What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Quality Control Operative position at Freeman Hospital?
Employer heading
Senior Quality Control Operative
PPU Range 3
Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest and largest NHS foundation trusts in the country, with around 15,000 staff and an annual budget of £1.6 billion.
We have a long history of providing high quality care, clinical excellence, and innovation in medical research regionally, nationally and internationally.
We’re in the top five providers of specialised health services in the country, supporting people with a range of rare and complex medical, surgical and neurological conditions, cancers and genetic orders.
Our staff oversee around 6,500 patient contacts each day, delivering high standards of healthcare.
We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognise the benefit in providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.
Newcastle Hospitals are proud to be one of the exemplar organisations across the NHS on sustainability, with a long history of delivering Sustainable Healthcare in Newcastle (Shine) and the first healthcare organisation in the world to declare a climate emergency. Our strategy includes commitments to being Net Zero by 2030, for our direct carbon footprint, and Net Zero by 2040 for our footprint plus. Delivering these ambitions will not be possible without the help, support and action of every single member of our team.
Job Overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a talented individual to take on the role of Senior Quality Control Operative. The candidate will be working within a small Quality Control Laboratory based within the Pharmacy Production Unit at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, supporting other members of the Quality Control Laboratory who are releasing officers for the (Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency) MHRA MS17163 licence held by Newcastle Specials for the release of ‘Specials’ manufactured by the Pharmacy Production Unit. The role is a mix of traditional Quality Control laboratory techniques and also supporting the Pharmaceutical Quality System such as writing QC worksheets, Standard Operating Procedures and other documentation. Good record keeping skills are required The Quality Control Laboratory has a variety of equipment including HPLC, FTIR, auto titrators, pH meter, conductivity meter, refractometer, melting point etc., full training will be provided. Quality Control laboratory test results are used to support product testing for release for patient use, stability studies to support expiry allocation of current products and also allocation of expiry for new products.
The Senior Quality Control Operative will be responsible for undertaking a range of laboratory and other duties necessary to ensure the Pharmaceutical Quality Control service operates in an efficient, safe and effective manner.
Duties will include managing samples sent off site to contact laboratory and the handling of results, managing laboratory stock levels and ensuring orders are raised and correctly processed on receipt. Required to be involved with the processing, sampling and testing of certain defined products, having successfully completed the in-house competency based training programme that encompasses the concepts of Quality Assurance, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Quality Control.
Suitable candidates should possess and state on their application a GCSE (Minimum Grade 4 or equivalent) in Mathematics, a Science based subject and English Language or previous relevant experience.
Working for our organisation
Our staff oversee over 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under ‘Documents to download’ or ‘Supporting documents’.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Person specification
KNOWLEDGE
Essential criteria
Essential criteria
Desirable criteria
Essential criteria
All references from current and previous employers will be sought and must cover a minimum of 3 years employment. Therefore, when completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current/previous line managers that cover 3 years employment. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first month’s pay.
Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will be contacted by e-mail. You should check your SPAM folders as well as your inbox. If you have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date you should assume your application has been unsuccessful.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
Name Laura Palmer Job title Laboratory Manager Email address laura.palmer21@nhs.net Telephone number 01912820920
Senior Quality Control Operative
PPU Range 3
Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest and largest NHS foundation trusts in the country, with around 15,000 staff and an annual budget of £1.6 billion.
We have a long history of providing high quality care, clinical excellence, and innovation in medical research regionally, nationally and internationally.
We’re in the top five providers of specialised health services in the country, supporting people with a range of rare and complex medical, surgical and neurological conditions, cancers and genetic orders.
Our staff oversee around 6,500 patient contacts each day, delivering high standards of healthcare.
We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognise the benefit in providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.
Newcastle Hospitals are proud to be one of the exemplar organisations across the NHS on sustainability, with a long history of delivering Sustainable Healthcare in Newcastle (Shine) and the first healthcare organisation in the world to declare a climate emergency. Our strategy includes commitments to being Net Zero by 2030, for our direct carbon footprint, and Net Zero by 2040 for our footprint plus. Delivering these ambitions will not be possible without the help, support and action of every single member of our team.
Job Overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a talented individual to take on the role of Senior Quality Control Operative. The candidate will be working within a small Quality Control Laboratory based within the Pharmacy Production Unit at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, supporting other members of the Quality Control Laboratory who are releasing officers for the (Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency) MHRA MS17163 licence held by Newcastle Specials for the release of ‘Specials’ manufactured by the Pharmacy Production Unit. The role is a mix of traditional Quality Control laboratory techniques and also supporting the Pharmaceutical Quality System such as writing QC worksheets, Standard Operating Procedures and other documentation. Good record keeping skills are required The Quality Control Laboratory has a variety of equipment including HPLC, FTIR, auto titrators, pH meter, conductivity meter, refractometer, melting point etc., full training will be provided. Quality Control laboratory test results are used to support product testing for release for patient use, stability studies to support expiry allocation of current products and also allocation of expiry for new products.
- Interview date: 26th March 2025
- 37 hours 30 minutes/week
- You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.
The Senior Quality Control Operative will be responsible for undertaking a range of laboratory and other duties necessary to ensure the Pharmaceutical Quality Control service operates in an efficient, safe and effective manner.
Duties will include managing samples sent off site to contact laboratory and the handling of results, managing laboratory stock levels and ensuring orders are raised and correctly processed on receipt. Required to be involved with the processing, sampling and testing of certain defined products, having successfully completed the in-house competency based training programme that encompasses the concepts of Quality Assurance, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Quality Control.
Suitable candidates should possess and state on their application a GCSE (Minimum Grade 4 or equivalent) in Mathematics, a Science based subject and English Language or previous relevant experience.
Working for our organisation
Our staff oversee over 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:
- Freeman Hospital
- Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
- Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)
- Newcastle Dental Hospital
- Newcastle Fertility Centre
- Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
- Northern Genetics Service
- Cramlington Manor Walks
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under ‘Documents to download’ or ‘Supporting documents’.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
- To carry out the full range of duties including receipt, processing, sampling and testing of raw materials, packaging materials and certain defined products, having successfully completed the in-house competency based training programme that encompasses the concepts of Quality Assurance, GMP and Quality Control.
- To liaise with external organisations to source certification for raw materials and packaging materials
- Assist in the product releasing process by transferring released items from quarantine to the Production Store.
- To send samples off site to a contract laboratory ensuring all documentation is completed. To receive completed results and file appropriately
- Assist in the inputting of environmental monitoring results into the database.
- To maintain stock levels of analytical reagents and chemicals in the QC Lab.
- To prepare orders, check all analytical reagents and chemicals on receipt and ensure they are correctly stored and documentation processes completed.
- To ensure that used laboratory glassware is cleaned, dried, and returned to the appropriate storage thus avoiding cross contamination and the invalidation of analytical results.
- Assist the Trust Quality Controller and other QC/QA staff by photocopying and distributing approved copies of authorised documentation.
- Assists in the training of rotational staff assigned to the QC Laboratory
- Storage and organisation of reference samples and destruction when appropriate
- Complete the daily equipment checks
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Person specification
KNOWLEDGE
Essential criteria
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the duties carried out within the role
- Understanding and appreciation of Chemistry
- An understanding of some of the hazards associated with handling solid and liquid chemicals
- Knowledge of GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) or GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice)
- Working knowledge of Microsoft computer systems
Essential criteria
- Good organisational skills
- Good oral communication
- Good written communication
- Ability to maintain high level of accuracy in a busy environment
- Capable of working with minimum supervision
- Able to demonstrate good manual dexterity
Desirable criteria
- Previous experience of GLP or GMP
- Competence in the undertaking and organisation of delegated tasks associated with ordering and receipt of chemicals and reagents and distribution of approved documentation
Essential criteria
- GCSE (Minimum Grade 4) in Maths, a Science based subject and English Language or equivalent qualification or previous relevant experience
- A Level Chemistry or equivalent qualification
All references from current and previous employers will be sought and must cover a minimum of 3 years employment. Therefore, when completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current/previous line managers that cover 3 years employment. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first month’s pay.
Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will be contacted by e-mail. You should check your SPAM folders as well as your inbox. If you have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date you should assume your application has been unsuccessful.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Documents to download
- JD&PS (PDF, 148.0KB)
- Newcastle Staff Benefits (PDF, 274.4KB)
- Behaviour and Civility Charter (PDF, 93.8KB)
Further details / informal visits contact
Name Laura Palmer Job title Laboratory Manager Email address laura.palmer21@nhs.net Telephone number 01912820920
