Clinical Trials Pharmacy Technician
The James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust serves a population of around 250,000 people in the Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft and Waveney areas. The Trust provides an integrated hospital and community children’s service.
Patient and staff experience is important to us and these are the behaviours we live by:
- Putting patients first
- Aiming to get it right
- Recognising that everybody counts
- Doing everything openly and honestly
‘Prior consideration will be given to NHS At Risk staff within East of England'
Job overview
The James Paget Hospital Pharmacy Team is looking for an enthusiastic, highly motivated Pharmacy Technician to join our Clinical Trials team and contribute to our growing service. The Pharmacy department is a diverse and inclusive team.
This advert is for a vacancy for 15.5 hours per week, hours of work will be confirmed between the successful applicant and the line manager.
We will consider applications for existing Pharmacy staff to undertake this role in conjunction with their current role in line with our service requirements.
Our vision is to provide safe, high quality seamless services delivered with courtesy and respect. The Pharmacy team work one in every six weekends to support our 7-day service. We are looking for a qualified technician to join our clinical trials pharmacy team, providing support with the management of the Trust portfolio of clinical trials.
Main duties of the job
To act as a member of the pharmacy team, undertaking a full range of duties commensurate with the professional role of a pharmacy technician, under the supervision of the Chief Pharmacist whilst working within the legal requirements, Trust policies and department procedures as laid down by the department and the Trust.
Main duties for this role will include supporting the pharmacist after set up of a new clinical trial to maintain the medication, training logs and standard operating procedures. The post holder will be responsible for overseeing monitoring visits, maintaining files, close out visits and achieving.The service will be developing to include medicines reconciliation of new patients recruited to clinical trials.
To work flexibly, responding to the needs of the department which will include participating in the weekend rota, bank holiday rota and late clinic rota.
Working for our organisation
Our vibrant team consists of approximately 90 highly skilled staff who work together to empower our patients to use medicines safely and effectively to improve their health outcomes. The successful candidate will benefit from drawing on the knowledge and experience of approachable staff so you will feel supported and mentored throughout your learning journey.We pride ourselves on creating a positive, supportive and structured learning environment enabling you to strive for success.
All roles within the trust require staff to demonstrate our core values and behaviours in the care they provide to patients. All members of staff should consider these behaviours and essential part of their job role.
COLLABORATION - We work positively with others to achieve shared aims.ACCOUNTABILITY - We act with professionalism and integrity, delivering what we commit to, embedding learning when things do not go to plan.
RESPECT - We are anti-discriminatory, treating people fairly and creating a sense of belonging and pride.
EMPOWERMENT - We speak out when things don’t feel right, we are innovative and make changes to support continuous improvement.
SUPPORT - We are compassionate, listen attentively and are kind to ourselves and each other.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Main responsibilities of the role are:
- To co-ordinate, supervise and maintain the Pharmacy clinical trials service in accordance with ICH GCP guidelines and Pharmacy procedures and ensure provision of a high quality service to patients and staff within the Trust.
- To attend set up meetings, working closely with Clinical Research Associates and Research Nurses and identifying issues and negotiating to ensure resolution.
- To assist with preparing and maintaining dispensing and prescribing guidelines/ procedures for clinical trials within the Trust.
- To be responsible for ensuring that all trial specific procedures are in place in time for the recruitment of the first patient to a new clinical trial.
- To be responsible for the controlled storage of all drugs, including CDs, licensed and unlicensed drugs, and materials sourced or supplied by sponsors for use in clinical trial studies in line with GMP and the Medicines Act 1968.
- To ensure dispensing, storage and expiry date records for clinical trials are kept up-to-date and archived for future reference.
- To be responsible for the ordering and receipt of pharmaceuticals and sundries required to support clinical trial work.
- To be responsible for monitoring stock levels of clinical trial supplies and expiry date checks and take required action in the event of stock discrepancies where necessary.
- To be responsible for accurate record keeping and drug accountability of clinical trials.
- To be responsible for the accountability of all investigational medicinal products ‘returns’/disposed medicines according to GCP and GMP.
- To organise the dispensing, preparation and recording of clinical trial products.
- To provide and co-ordinate the training of all Pharmacy staff in clinical trials with regard to trial set up, day-to-day trial queries and monitoring their progress and ICH GCP dispensing practice.
- To be responsible for the ‘closing’ of completed trials and maintaining archive records.
- To be familiar with procedures and activities of other internal sections within Pharmacy and their potential interactions with trial activities.
- To undertake the counselling of patients on the correct use of clinical trial medication/devices.
- To deputise for the Clinical Trials Pharmacist, when required.
- To undertake a programme of audit to demonstrate adherence to local and national guidelines and legislation in relation to R&D activity.
Person specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential criteria- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent
- Registration with General Pharmaceutical Council
- Accredited Checking Technician
- Patient counselling training
- Accredited Medicine Management Technician
Skills and Experience
Essential criteria- Post-qualification experience within hospital.
- Able to work under pressure
- Understanding of GCP
- Significant experience in the set-up and running of a clinical trial in a pharmacy environment
- Significant experience in pharmacy clinical trials
- Basic understanding of GMP
- Experience in aseptic services
Skills and Competencies
Essential criteria- Articulate and numerate
- Methodical approach to work procedures
- Excellent oral and written communication skills with ability to demonstrate fluency, clarity and effectiveness.
- Able to record information accurately with attention to detail
- Ability to identify and manage problems
- Able to meet deadlines
Trust Values and Behaviours
Essential criteria- Courteous and Respectful
- Kind and Helpful
- Responsive Communication
- Effective and Professional
The Trust is committed to ensuring that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
‘Prior consideration will be given to NHS At Risk staff within East of England'
Tier 2 Sponsorship : We are pleased to consider applicants who require Tier 2 sponsorship to work in the UK but it is unlikely that we would be able to appoint if a suitably qualified, experienced and skilled UK/Right to work candidate is available.Applying for entry clearance into the UK, must provide a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) will also be subject to this requirement.
Please check your account regularly under “My Applications” to view the progress of your applications. If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.
In submitting an application form, you authorise the Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process.
Please note that should we experience a high level of interest in this post, the vacancy may be closed prior to the stated closing date.