Are you looking for a new challenge? Want to be a part of cutting edge research? Have a desire to make a difference in the next generation of pharmaceuticals and standard of care? If the answer is yes, then we have the perfect opportunity for you to join our award-winning pharmacy team.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Clinical Trials Pharmacy Technician to join the Pharmacy Clinical Trials team to support the day to day management and development of the Clinical Trial of Investigational Medicinal Products (CTIMP) portfolio. The local team currently consists of 0.5 WTE Lead Clinical Trials Technician and 2 x WTE Clinical Trial Pharmacy Technicians with clinical support from senior pharmacists and the wider pharmacy team.

We also work closely with the research delivery teams and the Research and Development Governance Office within ELHT to ensure we are delivering a successful, quality-driven service within the Trust.

Main duties of the job

This post offers an opportunity for a self-motivated pharmacy technician with proven organisational and good interpersonal skills to work closely with research colleagues in providing the delivery of our pharmaceutical clinical trials service.

The post-holder, under the direction of the Lead Clinical Trials Technician will be responsible for feasibility assessments, set-up of clinical trials and daily routine duties expected for the pharmacy clinical trial service. An aptitude for project management, excellent organisational and communications skills across all disciplines is required. Training, education and support of pharmacy staff and other hospital research staff will also be essential.

The ability to work autonomously, flexibly, to problem solve and work accurately under pressure are crucial. Good IT skills with knowledge and use of Microsoft office are necessary attribute.

Leadership/supervisory experience would be advantageous as would a keen interest in service development as we drive forwards towards a technician led service.

About us

At ELHT our objectives are to:

• Put safety and quality at the heart of everything we do
• Invest in and develop our workforce
• Work with key stakeholders to develop effective partnerships
• Encourage innovation and pathway reform, and deliver best practice

Our values are:

• Put patients first
• Respect the individual
• Act with integrity
• Serve the community
• Promote positive change

East Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust treats across a diverse population from the local and regional community. The Trust is committed to providing safe, personal and effective care and delivering the best possible healthcare services to the local population and world-class research across its hospital sites.

The Trust is involved in a wide array of clinical trials across multiple specialties such as oncology, cardiology, women's health, Neonatal Intensive Care, stroke and diabetes to list a few. We have also taken an active part in many of the highly successful COVID-19 clinical trials in recent years.

The Pharmacy Clinical Trials service at ELTHT covers activity across all ELTHT sites (Royal Blackburn Hospital, Burnley General Hospital, Pendle community hospital and Accrington Victoria hospital).

Job description

Job responsibilities

We are looking for an enthusiastic technician, ideally holding an Accuracy Checking qualification, who can work well both independently, and as a part of the team and has a good working knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP). Previous experience in working in a pharmacy clinical trials service or within research is desirable but not essential.

For more information on the key responsibilities, specific skills and required experience please refer to the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading.

A full training package will be available alongside support both within and outside of the pharmacy clinical trials team.

Interested candidates are encouraged to make contact or plan an informal visit.

Ability to participate in late night, Bank holiday and weekend rotas within the main pharmacy service is essential. The main base will be the RBTH site, however the successful candidate would be expected to cover at the BGTH site as and when the rota requires.

Please note: Closing date for applications will be 20th November 2023.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ Level 3 Pharmacy Services or equivalent qualification - approved for registration with General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
• Member GPhC
• BTEC Accuracy Checking Technician Qualification (or working towards)

Training

Essential

• Supervisory experience

Desirable

• A1 NVQ Assessor Qualification
• Advance user of Microsoft Office, Excel

Special Knowledge

Essential

• Understanding of local and national NHS and Pharmaceutical Policy
• Understanding of CTIMPs
• Understanding of medicines legislation and guidance i.e. Medicines Act, Misuse of Drugs Act, Safe and Secure Handling of Medicines, Medicines Guidance Notes, MHRA Alerts.
• Understanding of clinical and risk management guidance as applied to Medicines Management

Desirable

• GCP Certificate

Experience

Essential

• Practice in Secondary Care Pharmacy
• Experience of supervising others
• Involvement in service development
• Working within GMP/GDP/GCP guidelines
• Understanding of medicines management procedures
• Ability to maintain and report on records and statistics

Desirable

• Involved in the supply of clinical trials
• HR policies and legislation
• Reviewing CTIMP trials

Judgement

Essential

• Demonstrates clear thinking and able to analyse problems of an ethical, pharmaceutical, managerial or clinical nature quickly
• Makes sound decisions
• Knows when to consult (own limitations)
• Reflects on own practice and learns from experience
• Able to identify, prioritise and evaluate work

Desirable

• Managing own workload and that of a team

Communication Skills

Essential

• Excellent verbal and written communication including formal presentations and emails
• Courteous with all customers both internal and external including members of the public and other healthcare professionals
• Able to communicate information of a technical, clinical or managerial manner
• Ability to influence Pharmacy and hospital staff and other people
• Ability to prioritise demands on service and plan workload of self and others
• Skills in training and development of a range of staff

Desirable

• Excellent negotiator, influencer
• Trained other, small groups of staff
• Chairing meetings, note taking

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Has vision and imagination, initiative, creativity, able to see beyond barriers
• Can balance strong leadership and working within a team
• Prioritises and meets deadlines
• Mature in approach and has professional credibility
• Able to be seen as a role model - reliable, fair and balanced
• Energetic and can enthuse, 'can-do' approach
• Calm under pressure
• Good numeric and verbal skills
• Evidence of CPD

Other Requirements

Essential

• Flexibility in working hours and able to work across sites
• Advanced keyboard skills

Desirable

• Clean driving licence

Employer details

Employer name

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Royal Blackburn Hospital

Haslingden Road

Blackburn

BB2 3HH

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

435-D340-23