Job summary
Following significant investment in pharmacy services we have an exciting opportunity for an additional advanced specialist pharmacist to join our passionate and expanding Cancer Services Pharmacy team.
If you are you an enthusiastic, motivated and dynamic pharmacist with an interest in Cancer Services?
If you are at the stage of your career where you are looking to develop your clinical skills and work as an integral member of a well-respected and proactive multidisciplinary teams within Haematology & Oncology?
If you would like to work towards credentialing for a consultant post alongside utilising your skills as a non-medical prescriber, in both the inpatient and outpatient setting for patients requiring systemic anti-cancer therapy and supportive care?
We would love to hear from you!
Depending on the stage of your career, a diploma, PTQA or independent prescribing qualification will be funded. Practice research is also encouraged.
This post will attract a Recruitment & Retention Premia (RRP) totalling £5,000, payable upon appointment, (covering 36 months of service) in addition to a relocation allowance (subject to eligibility). he RRP payment is for external candidates only and is pro rata for part time employees.
If you would like further information, or to know the full terms of the Recruitment and Retention Payment and/or the Relocation Allowance, please [email protected] further details.
Main duties of the job
- This post holder will be responsible for the provision and development of high-quality patient focused clinical pharmacy services for patients within Cancer Services.
- Undertake teaching and clinical supervision of pharmacy staff and other healthcare employees
- Provide specialist clinical pharmacy services and advice to the cancer speciality,.
- Develop and manage the delivery of haematology and oncology clinical pharmacy services to ensure efficient use of resources and systems including monitoring drug expenditure, delivery of financial savings and access of drugs via various funding streams
- Ensure safe prescribing through the development and approval of electronic prescribing protocols on Aria systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) electronic prescribing system.
- Work closely with lead pharmacist cancer services & associate chief pharmacist for Aseptics, Cancer and Clinical Trials on the strategic development of pharmacy service, establishing clearly defined roles for pharmacist non-medical prescribers.
- Support the Lead Pharmacist Women's and Childrens / Advanced Specialist Pharmacist Paediatrics & Women's service in the delivery of safe treatment for paediatric haematology and oncology patients
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
About us
University Hospitals Plymouth (UHP) NHS is the largest hospital on the Southwest Peninsula providing comprehensive secondary & tertiary care to a population of around 2,000,000 people who can access our specialist services including bone marrow transplant, sarcoma surgery & hepatobiliary & pancreatic cancer surgery (not exhaustive) & the regional Trauma Centre.
UHP is a large tertiary centre, with an expanding clinical trial portfolio. We hold JACIE accreditation for Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) & are currently going through the onboarding process as an NHS England Wave 3 CAR-T centre.
As part of the team, you will provide inpatient & outpatient clinical support, leading on the pharmaceutical care for diverse patient group across both solid tumours & haematological malignancies.
You will be joining the team at an exciting time where you will be able to input your ideas into developing our services, including the integration of pharmacist non-medical prescribers in the inpatient & outpatient setting.
The Pharmacy team are considered an integral member of the multidisciplinary team supporting services alongside clinicians, nurse specialists & other allied healthcare professionals.
From September 2024, the highly-ranked University of Bath MPharm degree will be available to study at the University of Plymouth.
There will be opportunities for pharmacist colleagues to participate in these educational activities, with the potential for formal roles in the future.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Responsible to the Lead Pharmacist for Cancer Services and Associate Chief Pharmacist Aseptics, Cancer and Clinical Trials for strategic planning and delivery of clinical pharmacy services to patients within Cancer Services.
- Support the Chief Pharmacist / Deputy Chief Pharmacist / Associate Chief Pharmacist and Cancer Service Lead Pharmacist in developing, monitoring and reporting on drug expenditure and medicines budget and the delivery of financial savings as part of the pharmacy CIP.
- Provide highly specialist clinical pharmacy care to patients in cancer services.
- Work as a member of the Cancer Services Team and wider UHP pharmacy team ensuring safe management of cancer patients across the trust.
- Development, update and implementation of clinical pharmacy guidelines, policies and standard operating procedures within the Cancer Services service line
- Development, update and validation of prescriptions and protocols on Aria, SACT prescribing system.
- To act as an Authorised Pharmacist and take professional responsibility for the provision of sterile and non-sterile pharmaceuticals prepared under Exemption 10 of the Medicines Act 1968 and provide final product approval when required.
- To support introduction of new SACT protocols onto the approved protocol list in a timely fashion ensuring all appropriate safety and governance processes are followed.
- Be on the Trust register for the final product approval (release) of intrathecal preparations from the Pharmacy Department in line with Department of Health guidelines and Trust Policy.
- To support prescribers with access to free of charge / early access to medicines schemes in cancer following Trust governance processes.
- To monitor, review and report on medicines related incidents related to Systemic Anticancer Therapy.
- To contribute to management and leadership within the cancer pharmacy team including junior pharmacists and technicians in the provision of a safe, effective, and efficient clinical pharmacy service in accordance with local and national standards and strategy and to ensure all members of the pharmacy team are trained and competent for their roles.
- To act as a role model in the field of haematology and oncology locally, regionally, and nationally.
- To support outpatient services
- To practice as an independent prescriber.
- To work towards advanced clinical practice.
- To engage with Quality Improvement and practice research.
- To support the research agenda of the department
- Monitor and evaluate medicines related protocols and guidelines in cancer services.
- Propose policy or service changes which improve services.
- Configure and implement inductions for pharmacists in cancer services with support from the Associate Chief Pharmacist and Cancer Services Lead Pharmacist.
- Assist in the development and implementation of PGDs and non-medical prescribing initiatives when appropriate.
- Ensure that expertise within your area is seen as a resource within and outside the Trust and form working partnerships with other health and social care service providers.
- Recommendation of appropriate therapy for individual patients where evidence is not available, controversial evidence exists or other professionals may challenge advice.
- Attendance at Consultant MDT meetings / ward rounds to actively facilitate and provide advice on treatment, including highly complex patients.
- Promote compliance by prescribers and other healthcare staff with local / national policies and the South and West Devon Formulary
- Contribute to the organisations wider antimicrobial surveillance programme, implementing local programmes ensuring appropriate antimicrobial prescribing
- Application of highly complex knowledge of the evidence base behind drug therapies used.
- Manage day to day medicines queries including troubleshooting drug volumes, concentrations, availability and complex chemo prescribing issues.
- Provide education and training to all healthcare professionals including training in supportive therapies and the introduction of new drug treatments to the care group.
- Liaise with all levels of healthcare staff, patients and carers in all areas of work.
- Analysis, interpretation and monitoring of clinical data including but not limited to: drug levels, U&Es, blood counts and microbiological sensitivities to guide diagnosis and drug therapy.
- Assess clinical requirements of patients as a clinical pharmacist and an independent prescriber through interpretation of clinical data and examination. If required request appropriate tests and examinations for patients directly under your care.
- Contribute to pharmaceutical initiatives that help with the seamless transfer of patients between different healthcare settings.
- Clinical roles are supported by policies and guidelines within which the pharmacist is allowed to exercise professional discretion / interpretation.
- Participate in any wider departmental rotas where needed.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Master's Degree (or equivalent) in Pharmacy.
- Current registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council
- Postgraduate Clinical Pharmacy Diploma
- Non-medical prescriber (or must be willing to undertake this when requested)
Desirable
- Current registration with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
- Member of the British Oncology Pharmacy Association (BOPA) or equivalent pharmacist specialist interest group
- Postgraduate leadership qualification
- Postgraduate qualification in speciality
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Excellent proven knowledge of haematology / oncology drug use
- Demonstrable experience of screening systemic anticancer therapy (SACT)
- Demonstrable experience in a range of clinical specialties
- Demonstrable senior pharmacy management experience within a recognised area of pharmacy practice
- Proven skills in effective leadership, successful communication, negotiating, persuasion and influencing
- Proven knowledge of strategic care agendas
- Proven understanding of NHS priorities and how to apply these locally
- Excellent oral and written communication skills to address highly complex issues
- Report writing skills.
- Proven evidence of CPD
- Demonstrable experience of teaching, training and people development
- Demonstrable multidisciplinary working / ward round experience
Desirable
- Proven knowledge of treatment pathways and commissioning of therapies for cancer services.
- Previous demonstrable experience of providing support to the management of a hospital directorate or division
- Demonstrable experience of designing and developing pharmacy services
- Demonstrable experience in presenting research
- Demonstrable experience in budget management and staff management
- Demonstrable experience of providing diploma mentorship and/or pre-registration tutorship
- Demonstrable experience of building chemotherapy protocols on electronic prescribing systems
- Previous demonstrable experience of working within Aseptic Services
Aptitude and Abilities
Essential
- oGood communication skills, written and verbal, with ability to demonstrate fluency, clarity and effectiveness at all levels.
- oTime management skills.
Desirable
- Demonstrate potential management ability
- Proven knowledge and understanding of financial issues
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website .
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants .
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website .
Employer details
Employer name
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Address
Derriford Hospital
Derriford Road
Plymouth
PL6 8DH