Aseptic / Clinical Trials Pharmacist

Main area Pharmacy Grade Band 8a Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (08:30 - 16:30) Job ref 001-PST010-0226

Employer Cardiff and Vale University Health Board Employer type NHS Site St Mary's Pharmaceutical Unit (SMPU) Town Cardiff Salary £56,514 - £63,623 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 08/03/2026 23:59

Aseptic / Clinical Trials Pharmacist
Band 8a

WHO WE ARE:

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is one of the largest Integrated Health Board in the UK, employing over 16,000 staff and providing over 100 specialist services. Serving a population of around 500,000 people living in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, we are focussed on the health and care needs of our local population whilst also working with our partners to develop regional services. Together we are committed to improving health outcomes for everyone and to delivering excellent care and support.

Our mission is “Living Well, Caring Well, Working Together”. We have recently refreshed our strategy, Shaping Our Future Wellbeing, which sets out the Health Board’s Vision for improving the health and wellbeing of the populations we serve by 2035 through the delivery of our strategic objectives; Putting People First, Providing Outstanding Quality, Delivering in the Right Places, and Acting for the Future. We have challenging times ahead, but we are confident that by tackling these challenges together, we can support people to live healthier lives and reduce the unfair differences in the prevalence of illness and health outcomes we see in our communities today. We aspire to deliver outstanding care and treatment for people when they need it, where they need it; care that compares well with the best in the world, but to do so we need to transform how we deliver services over the next decade and beyond.

We are a values-driven organisation and out goals will only be realised if our values are at the heart of everything we do. Created by colleagues, patients and their families and carers, our values are:

• 
  
• We are kind and caring
  
• We are respectful
  
• We have trust and integrity
  
• We take personal responsibility
  

OUR REGION:

Wales has much to offer with miles of stunning coastline, UNESCO world heritage sites and beautiful countryside. Cardiff, the thriving Welsh capital, has something for everyone. It is a fantastic city to live and work in with an abundance of sports, arts and cultural attractions. Situated to the west of Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan offers a combination of beautiful Welsh countryside and a dramatic natural coastline, as well as charming towns including Penarth and Cowbridge. Those seeking more culture may find themselves drawn to the National Museum, St Fagan’s Museum of Welsh Life or the Millennium Centre, home of the Welsh National Opera. Whether city life or rural living, Cardiff and the Vale offers the best of both worlds.

Job overview

Ready to take your pharmacy career to the next level? Join our expert team at St Mary’s Pharmaceutical Unit (SMPU) a leading NHS manufacturing facility delivering specialist medicines across Wales & beyond. This is your chance to work at the forefront of aseptic services, clinical trials and licensed production, making a real impact on patient care and research.

We are seeking an experienced Band 8a Aseptic / Clinical Trials Pharmacist to take a key leadership role.

You will:

• 
  
• Deputise for the Accountable Pharmacist for Section 10 activities, ensuring MHRA & GMP compliance.
  
• Release aseptic products, safeguarding quality and patient safety.
  
• Support clinical trials under Section 37.
  
• Engage in MS licensed production, broadening regulatory expertise.
  
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to deliver services.
  
• A qualified pharmacist with experience in aseptic services, clinical trials or licensed manufacturing.
  
• Strong knowledge of GMP, MHRA requirements & quality systems.
  
• Excellent leadership, communication and problem-solving skills.
  
• A proactive, detail-oriented approach with a drive to advance pharmacy practice.
  

Why SMPU?

• 
  
• Be part of a specialist NHS unit with a reputation for excellence.
  
• Work on groundbreaking clinical trials shaping future care.
  
• Gain exposure to licensed production & expand regulatory knowledge.
  
• Enjoy professional development, flexible working & NHS benefits.
  
• Apply now & help deliver life-changing therapies while supporting vital research.
  

Main duties of the job

• 
  
• To deputise for the Head of Production / Aseptic Services ensuring safe and compliant Pharmacy Technical Services are maintained, evaluating and prioritising services when constraints occur, and liaising and negotiating with internal and external stakeholders to maximise production.
  
• To lead a team developing new products and processes using Quality Risk Management (QRM) and Quality by Design (QBD) principles to grow existing services and to widen the scope in line with emerging therapies such as Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products.
  
• To create, monitor and review the Capacity and Contingency Plans for Aseptic / Production and Clinical Trial Services.
  
• To regularly undertake research, creating evidence to support service development and enable the evaluation of services across the manufacturing unit.
  
• To work closely with the wider pharmacy clinical trials team, demonstrating senior leadership for this area especially where there is collaboration required between the teams.
  
• To participate in product approval of Section 10 products and the release of Manufacturing Specials products.
  

Working for our organisation

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is one of the largest Integrated Health Boards in the UK, employing over 17,000 staff, providing over 100 specialist services. Working across 6 hospital sites, we have a diverse range of career opportunities to offer. Serving over 500,000 people living in Cardiff and the Vale, we are focussed on the health and care needs of our local population whilst working with our partners to develop regional services. Together we are committed to improving health outcomes for everyone, delivering excellent care and support.

Our mission is “Living Well, Caring Well, Working Together”, and our vision is that every person’s chance of leading a healthy life should be equal. Our 10-year transformation and improvement strategy, Shaping Our Future Wellbeing, is our chance to work collaboratively with the public and our workforce to make our health board more sustainable for the future.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click “Apply now” to view in Trac

To plan, implement, maintain and evaluate clinical production activities including staff, resources, activity, processes, and information, ensuring the highest level of professional standards of service are provided, encompassing both quality and timeliness of service to patients.

• 
  
• To manage the overall workload in accordance with the capacity plan ensuring staff rotas reflect an appropriate skill mix for the allocated tasks and are an effective use of staff time, prioritising and adjusting plans as required.
  
• To be responsible for ensuring all equipment is validated and functioning correctly, and all plant and equipment planned preventative and corrective maintenance is carried out.
  
• To manage the environmental monitoring processes in line with current guidance and to ensure correct action is taken in the event of a deviation. This will include liaising with the Quality Assurance team where appropriate to resolve any validation or monitoring issues.
  
• To develop distribution systems and processes under controlled conditions.
  
• To ensure that all staff adhere to hygiene and clothing policies associated with their work within the controlled cleanroom environment. This involves strict hand washing procedures and changing into designated cleanroom clothing.
  
• To ensure the digital systems are fit for purpose and approve accuracy of master process and procedure documentation.
  
• To contribute to the update and maintenance of the Site Master File in collaboration with the Production Manager and Quality Assurance Lead, analysing data from several sources and presenting findings for internal use and publication, when required.
  
• To be responsible for the handling of ‘Controlled drugs’ in accordance with professional, ethical and legal guidelines.
  

Person specification
Qualifications & Knowledge

• 
  
• Master’s degree such as Level 7 Pharmaceutical Technology & Quality Assurance (PTQA) (Masters) or Scientist Training Programme (STP) Pharmaceutical Science or relevant pharmaceutical knowledge, and specialist and practical experience of GMP systems management acquired over five years (as defined by MHRA guidance) and equivalent to that required for a post-graduate diploma.
  
• Management or Leadership qualification or accreditation – or demonstrable equivalent experience.
  
• Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council or other relevant professional body.
  
• Accredited Product Approver (S10 Medical Act) and Cleanroom Supervision (CRS) accreditation (or be able to undertake)
  
• Quality Improvement Accreditation
  
• Training qualification or accreditation, or equivalent experience
  

Experience

• 
  
• Relevant post-qualification GMP experience providing NHS Aseptic services or within an MHRA licensed unit
  
• Experience of Quality Risk Management (QRM) or other comprehensive pharmaceutical quality management system
  
• Experience of undertaking risk assessment, root cause analysis and CAPA, change control
  
• Experience of stock management of hazardous and time-limited materials, and interpretation of stability data obtained from a range of sources
  
• Experience of managing a team of people
  

Skills & Attributes

• 
  
• Good communication skills including being able to present complex information, share knowledge and influence others
  
• Project management and strong organisational skills, including being able to plan and document complex schedules and processes, and prioritise tasks to meet deadlines.
  
• Capacity to think strategically, and analyse, evaluate and solve complex problems.
  
• Confident user of computer systems, demonstrating attention to detail at all levels, including utilisation and understanding of spreadsheets, in order to identify, record, compare and analyse data from multiple sources
  

General

• 
  
• Approachable and professional manner, encouraging contribution from others.
  
• Self-aware and acts with integrity.
  
• Committed to continuing professional development for self and others.
  
• Deliver excellent customer service to our internal and external customers, helping us to maintain the customer service excellence standard.
  

MANAGING YOUR APPLICATION:

We are committed to promoting inclusion, where all staff have a sense of belonging. We welcome applications from everyone and recognise the need for our workforce to represent the diversity of the population we serve. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment where staff treat one another with dignity and respect and where diversity is celebrated. We aim to create a working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential no matter their disability, sex, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, age, religion or belief, pregnancy and maternity or marriage and civil partnership status.We are keen to break down barriers in the UHB, and encourage applications from under-represented groups.

Applicants are invited to apply in Welsh. Any application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application made in English.

The UHB reserves the right to close this vacancy after 24 hours if a large number of suitable applications are received. Therefore, we encourage early applications to ensure consideration for this post.

Please check your email account regularly. Successful applicants will receive all recruitment related correspondence via the email account registered on the application form.

To work in the UK, all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship to obtain either a Health and Care visa or Skilled Worker visa , unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply should self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship by visiting Work in the UK . If you are eligible for the Health and Care visa, application costs are lower and you do not need to pay the annual Immigration Health Surcharge.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

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.

Name Neelufer Kazi Job title Aseptic Lead Pharmacist Email address Telephone number Additional information

To have a discussion or arrange an informal visit, please contact us using the details above.