Specialist Pharmacist, Cancer Services

Job overview

Are you ready to take your pharmacy career to the next level? Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of cancer patients? We have an exciting opportunity for a motivated and compassionate pharmacist to join our forward-thinking Cancer Services team.

We’re looking for a dynamic individual to support our Advanced Clinical Pharmacists in delivering a high-quality, 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.

A Band 6 to Band 7 post will be considered for this position.

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 pharmacist * Oncology day case and outpatients * Haematology day case and outpatients * Clinical Trials Paediatric haematology/oncology

Detailed job description and main 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.

Please see job description for further details.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.