Agenda for Change (AfC) Band 4 equivalent
Pay scales for 2026/27 | NHS Employers
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
The following apply either across all workstreams within smaller Section 10 units or to a specific workstream within larger Section 10 units or licensed services.*1
Microbial Testing & Analysis
- Perform detailed morphological analysis of microbiological culture plates
- Undertake microbiological identification techniques, including Gram staining, microscopy, MALDI-ToF analysis, and organism speciation using API kits or equivalent methods
- Carry out media fertility testing in accordance with established procedures
Environmental Monitoring and Equipment Validation
- Perform routine and non-routine cleanroom environmental testing and validation activities
- Undertake routine and non-routine testing and validation of cleanroom equipment
- Ensure environmental monitoring (EM) programmes are delivered in line with schedules and specifications
- Deliver training in EM, temperature monitoring and mapping, and microbiological validation
- Prepare EM specifications and documentation
- Review and approve EM test results, initiating corrective actions where required
- Draft, review and update standard operating procedures (SOPs), manuals, and master documents relating to EM, quality control and assurance, temperature monitoring, and microbiological validation
- Interpret temperature monitoring data and prepare temperature mapping reports
Testing and Quality Control
- Perform chemical and analytical assays consistent with those undertaken at Band 3 level, with increased responsibility and autonomy
- Verify equipment suitability prior to use and ensure completion of pre-use checks
- Undertake quality control checks of packaging materials and components
- Prepare chemical testing reports (excluding high-complexity techniques such as HPLC)
Pharmaceutical Quality System and Quality Management
- Support out-of-specification (OOS) investigations, including data gathering and documentation
- Contribute to the maintenance of the Pharmaceutical Quality System (PQS or ePQS), including completion of documentation and support for investigations
- Initiate deviation reports in accordance with procedures
- Record and report errors to support quality improvement processes
- Support the implementation of change management within the cleanroom environment
Supervision, Training and Development
- Deliver training in environmental monitoring, temperature monitoring and mapping, and microbiological validation to internal and external stakeholders
- Support supervision of junior staff, including providing constructive feedback on performance
- Escalate personnel and operational issues to senior staff as appropriate
- Delegate tasks effectively within the team
Stock and Inventory Management
- Raise and receipt purchase orders using electronic systems
- Support day-to-day stock management activities
- Issue Process Simulation Test (PST) kits
- Review and approve requests for clearance kits
Customer and Stakeholder Interaction
- Act as a first point of contact for complaints and service-related queries
- Identify and escalate issues relating to defective medicines to appropriate stakeholders
Operational and Administrative Duties
- Issue cleaning and transfer disinfection documentation
- Undertake checks on pre-packaged items
- Maintain awareness of health and safety risks associated with the role and work environment
Medical Gases Pipeline Systems (MGPS)
- No specific tasks identified within this category at present
Leadership & Service Management
- No specific tasks identified within this category at present
