Lead Pharmacy Assistant - Cancer Services

• To support and supervise the day to day running of the pre-filled activity & Aseptic

• Supervise, organise and participate in the set-up of Aseptic Facilities including organising and carry out departmental technical cleans as per schedules.
• Participate as an Aseptic Operative in all aspects of

• To support the Lead Pharmacy Technician in providing line management to the Pharmacy Assistants- Aseptics.
• Provide training and mentoring to other members of the team.
• Be able to undertake ACT of pre-filled medication as non-registered member of staff, following completion of the appropriate competency based training programme.
• Undertake

• To work cross site as required by the service.

• Supervise and prioritise the daily workload in the clean room, to ensure the provision of a safe effective and efficient service is maintained.
• Supervise, organise and participate in the set-up of Aseptic Facilities on a daily basis such that the unit is ready for use in a timely manner.
• Preparation under aseptic conditions of cytotoxic preparations and Monoclonal Antibodies.
• Carry out supervision of the aseptic dispensing process by providing in process checks as designated by the Lead Pharmacy Technician
• Dispensing of pre-filled products and oral medication for use by clinic staff and patients in accordance with the instructions printed on the prescription.
• Final packaging of all types of aseptically dispensed products ensuring safe practice is adhered by all operatives, as specified in the departmental procedures.
• Where necessary liaise with Pharmacy staff to ensure timely delivery of patients medication.
• Maintain appropriate stocks of drugs (including oral medication) and consumables for aseptic dispensing.
• Organise and carry out departmental technical cleans following the daily, weekly monthly quarterly and annual schedule. Ensure such activities are accurately recorded.
• Review receipt of prefilled aseptic products such that they are assessed for quality and signed off as acceptable before they are released for dispensing.
• Undertake pre-process checking of worksheets following SOPs
• Be able to undertake ACT of pre-filled medication as non-registered member of staff.

• Assist the Lead Pharmacy Technician, Technical Services by monitoring the training validation, assessment and broth test requirements for the Assistant Technical Officers, pre-registration pharmacy technicians and pharmacy technicians.
• Organise and assign work tasks to the Assistant Technical Officers (ATOs) such that the department is appropriately staffed for ATOs to complete the required tasks.
• Inform the lead Technician and or Pharmacist of any deficiencies in staffing such that the ATOs cannot complete the required tasks on a daily basis.
• Work with the Lead Pharmacy Technician and other senior staff in developing procedures assuring continued compliance with the requirements of Good Manufacturing Practice.
• Arrange regular stock checks such that department stock levels remain accurate at all time. Where discrepancies occur, discuss with Lead Pharmacy Technician and agree how to remedy the discrepancies.
• Supportive with the dispensing and checking of pre-filled medicines.
• Support with the distribution of medicines from cancer services based at Worcester and to provide support with ordering and co-ordinating where required.
• Contributing to pharmacy cancer & aseptic services recruitment/retention in line with workforce planning requirements and developments in conjunction with the Lead technician.
• Participating in interviews for pharmacy staff where required.
• Assisting in the departmental performance management system ensuring that all aseptic services ATOs are performance managed, receive annual appraisals and appropriate associated development plans to deliver the requirements of their role.
• Assisting the Lead technician in managing the departmental sickness/absence policy for aseptic services staff.
• Manage allocated staff accordingly by following Trust policies.

• Organise and ensure records are maintained and stored following local standard operating procedures, such that they are archived at an appropriate point but are accessible for the required period of time.
• Regularly assess the completeness of documentation completed within the department. Agree methodologies to reduce any omissions and implement where necessary.

• To minimize hazards in the working area, report any identifiable hazards to your line manager. Adhere to all safe systems of work applicable to your area.
• Ensure all documentation relating to COSHH is maintained and kept up to date.

• Maintain personal GCP training to dispense trial medication.
• Carry out audit data collection as designated by the Lead Pharmacist and Lead Technician, Technical Services which meets the reporting requirements of our partner organisations.

• Provide mentoring or supervision of trainee staff such that training needs are identified and staff progression is maintained.
• Demonstrate and maintain Aseptic competence by successfully completing Aseptic Broth Transfer Test Validation every six months.
• Represent The ATOs as a member of the Technical Services Senior team and attend the monthly Quality review.

• The post holder will use the Pharmacy Computer System, finance systems, MS Office and other computer software to produce drug usage reports, management reports, plans, rotas, policies and procedures etc. as required.
• The post holder will undertake a mutually agreed range of technical duties in the department, meeting the required standards at all times, gained by completion of the appropriate competency based training program.
• The post holder will participate in the Trusts Skills Development Review process on at least an annual basis, preparing for and pro-actively contributing to the annual review. This will include following the Personal Development Plan (PDP) devised.
• The post holder will be expected to work on some weekends and Bank Holidays.
• The post holder will maintain patient confidentiality at all times according to Trust procedure and policy.
• The post holder will act in a professional, caring and responsible manner at all times.
• Where concerns or doubts of the accuracy of another member of staff are identified by the post holder, these must be communicated promptly and appropriately to the Lead technician.
• To support the Quality Team with any actions, tasks or requests as directed.
• To undertake any other duties as required by the Chief Pharmacist that are deemed appropriate up to the pay band.
• To work cross site as required by the needs of the service

Essential

• Experience and knowledge of aseptic and pharmacy policies including quality management systems.
• Experience of supervising less experienced staff to deliver aseptic services.
• Experience of multi tasking - how to deal with a range of routine and non-routine activities, work allocation, problem solving for a team or area of work, answering queries, progress chasing, and task related problem solving, and working under pressure with pressurised deadlines and remain calm under pressure.
• Able to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and written and have the ability to record details accurately and neatly.
• Up to date knowledge of Health and Safety at Work including COSHH and Manual Handling as it applies to aseptic services.
• Experience in ability to train, lead and motivate a team of staff.
• Willing to be trained and to learn and must be prepared to attend training courses appropriate for the post.
• Able to work flexibly when needed depending on the service requirements.
• Must be able to undertake manual handling duties.

Desirable

• Experience leading a team and facilitating service delivery and training.
• Experience in management of staff including allocation of workload and personnel issues.
• Experience of carrying out of in process checking in aseptic products

Essential

• 5 GCSE Grade C or above including English and Maths.
• AND
• NVQ or equivalent experience equal to Level 2 in pharmacy technical services
• PLUS
• Evidence of formal training leading to being able to manufacture aseptically prepared products in a clean room environment.
• Significant experience and demonstrated competence of successfully delivering hospital aseptic services including all aspects of GMP.