Senior Pharmacy ATO Aseptics

Job overview

Invitation to join the Pharmacy Aseptics Team!

The Pharmacy Department is looking to recruit enthusiastic Senior Pharmacy Assistants to support in the delivery of excellent hospital pharmacy aseptic services. As the successful candidate, you will join our friendly team working in the Aseptic Unit at Warwick, preparing chemotherapy and related treatments for patients across Warwickshire.

We will provide a comprehensive in-house training programme during which you will learn all about our clean room environment and the many different procedures that we have to maintain the high standards of cleanliness and efficiency needed in a busy Aseptic Unit.

Main duties of the job

Reporting to the Lead technician for Aseptics and working closely with the cancer and aseptics team to deliver a high standard aseptics service for the trust’s treatment suites and our external customers. Ensuring compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Good distribution Practice (GDP) and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and other relevant standards and legislation.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

Managed by the Lead Technician - Aseptics

Supervises Pharmacy technicians, Pharmacy Assistants, Senior Assistants and Trainees on rotation within the pharmacy aseptic unit.

Works and co-operates with all Pharmacy and healthcare staff in the provision of services.

Works and co-operates with the nursing staff on the Aylesford and Rigby Day treatment units.

Maintains a network with counterparts in other Trusts, for the exchange of information and the sharing of ideas

GEH & other external customers.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Aseptic Unit duties

Assist in the delivery of safe, effective and efficient aseptic dispensing service in accordance with SOPs of the unit working under the direction of the senior technical staff

Comply with all requirements for environmental monitoring in the pharmacy aseptic unit including sessional monitoring, daily monitoring, weekly monitoring and less frequent monitoring as outlined in the pharmacy aseptic unit SOPs

Participation in the examination of environmental monitoring media and recording of results. Reporting any alert/action levels to Senior technicians.

Arrange for test sample to be sent promptly to the appropriate microbiology laboratories when necessary

Carry out the regular quality assurance programme according to SOPs and complete accurately any required paperwork

Complete manual leak tests when required on isolators

Undertake regular cleaning of the pharmacy aseptic unit according to SOPs including daily, weekly and monthly intensive specialist cleaning

Assemble ingredients for items to be made according to the worksheet and SOPs noting down accurately batch number and expiry dates, checking for any particles, discolouration or breakages

Assist with operation of specialist equipment involved in the pharmacy aseptic unit

Assist with the completion of all required documentation

Undertake training to participate in assisting the safe aseptic preparation

Dispensing of prefilled products

The following tasks will become part of the main duties once a required level of competence has been achieved;

Generating worksheets and labels according to SOPs and prescriptions

Assisting in the preparation of aseptically dispensed items including chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies and CIVAS items

Preparation of aseptically dispensed items including chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies and CIVAS items

Carry out Pre- and In – Process Checks (PIPC) on assembled items and accuracy checks during the preparation of products

Delivering released products to clinical areas

Assist in the laundry management of clean room items

Liaise with senior technicians with regard to ordering of consumable items used in the pharmacy aseptic unit

Stock control duties including receiving, unpacking, checking and storing of delivered items, ensuring stock rotation and expiry date checks

Assist in the maintenance of adequate levels of drugs and equipment by informing senior technicians when stock levels are low

Maintain an adequate supply of worksheets and other record sheets photocopying more as required

To carry out accurate entry of data into the Pharmacy computer system.

To maintain the Controlled Drug register and to carry out regular stock level checks of Controlled Drugs in line with legal responsibilities as appropriate.

General duties

Undertake general housekeeping duties to main a clean, tidy and safe working environment

Assist with the filing and safe storage of all documentation

Dispose of hazardous and non-hazardous waste appropriately according to SOPs and trust procedures

Participate in regular stock dates

Assist with ward top ups as required

Assist in workplace audits

Foster and maintain good relationships with pharmacy, medical and nursing staff through effective communication

Deal with all service users as quickly and efficiently as possible while being sensitive to their various problems and the needs of patients, staff and other visitors. Answer telephones promptly and courteously

Maintain own skills and undertake continuous professional development consistent with grade and developments within the profession of pharmacy

Work in accordance with the pharmacy department and trust SOPs

Maintain patient confidentiality at all times as per trust procedures

To ensure the security of the Pharmacy department, drug stores and out-lying pharmacies at all times during working hours and at the end of the working day by maintaining responsibility for keys and swipe access cards and by the setting of alarms as necessary.

Attend aseptic unit departmental meetings

Participate in weekday early start/late night weekend and bank holiday rotas

Work in accordance with the goals and values of the trust

Education and training

Undertake the pharmacy aseptics unit training programme

Undertake any private study when necessary

Assist with the training and support of other staff when required

Undertake and attain Buttercups level 2 Pharmacy manufacturing course or equivalent