Senior Pharmacy Assistant, Aseptic Services

Job overview

An opportunity has arisen within the Pharmacy Aseptic Unit at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in Chelsea for a full time Band 3 Senior Pharmacy Assistant, Aseptic Services. We provide a range of anti-cancer agents for both standard of care treatment and for clinical trials including cytotoxic chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies and gene therapy.

The successful applicant will also work in the support areas of the aseptic suite setting up product trays to be made and carrying out the compounding of aseptic products including gene therapy.   All staff work closely with our main outsource provider, Baxter, to order, process and distribute bought-in pre-ordered IV products. Reporting to the Deputy Chief Technician, Aseptic Services you will possess good communication and inter-personal skills. Basic computer skills (Microsoft Office), flexibility in the role and good teamwork are essential. You must be able to partake in early and late weekday shifts, weekend and bank holiday working rotas.   The post involves some manual handling and may require cross-site working on rare occasions.

Full training will be given for all aspects of the role. A Band 2 position may be offered to applicants with no experience and robust objectives would be set to be achieved in order to progress to Band 3 level. The post offers opportunities for development, and we are looking for individuals who want to grow and share in the future of the service.

Main duties of the job

This post is particularly suitable for those looking for experience in a hands-on operational GMP workplace.  You will gain a thorough understanding of working in a hospital pharmacy clean room environment and must be prepared to take your learning forward in order to contribute to the quality management system in addition to the manufacturing activity.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification

2.1     Assist in the maintenance of Technical Services facilities as defined in Good Manufacturing Practice (Rules and Guidance for Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Distributors 2017 – ‘The Orange Guide’) and to comply with current NHS guidance on Aseptic Processing (Quality Assurance of Aseptic Processing. 5th ed. Ed Alison Beaney, Pharmaceutical Press). 2.2    Become familiar with Standard Operating Procedures and COSHH forms for Technical Services. 2.3    Complete the in-house training programme and the in-house accreditation programme according to grade and responsibility. 2.4    Gain an in-depth knowledge and skill in the handling and compounding of cytotoxic medicines, biological medicines and other medicines. 2.5    Assemble, spray and wipe, prepare/compound products, using aseptic technique in a grade A environment. 2.6    Dispense, label and assist in the distribution of compounded products to patients. 2.7    Support the Technical Services management team in the training of new operatives 2.8    Dispose of Technical Services waste appropriately according to SOP.     2.9    Cleaning of the aseptic unit environment and equipment as required (all staff). 2.10    Occasionally to participate with late/early shifts and Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday rotas as required to meet service provisions and requirements for 7 day working. The Pharmacy is in a transitional period and moving over to a 7-day service, therefore staff are required to participate in a 7 day service which includes the requirement to work weekends, late shifts and bank holidays 2.11    Liaise with the clinical trial team on the manufacturing requirements of clinical trial products 2.12    Contribute to the development and transfer of trial products as well as new aseptically prepared products in to the manufacturing process 2.13    Help with efficient stock control of medicinal products ensuring correct storage and rotation of medicines.