Senior Pharmacy Technician Clinical Trials

Job overview

Due to retirement of the current post holder, we are looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic senior pharmacy technician to operationally manage all aspects of the clinical trials support provided by pharmacy.

You will join a high profile dedicated Pharmacy Clinical Trials Team working within our new Pharmacy Medicines Research Unit at UHCW where you will be based. Your primary role will be to lead the team of pharmacy clinical trial technicians and support staff in setting up trials across a range of clinical specialities ensuring proper governance is in place.

UHCW is a leading institution for research. We have an award-winning R&D department, and our vision is to “Deliver the healthcare of the future”. We run a large number of clinical trials across our outpatient, aseptic and ward/theatre services.

Clinical trials are essential for developing treatments of the future and improving patient outcomes.  Research has been fundamental in advancing cancer treatment. Traditional chemotherapy used to be the only treatment option, now there are targeted therapies, immunotherapies and even gene therapies. These advances would not be possible without dedicated Clinical Trial Teams and this will be your opportunity to be a key part of this work.

Main duties of the job

We are an expanding team delivering exciting early phase research and our oncology research team are keen to explore the latest research in cancer vaccines and advanced therapies. There will be opportunities to grow your project management skills and develop new processes.

The post is being offered on a full time basis only. We are a very supportive team and can ensure you are trained in the requirements needed to fulfil this role.

There will be opportunities to grow your project management skills and develop new processes.

You be well supported in your role with a wealth of knowledge and experience from the Pharmacy  Clinical Trials Team including the Lead Pharmacist Clinical Trials.

Operationally manage the Pharmacy Medicines Research Unit (PMRU). To include day to day running, staffing levels, co-ordination of staff training and workload (e.g. dispensing, stock control, setup of new studies, implementation of amendments, monitoring visits, IMP destruction/reconciliation, auditing etc). To report on key performance indicators and raise any service-related issues to the Lead Pharmacist Clinical Trials.

Lead a team of clinical trials technicians to implement new clinical trials within the Trust across all clinical specialities. Be proficient and diligent at undertaking feasibility assessments, cost analysis and risk assessments, ensuring trials meet Trust policies and procedures. Where necessary create/ quality assure documents for use specifically within the trial.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Applicants must be a pharmacy technician registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council.

Provide a comprehensive clinical pharmacy service at UHCW, working as an expert practitioner, providing advice and consultancy to patients, healthcare professionals and other agencies relating to pharmaceutical aspects of treating patients within your clinical speciality.

You will be self-motivated and organised with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. You will be able to work effectively alone and as part of a team and will contribute to the process of service development and innovation.

Detailed responsibilities:

1.    To operationally manage the Pharmacy Medicines Research Unit (PMRU). To include day to day running, staffing levels, co-ordination of staff training and workload (e.g. dispensing, stock control, setup of new studies, implementation of amendments, monitoring visits, IMP destruction/reconciliation, auditing etc). To report on key performance indicators and raise any service-related issues to the Lead Pharmacist Clinical Trials.

2.    Ensure that pharmaceuticals dispensed in clinical trials conducted by the Trust comply with all EU, HRA, HSE, Home Office and MHRA legal and good practice requirements by liaising with and providing advice to: •    The Research and Development department •    Lead Pharmacist Clinical Trial and the Pharmacy Clinical Trials Team •    Clinical pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, ATOs and administration staff •    Pharmacy department managers including Quality Control, Aseptic Services and Dispensaries. •    Pharmaceutical Company Clinical Research Associates •    Contract Research Organisations

3.    Ensure that patients receive appropriate information on the pharmaceutical aspects of a clinical trial by providing written information for dispensary staff and answering specific queries from all clinical staff and patients.

4.    Maintain a system to ensure that the pharmacy department receives all income due from pharmaceutical companies for trial work undertaken and that changes to contracts are reviewed and appropriate for the work undertaken.

5.    In liaison with other team leaders and senior technicians, take responsibility of technicians/ senior technician support in clinical trials.

6.    To support the implementation of quality improvement, new services (e.g. implementation of ATMP studies) and regional and national initiatives, such as the HRA Technical Review and EDGE Trial Management System. Changes should follow change control procedures.

7.    Work collaboratively with other Trusts’ Pharmacies in the West Midlands network regarding clinical trials.

For further details of the role please see the attached job description.