The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wavea national programme that’s changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined-up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector.
This means we’re working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives.
We’re a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.
Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.
Job overview
Due to the collaborative partnership with the Macmillan Cancer Charity, we have the following opportunity for an enthusiastic and self-motivated pharmacist to join our clinical cancer services pharmacy team as the Macmillan Pharmacist. The post holder will work closely with the Lead Pharmacist for Cancer Services to develop and implement specialist clinical pharmacy services to cancer services patients within The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust.
The successful applicant will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated pharmacist with an interest in developing their career further in cancer care. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are vital for this position.
The role will also include weekend and on-call duties on a rotational basis, to provide general pharmacy services to wards and dispensary.
Main duties of the job
* To assist with the development, managing and delivery of a patient focused clinical pharmacy service at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust
* To develop and implement homecare pharmacy services for cancer services patients
* To apply specialist knowledge to a designated tumour site to develop pharmacist prescribing role, undertaking the clinical management and drug treatment of patients under an agreed clinical management plan following diagnosis by a medical practitioner
* To be an active member of the cancer services pharmacy team to help meet the overall strategic objectives of the team in the provision of pharmaceutical care for cancer patients
* To provide expert advice on pharmaceutical issues, utilising advanced specialist knowledge in the cancer care speciality
* To prescribe SACT and supportive medications for patients in pharmacy-led clinic sessions and inpatient ward environment when required
* To deputise as cancer lead pharmacist when required
* To apply specialist knowledge to develop services, produce protocols or guidelines, undertake audit/ research and act as a source of pharmaceutical expertise and promote cost effective use of medicines to other healthcare professionals
* To promote the safe, clinically effective and cost-effective use of medicines.
* To support on formulary issues at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust to manage the introduction of new medicines / formulations.
* To co-ordinate the setting up and supervising the pharmaceutical element of cancer services clinical trials
* To plan, develop and provide education and training to pharmacy and other healthcare staff
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Service Delivery Responsibilities
* Work closely with the Lead Pharmacist Cancer Services to develop and provide a patient focused clinical pharmacy service to patients within the chemotherapy day unit
* Contribute to the development and implementation of homecare pharmacy services to cancer services patients
* To improve the patient experience in the cancer treatment pathway by helping to reduce clinic waiting times, reduce chemotherapy waiting times and support medicines optimisation through the provision of patient information, advice and monitoring.
* To develop role as an independent prescriber and practice within agreed clinical management plan to:
* Prescribe medicines for patients as part of a pharmacist-led chemotherapy clinic
* Prescribe medicines, within agreed clinical management plan, for patients who require emergency supplies of their medicines between planned outpatient appointment
* To monitor and evaluate the pharmacy services provided in accordance with the set objectives to ensure that they are of a high quality and that departmental standards are met
* Participate in audits and service reviews in accordance with the set objectives agreed with the Macmillan Partnership Manager
Clinical Pharmacy Duties
* Provide a high level of clinical pharmacy input as part of the multidisciplinary team within cancer services to improve and enhance the quality of patient care
* To provide timely and expert clinical pharmaceutical advice to medical and nursing staff to enable them to prescribe and administer anti-cancer medicines for all patients in a safe, appropriate and efficient manner
* To perform clinical verification of SACT prescriptions and advise medical staff if errors are identified or improvements in therapy can be made
* To work with the Lead Pharmacist Cancer Services to develop and input into clinical prescribing guidelines, care pathways, care bundles, patient group directions, implementation of NICE and other guidance, care packages for contract purposes and ‘shared care guidelines’ in line with local and national directives
* To work/ work towards the qualification as an independent prescriber to facilitate the prescribing of SACT medication to an appropriate patient cohort in agreement with the relevant Consultant.
* To prescribe SACT medications for patients in outpatient clinic sessions and inpatient ward environment within own competence for specialist clinical area and/or generalist prescribing practice
* To adhere to the requirements as described in the Trust Non-Medical Prescribing Policy
* To be responsible for maintaining accurate patient records in clinic
* To be able to work independently in reviewing patients, and understand boundaries
* To undertake counselling and provision of information on medication related issues, delivering highly sensitive information to a vulnerable sector of the community, both patients and carers
* To monitor, audit and report on any medicines related incidents, complaints or clinical governance issues and explore ways of minimising risk of future re-occurrence or risk to patients and staff. Make appropriate recommendations to support improvement in these areas.
* To undertake clinical audits and to participate in undertaking research, audit or development work for service improvement
* To advise and circulate specialist commissioning circular and any national policy to relevant stakeholders to ensure all aspects of medicines management are translated into safe and effective practice locally
* Responsible for set up, ordering, management and co-ordinating all aspects of Early Access Medicines (EAMS), Compassionate Use Scheme and Project Orbis Scheme
* To train and ensure the ongoing competency of pharmacists in the prescribing and review of SACT protocols and other areas of clinical practice as appropriate
* To co-ordinate the setting up and supervising the pharmaceutical element of cancer services clinical trials when needed
* To support the Technical Services Unit when needed by being accredited to check and final release injectable therapies prepared under section 10 of the Medicines Act
* To support the EPMA team with the implementation and maintenance of the SACT protocols on Chemocare
Training and Development
* To develop and contribute to the development of a Trust strategy for education and training in relation to SACT prescribing and to help to design a curriculum, plan and deliver specialist training on medicines management of SACT agents to a wide range of healthcare providers, in collaboration with the clinical tutors and medical training leads
* To assist with the training and assessment of pre-registration pharmacists and other pharmacy staff as required
* To participate in education and training schemes and meetings organised within the Pharmacy and Cancer Services Departments
* To undertake continual professional development and maintain a CPD portfolio, in line with requirements of professional body, including continuing education and attendance at appropriate courses and study days
Managerial Duties
* Responsible for staff within their line management, and implements Trust Human Resource policies and undertakes sickness and absence reviews
* To supervise pharmacy staff as appropriate to job role to ensure competencies to perform their duties
* Clinical professional supervision of junior pharmacy staff
Financial Duties
* To take responsibility for Cancer Drug Fund, high-cost oncology drugs. Ensuring contemporaneous financial records management of the CDF and work with senior clinicians in ensuring access to medicine
* To manage the process for High-Cost Oncology Drugs and Cancer Drug Fund (CDF) and provide timely responses to monthly invoice challenges from NHSE/CDF/ICS commissioners[DM(PAHT1
* To evaluate the impact of new drug costs and monitor and predict the financial impact of high-cost drugs, and report back to consultant, pharmacy and management teams. To assist in ensuring the safe, effective, and cost-efficient use of medicines throughout the organisation
* Monitor drug expenditure and provide advice on drug usage in designated speciality as required.
* Contributes to delivery of Cost Improvement Programs (CIP)
Managing Self
* Participate in regular supervision.
* Attend all mandatory training.
* Participate annually in identifying, developing and agreeing your own development plan with your Line Manager using the Trust Appraisal.
* Comply with all Trust policies, procedures and protocols
* Seek advice and support from Line Manager whenever necessary
* Maintain professional conduct including appearance at all times
* Ensure maintenance of Professional Registration
General Pharmacy Duties
* To provide a high quality, patient focused pharmaceutical service to in-patients, and outpatients
* To have a working knowledge of all procedures, legislation or national guidelines relating to the storage and dispensing of unlicensed medicinal products, controlled drugs, oral chemotherapy and clinical trials
* Dispense or check clinical trials as required
* To input prescription information using the Pharmacy Computer system
* To be able to use the computerised e-prescribing & medical notes system used in the Trust
* To dispense and supply drugs to patients (including using the automated dispensing system (‘Robot’))
* To provide evaluated pharmaceutical advice and information, to all health care professionals and patients of the Trust using on-line data bases and primary sources
* To have a working knowledge of pharmacy stock control and ordering systems
* To collect and handle prescription monies according to Government and Trust policy
* To participate in all relevant departmental meetings and contribute to effective communication within the department
* To be aware of and apply, relevant legislation such as the Health and Safety at Work Act, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health, GMP and Medicines’ Act
* To at all times practice in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the General Pharmaceutical Council
* To uphold the security of drugs and the premises at all times
Other Duties
* To be actively involved in undertaking projects and audits to continually review and improve the quality of service provision
* To undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade as requested by the chief pharmacist/deputy
This job description may be subject to change according to the varying needs of the service. Such changes will be made after discussion between the post holder and the manager. All duties must be carried out under supervision or within Trust policy and procedure.
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