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About This Role

We have a new opportunity for a Production Radiochemist to join us at our Keele Radiopharmacy Site.

This is a full time position working 40 hours a week attracting a salary of £31,000.

Ideally you are a scientific graduate with a scientific background, ideally with experience of (radio) pharmaceutical manufacture in a GMP environment.

Please note this is a fixed term contract of 18 months to cover Maternity leave.

Please note that we will be interviewing throughout the duration of this advert. Therefore if you are interested in this role an early application is advised as we may close the advert prior to the advertised date.

Radiochemist (Production)

Main Role

Undertake production of Fluorine-18 (18F) and radio-synthesis of 18F radiopharmaceuticals for PET imaging.

Duties & Responsibilities

Production

Operate and maintain protocols for the manufacture of 18F and for the Alliance Medical Radiopharmacy chemistry laboratory including the production synthesis of standard 18FDG, 18Ethylcholine (18FEC), and other PET tracers in strict adherence to GMP and relevant EU pharmacopoeia standards.

Operate routine protocols for customer orders and distribution of 18FDG and other PET tracers to sites.

Maintenance

Arrange first-line scheduled and emergency maintenance for the cyclotron and associated plant, in collaboration with GE engineers. Participate in GE training courses and maintain links with the GE Medical Systems, Sweden and other ‘PETtrace’ centres.

Ensure efficient performance of, and undertake first-line maintenance of, the FDG & FEC Synthesisers, Dispensing Equipment, Hot Cells, including dose calibration, monitoring and sterility checks within the context of strict application of environmental and ‘clean room’ protocols.

Faults

Maintain records of faults on any dysfunction – operational, equipment or environment integrity. Interpret and rectify operational faults where possible and indicate where the GE engineer or contractor should be called.

Quality Systems

Develop, implement and manage cGMP, Quality Control and Quality Assurance systems and procedures for all aspects of cyclotron operations, and radiopharmaceutical production of standard PET tracers

Principal Operator/Timetable

On a rota basis, act as either cyclotron principal operator or as principal laboratory technician for radio-synthesis of PET tracers in accordance with a pre-determined daily timetable.

Targetary

Maintain routine protocols for production of standard 18F and other PET targetary in accordance with GMP guidelines.

Maintenance and Engineering Services

Support appropriate Maintenance/Engineering arrangements to ensure reliable delivery of critical services including air handling, chilled water, gases, electric power and security.

Chemical Preparation

Ordering of stock, preparation of chemicals required for routine radiochemistry production including formulation of reagents, etc and the safe disposal of waste chemicals and materials.

Standard Operating Procedures

Prepare updated SOPs in accordance with the relevant guidelines as may be necessary from time to time for approval by the QP and adoption by the unit.

Training Others

Provide training and support for others selected as rota/backup in cyclotron operation and production of Radiopharmaceuticals.

R & D

Search out, promote and manage R&D initiatives that both enhance the reputation of Alliance Medical Radiopharmacy and their professional staffs as is consistent within approved budgets and grants.

Skills in Radiochemistry

Develop necessary skills to provide relief and rota support to radiochemical laboratory technician/s with specific reference to the functions of:

• Operation of cyclotron.
• Production of Radioisotopes

Safety and Control

• Assume responsibility for the safe and efficient handling of all radioactive substances (solid, gas, liquid) received from the Centre’s cyclotron including their synthesis, transmission, dispensing, storage, containerisation, packing, despatch, transport, decay control, and release. In accordance with local rules for emergency or serious incident procedure record such events in accordance with SOPs.
• Responsible for following agreed safety procedures to ensure safety of yourself and others.

Regulatory

Strictly adhere to GMP, GLP and safety protocols laid down by the MHRA, EA and HSE in accordance with issued licenses as determined from time to time. Corresponding adherence to local rules developed by Alliance Medical Radiopharmacy in conformity to such licensing requirement.

About Alliance Medical

Alliance Medical are Europe’s leading independent provider of imaging services.

We combine service excellence and innovative imaging technologies to improve patient care and support NHS and independent organisations with their ongoing imaging requirements. Our approach has delivered consistent company growth for more than 30 years.

We operate a robust pre-employment screening process for all roles which includes proof of professional registration and qualifications, DBS checking and occupational health assessments.

We live by our company values to ensure the highest level of patient care:

Our Values

Leaders, managers, and supervisors have a particular responsibility to be role models in terms of how they demonstrate these values themselves and how they engage their teams to work in this way.

Collaboration:

We work together and in partnership for all our patients. We respect expertise and combine it to achieve more.

Excellence:

We never compromise. We strive to deliver the very best in everything we do to ensure the highest quality of care. We treat our patients and each other with compassion, dignity and respect.

Learning:

Knowledge and understanding comes from learning. At Alliance Medical we are committed to ensuring that each and every one of us keeps on learning and that we continuously look for improved ways of working.

Efficiency:

Efficiency in healthcare means more patients get better care. We constantly seek new ways to use the scarce resource of healthcare more intelligently so that more people can live longer, fuller lives.

Openness:

We act with transparency and honesty in everything we do, where staff are encouraged to speak up to ensure a safe and secure environment for our patients.

Additional note

This Job Description is not inflexible, but is an outline and account of the main duties of the position. Any changes will be discussed with the job holder in advance. The Job Description will be reviewed periodically to take into account changes and/or developments in service requirements.