About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Quality Control Analyst - Microbiology within Pharmacy Technical Services at Barts Health NHS Trust. Based at The Royal London and St Bartholomew's Hospitals, the post holder will work within the QC Microbiology team, supporting high-quality aseptic services and ensuring the highest standards of product quality and patient safety. The role involves working collaboratively with Production, Quality Assurance, and multidisciplinary teams to maintain compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and regulatory requirements. The post holder will contribute to the Quality Management System (QMS), including environmental monitoring, microbiological testing, and the investigation and escalation of out-of-specification (OOS) results and environmental monitoring excursions.Key responsibilities include microbial identification, trend analysis, and supporting sterility assurance activities across aseptic and radiopharmacy units. The role also involves managing deviations, CAPAs, and change controls, alongside maintaining controlled documentation such as SOPs and reports.The post holder will support audit readiness, continuous improvement initiatives, and internal quality reviews while demonstrating strong technical microbiology knowledge and attention to detail in a regulated environment.This role requires excellent organisational and communication skills, with a strong commitment to quality, compliance, and patient safety
Main duties of the job
o Conduct environmental monitoring of cleanroom areas (Grade A-D) to ensure aseptic compliance.
o Raise and assist in investigating out-of-limit (OOL) and out-of-specification (OOS) results.
o Generate monthly and annual trend analyses and report KPIs to the quality leadership team.
o Review, draft, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
o Raise deviations in the QMS system and lead minor and major investigations. Support critical deviations, assist in defining corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs), and ensure effective implementation following excursion reports.
o Ensure audit readiness and contribute to internal audits and self-inspection programmes
About us
Barts Health is one of the largest NHS trusts in the country, and one of Britain's leading healthcare providers.
The Barts Health group of NHS hospitals is entering an exciting new era on our improvement journey to becoming an outstanding organisation with a world-class clinical reputation. Having lifted ourselves out of special measures, we now have the impetus and breathing space to chart a fresh course in which we are continually striving to improve all our services for patients.
Our vision is to be a high-performing group of NHS hospitals, renowned for excellence and innovation, and providing safe and compassionate care to our patients in east London and beyond. That means being a provider of excellent patient safety, known for delivering consistently high standards of harm-free care and always caring for patients in the right place at the right time. It also means being an outstanding place to work, in which our WeCare values and behaviours are visible to all and guide us in how we work together.
We strive to live by our WeCare values and are committed to promoting inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment.
Job description Job responsibilities
We are dedicated to being an outstanding place to work and will work with you to get the best experience. We know flexible working is not a one size fits all and will mean something different to everyone. We are inclusive, so if you are interested in flexible working, please speak to the recruiting manager.
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledgerequired. For both documents, please view the attachment/s below.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Degree in Microbiology, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Science, Biological Sciences or equivalent BSc Science Manufacuring Technician (SMT) Level 3 Level 3 Diploma in Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians Member of the RSciTech council Registration with General Pharmaceutical Council as a Pharmacy Technician
Desirable
Membership of Royal society microbiology or related professional body.
Experience Essential
Experience in GMP pharmaceutical microbiology environment (aseptic facilities in industry or NHS manufacturing unit or GLP laboratory Demonstrate experience in performing microbiological excursion investigations. Previous experience in QMS such as deviations, investigation, CAPAs and change controls related to Microbiology subject
Desirable
Previous experience in sterile manufacturing. Experience in a licensed pharmaceutical testing laboratory
Knowledge Essential
Up to date knowledge of legislation relevant to pharmacy practice, e.g. annex 1, DMRC drug recall, Health and Safety at Work. Understanding of stock control systems. Understanding the importance of adherence to SOPs and Legislation Knowledge of cGMP/GLP, Micro Quality Control Knowledge with environmental monitoring programs for aseptic manufacturing processes
Desirable
Demonstrate knowledge of COSHH and Health and Safety at Work.
Skills Essential
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to motivate self and others IT literate and able to use Microsoft office Excellent verbal and written communication skills Organisation and prioritisation of workload Ability to problem solve Time management skills Methodical attention to detail Good numeracy skills, able to perform calculations. Supervisory and mentoring skills, including ability to give effective feedback to all levels of staff. Practical microbiological laboratory skills Report Writing
Other Essential
Basic DBS check Able to meet deadlines. Understand the principles of ALCOA++ Demonstrate good aseptic techniques. Patient safety focus and good team player Flexible and calm under pressure Good time keeping Interested in expanding knowledge and self-development. Demonstrate professional attitude. Awareness of needs of confidentiality Good attention to detail. Adhering to Trust Values
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present 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) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Barts Health NHS Trust
Address The Royal London Hospital
London
E1 1FR
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.bartshealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)