West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Band 6 - Specialist Production Technician, Pharmacy
The closing date is 17 August 2026

Job summary
We are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic Production Technician to play a key role in supporting the leadership of our Pharmacy Manufacturing Unit at Watford General Hospital.

The successful candidate will take the lead in the day-to-day manufacturing activities, with a goal of delivering a high-quality service to our patients.

This is an exciting opportunity to develop your leadership, management and Technical Services skills, whilst embracing digitalisation.

The Pharmacy Manufacturing Unit holds an MHRA Manufacturer's "Specials" License for its activities.

We are looking for a qualified technician with relevant post qualification experience in hospital preparative services to join our small, friendly team. You must have experience of aseptic compounding, production (non-sterile), staff supervision, team working and work planning. You will act as an expert witness for Science Manufacturing Technician (SMT) students.

Our department fosters a stimulating and friendly environment, providing a professionally rewarding setting for staff to enhance their technical expertise.

This is a full-time, permanent position based primarily at Watford General Hospital. Participation in weekend, bank holiday and emergency duty rotas will be required. Full details will be discussed at interview.

Main duties of the job

• To prepare products appropriately, efficiently and cost effectively within the unit by strictly adhering to departmental procedures and in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), MHRA and all other relevant pharmaceutical guidelines related to aseptic dispensing (production).
• To provide technical support to the Pharmacy Production/Aseptic Services.
• To manage the department on a day-to-day basis.
• To line manage Pharmacy Technical Services staff.
• To maintain the Pharmaceutical Quality Systems within the technical services department.
• To support meeting financial expectations for income generation and expenditure reduction targets within the department.
• To support the technical and strategic development of the Technical Services department ensuring service provision and quality is of an excellent standard.
• To ensure maintenance of the pharmacy manufacturing unit facilities (including monitoring, calibration, validation and general maintenance) is carried out.

About us
With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others. We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance. Apply through our website. If you have a disability or long-term health condition and require support or guidance please contact westherts.recruitment@nhs.net If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form. We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Details
Date posted: 03 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £41,957 to £50,387 a year inc HCA
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number: 360-C-11603
Job locations: Watford General Hospital, Watford, WD18 0HB, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
The post holder will work closely with the Technical/Cancer Services pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy assistants, pre-registration pharmacists and all other pharmacy staff, medical, nursing staff, cancer unit staff and other staff, clinical pharmacists, QC/QA staff, maintenance contractors and the general public.

We provide opportunities for education and training and support continuing professional development.

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for a full list of duties and details about the role.

Person Specification
Education and qualifications:
Essential

• NVQ (3), BTEC or SMT in Pharmaceutical Sciences or equivalent.
• Postgraduate qualification relating to Preparative Services or Quality Assurance.
• Registered with the GPhC or other professional body.
• Up to date CPD portfolio.

Desirable

• Accredited Checking Qualification.
• Other postgraduate qualifications relevant to pharmacy practice, such as management or education & training qualifications.

Knowledge:
Essential

• Specialist knowledge of the principles of GMP and QA in a manufacturing environment.
• Specialist knowledge of Pharmaceutical Quality Systems.
• Specialist Knowledge of pharmaceutical audit and validation.
• Computer and IT competent.
• COSHH Regulations and Health and Safety at Work Act.
• Need for confidentiality.
• Good Dispensing Practice.
• Familiarity with standard chemotherapy regimens.

Desirable

• EMIS (Ascribe) Pharmacy System.
• BD Cato.
• ChemoCare.
• Q-Pulse.

Experience:
Essential

• Relevant post qualification experience in hospital preparative services.
• Demonstrate ability to deliver induction and competency-based training of staff within Technical Services.
• Developing training packages & writing procedures.
• Advanced use of e-mail, internet, MS Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint.
• Practical experience and involvement with MHRA audit.
• Capacity modelling of a unit.
• Preparation of and writing reports.
• Setting and implementing quality standards.
• Production/Aseptic experience.
• Experience of implementing change.
• Experience of staff selection, recruitment, and performance appraisal.

Desirable

• Assessor/ Tutor to SMT student technicians.
• Use of capacity monitoring tool.
• Managerial experience.

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. 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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Address: Watford General Hospital, Watford, WD18 0HB, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through our website

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Technical Services Team Manager, Teresa Martins, teresa.martins1@nhs.net