Capsule filling machine operator

Capsule filling machine operators control the filling of gelatine capsules with the specific medicinal preparations.

The following job titles also refer to capsule filling machine operator:

capsule machine operator
capsule filler
pharmaceutical machine operator
filling machine operator
pharmaceutical machine operative
capsule machine operative

No formal educational credential is generally required to work as a capsule filling machine operator.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Capsule filling machine operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to capsule filling machine operator.

pill maker operator
dry house attendant
slate mixer
hairdresser assistant
power tool repair technician

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of capsule filling machine operator. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of capsule filling machine operator with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

construction quality inspector
footwear quality control laboratory technician
projectionist
construction quality manager
chemical plant control room operator

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of capsule filling machine operator.

• Quality assurance methodologies: Quality assurance principles, standard requirements, and the set of processes and activities used for measuring, controlling and ensuring the quality of products and processes.
• Health and safety regulations: Necessary health, safety, hygiene and environmental standards and legislation rules in the sector of particular activity.

These skills are necessary for the role of capsule filling machine operator.

• Eject filled capsules: Depress the pedal to eject the already closed capsules into the receiving container.
• Control minor maintenance: Follow up on the maintenance and repairs to be carried out. Solve minor problems and pass harder problems on to the person responsible for maintenance.
• Scoop capsules: Scoop the empty capsules into the loading hopper.
• Maintain work area cleanliness: Keep the working area and equipment clean and orderly.
• Plan maintenance activities: Plan and organise the process aimed at preserving equipment or systems in good working condition by inspecting the installation, resolving malfunctions, replacing worn parts and performing other maintenance tasks.
• Implement instructions: Being able to implement written or oral instructions.
• Make time-critical decisions: Pursue optimal time-critical decision making within the organisation.
• Assemble machines: Put together devices, and components according to drawings. Program and install the components where needed.
• Manage capsule rings: Manage the filling of capsule rings with empty capsules, uncoupling the rings when the lower half of capsules is filled with powdered medicine, recoupling the rings and inserting them into closing and ejecting forks.
• Inspect capsules: Inspect, according to specification sheet, the finished capsules in order to detect any weight mismatch, any breakage or defective filling.
• Scoop medicinal preparations: Scoop medicinal preparations into the capsulating machine’s filling hopper
• Understand instructions: Be able to understand oral and written instructions.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of capsule filling machine operator. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Business management principles: Principles governing business management methods such as strategy planning, methods of efficient production, people and resources coordination.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of capsule filling machine operator. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Maintain equipment: Regularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.
• Provide information: Ensure quality and correctness of provided information, depending on the type of audience and context.
• Use logical reasoning: Use cognitive abilities to make decisions and to move logically from one idea to another.
• Wear protective equipment against industrial noise: Stand the exposure to sounds or noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable. Use adequate protection equipment to mitigate the noise.
• Perform pill branding: Perform the printing of the institution identity on pills using the pill branding laptop.

8131 – Chemical products plant and machine operators

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References

1. Capsule filling machine operator – ESCO