Aseptic Technician

An exciting and unique opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, dynamic and self‑motivated professional to join our Aseptic team at the Sutton site of the Royal Marsden. You will be part of a team consisting of Pharmacists, Technicians and Assistants, who are always striving for excellence in all aspects of our work. We are working collaboratively as part of a Multi‑Disciplinary Team to ensure we always deliver outstanding care to our patients.

Our service is built around providing a high-quality service to our patients and staff of the Trust. The department works closely with the Institute of Cancer Research and the post‑holder will be supporting the development of innovative new cancer medicines as these drugs enter early phase clinical trials. The Oak Cancer Centre (a new, state‑of‑the‑art treatment and research facility) opened in June 2023 in Sutton which will speed up the translation of world‑leading research into breakthroughs in treatment and care, transforming the lives of cancer patients at The Royal Marsden and beyond.

The hospital introduced the EPIC digital health record system in March 2023 and are looking to become a truly paperless department in 2026. Over the next year a brand‑new state‑of‑the‑art aseptic suite will be opening at the Sutton site to facilitate the growth of the aseptic service.

Main duties of the job

• You will work closely with and support the Chief Technician and Deputy Chief Technician in the day‑to‑day running of the Technical Services aseptic suite, providing a quality, GMP compliant service, supplying aseptically prepared medicines including clinical trials, in a timely manner to all service users.
• You will become fully trained and accredited in all processes appropriate to the Band 4 role including assembly, 1st dispense check process, compounding and volume checking.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Gain in depth knowledge and skill in the handling, compounding and use of cytotoxic drugs.
• Gain experience in the handling, compounding and use of clinical trials prepared at the Trust and undertake Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training.
• Gain experience in the maintenance of Aseptic facilities as defined in Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).
• Support the provision of robust, efficient stock control of medicines, IV fluids, containers etc. ensuring correct storage and rotation of drugs.
• Become trained in and follow all procedures for stock ordering, distribution and stock control.
• Undertake daily stock checks and submit to Senior staff.
• Become trained and accredited in all processes appropriate to the Band 4 role; dispensing, assembly, assembly checking, first dispense checking and volume checking.

Person specification

Education / Qualifications

• Educated to 5 GCSEs grade A‑C including English and mathematics or equivalent.
• Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
• Science Manufacturing Technician Level 3, BTEC in Pharmaceutical Sciences or NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services or equivalent Technical Modules or equivalent experience.
• Post‑qualification course on aseptic preparation and dispensing of medicines/GMP/QA or equivalent.
• Accredited Checking Pharmacy Technician (ACPT) qualification or working towards ACPT qualification.

Experience

• Significant experience including compounding of aseptic products in a hospital or industry aseptic facility minimum 1 year.
• Knowledge and understanding of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice).
• Evidence of ongoing CPD records.
• Experience of working in a hospital pharmacy department.
• Understanding of GCP (Good Clinical Practice).

Skills / Ability / Knowledge

• Ability to work effectively as part of a team with staff at all levels.
• Effective interpersonal skills with particular ability to communicate in clear English with staff members, members of the public and healthcare professionals.
• Good time management skills, organised and planning skills; ability to meet deadlines and prioritise workload for self and others.
• Ability to problem‑solve, work effectively and follow written procedures.
• Calm under pressure and ability to concentrate and work accurately for prolonged periods with frequent and unpredictable interruptions.
• Computer literate – Ability to use Microsoft office applications e.g. Word, excel and outlook.
• Ability to train/coach/teach tasks to other staff including pharmacy assistants and technicians.
• Use of pharmacy computer systems and knowledge of EPIC.

Other Requirements inc. Physical

• Be flexible and adaptable to changes in procedures and practices to meet the needs of the role and service.
• Self‑motivated, pro‑active and demonstrate a professional attitude.
• Enthusiastic, supportive, hardworking and conscientious and reliable with good attendance record.
• Committed to further education and ensure CPD requirements are maintained.
• Committed to safe and effective patient care.
• Able to work on both sites and partake in the weekend, extended hours and bank holiday rotas to meet the needs of the role and service (e.g. shift work).
• Ability to successfully pass validations and accreditation as per unit SOPs: hand wash, gowning, transfer, isolator/room clean, EPIC dispensing, assembly/assembly check, compounding and operator broth validations, volume check, 1st dispense check and ordering.
• Capable of moderate lifting, walking to ward areas, sitting to input data, standing for long periods dispensing or compounding.
• Satisfactory DBS check.

The Royal Marsden values diversity and is committed to the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority groups. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates with disabilities. As a Disability Confident Employer, we are working to create a workplace that enables all staff to reach their full potential. We are committed to this because we know that greater diversity and inclusion will lead to an even greater positive impact for the people we serve.

Flu Vaccination – What We Expect of our Staff

At The Royal Marsden we have an immune‑compromised patient population who we must protect as much as we can against the flu virus. Each year, seasonal flu affects thousands of people in the UK. Occurring mainly in winter, it is an infectious respiratory disease capable of producing symptoms ranging from those similar to a common cold, through to very severe or even fatal disease. The wellbeing of our staff and patients is of the upmost importance to us, and it is the expectation of The Royal Marsden that all patient‑facing staff have an annual flu vaccination, provided free of charge by the Trust.