working under the supervision of the Clinical Trials Pharmacist and/or Clinical Trials Pharmacy Technician. 2) Work in accordance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Medicines for Human Use Clinical Trials Regulations and the Medicines Act. 3) Assist the Clinical Trials Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technicians with the timely, safe and secure ordering, receipt, storage and delivery of clinical trial medicines and sundries. 4) Acknowledge receipt of clinical trial medicines using voice- or web-based stock management systems. 5) Take appropriate action for incomplete, incorrect, or damaged deliveries of pharmacy clinical trial supplies. 6) Identify any deviations, errors or problems with the ordering, receipt, dispensing or returns process and report them to a senior member of staff. 7) Process returned clinical trial material by counting, documenting and storing in the appropriate area. 8) Label trial supplies as according to SOPs. 9) Co-ordinate, pack and prepare documentation for the return of pharmaceutical products to trial sponsors. 10) Responsible for maintenance of pharmacy clinical trial files, filing clinical trials documentation, correspondence, order forms, receipt documents, prescriptions and aseptic preparation worksheets. 11) Undertake the production, filing and archiving of clinical trial documentation. 12) Maintain stock levels and check expiry dates of clinical trial medicines, under the supervision of the Clinical Trials Pharmacist or Pharmacy technician. 13) Perform general medicines management housekeeping duties, including cleaning medicines equipment and ensuring sufficient quantities of sundry items. 14) Be familiar with word processing and spreadsheet software. 15) Documenting and reporting daily temperature monitoring. Reporting any deviations from approved temperature range to the Clinical Trial Pharmacist or Pharmacy Technician. 16) Assist in the collection of clinical trial statistical and financial data. 17) Contribute to the development of new documentation as needed. 18) Be a point of contact for the pharmacy clinical trial team, by taking telephone and email enquiries as appropriate, relaying complete and accurate information, recognising own limitations and referring to the appropriate person, in a timely manner. 19) Communicate appropriately with staff at all levels, both internally and externally in relation to trial activities, which may be confidential or sensitive in nature. 20) Communicate directly with trial sponsor representatives and research teams, to resolve data and other queries, including during monitoring visits, referring to clinical trials technicians or pharmacist when appropriate. 21) Organise and prioritise own day to day workload, working to deadlines and being adaptable to last minute change. Knowing own limitations and when to refer to a senior member of staff. 22) Undertake a competency-based Pharmacy Clinical Trials Induction training package. 23) Work in compliance with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), Good Clinical Practice (GCP), when dealing with Investigative Medicinal Products (IMP) and ensure training is updated every two years. 24) Attend clinical trial meetings, for training and instruction purposes, with the Clinical Trials Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technicians. Please ensure you have read the attached Job Description & Person Specification before applying for the role, and for further information.

Applicant requirements

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.