Clinical Trials Pharmacy Technician

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust has a rich history, well-established community links and an international reputation. We deliver specialist services in the London boroughs of Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark, Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Wandsworth and Richmond.

We are committed to provide a high quality and specialist care to our service users and we are recognised for our care and treatment we provide. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as ‘good’.

We launched our five-year strategy, Aiming High; Changing Lives in 2021 together with Our Care Improvement System as our quality management system methodology to make a positive impact on patient care, outcomes and staff experience. By joining SLaM, all staff will get the opportunity to be part of this exciting improvement journey supported with learning and development to harness everyone’s potential as change makers.

The trust recognises the unique and valuable contribution that people with lived experience of mental illness can bring to a role. We therefore welcome applications from people with lived experience and consider them as an asset to the Trust.

Our Values

We take pride in providing specialist care to our service users where our Trust values and our promise to be caring, kind, polite, prompt, honest, listen and do what I say I’m going to do is at the heart of everything we do. When you join us, you’ll be part of something special.

As a Trust we are happy to talk flexible working.

Job overview

§ To organise and maintain all Pharmacy Clinical Trials in conjunction with the Clinical Trials Pharmacist and the Clinical Trials Pharmacy Technician team. To work closely with the local R&D office and the Clinical Trials Office ensuring compliance with ICH GCP guidelines, The Research Governance Framework, the E.U Clinical Trials Directive and other relevant guidelines, regulations and policies.

§ To write precise and concise standard operating procedures (SOPs) for each new clinical trial with respect to dispensing, final checking and procurement of Investigational Medicinal Products (IMPs) which are checked and approved by the Clinical Trials Pharmacist.

§ To be responsible for stock control and for the return and subsequent storage and reconciliation of clinical trial medications according to relevant SOPs.

§ Partake in Dispensary activities as an ACT as directed by Deputy Director of Pharmacy and Pathology.

Main duties of the job

Knowledge

§ Pharmaceutical knowledge in mental health

§ Have an up to date working knowledge of ICHGCP guidelines and the EU Clinical Trials Directive

Skills

§ Good written and oral skills needed for communicating with pharmacy team members, other healthcare professionals, clinical trials organisations and members of the public

§ Good negotiation skills

§ Patient counselling skills

§ Demonstrates initiative and problem solving skills

§ Prioritisation skills and excellent organisation skills and be capable of managing own workload

§ Demonstrates the ability to work unsupervised and to work to deadlines/targets

§ Ability to exercise own initiative when dealing with clinical trials issues with own area of competence

§ Ability to recognise limitations of own remit and know when to refer problems outside of this

§ Competent computer skills, able to use Excel, Word etc to set up documents and spreadsheets and extract information

§ Use of Hospital pharmacy computer system

Personality/Disposition:

§ Ability to work under pressure whilst maintaining attention to detail and accuracy

§ Prepared to take responsibility

§ Flexible in accepting new procedures and policies and manage change

§ Proactive and self- motivated

§ Positive and optimistic

§ Well organised

Working for our organisation

It has a leading role in devising and evaluating new treatments. In addition it has a broad research agenda in mental health, which informs new NHS mental health policies. South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust are part of Kings Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre.

1. Assist in the day to day management of Clinical Trials (CT) at SLaM in conjunction with the CT Pharmacist and Technician team. Ensure that all CT files contain all the necessary documentation, are kept up to date and contain all relevant regulatory approvals.
2. Review prospective clinical trial prescription forms supplied by research organisations and assess suitability for use or required amendments before the trial commences and make recommendations for amendments. Review clinical trial protocols prior to approval, at SLaM assessing the suitability and safety relating to packaging, labelling, shipment, storage and dispensing of study medication and make recommendations for changes when appropriate. Ensure that processes and SOPs are in place for the accurate dispensing of CTs in relation to the above activities ensuring that they meet the required standard.
3. Write a clear synopsis for each clinical trial protocol for the Pharmacy Trial file. Prepare (and update as required) clear and accurate written dispensing procedures for dispensing staff for each clinical trial in accordance with the International Conference for Harmonisation for Good Clinical Practice (ICHGCP) and each study's protocol.
4. In conjunction with the CT Pharmacist review KHP overarching SOPs as requested.
5. Create drug accountability records, patient ID logs and other documents where the study sponsor has not provided them. Audit files regularly to ensure accurate completion of records and that files contain all required material and comply with current guidelines and legislation across SLaM pharmacies. Ensure there are 'codebreaking' procedures in place for drug treatments in case of emergency. Perform 'close down' for CTs and ensure that trial documents are archived as per SOPs.
6. Dispense and check CT medications ensuring each item is accurately dispensed and in the correct packaging, according to SOPs. Complete dispensing records, accurately recording batch numbers, expiry date and provide patient information according to each clinical trial. Perform the final accuracy check on dispensed IMPs, as an Accredited Checking Technician (ACT), according to SOPs. Organise the timely supply of medications to patients on wards and at home. Prioritise and delegate to other pharmacy team members as necessary and communicate any delays in supply to the appropriate person/team.
7. Manage the security and maintenance of all CT drugs from receipt, storage and return or destruction and ensure that the necessary documentation audit trail is present in accordance with all legal requirements and each study's protocol. Responsible for ensuring that storage conditions for IMPs are temperature monitored. Responsible for the maintenance of electronic and/or manual temperature records. Responsible for routine monitoring visits. To act as a pharmacy representative during trial audits and inspections. To act as a role model for pharmacy staff providing a clinical trials service, participate in departmental meetings to keep staff up to date with trial specific issues. Supervise dispensary staff to ensure that work is conducted to a high standard and in accordance with SOPs and ICH GCP.
8. To assist in the training of SLaM staff in relation to clinical trials.
9. To communicate regularly and arrange and participate in meetings with internal Investigators (senior physicians), research nurses and with trial organisers (monitors etc) in sponsoring organisations to establish and maintain a good working relationship and to provide a prompt and effective pharmacy clinical trials service. To ensure effective communication throughout the pharmacy service of any Clinical Trials developments and across the Trust as necessary. Counsel and provide information to patients, or their chosen representative on the use of their medications, offering advice, and answering queries within own remit and referring to the appropriate healthcare professional where appropriate. Act as a pharmacy contact at SLaM for CTs.
10. Responsible for monitoring the clinical trial income. Assist with providing pharmacy cost information to Investigators for grant applications for new studies and non-commercial trials. To assist in ensuring that commercial trials are charged for appropriate activity at the agreed NCVR rates. To ensure final pharmacy fees are submitted for commercial trials following close out.
11. Compile monthly dispensing figures to send to SLaM finance. Liaise with research teams and SLaM finance to invoice non-commercial trial pharmacy charges.
12. Assist with refurbishment planning for the CT Pharmacy and to take part/lead in other service improvement projects.

Person specification

Education and Training

• NVQ Level 3 Pharmaceutical Sciences or a recognised equivalent
• Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), with mandatory CPD
• Accredited checking technician course successfully completed
• Current GCP certificate

Experience

• Experience working in a hospital pharmacy clinical trials service
• Demonstrate experience of writing SOPs and research documents
• Experience of dispensing and organising clinical trials
• Experience of working with ICHGCP guidelines and the EU Clinical Trials Directive
• Demonstrated ability to work with other healthcare professionals

• Experience in training of other staff
• Familiar with WellSky (JAC) computer system

Knowledge

• Have an up to date working knowledge of ICHGCP guidelines and the EU Clinical Trials Directive

• Pharmaceutical knowledge in mental health

Skills

• Good written and oral skills needed for communicating with pharmacy team members, other healthcare professionals, clinical trials organisations and members of the public
• Good negotiation skills
• Demonstrates initiative and problem solving skills
• Prioritisation skills and excellent organisation skills and be capable of managing own workload
• Demonstrates the ability to work unsupervised and to work to deadlines/targets
• Ability to exercise own initiative when dealing with clinical trials issues with own area of competence
• Ability to recognise limitations of own remit and know when to refer problems outside of this
• Competent computer skills, able to use Excel, Word etc to set up documents and spreadsheets and extract information

• Patient counselling skills
• Use of Hospital pharmacy computer system

Personality / Disposition

• Ability to work under pressure whilst maintaining attention to detail and accuracy
• Prepared to take responsibility
• Flexible in accepting new procedures and policies and manage change
• Proactive and self- motivated
• Positive and optimistic
• Ability to achieve demanding tasks and objectives against deadlines

Physical

• Must be able to travel across SL&M sites as required
• Manipulation eg: use of syringes
• Dispensing of medication, including assembly of blister packs/dosette boxes

The Trust is committed to providing services which embrace diversity and that promote equality of opportunity. We are a Disability Confident Employer, we welcome applicants from all sections of the community and people of all protected characteristics. We provide reasonable adjustments for candidates with a disability and are committed to treating people fairly with compassion, respect and dignity and in promoting equality and human rights. We aim to put this commitment into practice by:

• Embedding our commitment to tackling inequality, eliminating discrimination and harassment; promoting equality of opportunity and fostering good relations in our everyday practice
• Ensuring that all our services and all staff understand and support our commitment
• We believe that people who use our services, their carers and our staff, should be treated with compassion, respect and dignity

Please note:

• That all applications for this post will need to be made online
• That you read and understand the Job Description and Personal Specification attached to the role. Your Statement in Support should reflect the requirements specified as your application will be judged against these criteria
• That the closing date listed is a guide only and that the vacancy may close earlier should sufficient number of applicants have been received. We advise that you submit your application as early as possible
• That once you have submitted your application you agree to your application being transferred to a 3rd party e-recruitment system. All subsequent information regarding your application will be generated from apps.trac.jobs
• That should you not have heard from us within three weeks from the closing date your application has not successful
• That priority consideration for applications may be given to at-risk NHS employees
• That should you be successful and appointed, you authorise South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust to confirm your previous NHS service via an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process
• That we are a smoke-free Trust

SLaM is a Stonewall Diversity Champion , Stonewall is the largest Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans (LGBT) rights charity in Europe’