Specialist Clinical Pharmacist

The Trust has implemented electronic prescribing for systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) across the Trust, and at our outreach clinics and peripheral sites. Many of our pharmacists are working as non-medical prescribers with clinical teams in outpatient clinics. The Pharmacy Department is currently supporting a number of collaborative projects alongside several research partners and has strong links with the University of Manchester. Several members of our staff have undertaken post graduate training, research and other secondment opportunities and we are keen to support further developments.

We currently have an opportunity for a highly motivated enthusiastic specialist clinical pharmacist (band 8a) to join the Electronic Prescribing team. The post holder will co-ordinate and lead on the development and review of protocols for SACT treatments used in the treatment of patients of The Christie. They will also specialise in the operation and management of our Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (EPMA) systems, in particular the continued implementation and development of our in-patient EPMA system, alongside the maintenance of the system for the prescribing of SACT. They will also be the opportunity to develop a clinical role with a specialist disease group.

Main duties of the job

Working with colleagues within each disease group to ensure the availability of treatment protocols for SACT used in the treatment of patients at the trust. Ensuring that all protocols have been reviewed within agreed timeframes.

To support the Lead Pharmacist and the pharmacy electronic prescribing (EP) team and work closely with Trust Digital teams to achieve the further development and ongoing operational provision of the Trust's Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (EPMA) system for in-patient prescribing in accordance with agreed project plans and timescales.

To support the full documentation of system testing and resolution of issues identified within the EPMA systems, ensuring that both systems operate in accordance with detailed specifications and in a safe and effective manner.

To maintain and further develop the in-patient and SACT EPMA systems with regards to future project initiatives within the Trust.

Although the pharmacy service is based at The Christie Hospital main site, postholders may be required to work at any location across the Greater Manchester and Cheshire Cancer Network. The Trust has a flexible working policy and, subject to service commitments, it may also be possible to support an element of working from home.

About us

The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country. We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.

This is a unique opportunity to work with us and contribute to the challenging and rewarding specialty of oncology pharmacy.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will also be integral to the development of new Trust initiatives interfacing with the EPMA systems, including the roll out and integration of pre-programmed pumps, standardisation of drug regimens and potential AI projects regarding prescription review.

If you are enthusiastic and keen to make a positive contribution to the care of cancer patients, we would like to hear from you.

Duties and Responsibilities

Electronic Prescribing SACT EPMA system

• To contribute to the development of specifications for approved SACT protocols to be incorporated into the EPMA system and their validation.
• To perform system validation, user acceptance testing, and appropriate role-based testing for system developments, providing detailed reports on testing to the Trust Digital teams and system provider as appropriate.
• To actively contribute and participate in all projects and Trust initiatives relating to the use of the SACT EPMA system, involving all locations where patients of the Trust are treated.
• To liaise with third party providers and relevant Trust stakeholders to develop and safely implement future initiatives to provide innovative high quality patient focused services. Where appropriate to lead the development of individual projects in conjunction with third party providers or other healthcare professionals.
• To ensure that risk assessments are undertaken on the use of the EPMA system and action plans are proposed and agreed to address any identified risks. In conjunction with other team members, assist in the provision of quality assurance for all developments with the EPMA system.
• Assist in the delivery of training, associated documentation and support in the use of the EPMA system to the various professional groups involved in the operation of EPMA across the Trust.
• In conjunction with the Lead Pharmacist, assist in the review or development of standard operating procedures or policies for the safe use and implementation of the EPMA system across the Trust.
• To provide clinical input into the planning, development, budgeting and roll out of the EPMA and pharmacy systems and subsequent maintenance and integration of these systems.
• To assist the Lead Pharmacist and project teams in identifying relevant resources required to support the future development of the EPMA system across the Trust.

C ommunication and working relationships

• Using professional judgment and in a professional manner, to communicate to patients and healthcare staff any appropriate information about EPMA systems.
• Assist other health professionals in delivering the highest standards of care.
• Develop effective working relationships with other healthcare professionals within area of responsibility.
• Create and maintain a productive relationship with external suppliers.
• Demonstrate a degree of flexibility when organizing, managing and planning workload.
• Work autonomously in order to plan and organise the key relevant stages of the project under the post holders area of work.
• To deputise for the Lead Pharmacist for Electronic Prescribing when necessary.

Responsibility for Health and safety

• To monitor and report in conjunction with the Trust team on any operational issues that may arise with use of the EPMA system. To notify managers and system users across the Trust of any risks or issues arising from the use of the system.
• Ensure Datix is used to record and review medicines related incidents. In conjunction with relevant managers to ensure appropriate systems are put in place to prevent recurrence where possible.

SACT Protocols

• To co-ordinate and lead on the development of SACT protocols used by the disease groups for treatments used within the Trust and all outreach locations where patients of The Christie are treated.
• To work with the SACT Service Manager and designated lead nurse on the maintenance and review of all SACT protocols ensuring they are available for use by staff within the Trust and all locations where patients of the trust are treated.
• To work closely with medical, nursing and pharmacy colleagues within the designated disease groups to ensure that each team has approved SACT protocols available for all regimens loaded within the EPMA system and are reviewed to established timeframes.
• To assist in the provision of reports on protocol availability to the SACT Committee.
• To develop and maintain drug protocols and treatment guidelines within their own designated cancer disease group. To review evidence-based guidelines and protocols in conjunction with fellow healthcare professionals, in order to advance the safe, clinical effective and cost-efficient use of medicines for patients.

Clinical Duties

• To provide specialist clinical pharmacy services to a designated cancer disease group in accordance with all departmental, Trust and national standards, policies and procedures.
• To be able to practice as a registered non-medical prescriber (NMP) and prescribe, review and monitor treatment for patients in agreement with the relevant consultants within a designated disease group.
• To deliver the clinical pharmacy service to designated patient groups, including attendance at designated outpatient clinics as appropriate.
• To be responsible for the clinical screening and review of SACT prescriptions for designated patient groups, including clinical trial prescriptions and to clinically screen / review in-patient and outpatient prescriptions.
• To support prescribing at the individual patient level, contributing to the optimisation of patients drug therapy with due consideration to risk/benefit issues.
• To effectively communicate highly complex and potentially highly sensitive information to all service users, in a manner that is consistent and appropriate with their level of understanding. To explain highly complex issues and contribute to the decision-making process balancing the interests of the service users and the Trust accordingly.
• To provide expert pharmaceutical advice to medical staff and other members of the multi-disciplinary team and to participate in the appropriate clinician ward rounds, outpatient clinics and be an integral part of the multi disciplinary team.
• To develop an awareness of the different chemotherapy regimens and treatment strategies in use, including awareness of the Trust Intrathecal Chemotherapy policy.
• To demonstrate awareness and commitment to Clinical Governance and all relevant policies.
• To establish processes for the setting of standards of care, identifying the risks involved in conjunction with the departmental service leads and implement changes that need to occur to achieve these.
• Facilitate effective communication about relevant pharmacy issues to clinicians and senior managers and the identification of opportunities for the future development of pharmacy services to match identified services and care needs.
• To undertake relevant clinical audit and practice research as part of their role within the multi-disciplinary team for their designated cancer disease group.
• To identify any systemic or preventable errors associated with medicine use across the Trust and facilitate learning.

General Clinical Duties

• To assist and participate in the development, implementation and management of training initiatives and competency frameworks within the clinical pharmacy service.
• To represent pharmacy and act as a link person at relevant meetings and conferences.
• To provide education and training to relevant pharmacy, medical and nursing staff.
• To act as a mentor / role model to junior pharmacists and undertake regular appraisals.
• To participate in the clinical training of pharmacists and pre-registration pharmacists.
• To participate in the clinical pharmacy ward service rota to all patients within the Trust as appropriate.
• To check and supply medication to and for patients, including clinical trials and to counsel patients or medical or nursing staff on their correct use.
• To give advice on the safe storage, administration and therapeutic use of drugs to patients, medical / nursing staff and other healthcare colleagues and to provide specialist medicines information to healthcare professionals outside the Trust as appropriate.
• To follow local, Trust and National guidelines for safe medicines practice.
• To participate in departmental, Trust and National risk management schemes such as error reporting systems and intervention monitoring.
• Together with colleagues, to be involved in the maintenance of cost-effective and efficient pharmacy services, such as dispensary and aseptic services and to participate in their regular review and development.
• To identify own training needs and maintain CPD portfolio.
• To participate in all department rotas, weekend working service and Bank Holiday working and on-call as requested.
• To undertake any other duties consistent with the changing practices of the Trust as requested by the Pharmacy Managers and the Trust.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Vocational master's degree in pharmacy
• Pre-registration training and successful completion of relevant exam
• Membership of the General Pharmaceutical Council
• Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

• NMP qualification

Experience

Essential

• Relevant post registration experience within hospital setting
• Oncology experience
• Experience of EPMA systems
• Protocol / guideline development
• Financial awareness and drug budgeting
• Providing medicines information and advice
• Training or teaching pharmacy/nursing/medical staff
• Experience of multidisciplinary team working

Desirable

• Project management
• Audit work.
• Investigating mediation related errors/ RCAs
• Relevant experience of clinical trials

Skills

Essential

• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
• Good presentation skills
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team
• Self-motivating
• Ability to work under pressure, highly organised, work to deadlines
• IT literate
• Training skills. Ability to train and act as mentor to other members of staff

Desirable

• Ability to influence and negotiate with medical, nursing and pharma
  Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.
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