Lead Pharmacist Aseptic Services

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

Lead Pharmacist Aseptic Services

The closing date is 09 October 2025

This role provides leadership and management of the Pharmacy Aseptic Services Unit in accordance with current legislation, Pharmacy, Trust, local and National Standards.

The unit produces over 3000 items a month, mixed between ready to use and named patient dispensed, and is in the process of a planned refurbishment as part of a longer-term replacement.

It has a highly dedicated team and is supported by an in-house Quality Assurance / Control service as well as extensive clinical pharmacy and clinical trials service.

Main duties of the job

An opportunity to work with a brilliant and passionate team has arisen for a highly motivated and experienced pharmacist to make a difference to patients\' outcomes and wellbeing as the lead for our Aseptic services.

This role is open to all persons with or without aseptic service experience with relevant skills to learn, develop and a passion for leadership.

We see the role as a stepping stone to further develop essential skills for more senior pharmacy roles in leadership, governance and quality management.

This is a band 8b role, a component of which is the role of Accountable Pharmacist, in which role the successful candidate is supported by an experienced Production Manager and Quality Assurance team.

The outline job plan is appended, of which the Accountable Pharmacist is a part; the rest we will consider with candidates in terms of developing and / or maintaining a current specialism for example from Clinical through digital and technical to Quality management that is linked to the role and the development pathway you want to pursue.

For those candidates who do not meet all the essential criteria, we are happy to consider progression (8a to 8b) against agreed milestones on the basis of Appendix 21 of Agenda for Change.

This includes the development of knowledge and skills within the role both clinically and operationally through support from specialist Pharmacy colleagues and various nationally recognised training and qualifications.

East Kent Hospitals is proud of its Aseptic Services team and the unit is currently undergoing substantial refurbishments to improve the facility.

There are close links to the clinical service as well as links to our clinical trials unit which supports opportunities to deliver innovative research for the citizens we serve.

Your experience as a pharmacist and your set of transferable skills will be well suited to provide leadership, clinical support, financial oversight and governance to the operation of the Pharmacy Aseptic service.

About us

We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 800,000 people.

Our vision is \"great healthcare from great people\".

Everything we do is guided by our values : \"People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference\".

We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called \"We care\".

It\'s about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day.

We\'re looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.

Job responsibilities

For more details on the job, its roles and responsibilities please see the associated Job Description and Person Specification.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Master\'s degree in Pharmacy (MPharm) or equivalent.

Member of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).

Post graduate certificate / diploma or MSc in Pharmaceutical Technology and Quality Assurance (PTQA) or quality management.

Skills

Experience of working within an aseptic unit at various levels.

Experience of managing or allocating work for a team.

Experience of and implementing service improvement and change projects.

Commitment and evidence of professional updating and formal continuous professional development.

Experience in managing Clinical Trials through Aseptic Services.

Experience of using the Aria e-prescribing system.

Clinical audit projects or practice research.

Experience of writing GMP documentation (protocols, SOP, specifications etc).

Input into the design, business case development, commissioning and validation of production facilities.

Experience in working in a Radiopharmacy unit.

Experience in a senior pharmacy position.

Interaction with auditors during regulatory audits.

Knowledge

Advanced knowledge and understanding of quality management systems in place in aseptic dispensing and production facilities.

Knowledge and understanding of good manufacturing practice.

Demonstrable specialism in related area of pharmacy.

Advanced understanding of the audit process, internal and external.

Knowledge of quality management systems required to be in place in aseptic dispensing and production facilities.

Leadership training.

Knowledge of Radiopharmacy.

Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health legislation.

Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and licensing guidelines and standards.

Personal & Professional Attributes

Ability to plan and complete tasks / able to meet deadlines / effective time management skills.

Ability to work unsupervised and as part of a team.

Positive / enthusiastic attitude.

Critical analysis skills.

Understanding of financial issues relating to managing a Pharmacy Technical service.

Evidence of leadership of a team.

Supportive of extended / clinical role of technicians.

Influencing and negotiating skills to work with other senior managers in the trust.

Ability to manage change effectively.

Special interest in oncology or haematology or Radiopharmacy.

Other Requirements

To be aware of and adhere to the Trust\'s 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.

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

Part-time, Flexible working, Annualised hours

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