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E. Advanced Production/Aseptic Services Specialist

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Role description

Agenda for Change (AfC) Band 7 equivalent
Pay scales for 2026/27 | NHS Employers

Main Duties, Responsibilities and Characteristics:

The following apply either to all workstreams within smaller Section 10 units (e.g. combined anti-cancer therapy and Centralised Intravenous Additive Services (CIVAS)) or to a specific workstream within larger Section 10 units or licensed services (e.g. parenteral nutrition only)*1

Cleanroom and Production Supervision

  • Provide management oversight of technical staff within cleanroom and preparative technical services
  • Ensure robust processes are in place for the quarantine and release of unlicensed medicines, particularly externally procured ready-to-administer products, and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements

Training and Staff Management

  • Delivery specialist training internal and external stakeholders on complex and specialised subject areas
  • Lead the training, education and professional development of staff, trainees, and students, anticipating future service needs including workforce training and requirements
  • Undertake line management responsibilities for senior staff, including recruitment, selection, performance management and handling complex workforce issues

Compliance and Quality Management

  • Lead the development, monitoring and reporting of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), capacity planning and error reporting and trending
  • Support the development and continuous improvement of the Pharmacy Quality System (PQS or ePQS), including ownership and accountability for quality management processes and delivery of associated actions
  • Review and approve change control requests and operational documentation
  • Develop and oversee internal audit action plans and facilitate external audits
  • Provide oversight of validation activities to ensure compliance with regulatory and quality standards

Troubleshooting and Problem-Solving

  • Oversee stock management processes and resolve complex issues relating to high-cost and high-risk medicines including stock checks, stock control, receipt of goods and falsified medicines assessment

Project Management and Improvement Initiatives

  • Contribute to and influence the strategic planning of services and operational priorities
  • Act as a key member in service development and improvement initiatives, including the introduction of new equipment, technologies, products and processes, applying Quality Risk Management (QRM) and Quality by Design (QBD) principles
  • Monitor and review the Capacity and Contingency Plans for Pharmacy Technical Services
  • Support and contribute to departmental research and innovation activities
  • Represent the service in organisational, regional and national working groups, contributing as a key stakeholder

Qualifications

Essential requirements:

  • Level 3 qualification in Pharmacy or Science Manufacturing Technician (SMT), with significant experience in pharmaceutical preparation activities; or
  • A relevant BSc or MSc in an applied science subject with substantial experience in pharmaceutical preparation activities
  • Relevant professional registration (e.g. GPhC, RCP, RSB, RSC, HCPC)
  • Minimum of a PTQA (Pharmacy Technical Quality Assurance) certificate (foundation level) or equivalent qualification or experience
  • Significant experience in technical services
  • Demonstrable experience in staff supervision and line management
  • Experience supporting or contributing to service management
  • Leadership or project management qualification or equivalent experience
  • Relevant qualifications or extensive experience aligned to the area of specialism (e.g. education and training, stock management, clinical trials)

Related case studies for this role

Further information

Considerations:

  • The level and type of qualification required may vary depending on the specific area of specialism and the complexity of the technologies in use (e.g. isolators, compounding robots, automated systems)

*1 Alignment with AfC job profiles may be supported through appropriate weighting of Factor 4 (Planning and Organisational Skills) and Factor 7 (Responsibilities for Policy and Service Development Implementation)

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