Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and proactive pharmacy technician seeking a new challenge to join our growing Pharmacy Clinical Trials team at The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

A unique opportunity has arisen for a full time Band 5 or Band 6 Pharmacy Technician to join the Pharmacy Clinical Trials team.

Banding will depend on experience allowing applications either directly at Band 6 or at Band 5 level with the opportunity to develop the appropriate experience and skills to become a Band 6.

Applicants will need to hold a BTEC or NVQ Level 3 in Pharmaceutical Sciences and be registered as a Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council.

Our Trust values of People Focused, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence are essential to a role working in the Pharmacy Department.

We are a very busy, large department in a fast-paced teaching hospital; therefore, the ability to be able to work under pressure and respond to a frequently changing environment is essential.

This post is for full time employment, however, alternative working patterns will be considered. All staff are required to participate in the weekend rota with corresponding time off during the week, currently 1 in 10. All staff are required to undertake at least one public holiday duty per year. All rotas are subject to review at any time.

Main duties of the job
We are a modern forward thinking large teaching hospital with strong links with both the School of Pharmacy with onsite teacher practitioner posts and the Medical School at the nearby University of East Anglia.

Key roles include assisting in the preparation of clinical trial master manufacturing worksheets and standard operations procedures, staff training and supporting the preparation, monitoring and management of aseptically prepared regimens.

You will be involved in all aspect of clinical trials medicine management including receipting deliveries, dispensing, checking and temperature monitoring of clinical trial medicines and participate in meetings with research teams involving the set-up of new clinical trials. Full clinical trials training and Good Clinical Practice training will be provided.

You should be dedicated, flexible and able to work in a high pressured, busy and demanding working environment.

You will need to be enthusiastic, have excellent communication and organisational skills and a genuine interest in developing your skills and knowledge.You will be expected to use several computer-based systems and therefore will have good IT skills.

About us
Join us at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and be part of a workforce of over 10,000 staff!

The NNUH is one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK, providing first-class acute care for around one million people, living in Norfolk and surrounding areas. We are a teaching and research hospital, at the forefront of innovation, home to state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Quadram Institute. We are pleased to work closely with the University of East Anglia, providing teaching opportunities for our staff and placement opportunities for their students. We attract some of the best and leading professionals from across the country and are proud that our workforce represents 94 countries from across the world.

We are a friendly, collaborative hospital, working with local services and home to N&N Hospitals Charity.

We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition:

• Flexible working hours
• Fast Track Staff Physiotherapy Service
• Multi Faith prayer room at NNUH Colney Lane site
• Discounted gym memberships
• Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
• Wagestream - access up to 40% of your pay as you earn it
• Free Park & Ride service direct to NNUH Colney Lane site
• Free 24-hours confidential counselling support
• On-site Nursery at NNUH Colney Lane
• On-site cafes offering staff discounts at NNUH Colney Lane
• Support in career development
• Flexible staff bank
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars, Cycle to Work scheme and home electronics

Job responsibilities
The Pharmacy Department provides a fully comprehensive pharmaceutical service across the Trust and to a number of external community units. We are a large and very busy department with over 180 members of staff including pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy assistants, admin and clerical staff and apprentices. There are many varied roles and we all work as a team to provide the different functions and services whilst maintaining a high level of patient care.

Functions of the Pharmacy Department include the ordering, receipt and supply of medicines to wards and departments throughout the Trust and external units. This includes dispensing for inpatients, outpatients, community units and supplying ward stocks averaging around 2,500 items a day.

Wards and external units are provided with a clinical service with pharmacists and pharmacy technicians an integral part of the multidisciplinary team. The Pharmacy provides Aseptic Services such as the preparation and supply of chemotherapy and other sterile products. We have a Quality Assurance team that works to ensure that our products are prepared and supplied to meet the highest quality standards.

• To co-ordinate, supervise and maintain the Pharmacy clinical trials service in accordance with ICH GCP guidelines, GMP and Pharmacy procedures to ensure provision of a high-quality service to patients and staff within the Trust.
• To review draft and final research protocols and clinical study protocols on behalf of the Research & Development Department (R&D), attending set up meetings, working closely with Clinical Research Associates and Research Nurses and identifying issues and negotiating to ensure resolution.
• To be responsible for 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 monitoring stock levels of clinical trial supplies and expiry date checks and take required action in the event of stock discrepancies where necessary.
• To liaise with Research Nurses, Oncology/haematology team, and other clinicians as key contact for Pharmacy Aseptic Clinical Trials service regarding the preparation of trial chemotherapy to resolve queries and ensure timely delivery of service
• To assist the Principal Pharmacist, Operations Manager and Deputy Operations Manager in the preparation of clinical trial master manufacturing worksheets and Standard Operations Procedures (SOPs).
• To organise and supervise the preparation and reconstitution of the cytotoxic products in accordance with departmental procedures and to the standard of the Guide to Good Manufacturing Practice.
• To provide training for Pharmacy staff in clinical trials and aseptic services; and promote the Pharmacy clinical trial service.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• BTEC or NVQ Level 3 in Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Current registration as a Pharmacy Technician with the General Pharmaceutical Council

Experience
Essential

• Significant experience in aseptic manipulation using isolator technology
• Extensive pharmaceutical experience
• Significant hospital pharmacy experience

Skills
Essential

• Communication skills - oral and written

Attitude, Aptitude
Essential

• Able to work as part of a team with a flexible approach to duties
• Effective role model, demonstrating NNUH's PRIDE values of People focussed, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence
• Demonstrates understanding and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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.
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).
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).