Aseptic Technician - Band 4 in Harlow

To work with and support Pharmacy Technicians to provide an effective pharmacy service in the Pharmacy Aseptic Unit.

Main duties of the job:

• To work with and support Pharmacy technical and professional staff.
• To participate in the compounding of all preparations produced within the Aseptic Unit, using appropriate equipment.
• To liaise with PAH facilities department, outside companies and the environment agency to organise clinical waste removal.
• To follow all Health and Safety standards in compliance with Trust policies and procedures.

Job summary:

To co-ordinate and participate in the day to day running of the Pharmacy Technical Services Unit and the production of Cytotoxic and CIVAS products in line with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). To train and supervise staff working within the Pharmacy Technical Service Unit (TSU). To assist in the provision of Pharmacy Services to wards and departments with The Princess Alexandra NHS Trust.

Scope and range:

This role supports and is part of the Pharmacy Team serving The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust. To assist in the provision of Pharmacy Services to the Trust’s hospitals, community clinics and external providers. Apply skills and knowledge to a range of activities concerned with the preparation and supply of aseptic pharmaceutical products within Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) regulations. Work with and support the TSU pharmacy technicians and ATOs in the training of rotational staff. Maintain a clean working environment in compliance with GMP regulations.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Co-ordinate and participate in the daily activities within TSU including isolator testing and room cleaning.
• Take a lead in workflow planning in the clean rooms.
• To ensure all staff follow SOPs.
• To co-ordinate and monitor monthly cleaning.
• Ensure adequate supplies, accurate stock control and storage of all items required in the department.
• Train, guide and supervise staff in their duties, this will include Rotational Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officers, Pre-Registration Pharmacists and visitors.
• Assist in any developments in the TPN, Cytotoxic, CIVAS services and Clinical Trials.
• Ensure To Take Away (TTA), in-patient and outpatient prescriptions are dispensed for chemotherapy patients within the required time.
• Ensure any problems with Chemotherapy items are referred to the most appropriate member of staff where necessary.
• Assist in maintaining total compliance with national guidelines and all of the policies and procedures within the unit.
• Contribute to the updating of existing SOPs.
• Identify, select and issue drugs.
• Undergo regular validation tests in accordance with the SOP.
• Participate in compounding of aseptic preparations, using appropriate equipment and in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice standards (GMP).
• Identify, select, compound and dispense drugs (may include clinical trial material) in accordance with prescriptions.
• Liaise with other healthcare workers to maintain service.
• Use of computer systems to generate work sheets for compounding aseptic products.
• Participate in the in-house and regional checking schemes, including tray checks and volume checks.
• Assist in the maintenance of the quality systems within the aseptic unit including error reporting and completion of non-conformance reports.
• Carry out environmental monitoring.
• Ensure action for drug/drug related recalls is carried out in accordance with SOPs.
• Maintain awareness of current trends and practices.
• Ensure any problems are referred on to the most appropriate member of staff, where necessary.
• Ensure professional and legal standards are adhered to.
• To deputise for the Pharmacy Technical Services Manager/Senior Pharmacy Technician Aseptic Unit in the Pharmacy Technical Service Unit in their absence.

To carry out the following:

• Maintain stock control and stock rotation.
• Follow all standard operating procedures (SOPs) accurately.
• Maintain a clean and tidy working environment.
• Maintain accurate manual and computer records.
• General ‘house-keeping’ duties.

To follow all Health and Safety standards in compliance with Trust policies and procedures. This includes:

• Report all accidents, incidents and near misses.
• Dealing with hazardous chemicals (including cytotoxic drugs) used in the department, following COSHH regulations.
• Ensure disposal of pharmaceutical waste in all areas is carried out according to SOPs.
• Attendance of all mandatory training.
• The post holder will participate in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and training relevant to the post.

This job profile is not a definitive or exhaustive list of responsibilities but identifies the key responsibilities and tasks of the post-holder. The specific objectives of the post-holder will be subject to review as part of the Performance Review and Development Plan process. This job description may be subject to change according to the varying needs of the service. Such changes will be made after discussion between the post holder and the manager. All duties must be carried out under supervision or within Trust policy and procedure.