Deputy Lead Pharmacist Aseptic and Radiopharmacy Services Band 8a
Join us at an exciting time for Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust! We have an ambitious plan for our journey to Outstanding and are looking for aspirational, committed individuals to join us, making a real difference to both staff and patients.
As a former winner of England for excellence award: Tourism destination of the year, the beautiful city of Gloucester and the scenic regency spa town of Cheltenham are fantastic places to work and live.
As a hospital Trust we are currently involved in over 100 clinical trials and studies, whilst also providing acute elective and specialist services to a population of over 620,000.
By joining Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust new colleagues can look forward to a warm welcome and a future full of opportunities and support.
Job overview
Deputy Lead Pharmacist Aseptic & Radiopharmacy Services, Band 8a
We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic pharmacist who embraces the challenge of working in a busy environment as part of a friendly, multi-skilled team.
This post is to provide a second deputy to support the Accountable Pharmacist. You will be based in the Pharmacy Aseptic unit but also provide operational and Quality Management support to the separate Radiopharmacy Department based at Cheltenham General Hospital.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to be involved in the planning of a move into a temporary unit and with the design of a new permanent facility and assisting with helping to drive improvement forward as well as developing the strategic direction of the department.
Weekend and Bank Holiday working as required by department
Main duties of the job
Pharmacy Technical Services comprises Aseptic Preparation, Radiopharmacy, Quality Assurance and Quality Control. This workforce is critical to the safe and effective preparation, delivery and quality assurance of a range of highly specialised and bespoke medicinal products to patients.The post-holder will ….
- Deputise for the Accountable Pharmacist. They will operate as one of two individuals in this role.
- To aid in the management and development of services and staff to provide effective and efficient services providing aseptic products under Section 10 in accordance with the required standards and legislation.
- Lead on designated areas of responsibility within these services, ensuring the requirements of quality assurance, quality control and timely delivery are met.
- Assist the Accountable Pharmacist with implementing service improvements and developments in line with best practice and current guidance, taking a lead on identified projects, and work in relation to internal, external audits and regulatory inspections.
- Be professionally and managerially responsible for the development, management and co-ordination of staff working in the PASU, ensuring that education, training, validation and competency assessments are all relevant, up to date and of the appropriate standard.
Working for our organisation
The pharmacy department has approximately 240 staff on 2 sites - Cheltenham and Gloucester
The pharmacy cancer services team is an integral part of the multi-disciplinary Gloucestershire Cancer Institute.
Within the Pharmacy department at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHSFT, we are committed to supporting the South West Inclusive Pharmacy Practice manifesto (https://pwds.nhs.uk/associates/sw-ipp/ ), creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.
We welcome applications from all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or socioeconomic background.
If you require any adjustments or support during the application process or in the workplace, please let us know. We are here to ensure that all candidates and employees can contribute fully and thrive in their roles.
Join us in making a difference—together, we can build a workplace that celebrates diverse perspectives and experiences.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The postholder will work within the Aseptic Team
Provide professional oversight ensuring that all activities, product manufacture and release occurs in accordance with current legislation and standards such as GMP, GCP, health and safety, COSHH and that all work, documentation and procedures meet the requirements for the manufacturing of medicines under Section 10 exemptions of the 1968 Medicines Act.
Lead on delegated areas of responsibility and act as Accountable Pharmacist when the lead pharmacist is on leave/absent.
Supporting the Production Manager to ensure the day-to-day operation of the Pharmacy Aseptic Unit (PASU ) and ensure the final release of radiopharmaceuticals.
Assist with the compilation of workload statistics and other management information, through data entry and analysis.
To aid in the maintenance of policy and procedures relating to Pharmacy Aseptic Unit (PASU) and Nuclear Medicine Radiopharmacy ensuring these procedures are adhered to.
Take an active role with developing Quality Management, leading on projects and audits, self-inspection and action plans, all in a timely manner.
See full job description for further details
Additional contact:
Claire James
0300 422 3504
Person specification
Qualifications, Experience and Skills
Essential criteria- Active registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
- UK recognised Degree in Pharmacy
- Evidence of experience in planning, managing and implementing service improvements and changes across aseptic cytotoxic, or radiopharmaceutical work streams.
- Ability to plan and organise aseptic services and staffing (across the cytotoxic, dispensing and radiopharmacy work streams) and to adjust plans in response to changing circumstances to ensure timely service provision
- Good leadership skills and motivational skills and the ability to positively promote change in a complex healthcare environment.
- Excellent written communication skills with proven writing skills in production of reports, letters, policies and procedures.
- Critical appraisal skills and ability to analyse data and convert this into information used to support service management.
- Demonstrable ability to prioritise own work and that of others and manage time and resources effectively.
- Be proficient in IT and applications including Word, Excel, Outlook
- Ability to quality assure pharmacy documents to ensure pharmacy material is of a high standard at all times.
- Demonstrates ability to delegate appropriately maintaining own and team motivation and clarity of purpose to deliver objectives for aseptic services and as part of wider pharmacy team. E IA
- Has a responsive, solution focused approach to addressing issues and barriers
- Able to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and ensure a stakeholder focused response
- Professional knowledge acquired through PTQA (2 year course diploma level, 3 year masters level) or equivalent experiential learning with post qualification working in aseptic services, including managing aseptic services.
- Staff management with involvement in recruitment / appraisals / training / leadership / motivation / attendance management/performance management and participation in grievance or disciplinary procedures.
The health and wellbeing of our staff and patients remains the priority of the Trust. Vaccination remains the best chance we have of conquering COVID and the Trust encourages everyone to take up this offer.
Please note, this vacancy may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received, so please apply as soon as possible if you are interested. The Recruitment Team are unable to accept any applications after the position has closed on NHS Jobs.
Committed to safeguarding our community
If applicable for the post, all successful candidates will be required to pay for their own Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. The cost will be £29 (standard checks) or £46 (enhanced checks), and will be recovered through two instalments from the candidate's salary.Please contact [email protected] for further information.
The Trust is a safeguarding employer committed to the safeguarding and promotion of welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The Trust is committed to safe recruitment practices to protect children and vulnerable adults, and any appointment will be subject to satisfactory clearance.As part of the organisation's commitment to Safer Recruitment, candidates may request copies of relevant policies and procedures by contacting the Recruitment Team at [email protected]
Committed to supporting service personnel
As part of our commitment to support Service Personnel, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, in collaboration with the Career Transition Partnership, offer a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for all qualifying Service and Ex-Service Personnel.To qualify for a guaranteed interview, candidates must meet the essential criteria for the post and be either a current member of the Armed Forces, or be within the two year period of resettlement. If this applies to you please email the job reference number and your AR number to the Recruitment Team at [email protected]
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