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North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) are working towards merging as one organisation from July 2026.

This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Should you join NBT as an employee prior to our organisations merging, your employment will be automatically transferred across to UHBW. Should your employment begin after our two Trusts merge, you will be employed directly by UHBW and therefore UHBW terms and conditions of service will apply

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.

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Job Overview

The Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS) National Quality Assurance (QA) Service is an expert advisory service that supports the principles of medicines optimisation by the development and championing of best practice and by ensuring continuous improvement through the implementation of quality risk management systems in NHS medicines manufacturing, preparation and NHS supply chain management.

The SPS QA Function provides specialist advice relating to the quality of medicines to NHS pharmacy professionals to support safe patient care.

As the Regional Quality Assurance Lead Pharmacist you will lead and manage the regional QA team to deliver the QA service to the region.

This will involve supporting the delivery of the national medicines optimisatio

n agenda by providing specialist leadership and quality assurance advice at a national, regional and local level.

Main duties of the job

Providing quality assurance advice to improve the safety of all medicines preparation, manufacture and distribution (licensed and unlicensed activity) in NHS organisations

Developing, contributing to, implementing and mentoring compliance of quality standards for the safe use of medicines

Providing highly complex specialist QA advice and support to NHS organisations and networks on a range of specialist topics

Developing best practice guidance and resources

Aseptic Preparation Audits

Leadership to the technical service workforce

Procurement Support to National and Regional Contracting of Medicines

To liaise with the Defective Medicines Report Centre of the MRHA where problems have been reported and SPS advice is required to notify the system with and without the instigation of a national drug/device recall

Providing oversight of medical gas systems in NHS organisations

Research and innovation, service development

Regional Quality Assurance Team – Professional Leadership and management

Working for our organisation

North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialities. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.

North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

The post holder will lead and manage the regional QA team to deliver the QA service to the region.

This Will Involve Supporting The Delivery Of The National Medicines Optimisation Agenda By Providing Specialist Leadership And Quality Assurance Advice At a National, Regional And Local Level. This Will Include

Contributing to the patient safety agenda through the provision of quality assurance expertise and support to the procurement, preparation and manufacture of medicines and medicines provider services to the NHS.
Leading the programme of audit of NHS aseptic units across the region and provide support and oversight of high risk units through a programme of compliance management
Developing web-based best practice resources for the quality assurance of medicines in the NHS and support implementation through audit, training, mentoring and advice
Supporting organisations in the development and implementation of quality risk management systems to underpin the principles of medicines optimisation and ensure consistently effective outcomes for patients
Promoting innovation and transformation in the NHS by supporting the development, implementation and safe use of new medicines (e.g. ATMP, clinical trials, biological medicines) and technologies through working with regulators, academia and industry
Formulating, directing and delivering strategic plans for the provision of QA services to the acute NHS Trusts in the region. To support the region’s Chief Pharmacist network and Reginal Chief Pharmacist in delivering agreed work plans.
Contributing to the development, implementation and delivery of the NHSE, SPS and NHS Pharmaceutical QA Committee work-plans

Person specification

Education/Training/Qualification

Essential criteria

Degree in Pharmacy
Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council
Further qualification (Post Graduate Diploma/MSC) within Pharmaceutical Technology or QA.

Desirable criteria

Medical Gas testing (Quality Controller MPGS)
Qualification in management

Work Experience

Essential criteria

Extensive post registration experience of Good Manufacturing Practice relating to pharmaceutical manufacturing and preparation
Significant experience of quality control testing of pharmaceuticals (chemistry and microbiology methods)
Significant experience of risk management and quality management systems and their application
Significant experience of auditing and self-inspection and report writing to meet pharmaceutical regulatory requirements
Significant experience of planning and delivery of training (large and small groups) to more junior and also peer groups
Significant experience of multi-disciplinary working and to have evidence to demonstrate successful management of significant changes in complex environments
Significant experience and evidence of successful development and implementation of policies and procedures to satisfy regulatory requirements
Significant experience of working in both regional and national networks
Significant experience of working with regulatory authorities
Experience in all areas of NHS hospital pharmacy services including dispensary, clinical services and storage & distribution

Desirable criteria

Experience of working in Radiopharmacy services
Experience of working with clinical trials
Experience of quality control testing of medical gases
Experience of procurement of medicines and product assessment

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Essential criteria

Highly developed specialist knowledge of the regulatory and NHS standards and guidance relating to medicines manufacture and preparation
Highly developed specialist knowledge of the regulatory and NHS standards and guidance relating to safe storage and supply of medicines

Highly developed knowledge of the regulatory and NHS standards and guidance relating to medicines procurement and supply including homecare services

Highly developed knowledge of pharmaceutics, medicine formulation and drug stability

Good general and current knowledge of NHS developments and strategies relevant to medicines quality including primary and secondary care

Specialist knowledge of clean room design, technology and operation for pharmaceutical processing

Specialist knowledge of the principles of quality risk management as applicable to medicines manufacture and preparation

Thorough understanding of pharmaceutical quality control testing methods and their application to medicines manufacture and preparation

Comprehensive understanding of pharmacy law and regulations n relation to manufacture, preparation and supply of medicines, including clinical trials

Excellent communication skills (written, listening and oral) to ensure effective communication with individuals and groups, including those where the information is complex or when dealing with uncertainty to inform professional judgement

Excellent presentation and facilitation skills within small groups, large workshops and virtual audiences

Self-motivated with excellent time management and organisational skills, with an ability to plan and schedule a broad range of complex activities. Ability to work effectively on own and as part of a multi-disciplinary team

Excellent investigational and analytical skills with an ability to provide advice in highly complex situations

Excellent interpersonal skills. Diplomatic, consultative and able to build consensus to successfully gain agreement and commitment with peers and customers Able to cope with conflict and handle difficult situations with a calm disposition

Demonstrates tact, empathy and diplomacy when communicating confidential sensitive or contentious information

Demonstrates leadership management negotiation, influencing and motivational skills to facilitate working across healthcare systems

Ability to coach and mentor others

Good IT skills ability to accurately produce documentation and presentations using Microsoft packages

Desirable criteria

Good knowledge of ATMPs
Awareness of national pharmaceutical contracting strategies including outsourced medicine compounding and homecare services
Understanding of health and safety legislation as applicable to medicines manufacture and preparation

Personal Qualities/Special Circumstances

Essential criteria

Able to change into the appropriate clothing and spend time in pharmaceutical clean rooms and clinical areas
Able to travel to anywhere in the Region

Desirable criteria

Facility for remote/home working

Please note that if you apply for a position with North Bristol NHS Trust, you may be contacted via TRAC or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your TRAC Account and email accounts including junk and spam folders.

If you apply for this vacancy and have not received a communication from North Bristol NHS Trust within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful.

Please note that North Bristol NHS Trust does not reimburse travel expenses relating to interview attendance.

If you feel you meet the requirements of the Disability Act / Two Ticks scheme and require further support/advice, please contact us on tel 0117 414 1151.

North Bristol NHS Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The successful applicant(s) will normally commence at the minimum of the scale unless they have previous NHS service at the same band. Progression through the scale is by annual increments.

At North Bristol Trust (NBT), we know diverse and inclusive environments lead to happier and healthier teams and improved patient care and outcomes. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are currently underrepresented in NBT’s workforce at Band 8a and above. These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people and LGBTQIA+ people.

Please note that stringent pre-employment checks are undertaken on all successful applicants prior to commencement in post.

Southwest Regional Quality Assurance Lead Pharmacist

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