Rotational Pharmacist for Cancer

Job summary

The pharmacy department at Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust is looking for a passionate and driven pharmacist to join our thriving Cancer & Technical Services team. As a senior member, you will play a pivotal role in the clinical management of Oncology and Haematology patients, as well as Technical Services. With diverse rotations covering palliative care, parenteral nutrition, and haematology & oncology, this role offers intellectually stimulating challenges which will enhance your clinical expertise in specialised services and contribute to your professional development. You will also have the chance to hone your managerial and leadership capabilities through various training and support programmes,all with the backing of our exceptional team.

Main duties of the job

This is a rotational post requiring you to work at both University Hospital Lewisham and Queen Elizabeth Hospital (Woolwich) on a 9 month rotational basis, in which you will build on your existing experience in hospital pharmacy, gaining specialist knowledge and experience in cancer service, palliative care, parenteral nutrition and technical services.

About us

At Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust (LGT), our success is rooted in the collective effort of every individual. Our team has actively contributed to shaping our values, fostering an environment that enhances the well-being of both patients and staff. Together, we continuously strive for excellence in healthcare.

Interested candidates will have a breadth of clinical experience at a Band 6 level and having provided clinical/technical services to a variety of wards and areas (including, but not essential, cancer services). You must have excellent verbal and written communication skills, a post-graduate qualification (or working towards one), and be a registered Pharmacist with the UK General Pharmaceutical Council. There will be opportunities for further training and development in this post, including non-medical prescribing.

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE

1. To provide a high quality, evidence-based clinical pharmacy service for cancer services, parenteral nutrition and palliative care. 2. To work as part of the technical services team ensuring the provision of a responsive, high quality, safe and effective service to the customers of the unit. 3. To be named on the Trust register of pharmacists accredited to clinically screen chemotherapy prescriptions. 4. To be named on the Trust intrathecal register for the clinical verification and final check & release of intrathecal chemotherapy. 5. To supervise and train pre-registration and junior pharmacists and other less experienced pharmacy staff. 6. To assist in the training of nurses, doctors and other healthcare staff. 7. To undertake audits and research as necessary. 8. To promote the safe, rational and cost effective use of medicines across the care group. 9. To plan own workload and project work in order to develop the service to the specialities.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Internal Junior and senior medical staff;

Pharmacists, technicians, pharmacy assistants, clerical officers and porters within the pharmacy department;

Nursing staff;

Dietitians;

Other health care professionals as appropriate;

Patients.

External Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice

GPs;

Community Pharmacists;

Patients families and carers.

Key Result Areas & Performance:

Aseptics with Parenteral Nutrition Rotation

1. With the senior technician, to plan and organise the day to day running of the aseptic unit. 2. To be an Authorised Pharmacist for the final check and release of products prepared in the aseptic unit, ensuring that all facilities, equipment, activities, procedures and documentation meet the requirements of current legislation and best practice. 3. To contribute to the preparation of documentation in accordance with the requirements of Good Manufacturing Practice. 4. Apply the principles of Good Clinical Practice in the professional supervision and release of IMPs for clinical trials. 5. Work as part of the multidisciplinary nutrition team for prescribing, monitoring and the clinical management of adult patients on parenteral nutrition. 6. Liaise with the chemotherapy day unit to ensure that the service meets the needs of the patients within the capacity of the unit. 7. To clinically screen chemotherapy prescriptions. 8. To deputise for the Lead Pharmacist Aseptic Services, in their absence.

Aseptics with Palliative Care Rotation

With the senior technician, to plan and organise the day to day running of the aseptic unit. To be an Authorised Pharmacist for the final check and release of products prepared in the aseptic unit, ensuring that all facilities, equipment, activities, procedures and documentation meet the requirements of current legislation and best practice. To contribute to the preparation of documentation in accordance with the requirements of Good Manufacturing Practice. Apply the principles of Good Clinical Practice in the professional supervision and release of IMPs and nIMPs for clinical trials. To clinically screen chemotherapy prescriptions. To provide a clinical pharmacy service to Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice in accordance with the service level agreement. To deputise for the Lead Pharmacist Aseptic Services, in their absence.

Chemotherapy Day Unit Rotation

To clinically screen chemotherapy prescriptions. Contribute to the clinical care of oncology and haemato-oncology patients treated as outpatients, day cases or inpatients within the Trust. Liaise with the chemotherapy day unit to ensure that the service meets the needs of the patients within the capacity of the unit. To assist in the development of prescribing guidelines, chemotherapy proformas and new treatment evaluations. To monitor drug usage against the drug budgets set for directorates, providing financial reports and advice on cost saving measures. To deputise for the Lead Pharmacist Cancer Services and Palliative Care, in their absence.

Key Result Areas & Performance:

Leadership & Service Development

To support the development, implementation and adherence to local and national guidelines/policies to ensure cost-effective and safe prescribing within the division. To collaborate in the development on Integrated Care Pathways and Patient Group Directions within Cancer & Long Term Conditions as necessary. To liaise with senior pharmacy staff to ensure the effective provision of Pharmacy Services. Division support To actively contribute to the management of the drug budget for the division through effective drug use to ensure the most effective use of resources. To identify areas of potential cost-savings within Cancer and Technical Services. To educate healthcare professionals on the costs associated with drug therapy and promote the use of evidence based, cost effective prescribing within the division. To actively participate in departmental and divisional meetings where appropriate

Governance, Information & Data Management

To support the investigation of medication related safety incidents and formulation/delivery of action plans across the Trust to address problems identified where appropriate. To promote effective prescribing in the Trust following formulary and NICE guidance

Staff Management & Training

To support the education and training of other healthcare professionals. To participate and contribute to clinical training programmes at a local and national level summer students, pharmacy undergraduates. To evaluate and develop own management and professional knowledge competencies by attendance to in house/external training programmes self-education and practice research To undertake CPD to ensure that knowledge is continually updated. To be a postgraduate tutor (pre-registration) for Pharmacy staff as appropriate and required.

Research & Development

To participate in audit and practice research to investigate, and where appropriate improve the quality of service for patients in the trust.

Communications and Relationships

To communicate with the multidisciplinary healthcare team (doctors, nurses, dieticians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, ward managers, and site practitioners), to intermediate care, general practice support and community pharmacists in the provision of medicine related information and assessment of patients treatment. To work with appropriate staff to support development of services and facilitate the implementation of strategies for education and training of staff throughout the Trust. To demonstrate good communication skills as the role liaises with a wide variety of people within the Trust. This will include service and general managers across all directorates, trust risk managers, directorate governance leads, multidisciplinary team members and all Pharmacy staff. To liaise with external bodies including local CCGs, regional pharmacy services, and necessary pharmacy networks. The post-holder will be required to communicate clearly and sensitively about patient medication issue both internally and externally To provide training on medication related issues, policies, guidelines and service developments to pharmacy colleagues, nursing and medical staff, ranging from one on one communication to more formal presentations. To participate in any other duties as requested by the senior pharmacy managers in keeping within expectations of the grade. Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

B. Pharm / M. Pharm / BSc (Pharmacy) or equivalent Professional registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) Postgraduate Diploma in either Clinical Pharmacy or General Pharmacy Practice (or equivalent) or be able to demonstrate the intention to complete within 12 months of being in post Mandatory CPD to maintain fitness to practice.

Experience

Essential

A minimum of 2 years post registration experience in hospital pharmacy Demonstrate experience in aseptic services and clinical pharmacy practice Supervision and training of others Examples of clinical audit and literature evaluations

Desirable

A minimum of 3 years post registration experience in hospital pharmacy Previous experience delivering formal education and training sessions Development of evidence based guidelines.

Knowledge & Skill

Essential

Good communication skills, both written and oral, of specialist clinical information. Self-motivated and ability to motivate others. Ability to use own initiative and plan own work Ability to work effectively, positively and calmly under pressure and prioritise workload alone and as part of a team. Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team. Problem-solving skills

Desirable

Influencing and negotiating skills

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