Chief Pharmacy Technician – Clinical Trials
The closing date is 30 March 2026
Working with an innovative and highly motivated pharmacy clinical trials team, this role will be responsible for the day to day operational management and organisation of the pharmacy clinical trials technical service across all NUH sites.
The post holder will also, in conjunction with the Assigned Specialist Clinical Trials support, set up and manage a dedicated portfolio of specialist clinical trials (e.g. ATIMP and/or complex study set ups).
Main duties of the job
Under the leadership and direction of the Advanced Pharmacy Technician Research and Innovation (R&I), the post holder will be responsible for:
- The day to day operational management and organisation of the pharmacy clinical trials technical service across all NUH sites.
- Managing operational priorities, using available resources effectively and efficiently.
- Overseeing processes relating to the financial and management of clinical trials.
- Ensuring compliance with ICH‑GCP guidelines, clinical trial regulations, the research governance frameworks and other relevant guidelines and policies.
- Identifying, planning and developing new opportunities for clinical trial services and providing advice and support for on‑going services.
- The post holder will be expected to work at both the City and Queens Medical Centre Campus.
About us
With over 19,000 staff, we are one of the biggest employers in the city with a central role in supporting the health and wellbeing of our local population. We play a leading role in research, education and innovation.
Come and join our wonderful team at NUH. We are big believers in diversity and welcome new ideas to help develop our team in order to deliver world class healthcare to the vast patient populations we serve. With endless personal development opportunities available, at NUH we will endeavour to turn your job into a career!
We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, or Disabled, as we are striving to be better represented at NUH.
The Pharmacy Clinical trials Team is a dedicated and hard working team delivering research to participants at Nottingham University Hospitals. Working cross town the post holder will be part of a team of specialist Pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and assistants ensuring studies are set up and delivered safely to participants in a timely manner.
Job responsibilities
Key job responsibilities
Clinical Trials Service Delivery, Governance and Development
To be responsible for the day to day operational management and organisation of the pharmacy clinical trials technical service across all NUH sites.
To manage operational priorities within pharmacy clinical trials, using available resources effectively and efficiently.
To ensure compliance with ICH‑GCP guidelines, clinical trial regulations, the research governance frameworks and other relevant guidelines and policies.
To support the identification, planning and development of new opportunities for clinical trial services and provide advice and support for on‑going services.
To have an understanding of and contribute to development and implementation of the Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations 2004 with relation to documentation, storage, handling and good clinical practice.
To ensure all records (including environmental monitoring) and working practices are to the standards expected under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), ICH‑GCP and the Research Governance Framework, through audit and other means.
To lead on maintaining and developing Clinical Trials SOPs to ensure that all medicines research within the Trust is conducted in accordance with the relevant legislation and guidelines.
To oversee the work of other clinical trial pharmacy technicians in the setting up of clinical trials for the relevant speciality area in conjunction with the Assigned Specialist Clinical Trials Pharmacist and to set‑up and manage a dedicated portfolio of specialist clinical trials (e.g. ATIMP and/or complex study set‑ups).
To oversee clinical trial technicians and assistants in maintaining trial records and stock.
To assist in the investigation and management of internal and external clinical trial complaints from Sponsors and ensure that service improvements are implemented where appropriate.
To support clinical governance for clinical trials and management of processing Datix incident forms, and participate in investigation of, including follow‑up and producing reports where appropriate for pharmacy clinical trial incidents including completing root cause analysis. To provide regular feedback to pharmacy staff of all incidents and complaints, ensuring all staff are aware of changes in practice arising from lessons learned.
Support the delivery of an efficient, quality pharmacy clinical trials service to research teams, patients and clinical trial sponsor.
To work collaboratively with the Principal Pharmacist Research and Innovative treatments, Advanced Pharmacy Technician R&I and Specialist Clinical Trials Pharmacists, to meet the inspection requirements of trial facilitators and study auditors, as well as MHRA GCP inspectors.
To participate in the R&I department GCP Audit/Monitoring Programme for clinical trials managed by clinical trials pharmacy.
Completing KPI data to facilitate monthly pharmacy clinical trials reports.
To ensure the claim mechanism for drug costs is completed and all invoices are generated in a timely manner.
To oversee and coordinate the monitoring and pursuit of outstanding finance owed by trial sponsors, reporting back to the Advanced Pharmacy Technician R&I.
To document and monitor workload and trials income reporting and escalating to the Advanced Pharmacy Technician R&I.
Staff Management and training
To lead, manage and act as a role model for the Pharmacy Technicians and Assistants, support staff.
To be responsible for performance management and sickness absence management of direct line reports and support line managers with their team through the process.
In conjunction with the Advanced Pharmacy Technician R&I, to review vacancies as they arise and undertake the recruitment and selection of staff once the reviews have been completed.
To ensure that new staff receive comprehensive local induction and assessment in clinical trials dispensary and supply processes.
To assist the Advanced Pharmacy Technician R&I and the Specialist Clinical Trial Pharmacists in the development and maintenance of a structured package of training material for clinical trials. To be involved in training other healthcare professionals with respect to pharmaceutical issues as required.
To undertake development in project management such as completing the LEO course and leading on projects to develop the pharmacy clinical trials team.
To collaborate with R&I teams to support service development objectives.
To delegate to senior pharmacy clinical trials technicians in the role out of service development projects and SOP review.
Research and Development and Networking
To undertake and participate in research delivery.
To actively evaluate and integrate research evidence into practice to develop and improve pharmacy services within the directorate and the department.
To support the forging of links, both nationally and regionally to share and promote best practice.
To develop and maintain close working relationships with key stakeholders involved with clinical trials both within NUH (eg R&I staff and Research active clinicians) and with trial sponsors.
Person Specification
Training and Qualifications
- NVQ Level 3 / BTEC in Pharmacy Services or equivalent
- General Pharmaceutical Council Registered Pharmacy Technician (or ability to register)
- Current Pharmacy accuracy checking validation / qualification
- Evidence of commitment to ongoing learning and personal development
- Previous post‑qualification experience of working in a large busy hospital Pharmacy department
- Management qualification, or equivalent relevant experience demonstrated by acting in a senior role responsible for managing staff, services or resources (equivalent to degree level).
Experience
- Previous post‑qualification experience of working in a large Pharmacy Dispensary department
- Relevant experience in a senior technician role responsible for managing staff, services or resources
- Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Research Governance framework and legal/regulatory environment for medicines and clinical trials
- Substantial experience working within a Clinical Trials Environment
- Current familiarity with MHRA standards and other regulatory authority.
- Knowledge of governance and risk management processes relating to the provision of Pharmacy services gained through relevant post‑qualification experience
Communication and Relationship skills
- Good communication skills with multi‑disciplinary team members and pharmacy healthcare professionals.
- Teaching and Training Skills with the ability to develop others.
- Interviewing/appraisal skills and experience.
Analytical and Judgement Skills
- Accuracy and attention to detail
- Able to assess and minimise risk in dispensary services
Planning and Organisation Skills
- Good organisational skills - able to prioritise, direct, coordinate and motivate others
- Proven effective time‑management - having a planned and logical approach and the ability to work to deadlines, even when under pressure
- Proven ability in successfully implementing change and change management
- Evidence of project management
Physical Skills
- Competent ICT skills - Office, including spreadsheets, databases, pharmacy systems, and web based programmes
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Address
Queen's Medical Centre campus / City Hospital campus
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