Deputy Chief Radiopharmacist

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated and experienced individual to take a leading role in the development and delivery of the Radiopharmacy service across Cheshire and Merseyside.

The post-holder will work closely with the Chief Radiopharmacist to provide strategic, managerial, and professional leadership to the Radiopharmacy team.

The Radiopharmacy at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (LUHFT) is a purpose-built facility delivering a wide range of radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic imaging, therapy, clinical trials (including investigational medicinal products), and blood labelling.

As Deputy Chief Radiopharmacist, you will be responsible for ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations and standards. You will support the development of clinical expertise within the team and lead on the implementation of new technologies, as well as the preparation and clinical application of new radiopharmaceuticals.

We are seeking a dynamic and forward-thinking individual with substantial experience in aseptic services and radiopharmacy. You will bring a clear vision for the development of the Radiopharmacy’s quality assurance and control services, helping to position the department as a centre of excellence aligned with our state-of-the-art facilities.

Main duties of the job

You will support the Chief Radiopharmacist in providing strategic and operational leadership for the Radiopharmacy service, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and the delivery of high-quality radiopharmaceuticals across LUHFT and the Cheshire & Merseyside region.

Your responsibilities will span strategic planning, operational management, and regulatory compliance. This includes supporting both the Production and Quality teams in the manufacture, quality control, assurance, release, and distribution of radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic, therapeutic, and research purposes, ensuring adherence to GMP, IRR17, IRMER, ADR, and MHRA requirements. If required, you may be named on the MHRA Specials Licence as a Production Manager or Quality Controller.

You will provide line management and professional support to staff within either the Production or Quality Control teams, including training, appraisals, and service planning, while maintaining flexibility to respond to service needs across both functions. You will also contribute to the development and ongoing maintenance of the Radiopharmacy Quality Management System, ensuring robust SOPs, validation processes, and CAPA management. As a releasing pharmacist, you will take responsibility for the final release of both radioactive and non-radioactive products

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Vocational Masters Degree in Pharmacy or equivalent.
• Pre-registration training and experience, meeting the GPhC examination requirements
• Member of the General Pharmaceutical Council
• Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy and/or equivalent

Desirable

• PTQA/technical qualification.
• IRMER Training.

Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience as a qualified pharmacist within a range of clinical and technical areas / demonstrable evidence of undertaking a role at rotational grade pharmacist level.
• Structured experience in Pharmacy manufacturing and dispensing services.
• Evidence of relevant and on-going personal CPD.
• Releasing Officer experience for radiopharmaceuticals
• Proven record in management of change

Desirable

• Published pharmaceutical research in a peer reviewed journal.
• Acute/ tertiary Hospital experience.

Knowledge

Essential

• Up-to-date knowledge of current NHS policies, processes and structures.
• Expert knowledge Good Manufacture Practice (GMP)
• Licenced production
• Commitment to and demonstration of Continuing Professional Development.
• Problem solving, decision making methodlogies
• Investigation and Root Cause Analysis methodologies

Desirable

• Lean principles

Skills

Essential

• Good communication and negotiation skills with other professionals, patients and carers, including verbal, written and electronic.
• Good interpersonal skills, able to work with all grades of staff.
• Good organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise own workload
• Ability to work to deadlines and meet set targets
• Ability to perform calculations to a high degree of accuracy
• Computer literacy
• Knowledge of legal requirements associated with the provision of Aseptically dispensed and manufactured ‘specials
• Ability to elicit change and lead people to develop an organisation

Other

Essential

• Enthusiastic with ability to motivate self and others.
• Lead by example.
• Able to work alone and as a team member.
• Able to use initiative.
• Able to deal with and resolve conflict and disagreement.
• Able to deal with sensitive issues.
• Able to deal with constant interruptions, multiple pressures and at time aggression.
• Conscientious and reliable.
• Methodical with attention to detail.
• Ability to work within a cleanroom environment

Closing Date: 2 August 2026