Rotational Clinical Pharmacist (with EDC) - NHS

Job overview

The Trust has implemented electronic prescribing for 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, and an objective this year is to further expand this pharmacist prescribing model.

The post holder(s) will have the opportunity to rotate through the various specialities within the pharmacy department including the aseptic unit, clinical trial department and the clinical service.

• To provide a high quality, patient-focused clinical pharmacy and medicines preparation and supply service to patients, ensuring a safe, effective, timely and efficient use of medicines.
• To provide pharmacist support and professional supervision to all areas of the pharmacy service
• To support the pharmacy electronic prescribing (EP) team and work closely with the Trust’s project team to achieve full roll out and operational provision of Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (ePMA) systems.
• To be involved in all aspects of the preparation of aseptically-prepared medicines, including the ability to act as the Accountable Pharmacist in Aseptic Services in the absence of the Aseptic Services Manager and their deputy, under section 10 of the Medicines Act 1968.
• Effectively contribute to departmental Quality Systems. The post holder will be involved in ensuring safe systems of work are maintained as defined under statutory legislation, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), Regional and National Cancer Standards, Controls Assurance and Professional Standards.
• To support the provision of research and clinical trials. To be involved in the contribution of specialist knowledge into the research and evaluation of new products, equipment, devices and methods of work, including clinical trials, analysing and interpreting the requirements for service developments within the Aseptic Services Unit

Working for our organisation

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 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.

• To actively participate in the departmental training programme and complete competencies for each of the following areas: wards and other clinical services, dispensary, clinical trials, aseptic services, Homecare and outreach services and, if required, Christie@ satellite units.

Clinical services rotation:

• Delivering a clinical pharmacy service to designated patient groups, promoting best practice for all areas of pharmaceutical care in accordance with all local, Trust and national guidelines. To use specialist knowledge to identify and resolve complex pharmaceutical issues, taking into consideration other co-morbidity factors associated with the patient and liaise with medical and nursing staff.
• Developing specialist knowledge and skills relating to oncology practice including Good Clinical Practice in clinical trials and an understanding of the Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations 2004
• Oversee the patient specific reconstitution of Investigational Medicinal Products (IMPs) from Baxter Healthcare and to provide the final check of IMPs from this service if required.
• Providing the professional check and final release of items prepared within the aseptic unit if required.
• Safe and effective screening / review of prescriptions for chemotherapy regimens, clinical trials and treatment strategies in use at the Christie including full awareness of the intrathecal chemotherapy policy.
• Following local, Trust and National guidelines for safe medicines practice.
• To promote and maintain cost-effective prescribing through involvement in the development, implementation and review of evidence-based guidelines and protocols with fellow healthcare professionals, under the management of the Principal Pharmacist for Clinical Services, to establish best practice for the area of clinical responsibility.

• To provide evidence-based medicine advice where appropriate to ensure safe, effective, economical and timely use of medicines.
• To provide advice on the storage, administration and therapeutic use of medicines to patients, medical and nursing staff and other healthcare colleagues.
• To provide specialist medicines information including advice on clinical trials to healthcare professionals within the Greater Manchester network as appropriate.

• To support the maintenance of Electronic Prescribing (EP) and Pharmacy systems in conjunction with the EP project team contributing as necessary to ensure all tasks are completed to deadline.
• To be responsible for liaising with the pharmacy team, ward nursing & medical teams and the Informatics department in relation to the implementation and maintenance of the Trust’s EPMA systems including the planning and contribute to the delivery of the training requirements for individual user groups.
• To check and validate all medicines and medicine order sets for accuracy, ease of use and patient safety if required.
• To support issue reporting during the implementation of new initiatives to enable projects to be delivered effectively.
• To contribute with the Informatics teams, management accountants, medical staff, pharmacy staff and other stakeholders in relation to problem solving, auditing, service development and statistical and financial drug transactions.
• To contribute to the clinical governance process by undertaking risk assessments and by analysing data provided by the system with regard to safety and prescribing issues. To inform system users across the Trust of any risks or issues arising from use of the system.

• To participate in Clinical Audit or practice research as required.
• To maintain, lead (as appropriate) and contribute to the regular review and development of efficient pharmacy services, namely dispensary, satellite pharmacy within the Trust and at C@sites, clinical, aseptic & clinical trial services.
• To assist in the development of patient group directions (PGDs) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as appropriate.
• To provide the clinical pharmacy service to additional wards in the absence of colleagues.
• To provide pharmacist cover at Christie @ sites as required
• Participate in clinical activities e.g. multidisciplinary ward rounds and deputise as needed e.g. clinical and committee meetings.
• To provide clinical and professional supervision of junior pharmacists, pre-registration pharmacists, technicians and students within the pharmacy department and in clinical areas of the Trust. To participate in the training of other healthcare professionals including nursing and medical staff.
• To monitor and evaluate medicine usage and to encourage adherence to the hospital formulary. The post holder will be required to participate in formulary management, the financial monitoring of drug budgets to designated patient groups, and protocol and guideline review.
• To report on new initiatives and/or developments within designated patient groups to the Director of Pharmacy and the Clinical Services Manager and where necessary discuss the impact on pharmacy services and the action to be taken.

• To demonstrate awareness and commitment to the Trust’s Clinical & Research Governance agenda and to implement agreed clinical & research governance initiatives.
• To participate in departmental, Trust and National risk management schemes such as error reporting systems and intervention monitoring.
• To identify and manage risks in relation to medicine use according to local policy and protocols.

Aseptic services rotation:

• To be involved in the contribution of specialist knowledge into the research and evaluation of new products, equipment, devices and methods of work, including clinical trials, analysing and interpreting the requirements for service developments within the Aseptic Services Unit.
• To be involved in the maintenance and development of the Quality System

• To be competent in the aseptic preparation of medicines.
• To be involved in the Aseptic Verification process
• To supervise staff working in the ASU and to check the work in accordance with ASU procedures.
• To be involved in ensuring the highest level of professional standards of service are provided from the Trust Aseptic Services Unit encompassing both quality and timeliness of service to patients and staff.
• To perform, and instruct others to perform, complex dose calculations.
• To act as a checker/product approver within Aseptic Services, checking the work of others members of staff in accordance with departmental procedures, throughout aseptic processing.
• To help to ensure that all staff adhere to hygiene and clothing policies associated with their work within the controlled cleanroom environment. This involves strict hand washing procedures and changing into designated cleanroom clothing.
• To ensure all documentation relating to the day to day operation of the ASU is completed correctly and reviewed at regular intervals.
• To understand the key developments around the provision of patient care.
• To be trained and registered to issue intrathecal doses.
• To ensure cost effective use of resources within Aseptic Services to include the review and monitoring of the cleanroom clothing and cleaning / decontamination solution contracts
• To be involved in identifying required equipment and resources and manage the cost effective purchasing of aseptic services equipment, consumables and resources.
• To be involved in the management of aseptic services stock ensuring stock levels.
• To comply with legal and other requirements related to the purchase, supply, use, safe custody and destruction of medicines within pharmacy and other areas of the Trust.
• To be involved in the monitoring of SACT waste and its reduction.
• To be involved in the development and management of software systems ensuring they are risk assessed and validated.
• Supervise the preparation of medicinal products made under section 10 of the medicines act 1968 and ensure compliance with ‘Quality Assurance of Aseptic Preparation Services’ to provide products that are fit for their intended use.
• Act as an advisor to all staff if support or intervention is required.
• To coordinate with the senior technicians, the daily workload of medicines for injection to the wards and departments taking into account clinical priority, financial expediency and the capacity plan for the unit.
• Ensure all production operations are carried out according to pre-established Standard Operating procedures and in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice.
• Responsible for the validation of the new pharmacy electronic worksheet system, in conjunction with the Aseptic Services Manager and their deputy.
• Contribute to the development of products and services, with the Aseptic Services Manager and their deputy.
• Liaise with the Aseptic Services Manager and their deputy for long term strategic development of Aseptic Services.
• Assist with the support and running of the Pharmacy Quality Management System (QMS), internal and external audits.
• Contribute to work on a business case for a new / significant refurbishment of the aseptic unit, and implementation of the resultant plans.
• To be involved is the compilation and review of COSHH documents in line with any changes, and compliant with COSHH (1988) Regulations.
• To be involved is the compilation and review of Stability documents in line with any changes.
• Assist in ensuring the unit is fully compliant with the requirements of the executive letter EL(97)52 issued by the department of health.
• Assist in ensuring the department is fully compliant with the requirements associated with the regulation of clinical trials.
• Assist the Aseptic Services Manager, their deputy and senior Technicians by acting as a role model and mentor.
• To contribute to and participate in practice research initiatives within the department.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Vocational Masters Degree in Pharmacy
• Pre-registration training and successful completion of relevant exam
• Pharmacist membership of the UK General Pharmaceutical Council
• Evidence of continuing professional development

• Diploma in clinical pharmacy or relevant post graduate qualification
• Membership of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Experience

• Providing medicines information and advice
• Experience of multidisciplinary working

• Experience of working within a hospital environment including ward pharmacy, clinical and aseptic services.
• Experience within the oncology setting
• Experience in supervision, training and development of other staff.
• Experience of working within a project team

Skills

• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team
• Self motivating
• Good organisation and time management skills
• Ability to prioritise and work under pressure, highly organised, work to deadlines
• Ability to manage and implement change
• Ability to influence and negotiate with medical, nursing and pharmacy staff
• IT literate
• Ability to deal with difficult situations
• Ability to recognise own limitations

• Training healthcare professionals
• IT qualification
• Demonstrates potential management ability

Knowledge

• NICE
• Excellent knowledge of clinical use of medicines
• Cost effective use of medicines and medicines management
• National intrathecal guidance

• Experience of drug use in oncology setting
• Financial awareness in the management of drug budgets

Values

• Self-motivated.
• Effective team worker.
• Ability to work as an individual.
• Able to cope in a busy environment.
• Proactive, takes own initiative.
• Sensitive & supportive.
• Diplomatic.
• Assertive.
• Act as advocate.
• Strong professional values.
• Influence senior Pharmacy, Medical & Nursing staff.
• Can identify own limitations.
• Able to work under pressure
• Extremely flexible and reliable
• Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours

Other

• Commitment to improving services for staff and patients
• Able to research, interpret and present complex information in a clear and logical manner
• Willing and able to participate in out of hours and call duty rotas, weekend and Bank Holiday working arrangements
• Flexible working hours as required

• Driver’s license and access to a car

The closing date for this post may be extended if there are insufficient applicants or brought forward if there is a high volume of applicants.

In support of these commitments, we particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority people and people with disabilities for this post. Appointment will be only on merit.

We are committed to creating a balanced and diverse workforce. As such we welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. Together we will foster inclusion and tackle inequity and health inequalities in cancer care.

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy

All positions within the Christie are subject to the receipt of satisfactory written references, medical clearance and evidence of your Right to Work in the UK. Some roles will require a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. Please note if you are successfully appointed to a post with this Trust, you will be required to pay for your own DBS Disclosure.

Please note, all communication regarding your application will be made via email, please ensure you check your junk/spam folders as emails are sometimes filtered there.

If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, I regret that on this occasion your application will have been unsuccessful.

The Inter-Authority Transfer (IAT) process is a critical and beneficial component of ESR and will form part of the recruitment process. In the event that you are successful following interview your previous NHS employment data, if applicable will be transferred from your current / most recent employer.

Overseas candidates wishing to apply for this position and who would require immigration sponsorship, may wish to self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for the post on the UKVI website.

You should be aware the Trust operates a No Smoking Policy and therefore employees are not permitted to smoke at work.