About this role
Job summary
In CDDFT Pharmacy we pride ourselves in working at the leading edge of pharmacv practice and medicines management with our teams achieving national recognition for innovative, high-quality patient care.
We are seeking a motivated and highly organised Pharmacy Technicians to join our Cancer Services team based at Darlington Memorial Hospital. Working within our Pharmacy Aseptic Unit, you will play a key role in delivering a safe, effective and high-quality service to patients receiving cancer treatment.
You will require General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) registration and a L3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians or an equivalent recognised GPhC qualification
Main duties of the job
As a Pharmacy Technician within Cancer Services, you will:
Work under the direction of the Cancer Services Lead Pharmacy Technician to help maintain a safe, efficient and high-quality aseptic pharmacy service. Take responsibility for a designated area of work and contribute to the dispensing of clinical trial medications, oral anti-cancer therapies and controlled drugs. Act as an Accuracy Checking Pharmacy Technician (ACPT), undertaking the final accuracy check of prescriptions, including outsourced chemotherapy prescriptions that have been clinically screened by a pharmacist, in accordance with departmental Procedures. Exercise professional judgement and accountability, referring where appropriate to ensure patient safety. Manage the receipt, dispensing, issue and secure storage of medicines in line with legal requirements, departmental SOPs and best practice standards. Support the dispensing and supply of specialist cancer medicines, including clinical trial treatments, oral anti-cancer therapies and controlled drugs. Assist the Cancer Services Lead Pharmacy Technician in maintaining compliance with national quality standards and support the compliance and implementation audit recommendations. Contribute to the ongoing development, quality improvement and governance of the Pharmacy Aseptic Unit.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
Job description Job responsibilities
Work closely with the Cancer Services team to ensure preparation of chemotherapy is in a sterile aseptic environment and complies with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. Support the Lead Pharmacy Technician and Accountable Pharmacist in planning and prioritising workload Deputise for the Cancer Services Lead Pharmacy Technician as required. Support the receipt, preparation and aseptic dispensing of cancer medicines Perform and check calculations relating to chemotherapy doses and drug volumes as part of pre-production and in-process checking procedures. Participate in quality control monitoring activities, including broth validation and environmental monitoring, to maintain a safe and clean working environment. Undertake validation activities and complete associated processes in accordance with departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Ensure the safe, secure and legal handling, storage and supply of medicines. Support compliance with QAAP standards and assist with audit and quality assurance activities. Maintain accurate records and ensure all documentation is completed, stored and filed appropriately. Provide medicines-related information and advice to healthcare professionals within own level of competence. Act as an Accuracy Checking Pharmacy Technician (ACPT), undertaking final accuracy checks of prescriptions, including outsourced chemotherapy prescriptions that have been clinically screened by a pharmacist, in line with departmental SOPs. Exercise professional judgement and refer any queries appropriately in line with personal competences Manage stock control activities, including regular expiry date checking, removal of expired stock and identification of stock approaching expiry. Ensure pharmaceutical waste is disposed of safely and in accordance with local and national waste management regulations. Take responsibility for the receipt, dispensing, issue and safe storage of medicines, including clinical trial medications, oral anti-cancer therapies and controlled drugs.
Person Specification
Special Requirements Essential
Team player able to demonstrate own initiative. Motivated, enthusiastic. Good communication and organisation skills. Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines. Good time management. Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post
Special Skills & Knowledge Essential
Meets GPhC requirements for CPD. Record of personal development. IT Literate good knowledge of MS Excel and Word; Pharmacy dispensing software. Excellent customer care skills
Desirable
Evidence of self-development. Evidence of change management. Evidence of training, mentoring and coaching staff. Understanding of audit processes. Awareness of electronic dispensing and prescribing systems
Statutory Registration Essential
Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
Qualifications Essential
4 GCSEs level 4 / grade C (or equivalent) in Maths, English and Science. Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Pharmacy Service Skills (or equivalent qualifications recognized by the GPhC). Level 3 Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science (QCF) (or equivalent qualifications recognized by the GPhC). The post holder must meet at least one of the following requirements and will be expected to have commenced the other within 12 to 18 months of employment: Accuracy checking course Pre and IN Process Checking within Aseptic Services (PIPC).
Desirable
Supervisory/management qualifications or training. Northern Sector Course for the Final Accuracy Checking of Dispensed Items by Pharmacy Technicians (PETO) or Nationally recognized award. Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice, quality assurance and quality control as applied to the hospital aseptic services. Aseptic Preparation and Dispensing of Medicines (APDM). Supervisory Skills for Technical Services
Experience Essential
Experience as a qualified pharmacy technician in a hospital environment. Experience in the preparation of cytotoxic drugs and Good Manufacturing Practice. Practical experience of quality assurance, quality control, the use of isolators and audit requirements.
Desirable
Experience of Project or developmental work. Experience of problem solving. Experience of Policy and or Procedure writing. Experience of supervision of others.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details Employer name County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust
Hollyhurst Road
Darlington
County Durham
DL3 6HX
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)