Specialist Pharmacist, Cancer Services

Job summary

You will support the Advanced Clinical Pharmacists, Cancer Services, to deliver a specialist Pharmacy Service to patients receiving systemic anti-cancer treatments.

You will be responsible for providing a specialist Pharmacy Service to Oncology and Clinical Haematology adult day cases & outpatients; the designated ward pharmacy service to inpatients & the cancer Emergency Assessment Unit for Oncology and Haematology patients; paediatric haematology/oncology; and the portfolio of cancer Clinical Trials.

Main duties of the job

To work with the Cancer and Aseptic Service Teams to deliver a comprehensive Specialist Clinical Pharmacy Service to Adult and Paediatric Oncology and Haematology, developing expertise in this area.

To deliver a Specialist Clinical Pharmacist role to day case chemotherapy and outpatient oral chemotherapy patients (clinic based).

To provide a designated clinical pharmacy service to patients admitted to the cancer inpatient ward and the acute cancer emergency assessment unit.

To participate in the set-up of oncology and haematology clinical trials within agreed time frames.

Support the Principal Pharmacist, Cancer Services, for Directorate work.

Provide support to Aseptic Services for Chemotherapy and Parenteral Nutrition.

Provide Pharmacist input to the implementation and development of Chemotherapy Electronic Prescribing.

Provide a specialist clinical pharmacy service to paediatric haematology/oncology.

Manage/supervise/develop staff allocated.

The specialist clinical tasks are allocated within the band 7 pharmacist team on a rotational basis for:

Inpatient and emergency admissions dedicated ward pharmacistOncology day case and outpatientsHaematology day case and outpatientsClinical Trials Paediatric haematology/oncology

About us

Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.

Our Excellence Values

Compassion

Accountability

Respect

Integrity

Courage

We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.

The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.

We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.

We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To deliver a high level Specialist Clinical Pharmacist Service to Adult and Paediatric Oncology & Haematology, including the provision of a daily Clinical Designated Pharmacy Service to inpatients on the ward, emergency assessment unit, outpatient clinics and day case chemotherapy.

To use specialist knowledge and expertise to provide clinical advice.

To provide information, advice and guidance on the safe, effective and economical use of medicines and to challenge poor practice.

To support the provision and development of the outpatient and day case Chemotherapy Service.

To counsel patients regarding oral anti-cancer medicines.

To participate in the Pharmacy-led Oncology Clinics (assuming registration with GPhC and authorised via the Trust NMP register), reviewing patients systemic anti- cancer medicines, blood test results, chemotherapy toxicities, radiology scans and prescribing as appropriate.

To optimise medicines through prescribing role operating within areas of competence (where appropriately qualified).

To liaise with medical staff, nurses and patients to provide an effective service to day case and outpatients receiving systemic anti-cancer treatment.

To develop cost effective and efficient processes for day case and outpatient services.

To be responsible for the maintenance of TTO pre-packs for the Oncology Directorate.

To deliver a specialist daily Clinical Pharmacist Service to Adult Oncology and Adult Clinical Haematology inpatients on the oncology/haematology ward and emergency assessment unit.

To attend Consultant ward rounds and multi-disciplinary ward meetings.

To optimise medicines management by reconciling drug histories, performing structured medication reviews and using patients own medicines.

To detect, record and report adverse drug reactions to the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and via Datix as per Trust Policy.

To provide support to the Clinical Service to Paediatric oncology/haematology.

To participate in the validation of all other prescriptions received in Aseptic Services, including chemotherapy for private patients.

To participate in the Clinical/Advisory Pharmacy Service to patients with Cancer.

To implement changes in the current working practices within Pharmacy and chemotherapy prescribing and encourage new ways of working.

To supervise, check and, if necessary, undertake the supply of medicines.

To provide information, advice and guidance on the safe, effective and economical use of medicines; and maintain a knowledge of developments in pharmacy practice.

To record your clinical activity, to monitor the outcome of your interventions and identify training needs.

To participate in CQUINs and QIPPs at NGH.

To implement national, countywide and local prescribing strategies within the Trust and area of practice.

To be involved with, prepare and advise on policies and guidelines relating to systemic anti-cancer treatments.

To assist in the development of new protocols and pathways for oral anti-cancer medicines.

To plan and lead appropriate audit and practice research and implement appropriate service changes for outpatient and day case chemotherapy.

To assist with the training and development of diploma pharmacists, pre-registration pharmacists and technical staff for out-patient oral and day case anti-cancer medicines Services.

To prepare new or off-protocol prescription documentation as required.

To prepare and check clinical information for new prescriptions on the Electronic Prescribing System

To fulfil the professional requirements of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Good Professional Practice.

To help maintain appropriate standards of service and safety of patients with cancer; to provide and enforce guidelines, policies and procedures to ensure the standards are met.

To adhere to local and national guidance and policies.

Provide a Specialist Clinical Pharmacist role to Clinical Trials

Support the Advanced Specialist Pharmacist for Oncology and Haematology Clinical Trials.

Develop specialist expertise for the Pharmacy aspects of clinical trials.

Ensure that Pharmacy activity in relation to clinical trials complies with Good Clinical Practice (GCP).

Develop and maintain necessary procedures.

Prepare new electronic prescriptions and procedural documentation for cancer clinical trials as required.

Assist with the training of Pharmacy staff in this area.

Liaise with Clinical Research Assistants and Clinical Trials Nurses.

To support the Specialist Clinical Pharmacist in the set-up and maintenance of clinical trials.

Support the Pharmacy Technicians in developing trial-specific stand operating procedures.

Support Principal Pharmacist, Cancer Services, for Directorate Work

To participate in the development of services, peer review and internal/external audit for Adult Oncology, Clinical Haematology and Paediatric Oncology.

To assist in the Formulary management process.

To undertake risk assessment within your areas of responsibility and propose ways of managing the risk.

To assist with the provision and development of the chemotherapy service.

To assist with the review and introduction of new policies, procedures and guidelines.

To undertake audits and practice research for Adult Oncology, Clinical and Haematology.

To identify new opportunities for the development of Pharmacy Services.

Provide support to Aseptic Services for Chemotherapy and Parenteral Nutrition

To assist, when required, with the check and final release of aseptically prepared products.

To ensure aseptically prepared medicines are made according to the standards set out in Rules and Guidance for Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Distributors and Quality Assurance of Aseptic Preparation Services and ensure that activities are carried out in accordance with the latest MHRA advice.

To maintain statutory obligations for the safe handling and security of pharmaceutical preparations including Health and Safety at Work and COSHH regulations.

To provide technical information and advice to other staff, customers and medical personnel on matters relating to aseptically prepared items.

To keep abreast of technical developments in Aseptic Services and other areas of Hospital Pharmacy.

Provide Pharmacist input to the implementation of Chemotherapy Electronic Prescribing

To assist with the implementation of the clinical aspects of the process for chemotherapy electronic prescribing for adult and paediatric Oncology and Haematology.

To ensure treatment protocols are safe and aligned with Cancer network protocols.

To work closely with other disciplines involved with chemotherapy electronic prescribing including the IT Systems Manager within Pharmacy, medical and nursing staff.

To maintain awareness of national initiatives relating to electronic chemotherapy prescribing.

To Manage, Supervise and Develop Staff allocated to ensure that the objectives of the Trust and Pharmacy Service to Oncology are achieved

To supervise the Cancer Services Medicines Management Technician.

To supervise and lead those staff allocated and make the best use of their qualifications, abilities and experience.

To assist in the induction of staff into the service and to identify training and development needs.

To manage allocated band 6 pharmacist.

To appraise and develop staff allocated.

To take part in formal and informal training of Pharmacy staff and other disciplines in Oncology and Haematology.

To supervise aspects of Pre-registration and Diploma training.

To maintain appropriate standards of service and safety; to enforce guidelines, policies and procedures to ensure standards are met.

To partake in recruitment of junior pharmacists and other pharmacy staff as required.

Deputise for Advanced Clinical Pharmacists when required.

To attend Clinical Pharmacy meetings and education/training schemed relevant to the post.

To take part in formal and informal training of pharmacy staff and other health professionals for example training for technicians enhanced patient counselling skills and medicine management technicians.

To be a supervisor on the Clinical Pharmacy Diploma course at NGH.

To supervise aspects of pharmacist trainee training.

To provide information to patients, parents and carers on admission, discharge and in outpatient clinics regarding treatment and medication to optimise patient concordance, particularly if there is a need to overcome language barriers.

To maintain up-to-date clinical knowledge in clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice to ensure a broad base of pharmaceutical knowledge, clinical reasoning and judgement.

To take responsibility for own personal CPD by participating in education and training programmes to achieve competence.

Person Specification

Skills

Essential

Information appraisal

Desirable

IT skills - database/spreadsheets.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

Clinical Pharmacy Experience including Oncology/Haematology. NHS arrangements eg. NICE, CQC, NHS digital. Undertaken service improvement/quality improvement/audit/practice research. Teaching, supervising and training staff Awareness of interface issues

Desirable

Directorate Experience. Independent pharmacist prescriber. Change management. Risk management. Electronic Prescribing for Chemotherapy. GCP knowledge. GMP knowledge.

Education, Training and Qualifications

Essential

Masters degree in Pharmacy. Member of General Pharmaceutical Council. Achieved (or working towards) a postgraduate clinical qualification (or equivalent knowledge and experience). CPD portfolio.

Desirable

Member of Royal Pharmaceutical Society. Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing. Member of BOPA.

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