Pharmacy Assistant

Research is an increasingly important component of pharmacy practice and is recognised as one of the four pillars of the profession. Its significance is reflected in a number of key strategic documents, including Pharmacy: Delivering a Healthier Wales, the Independent Review of Clinical Pharmacy Services in Hospitals, and the All Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG) Strategy for Wales 2024-2029. As research activity continues to expand across NHS Wales, there is growing recognition of the vital contribution that pharmacy teams make to the safe and effective delivery of clinical research.

Clinical trials represent a crucial aspect of healthcare research, contributing to the development of new medicines and treatments while improving outcomes for patients. The Clinical Trials Pharmacy Team plays a key role in supporting the safe, effective, and compliant management of Investigational Medicinal Products (IMPs) used within research studies. Operating within a highly regulated environment, the team ensures that clinical trial medicines are received, stored, prepared, dispensed, accounted for, and destroyed in accordance with study protocols, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and all applicable regulatory requirements.

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) is home to a fully integrated Clinical Research Facility, offering comprehensive support for research delivery. The facility includes dedicated governance, finance and contracts teams, an on-site pathology laboratory, outpatient clinic and ward facilities, a research fellow programme, and a dedicated Clinical Trials Pharmacy service.

The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team committed to delivering high-quality clinical research across ABUHB, supporting studies from feasibility and set-up through to completion and close-down. Working alongside the pharmacy team, research nurses, principal investigators, and industry sponsors, post holders will contribute to the delivery of innovative research that has a direct impact on patient care.

Clinical trials pharmacy offers a unique and rewarding career pathway, combining patient-centred pharmacy practice with research, governance, quality assurance, and service development. This role provides an excellent opportunity to develop specialist knowledge and experience in clinical research, Investigational Medicinal Product (IMP) management, regulatory compliance, and Good Clinical Practice (GCP).

ABUHB is committed to supporting professional development and encourages staff to broaden their skills through structured training, participation in audits and quality improvement initiatives, attendance at study meetings and monitoring visits, and involvement in the development of trial documentation, procedures, and services.

This role provides valuable experience within a specialist pharmacy service and an opportunity to gain knowledge of clinical research processes, offering a strong foundation for future career progression.

Key Responsibilities

Provide administrative and operational support to the Clinical Trials Pharmacy Service.

Maintain clinical trial files, records, and study documentation in line with departmental procedures.

Support the management of Investigational Medicinal Products (IMPs), including receipt, storage, stock monitoring, returns, expiry date checks, and authorised destruction activities.

Undertake dispensing activities for clinical trials in line with approved procedures and competency requirements.

Monitor and record storage temperatures, escalating any deviations to appropriate pharmacy staff.

Support the management of shared clinical trials communications, including email accounts, calendars, and task management systems.

Assist with study set-up activities, monitoring visits, audits, and inspections, ensuring documentation is available and actions are completed.

Collect and collate information to support financial reporting and service activity monitoring.

Maintain clinical trials information resources, including electronic filing systems, SharePoint pages, newsletters, and information boards.

Undertake routine filing, record management, and quality assurance checks to ensure audit readiness.

Contribute to the effective, safe, and compliant delivery of the Clinical Trials Pharmacy Service and undertake any other duties appropriate to the role.

Joining the Clinical Trials Pharmacy Team at ABUHB offers a unique opportunity to play a direct role in advancing healthcare through research. Whether beginning a career in clinical trials or seeking to develop specialist expertise, post holders will be part of a supportive, forward-thinking team committed to innovation, excellence, and the delivery of research that improves outcomes for patients across Wales.

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