Senior Pharmacy Assistant Aseptics

The post holder will work as part of a team responsible for the provision of aseptic services to the CDDFT chemotherapy day wards at Bishop Auckland, Darlington, University Hospital of North Durham and Shotley Bridge sites. To participate in the provision of a safe, effective and efficient Aseptic Service in compliance with national guidelines.

Following the relevant training the post holder will be required to:

• prepare cytotoxic chemotherapy, and other aseptic products for both inpatients and outpatients;
• process associated documentation;
• provide technical support to maintain the smooth running of the service;
• maintain the clean-room environment, through cleaning and monitoring to minimise the risk of microbiological contamination of products;
• assist in training and supervision of pre-registration pharmacy technicians, pre-registration pharmacists.

The post holder will also be required to provide distribution services to the haematology/oncology ward, dispense oral cytotoxic chemotherapy and supportive care medication, and dispense and maintain supplies of pre-prepared bought in chemotherapy products.

Main duties of the job include:

• Participating in the provision of a safe, effective and efficient Aseptic Service in compliance with national guidelines.
• Interpreting the requirements of IV and oral chemotherapy prescriptions to accurately produce worksheets and manage safe workload.
• Using own judgement and analytical skills to highlight to senior staff potential discrepancies on prescriptions.
• Interpreting worksheets and batch documentation to collate raw materials and disposables required for the preparation process.
• Carrying out the preparation process accurately, following worksheet documentation.
• Identifying discrepancies and situations outside of SOPs and taking appropriate action.
• Resolving problems during preparation, including isolator failure.
• Attaching labels to the correct prepared product following labelling guidelines.
• Identifying potential problems when carrying out environmental monitoring and reporting them appropriately.
• Monitoring and recording ambient and cold storage temperatures within designated areas, reporting any deviations.
• Monitoring and recording room differential pressures within the designated areas, reporting any deviations.
• Performing self-check of own work.
• Ensuring adequate supplies of drugs and consumables and resolving stock problems.
• Dealing with spillage of cytotoxic medicine.
• Reviewing stock levels of drugs in conjunction with ward manager and other pharmacy staff.
• Co-ordinating and supervising pre-registration Pharmacy Technicians and pre-registration Pharmacists.

Judgement is required to recognise when intervention is required by a pharmacist or lead technician.

Person Specification

Experience – Essential: Experience of working in a clean room environment; dispensing experience; working knowledge of live pharmacy stock control systems; demonstrate experience of working in a team.

Desirable: Previous experience of working in a hospital pharmacy.

Special Skills & Knowledge – Essential: Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice; good computer and keyboard skills; organised, methodical and accurate approach; excellent skills for dealing with people; good oral and written communication skills; evidence of personal development; commitment to CPD; understanding of stock control.

Desirable: Evidence of implementing change; previous supervisory experience.

Qualifications – Essential: GCSE English and Maths (Grade C and above) or equivalent; NVQ Level 2 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent experience; have obtained or be willing to commence the training units in Aseptic Preparation of the NVQ Level 3 in pharmacy services within 6 months of employment; qualification in Supervisory Management or willing to commence within 1 year of employment; evidence of ongoing competency and training in a Cleanroom environment.

Desirable: Medicines management experience.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a disclosure will be sought.

Employer details

Employer: County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust, Hollyhurst Road, Darlington, County Durham, DL3 6HX