Lead Pharmacy Technician – Cancer and Technical Services

A Vacancy at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Works closely with the Accountable Pharmacist, who has professional responsibility for the unit, in helping manage and develop all operational aspects of technical services.

Work closely with the Lead Divisional Pharmacist for Cancer services who is professionally responsible for Clinical services in Cancer Services.

Ensure that the services are provided in a safe, efficient, and effective manner according to local, National and Regional QA requirements and the principles of good manufacturing practice.

Ensure the unit maintains Annex 1 compliance.

Provides technical guidance and expertise and oversees the day-to-day activities in the Technical Services Unit, and ensures the monitoring and management of performance and quality for the Technical Services Unit and the services provided to the cancer speciality.

Please note

Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.

Ensures that the Technical Services Unit Quality Management systems, according to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines and Annex 1 are in place, followed and reported on to ensure the provision of a high-quality service to the trust. This service includes the following products; aseptically dispensed cytotoxic drugs, intravenous additives, clinical trial drugs, and any other drugs as required.

Our Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites—Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital—along with award-winning clinics across North West London.

Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5m, providing full clinical services including maternity, A&E and children’s services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health care. The CQC rates us Good in safety, effectiveness, care and responsiveness, and Outstanding in leadership and resource use.

We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Mid.

We are delivering sustainable healthcare through our Green Plan. In line with Greener NHS ambitions, we aim for net zero carbon emissions by 2045. Achieving this requires collective effort. We encourage staff to reduce their impact on carbon, waste and pollution wherever possible. Every action counts to create a healthier, more sustainable future.

We are committed to equal opportunities and believe diversity drives innovation and excellence. We welcome applications from the global majority, veterans and underrepresented communities, valuing the perspectives they bring.

If you haven’t heard from us within 3 weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probation.Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.

Roles and responsibilities

General

· Ensures that the Technical Services Unit Quality Management systems, according to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines and Annex 1 are in place, followed and reported on to ensure the provision of a high-quality service to the trust. This service includes the following products; aseptically dispensed cytotoxic drugs, intravenous additives, clinical trial drugs, and any other drugs as required.

· Undertake, where required, preparation of any of the products listed above.

· Undertake in-process checks for sterile dispensing following satisfactory completion of accreditation.

· Manage the monitoring of workload against the standards set in the capacity plan by maintaining records and preparing regular reports.

· Oversees the running and management of the unit.

· Liaises with the Chemotherapy Day Unit staff as necessary to support workflows and minimise patient waiting times.

· Undertakes product approval (i.e. final checking and release of medicines) when applicable.

· Ensure daily workload is managed and the buying office are notified of what to order in advance

· Manage stock of any outsourced items and minimise wastage

Service Management and Delivery

· Oversees the workflow and planning of all aseptic preparation dispensing to ensure adequate workstation time, allocation of adequately trained staff, availability of all necessary documentation and timely completion of all products.

· Ensure that the staff responsible for the stock control and holding of all pharmaceutical and sundry items are performing satisfactorily and that all material required for the smooth running of the unit are available.

· Oversees the placement of orders and the maintenance of equipment as required and is responsible for monitoring non-pay expenditure against the agreed budget and report variances to the Lead Pharmacist.

· Ensure the cleaning programme for the unit is reviewed and monitored and meets GMP.

· Liaise with the Lead and Highly Specialised Pharmacists to ensure adequate cover for all aspects of pharmaceutical supervision.

· When necessary, to liaise with the relevant pharmacy staff to re-organise rotas and ward service provision for technical staff when problems occur e.g. sickness absence in order to ensure the effective continuation of the service.

· Maintain high quality of data input of patient information into the pharmacy computer system in order to ensure excellent labelling standards for dispensed medicines.

· Oversee the review and management of Technical Services procedures and standards in conjunction with the Lead and Highly Specialised Pharmacists and Quality Assurance Manager. To ensure that these are all in date and that all relevant staff read them, either as a new staff member or when procedures are written and /or updated.

· Encourage and support trust wide and local policies in order to enhance good practice.

· Ensure systems are in place for the reporting of errors and near miss interventions made in the technical services unit to the senior pharmacist. Feedback information and use to identify training needs of pharmacy staff.

· Lead on the reporting of errors and near misses to the National Error Reporting Scheme, as well as the Trust reporting systems as necessary.

· Ensure robust stock control systems are in place.

· Liaise with the Day Unit manager to develop effective wastage reduction plans as well as scheduling systems.

· Effectively contend with informal / verbal complaints from ward staff or patients in the first instance before appropriate referral to line manager if necessary.

· Lead on the monitoring of internal quality standards for the Technical Services Unit (in conjunction with the Accountable Pharmacist.

· Lead and advise on developments that would improve quality and efficiency of the unit.

· Participates in Final Product Approval of items in the unit after completion of Product Approval Accreditation Course.

· Lead on the management of data input into the national IQAAPs system, in relation to key quality and performance indicators and action plans following audit.

· In conjunction with the Accountable Pharmacist, lead on the development of an action plan following Regional and Internal audits and ensure their timely implementation.

· Lead on the development of robust processes for change and deviations and ensure that appropriate action is taken, including root cause analysis when necessary.

· Liaise with Estates and Facilities to ensure that that the unit facilities and associated equipment are maintained.

· Ensure that up to date systems are in place for the generation of worksheets and labels. This includes review of stability data on a regular and agreed basis.

· Lead on the management of Out of Specification results including root cause analysis and risk assessments as required.

· Ensures that service contracts are in place for the maintenance of clean-rooms, isolators and associated areas and other equipment.

· Ensure all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are in date and that they are reviewed frequently

Staff Management

· Support the Lead Pharmacist in all aspects relating to staffing. This includes skill mix reviews in line with activity and recruitment.

· Direct line management of the Principal Pharmacy Technician and Senior Technician, and other delegated staff including responsibility for performance development reviews of these staff and the management of any disciplinary, sickness and performance issues as necessary.

· Identify training needs of the team to support their development, and implement a plan to address these.

· Supervise trainee pharmacists on the technical aspects of their rotation within the technical services unit.

· Supervise any rotational / training technicians on rotation with technical services unit.

· Review requests of annual and study leave for technicians within the unit. Liaise with relevant leads regarding any staff cover required.

· Ensure all technicians receive an appropriate induction and training and complete the relevant accreditations in order to carry out their roles in the unit. Ensure that there is a robust process for developing and maintaining suitable records.

Training and development

· Ensure all technical staff are aware of and competent to perform standard operating procedures for the unit and to ensure that these procedures are followed at all times.

· Ensure that all technical staff are aware of requirements of all relevant national and EC guide to good manufacturing practice.

· Assist with the induction and appraisal of new staff working in Technical Services.

· Manage the rotational pre-registration technicians working within the unit, to set objectives and ensure consistent standards of training are delivered and competence is achieved.

· Update technical training programs to meet the changing needs of the service and staff structure.

· Act as an Educational Supervisor for trainee technicians and assistants.

· Maintain records of all technical staff training in accordance with GMP and MHRA requirements.

· Lead on the development of a GMP and QA training rota utilising approved resources as teaching materials.

· Be responsible for personal Continuing Professional Development portfolio, involvement in the Regional Technician Self-Development Programme, and to attend internal and external study days.

Quality Assurance

· Assist the Accountable Pharmacist & Lead Divisional Clinical Pharmacist in ensuring that all quality assurance procedures (e.g. GMP/GDP/GCP, health and safety, COSHH) are followed within the unit.

· Attend monthly QA meetings where the results of QA monitoring, key quality indicators are reviewed and discussed with the designated QA provider. To ensure that the meetings notes are prepared with actions, circulated with the prompt and documented resolution of any issues raised at this meeting.

· Take an active role in audit relating to the technical services unit.

· Ensure there is a clear CAPA after audits and that all actions are completed within a given timeframe

Other Duties

· Ensure that all necessary accreditations are up to date for working in the dispensary for weekend and late duty rotas and ensure familiarity with systems and procedures.

· Identify potential problems regarding the lack of availability of medicines for individual prescriptions, seeking advice on suitable alternatives or agreed delivery timetable.

· Ensure medication is produced to meet agreed delivery times and to minimise waiting times for patients.

· Contribute to departmental initiatives to investigate extended roles for technical and support staff.

· Effectively communicate departmental business in line with staffing structure to staff, patients and other service users including healthcare professionals.

· Any other duties as reasonably required by the Chief Pharmacist / Head of Pharmacy

This job description may be subject to change according to the varying needs of the service. Such changes will be made after discussion between the post holder and his/her manager.

All duties must be carried out under supervision or within Trust policy and procedure. You must never undertake any duties that are outside your area of skill or knowledge level. If you are unsure you must seek clarification from a more senior member of staff.

This advert closes on Thursday 4 Jun 2026