Pharmacy Support Worker - Clinical Trials

We have three main hospitals providing acute services to around 330,000 local residents. The organisation also provides specialist tertiary care for cardiac and haematology services, delivers community health services to over 445,000 residents including those in North Lancashire and hosts the National Artificial Eye Service across England. Plus, we provide urgent and emergency care services to an estimated 18 million people who visit the seaside resort each year. We employ over 7000 people from 68 different countries.
We welcome and encourage application from anyone with protected characteristics, as well as supporting reservists and Veterans who are looking for a rewarding and challenging career within the NHS.
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals encourages flexible working in all our roles to support staff in maintaining healthy home-life balance. Working patterns such as: part time working, self-rostering, compressed hours, annualised hours, term time, reverse term time and flexitime working can be explored., The role includes supporting the dispensary with Evening/Weekend & Bank Holiday working on a rotational basis.
We are looking to recruit a Pharmacy Support Workers to join our caring, forward thinking Pharmacy clinical trial team. This is a great opportunity for those who would like to work in hospital pharmacy and gain valuable experience working in a clinical trial role and with the wider pharmacy team.
+ To carry out, under the direct supervision of a Clinical Trials Pharmacist or Pharmacy Technician, aspects of investigational medicinal product (IMP) management, including administrative tasks related to clinical trials.
+ To work according to study protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs), Good Clinical Practice (GCP), departmental and Trust policies & procedures.
+ To work with other members of the pharmacy clinical trials team to help improve the clinical trials service.
+ To communicate effectively within the team, and with the wider pharmacy department, clinical trial research teams and external trial sponsor representatives, to ensure all pharmacy aspects of clinical trials, including clinical trial data queries are completed.
+ To contribute to the smooth and efficient running of the clinical trials service., You will assist the Pharmacy Clinical Trials Team with all aspects of ordering, receipt, dispensing and returned medication. Also, administration tasks related to clinical trials, according to Good Clinical Practice (GCP), standard operating procedures (SOPs) and Trust policies.
Routine duties will include assisting, under supervision, in the preparation of chemotherapy in our aseptic unit and dispensing of inpatient and discharge medication, within the main dispensary.
Previous pharmacy experience is desirable, but not necessary. So, if you are new to pharmacy or to the hospital setting, please don't let this discourage you from applying, as we will provide full training and support.
Applicants without an NVQ level 2 in Pharmacy Services will be initially appointed as a Band 2 and upon achievement of this qualification, will gain promotion to Band 3.
The suitable candidate should be reliable, have a methodical approach to their work, the ability to work unsupervised using their own initiative and be committed to ensuring that high standards are met. Good oral communication skills are essential.
If the above applies to you, please feel free to contact or visit us, to discuss the role further., 1) Perform dispensing, drug accountability and destruction of clinical trial products, within pharmacy department at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, as part of the pharmacy clinical trials team. Using departmental and study specific SOPs, working under the supervision of the Clinical Trials Pharmacist and/or Clinical Trials Pharmacy Technician.
2) Work in accordance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Medicines for Human Use Clinical Trials Regulations and the Medicines Act.
3) Assist the Clinical Trials Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technicians with the timely, safe and secure ordering, receipt, storage and delivery of clinical trial medicines and sundries.
4) Acknowledge receipt of clinical trial medicines using voice- or web-based stock management systems.
5) Take appropriate action for incomplete, incorrect, or damaged deliveries of pharmacy clinical trial supplies.
6) Identify any deviations, errors or problems with the ordering, receipt, dispensing or returns process and report them to a senior member of staff.
7) Process returned clinical trial material by counting, documenting and storing in the appropriate area.
8) Label trial supplies as according to SOPs.
9) Co-ordinate, pack and prepare documentation for the return of pharmaceutical products to trial sponsors.
10) Responsible for maintenance of pharmacy clinical trial files, filing clinical trials documentation, correspondence, order forms, receipt documents, prescriptions and aseptic preparation worksheets.
11) Undertake the production, filing and archiving of clinical trial documentation.
12) Maintain stock levels and check expiry dates of clinical trial medicines, under the supervision of the Clinical Trials Pharmacist or Pharmacy technician.
13) Perform general medicines management housekeeping duties, including cleaning medicines equipment and ensuring sufficient quantities of sundry items.
14) Be familiar with word processing and spreadsheet software.
15) Documenting and reporting daily temperature monitoring. Reporting any deviations from approved temperature range to the Clinical Trial Pharmacist or Pharmacy Technician.
16) Assist in the collection of clinical trial statistical and financial data.
17) Contribute to the development of new documentation as needed.
18) Be a point of contact for the pharmacy clinical trial team, by taking telephone and email enquiries as appropriate, relaying complete and accurate information, recognising own limitations and referring to the appropriate person, in a timely manner.
19) Communicate appropriately with staff at all levels, both internally and externally in relation to trial activities, which may be confidential or sensitive in nature.
20) Communicate directly with trial sponsor representatives and research teams, to resolve data and other queries, including during monitoring visits, referring to clinical trials technicians or pharmacist when appropriate.
21) Organise and prioritise own day to day workload, working to deadlines and being adaptable to last minute change. Knowing own limitations and when to refer to a senior member of staff.
22) Undertake a competency-based Pharmacy Clinical Trials Induction training package.
23) Work in compliance with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), Good Clinical Practice (GCP), when dealing with Investigative Medicinal Products (IMP) and ensure training is updated every two years.
24) Attend clinical trial meetings, for training and instruction purposes, with the Clinical Trials Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technicians.
Please ensure you have read the attached Job Description & Person Specification before applying for the role, and for further information.

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is ideally situated just a forty five minute drive from Manchester. The Trust provides services to the 445,000 residents of Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre and North Lancashire, as well as specialist tertiary care for Cardiac and Haematology patients.

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is situated on the west coast of Lancashire, with services covering the local authority areas of Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre. The Trust is part of the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System (ICS) supporting a population of around 1.6 million people., As one of the United Kingdom's largest coastal resort, Blackpool has plenty to offer its residents - it's not just a good place to work; it's a great place to live. In addition to its bustling centre and historic seafront, the town is world famous for its many attractions, including the famous Blackpool Tower. Blackpool also offers a number of scenic cycling routes round our local parks and across the surrounding countryside, as well as boasting panoramic views of the coast on its picturesque Promenade. Further afield, Blackpool also benefits from less than three-hour connections via rail to Edinburgh in the north and London in the south.

Full time 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 8.45am - 5pm (Part time hours will be considered), If the role you have applied for requires a Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check we will administer this as part of your pre-employment checks. Please note, you will be required to repay the cost on appointment. This will be collected via a salary deduction. You can choose whether to pay this over 1-3 months from your salary or as a one-off payment on commencement in post. The level of check required depends on the role that you have been offered. Currently the charges are - Basic DBS check £22.00, Standard DBS check £22.00 and Enhanced DBS check £42.00.
You are encouraged where possible, to register for the DBS update service. This is an annual registration fee of £13. By registering for the update service you will not have the additional cost of repeated disclosures.
Should you withdraw your application, you may be required to reimburse the cost of the DBS check.
DBS checks remain free of charge for volunteer positions.
By submitting an application for this vacancy you are confirming your agreement to the above in the event you are successfully appointed.
The DBS Code of Practice can be accessed here.
Please ensure that you read the Person Specification attached below as your application will be judged against this.
Please note that every effort will be made to keep the vacancy live until published closing date, though there may be instances where such interest is generated, that for administrative reasons the post may close earlier.
Please note that in line with national NHS guidelines this Trust operates a strict non-smoking policy. Members of staff are not permitted to smoke on Trust premises or grounds at any time nor take breaks during working hours for the purposes of smoking.
The Trust does not offer interview expenses to shortlisted candidates unless indicated in the advert.