Pharmacy Quality Assurance Lead

Pharmacy Quality Assurance Lead

The closing date is 02 March 2026.

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton (UHDB) is looking to recruit an individual to provide leadership to the Quality Assurance function supporting the aseptic preparation of medicines within our organisation.

UHDB provides aseptically prepared medicines under a MHRA Manufacturer's Specials Licence and also under Section 10 exemption in three operational aseptic units. The aseptic service provision is supported by an onsite Quality Control laboratory providing environmental monitoring and testing for the Pharmacy aseptic units and UHDB Radiopharmacy.

We have an ambition to ensure that technical services are a key component of delivering safe and timely medicines supply to patients and this post has a critical leadership role to ensure that medicines supply is safe, effective and compliant with regulatory standards.

As we look towards developing and aligning our service across the organisation this role will play an important part in shaping the technical service provision for the future.

Your development will be supported by a close working relationship with the senior management team. If you are interested in this wide ranging opportunity please do get in touch to discuss the post in more detail.

Main duties of the job

The post holder is responsible for supporting the local implementation and operation of the Quality Management System across the following areas:

• Pharmacy Aseptic Services delivered under the MHRA Manufacturer's Specials Licence, including the Quality Control Laboratory
• Pharmacy Aseptic Services under section 10 exemption of the Medicines Act 1968 and Regulation 4 of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012
• Pharmacy wholesale dealing

The post holder will deputise for the Quality Assurance Manager across the full range of duties and responsibilities.

The post holder will ensure compliance with:

• Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
• Quality Assurance of Aseptic Preparation Services
• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations
• Good Manufacturing Practice

About us

As a trusted organisation at the heart of our communities, we recognise the important role we can play in supporting the public, patients, our own people and local partners in achieving the best of health for the local population and the communities in which they live by providing Exceptional Care Together.

Our fundamental Values of Compassion, Openness and Excellence underpin how we intend to work as a Trust and the associated behaviours are becoming embedded in all aspects of how we work.

In return we will offer:

• Development opportunities, both professional and leadership development
• On going support from recruitment to when you join our team and beyond.
• Staff benefits including employee assistance programme, discounted gym membership, onsite fitness classes, car schemes

Key Facts:

• We see on average 4,810 OP appointments a day.
• We are the 4th busiest Trauma & Orthopaedic outpatients department in England - an average of 2,077 per week.
• An average of 1,115 patients are seen in A&Es across our network every day - 3rd largest in the country.
• Our hospitals admit an average of 195 emergency patients daily.
• Last year we undertook almost 33,700 planned surgical operations in our 57 operating theatres.
• We are one of only 7 Trusts nationally with more than 50 operating theatres.
• We carry out more than 140 elective procedures each working day.
• UHDB is a research active University Hospital with a large and varied portfolio of clinical trials and research opportunities for all staff.

Job responsibilities

Please see attached Job description and Person Specification. To apply, click "APPLY FOR THIS JOB" (the link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site). You will need to register if you do not already have an account.

Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please click on the link to check your eligibility before applying for this post as we may be unable to provide sponsorship - impacts of the changes to the UK immigration policy NHS Employers.

Your application (for shortlisting purposes) is assessed based on the Person Specification in the job advert (below).

Person Specification Qualifications

• Science degree or equivalent
• Post qualification specialist knowledge and experience to postgraduate level. Demonstrable GMP experience
• Microbiological expertise to degree or equivalent level through experience and training
• PTQA MSc
• Member of GPhC, RSC or RSB as appropriate

Experience

• Significant post qualification experience in hospital or pharmaceutical practice in specialist pharmacy Quality Assurance / Control services or specialist aseptic services
• Knowledge / experience of the following specialist areas: QA/QC, aseptic preparation, pharmaceutical microbiology, Audit, Risk Assessment, Supply Chain, and Deviation management
• Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development and learning
• Significant experience of Pharmacy Quality Management Systems and audits
• Significant experience in the releasing of manufactured pharmaceutical products

Skills

• Well developed problem solving and analytical skills for interpreting a broad range of complex information quickly and accurately
• Able to evaluate best practice and apply to the QA and technical services

Communication and interpersonal skills

• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written to communicate with service users and teams
• To provide expert advice and support collaborative decision making relating to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) to the service managers of all licensed manufacturing and unlicensed preparation units at UHDB

Values and Behaviours

• Desire for self development and improvement of others
• Demonstrate that they are approachable and a team player

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.

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust