Band 6 Senior Radio-pharmacy Technician

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Our trust has around 10,000 staff serving 1.6 million patients. It comprises Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital, the Royal Free Hospital and more than 30 services in the community. This larger scale organisation provides an unprecedented opportunity for us to continue our pioneering work, particularly in finding ways to deliver even better care to our patients.

Our mission is to deliver world class care and expertise in our clinical services, underpinned by world class teaching and research and we will continue to measure our progress against our five governing objectives: excellent outcomes, excellent patient and staff experience, excellent value for taxpayers' money, being safe and meeting our external duties, and building a strong organisation.

Everyone is welcome at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. We're proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME, gender equality, staff carers and people with disabilities and lived experiences to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.

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Job overview

The Royal Free London NHS Trust is a modern teaching hospital situated in North London near Hampstead Heath. The Nuclear Medicine department, with four gamma cameras and a PET/CT camera for diagnostic imaging, undertakes many imaging investigations, a specific range of laboratory-based tests and a range of therapy procedures.

Royal Free Hospital Radiopharmacy is situated within the Nuclear Medicine department, housing four negative pressure isolators and fully equipped QC lab; supplying a range of diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals to the Nuclear Medicine Department and the National Amyloidosis Centre, under a MHRA Manufacturer's Specials Licence.

The Radiopharmacy also holds a MIA(IMP) Licence which allows the unit to manufacture radiopharmaceuticals for clinical trials, to contribute to a range of research activities based on collaboration with other departments of the hospital, the medical school and with other hospitals.

The Radiopharmacy also assist in the procurement of radiopharmaceuticals and providing clinical support.

The post-holder will be a member of the team of pharmacists, scientists and technicians contributing to the Pharmaceutical Quality System, supporting clinical trials and routine production and quality control of all types of radiopharmaceuticals and is required to work to extremely high standards of accuracy and safety, involving significant personal responsibility for product quality.

Main duties of the job
• To provide a key role in the provision of the comprehensive clinical Radiopharmacy service.
• To provide a key role in the Pharmaceutical Quality System of the Radiopharmacy service.
• To carry out aseptic manufacture and quality control of diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals.
• To develop, implement and follow measures and systems for maintaining compliance with quality assurance, relevant legislation, guidelines, protocols and SOPs.
• To be designated by the Trust as an operator under the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IR(ME)R) and as a Classified Worker under the Ionising Radiations Regulations (IRR).

Working for our organisation

The Royal Free London NHS Trust is a modern teaching hospital situated in North London near Hampstead Heath. The Nuclear Medicine department, with four gamma cameras, PET/CT cameras for diagnostic imaging, undertakes many imaging investigations, a specific range of laboratory-based tests and a range of therapy procedures.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1. CLINICAL/TECHNICAL RESPONSIBILITIES
• Undertake the routine aseptic production of both diagnostic and therapeutic radioactive medicinal products for clinical use, including investigational medicinal products for clinical trials, operating within the terms of Standard Operating Procedures. This requires regularly drawing up radioactive doses (from heavy lead pots) through heavy and bulky lead protected syringes, many calculations and following complex and precise steps.
• Undertake a co-ordinator and checking role during routine aseptic production;
• Perform a range of quality control tests on radiopharmaceuticals, using unsealed sources of radioactivity, operating within the terms of Standard Operating Procedures, to ensure compliance with pharmacopoeial standards; ensuring these results are recorded accurately and that any failures are reported.
• Process and calculate results from such QC tests, and enter the confirmed results on to records for verification.
• Carry out routine scheduled checks, readings and quality control tests for areas and equipment that the post holder is responsible for.
• Responsible for ensuring that all equipment and facilities for which they are responsible are maintained in such a way as to ensure correct functioning and specification.
• Perform microbial and physical environmental monitoring and report results operating within the terms of Standard Operating Procedures.

manufacture of radioactive medicinal products, including those related to Good Manufacturing Practice, as defined in The Rules and Guidance for Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Distributors (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency).
• Liaise with radiopharmaceutical manufacturers to ensure a continuing provision of suitable radiopharmaceutical products to ensure continuity of service provision.

• Operation of the computer systems within the section. This will include responsibility for ensuring that all entries follow data integrity and data governance.
• Responsible for ensuring that records of procedures, which the post holder has performed or supervised, are properly completed and maintained on the paper or computer based system. The post holder will ensure that the correct data is entered at the relevant times and that, in any event, all records are up to date by the end of the working day.

• Plan and prioritise own and junior staff technical workload continually throughout the day.

• Liaise with professional and technical staff and other service users where necessary including when there are service problems and delays.

• Monitor and record radioactive contamination and waste on a regular basis.
• Deal with radiation contamination and undertaking containment and decontamination procedures where necessary and accumulate / dispose of radioactive and pharmaceutical waste in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures, in keeping with regulations of the EA including calculations of radioactivity levels.

• Report incidents involving health and safety, radiation protection, quality assurance.
• Carry out, when required, other duties appropriate to the grade that have been discussed with the post holder.

1. RESPONSIBILITY FOR PATIENTS

• Professionally and legally take responsibility for providing a high standard of clinical care and supporting other staff within Radiopharmacy, Nuclear Medicine and other service users, to do likewise.
• Be familiar with the range of clinical applications of the full range of available radiopharmaceuticals.
• Demonstrate respect for patient dignity and empathy with patients and their escorts whilst working in the Nuclear Medicine clinical area, especially in difficult or emotional circumstances, using both verbal and non-verbal communication skills.

3. EDUCATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Contribute to the training and induction support in the technical and theoretical aspects of Radiopharmacy work, to the relevant level for trainee clinical scientists, pre-registration pharmacists, student technicians / technologists, specialist registrars, MSc students. Also to host and supervise visitors observing technical work.

• Plan and contribute to the provision of comprehensive training to new Radiopharmacy staff and on-going training to existing staff, in accordance with the Radiopharmacy training program, as part of the overall Pharmaceutical Quality Management System.
• Keep abreast with relevant legislation and guidance updates.
• Assist and participate in research; which may include preparing work for presentation and, when appropriate, presenting it at courses, conferences or scientific meetings and ensuring relevant information is brought back to the department.
• Have an agreed personal development plan and follow to meet set knowledge and competencies, and identify further training needs as required with the Chief Radiopharmacy technician
4. RESPONSIBILITY FOR LEADING AND MANAGING
• Participate in the monthly self-inspection of the Radiopharmacy. Pharmaceutical Quality systems and service, and in delivering the requirements of related action plans.

• Jointly with the Chief Radiopharmacy Technician , ensure the regular Radiopharmacy meeting is completed, and an action plan for addressing the findings is prepared as well as delivering some of the requirements of the related action plans.

• Ensure a safe and secure environment for staff and patients. In particular support safeguards against theft of radioactive material and ensure staff fully comply with these safeguards

• Jointly with the Chief Radiopharmacy Technician, co-ordinate and plan daily workload for Radiopharmacy; including preparation of a staff rota and planning manufacturing slots.

• Act as deputy to the Chief Radiopharmacy Technician to cover for some of the routine duties normally performed, apart from in those areas where the post-holder is not accredited to do so. These may include rescheduling and prioritising work and supervising the deployment of technical staff as well as deploying contingency plans.

• Act to resolve any problems that arise during manufacture, the operation of the facility and any equipment, operating within the terms of Standard Operating Procedures.
• Liase with Estates department, external contractors with regards to PPM and repair work of equipment, HVAC and facilities

• Actively participate in the Trusts appraisal process as an appraisee.
• Actively participate in the Trusts appraisal process as an appraiser for junior staff

5. RESPONSIBILITY FOR POLICY AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT
• All duties must be carried out in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act, The Medicines Act 1968, The Radioactive Substances act 1993. The Ionising radiation Regulations, The Ionising Radiation (Medical exposures) Regulation and The Data Protection Act 1984 and any other relevant Guidance notes and Departmental Local Rules
• Be designated as an IR(ME)R operator by the Trust in respect to Radiopharmacy technical duties and know the legal implications involved.
• Be designated as a Classified Worker by the Trust under the Ionising Radiations Regulations (IRR). This will include participation in personal monitoring for radioactive contamination.
• Work in accordance with Local Rules, relevant legislation, codes of practice and regulations relating to the use of radioactive material and, in general, to observe safe procedures and good practice in all aspects of patient investigations and radiation work.
• Work in accordance with SOPs, following GMP, QA and GCP.

• Review current practice and propose changes where appropriate where benefit to users, other healthcare professionals and patients may result, to contribute to the development of the radiopharmacy service.

• To review and comment on continuing appropriateness of SOPs.
• Adapt, and quickly respond to changes in service or departmental need.

6. RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL AND PHYSICAL RESOURCES
• Order and receipt radiopharmaceuticals and other items from external suppliers using the Trust ordering system.

• Maintain records of receipt, storage and disposal operating within the terms of Standard Operating Procedures, to fulfil Environmental Agency regulations and GMP.
• Maintain adequate stock levels, stock rotation operating within the terms of Standard Operating Procedures.
• Source suitable and new items / manufacturers as required.
• Responsible for the care and safe handling of equipment and accessories in the area of work.
• Ensure that equipment faults are recorded appropriately and reported.

• Make suitable provision for the service in the event of equipment failure.

• Make suitable arrangements to fix the equipment failure.
• Ensure records surrounding the above events are maintained.
• Ensure contracts and waivers are in place for services as required.

7. RESPONSIBILITY FOR INFORMATION RESOURCES
• Ensure that data entries and print outs are presented for checking purposes in a timely and accurate manner, ensuring data integrity.
• Support the cascading of information through the team, department and customers.
• Monitor and report deficits in the data governance and data integrity of the Radiology Information System (RIS) and the Pharmaceutical Quality System (PQS), in use in the department.

Person specification

Essential

Essential criteria

• PTQA/BTEC/SCOTVEC/HNC in relevant discipline. OR • Science Manufacturing Technician -SMT Apprenticeship (Level 3 Diploma in the Principles of Aseptic Pharmaceuticals Processing • Professional knowledge acquired through first degree in an appropriate scientific subject.
• Experience of aseptic preparation of radiopharmaceuticals using isolators in a licensed GMP facility
• Able to work in accordance with Local Rules, relevant legislation, codes of practice and Regulations relating to the use of radioactive material, including the Ionising Radiations Regulations, the Medicines Act and the Radioactive Substances Act
• Highly computer literate (MS Word and Excel).
• Excellent written / oral communication skills.
• Experience in writing reports and Standard Operating Procedure for new processes or new equipment.
• Able to provide and support the training and development of radiopharmacy staff.
• Enthusiastic and professional approach.
• Able to work to extremely high levels of accuracy and competence as required by the nature of the work.

Desirable criteria

• Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) as a Technician or Healthcare Professional Council (HCPC).
• Post-graduate qualification (certificate/diploma/MSc) in Radiopharmacy or equivalent knowledge & expertise in the field.
• Significant operational experience working within a conventional Radiopharmacy
• Experience of monitoring of environment / equipment / products relevant to radiopharmacy.
• Ability to identify problems at a staff, technical or operational level and take corrective action especially in matching workload to resources available.
• Experience in the manufacturing and quality testing of 68Ga and 123I radiopharmaceuticals for clinical use.
• Able to demonstrate an ability to provide leadership to staff and able to effectively handle complaints and grievances.
• Ability to plan and prioritise own, junior staff and departmental workload continually throughout the day.
• Experience in supporting new service development.

• Covid-19 Vaccination

  Getting vaccinated, and getting a booster, remains the best defence against COVID-19.
  We encourage and support staff to get COVID-19 vaccine and a booster dose as and when they are eligible.

• AT* - Apprenticeship Training. Where AT* is entered next to the job title indicates that this vacancy is for an apprenticeship role.
• By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers. Therefore we require you to complete your stat and Man e-learning modules prior to joining our organisation.
• If you are an EU/EEA citizen who does not have EU Settlement or Pre-Settled status, you will require a visa to work in the UK.
• Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Before submitting your application and to avoid disappointment please check that you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
• If you are offered a role with one of the NLPSS partner trusts, as part of pre-employment checks your identity and right to work documentation will be verified remotely (in most circumstances), using a certified identity verification service provider TrustID. You will be asked to capture an image of the relevant documents as well as a "selfie" using your smartphone/tablet (if available) for facial matching. TrustID will also perform a digital address check using Trunarrative and Equifax, which is a soft check and does not leave a footprint on your credit rating. For more information, visit www.trustid.co.uk
• The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
• The Trust will request a DBS (CRB) if post involves regulated activities. The Trust is compliant with the Disclosure and Barring Service Codes of practice and the Rehabilitation of offenders act.
• By applying for this post you are agreeing to Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.
• Please be aware of scams - unless specified above, we will only communicate with you via @recruit.trac.jobs or nhs.net e-mails and we will never ask you for any payments.

Applications are welcome from people wishing to job share or work flexible patterns. We are committed to equal opportunities.

Please note:

• Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. Therefore please apply for this post as soon as you can, if you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification
• Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.
• Interview arrangements will be communicated via email so please check your email regularly following the closing date.

Please be advised that due to exceptionally high demand, all Royal Free accommodation is at full capacity and waiting lists are being held. Average waiting times are 12 months. Please do not rely on Trust accommodation when you commence your role and ensure you investigate alternative accommodation for your arrival.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Documents to download

• Radiopharmacy Band 6 JD (PDF, 512.3KB)
• Band 6 PS WCC 2024 Senior Radiopharmacy Technician (PDF, 232.6KB)
• FR (PDF, 111.5KB)
• Allied Health Professional - benefits, about RFL, values and governing objectives (PDF, 939.6KB)