Senior Pharmacist – Aseptic Services +/- EDC

Job summary

A rare opportunity has arisen for an exceptional Pharmacist to join our large and friendly pharmacy team at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust. The ideal candidate would be an ambitious, self- motivated and committed Pharmacist with excellent technical and communication skills.

The successful post holder will have practical experience of working in a production or Quality Control environment and be familiar with GMP, GCP, Section 10 and MHRA standards.

They will deputise for the Lead Pharmacist Technical Services and work closely with the Pharmacy Aseptic/ Quality Assurance team.

We are a large Acute Teaching Hospital of approximately 1300 beds. Our pharmacy department has an innovative approach to pharmaceutical care with a ward-based technician service and pharmacist led clinics. We have strong links with the Medical School at Warwick University and the department of Medicines Management at Keele University.

You will be based at University Hospital Coventry, a PFI hospital opened in 2006 which is situated just off the junction of the M6 and M69.

Please be advised there is a provisional interview date of 18th December 2024.

Main duties of the job

The primary duties include working as the Deputy Accountable Pharmacist alongside the Lead Pharmacist for Technical Services and the Pharmacy Aseptic/ Quality Assurance team to provide a safe, effective and high-quality service. The post holder will support the maintenance and improvement of the Unit's Pharmaceutical Quality System.

The role will include aseptic verification and release of products from the unit. You will work alongside other healthcare professionals to provide treatment for patients requiring aseptically made injectable medicines, for example those with cancer amongst other conditions. You will assist in the development of the aseptic service at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust.

Although your main role will be in the aseptic department you may be required to support the clinical verification (screening) of SACT prescriptions and the dispensing of chemotherapy medicines.

About us

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.

We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.

Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.

We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence designated organisation - please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (

By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.

The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties/ Responsibilities

1. To assist in the development of the aseptic service.

2. To practice as an expert practitioner, providing advice and consultancy to patients, healthcare professionals and other agencies relating to pharmaceutical aspects of aseptic services within the department and on the wards/clinical areas.

3. To operate as an authorised pharmacist within the Pharmacy Aseptic Unit.

4. To participate in, and if needed, lead on the training of Pharmacy staff within the department relating to aseptic services.

5. To support the maintenance and development of Standard Operating Procedures, staff training and approval records, physical and microbiological monitoring records and other records deemed necessary by the MHRA or regional QA specialists.

6. To ensure that all aseptically prepared medicines are produced in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).

7. To support monitoring of the environment and working practices to assure the quality of products and safety of staff. To assess risks against clinical need and make judgements when problems arise with the air handling unit, environment, facility issues or staffing.

8. To support the Lead Pharmacist and Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Manager in preparation for, and completion of actions resulting from, external audits from the MHRA in relation to licensed activity/ regional QC and accredited NHS inspectors for unlicensed activity.

9. To work with the Aseptic/ Quality Assurance team to support the maintenance of the PQS (Pharmaceutical Quality System) for the aseptic service.

10. To provide clinical support to the St Cross Pharmacy Chemotherapy Co-ordinator with the provision and delivery of chemotherapy to the Maple Unit at St Cross Hospital.

11. To provide clinical support to the Aseptic Process Co-ordinator with the provision and delivery of chemotherapy and other aseptic medicines to the internal and external locations.

12. To participate in, and if needed, lead on commitments relating to intrathecal chemotherapy.

Pharmacy Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Check prescriptions for clarity, safety and efficacy on wards, in dispensaries and the aseptic suite and when necessary, take accurate drug histories to facilitate this. Query with and provide the prescriber with appropriate information to effect a change in the prescription when clinically required, to ensure patients safety and effective therapy.

2. Provide information to nursing and medical staff across the trust on any aspect of medicines policy ensuring safe practice. Provide information to patients on allocated wards or in dispensaries concerning their medication and answer any resulting questions or queries.

3. Provide when necessary, through checking dispensing or supervision of technicians and ATOs, an efficient medication supply service from any of the pharmacy departments, including the aseptic suite.

4. Ensure patients discharge medication is accurate and dispensed in advance of the patients discharge, by writing the patients medication on the GP discharge prescription and conveying to the GP all necessary information concerning the patient medication to ensure a safe transfer to primary care. Reducing pharmaceutical waste by utilising patients own drugs in the discharge process.

5. Within your designated clinical area of responsibility, ensure best practice and clinical governance is applied to drug therapy by providing medical and nursing staff with:

a. Appropriate drug information

b. Support in writing clinical guidelines

c. Participation in and delivery of education and training

d. Undertaking clinical audit and practice research

e. Ensuring procedures for the introduction and monitoring of new drugs are followed

f. Monitoring of drug expenditure and provision of advice on the financial implications of changes in practice

g. Train, and act as role model to pharmacy staff allocated to specialty

h. Liaise with community medical nursing and pharmacy staff to ensure effective and seamless care 6. Provide clinical pharmacy and prescribing services within the Trust as an independent prescriber (as required).

7. Support the Associate Director of Pharmacy Cancer, Technical Services and Clinical Trials in achieving long-term objectives of the department and its strategic direction including devising and reviewing SOPs and guidelines as needed.

For further details of the role please see the attached job description.

Person Specification

Qualification /Training

Essential

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Desirable

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Experience

Essential

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Desirable

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Knowledge

Essential

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Desirable

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Skills & Abilities

Essential

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Desirable

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