Job summary
Lead Pharmacist - Clinical Trials ,Cancer and Aseptic Services
Band 8a
We are looking for an enthusiastic pharmacist for this exciting new role. Your time will be split roughly equally between our expanding clinical trials service and our Cancer and Aseptics team.
We are looking to expand our portfolio of clinical trials and this role will be instrumental in the growth of the service. Liaising with key stakeholders in the set up and management of new and existing trials and becoming an active member of the clinical research network.
The Cancer and Aseptics team support two busy treatment suites and external hospitals through our licensed aseptic unit. As a lead pharmacist you will be involved in the clinical verification of chemotherapy prescriptions, the final check and release of products made under license and section 10 exemption. You will help provide a clinical ward service on a rota basis. You will experience Oncology, Haematology, Clinical Trials and Parenteral Nutrition and work with high cost drugs and quality risk management systems.
For an informal chat or application queries, please contact Sarah Brindley, Lead Pharmacist on 01926 495321 ext. 4027
Standard NHS conditions of service apply.
Application is on line at www.jobs.nhs.uk
Main duties of the job
To lead, develop, support and deliver a high level of specialist clinical pharmacy service to patients requiring aseptically prepared products and particularly to those requiring cancer chemotherapy, working closely with other pharmacists, medical/ nursing staff and ward technicians.
To provide a high level of pharmaceutical support, to the medical, nursing and other healthcare staff providing clinical care, in particular to patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy, parenteral nutrition or other specialised treatments requiring aseptic preparation and assisting in the clinical and cost-effective use of drugs.
To assist in the management of the drugs budgets for designated wards, theatres and clinics, advising them on improvements in the clinical and cost[1]effective use of their drugs.
To develop and maintain strong links at all levels with other healthcare staff both within and without the Trust who are concerned with cancer chemotherapy, contributing to the various teams as necessary.
To assist the Principal Pharmacist Cancer and Aseptic Services in the development, management and co-ordination of highly specialised aseptic dispensing services.
To be accountable for the delivery of the Aseptic Service in the absence of the Principal Pharmacist Cancer and Aseptic Services, deputising in the statutory role of Accountable Pharmacist or equivalent.
About us
Come and join a Trust rated Outstanding by the CQC. South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust have been rated as outstanding following our latest inspection by the CQC and we are recruiting new staff to come and help us improve even further.
We provide services across Warwickshire and beyond ranging from Hospitals in Warwick, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Royal Leamington Spa and Shipston-on Stour to Community Services across the county. We are a progressive, expanding organisation with great ambition around improving quality, integrating pathways and delivering high levels of productivity.
Our values can be summed up in one sentence. We are 'Trusted to provide safe, effective and compassionate care'. Throughout the recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you demonstrate these values and how they impact on your work. It doesn't matter what role you do, whether it is patient facing or not, we are all working in the same way with our values at the core.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Result Areas
- To provide a high level, responsive, and developing clinical pharmacy service to Cancer Services in the Trust.
- To validate the clinical pharmacy and pharmaceutical components of cancer chemotherapy treatment plans, schedules, protocols etc. raising any concerns or issues with the appropriate medical or nursing staff.
- To design and deliver packages of pharmaceutical care to individual patients admitted to the cancer chemotherapy wards/units and train and assist other pharmacists to undertake such duties.
- To assure the standards of pharmaceutical care provided to cancer chemotherapy patients ensuring that a satisfactory level of pharmacy service is provided within the staffing resources available.
- To attend and contribute to multidisciplinary ward rounds/meetings, where appropriate, in relation to cancer chemotherapy patients and patients requiring parenteral nutrition.
- To advise the Head of Pharmacy on any developments that the postholder becomes aware of that may have implications for the Pharmacy Service.
- To assist in the strategic development of cancer services of the Trust, by contributing to the work of appropriate groups and attending relevant meetings within the Trust or with outside agencies.
To be responsible for and oversee the training programmes for staff working in the areas of Cancer Services and Aseptic Services and to assure the competence of pharmacists allocated to work in the Unit.
- To be responsible for assuring the standards of facilities and equipment used within the Aseptic Unit and solve problems that may exist or develop, bringing unresolved issues to the attention of the Accountable Pharmacist.
- In the absence of the Lead Technician Cancer and Aseptic Services, to provide support and help manage the Aseptic Unit on a day-by-day basis deputising for the statutory role of Accountable Pharmacist.
- To be responsible for assuring the standards of facilities and equipment used within the Aseptic Unit and solve problems that may exist or develop, bringing unresolved issues to the attention of the Accountable Pharmacist.
- To assist with the QC/QA contract that exists and take a lead role in resolving issues that may arise as a result of the Farwell Audit (whilst the Unit is unlicensed) or MHRA audit (when the Unit is licensed).
- To collect, prepare and provide timely financial and activity data on aseptic service activity, particularly relating to chemotherapy activity and expenditure, to the appropriate financial advisors as agreed.
- To contribute to the development of pharmacy services and standards, the preparation of bids and business cases and the implementation of agreed developments.
- To liaise with other senior staff who are responsible for the allocation of pharmacist staff and allocation of technician staff, to negotiate staffing resource to provide the necessary services, if required.
- To maintain an awareness of current developments in pharmacy practice pertinent to aseptic services in general, and cancer and parenteral nutrition services in particular, by liaising with relevant bodies, outside agencies, special interest groups and other specialist pharmacists. To inform and advise senior pharmacy staff as appropriate.
- To assist the relevant drug budget holders in managing their drugs budget and advising on potential improvements in the cost-effective use of drugs.
- To ensure any new drugs prescribed, relating to cancer services, have been approved for use via the appropriate routes.
- To ensure Consultant medical staff and their teams are fully aware of procedures relating to new drug requests, particularly in relation to high cost drugs (PbR excluded drugs) and to advise and assist when necessary.
- To ensure Consultant medical staff and their teams are aware of and comply with any risk management procedures relating to cancer chemotherapy products and provide training where necessary.
- When required, to advise the Associate Medical Director for Medicine and the Operational General Manager for Medicine on issues relating to the use of drugs in their Division including potential improvements in the clinical and cost-effective use of drugs.
- To horizon scan and advise on budget implications of new and developing drug therapies in the specialist areas, particularly in respect of NICE technology appraisals.
- To advise on/recommend/produce/adapt clinical treatment guidelines and prescriptions for use in the specialist areas of the post-holder that have been produced locally or by national bodies.
To contribute to and undertake audit projects in the specialty area particularly those concerned with compliance with safer prescribing and drug administration policies, procedures and guidelines and implementation of pharmacy service developments. To provide reports and present the audit findings within the Trust or to outside organisations, where appropriate.
- To ensure clinical trials work can be incorporated into the work schedule and Aseptic Unit capacity. To lead on and be responsible for audit work carried out in the Aseptic Unit, in line with the annual audit program required by the external Inspector.
- To advise and support the Lead Technician for Clinical Trials on dispensary trials.
- To ensure all staff working with clinical trials have had appropriate training.
- To ensure clinical trials work for Dispensary and the Aseptic Unit is carried out in accordance with Good Clinical Practice GCP.
- To attend and participate, where required, in the chemotherapy Cross Cutting Group and in Nurses and Pharmacists Group meetings
- To be involved in producing/checking/commenting on polices and guidelines for the Cross Cutting Group and Nurses and Pharmacists Group.
- To assist with ensuring the Pharmacy department complies with standards set out in the Manual for Cancer Services (Peer review).
- To ensure all dispensary staff (pharmacists, technicians and senior ATOs) are trained appropriately when clinically checking/dispensing and accuracy checking any chemotherapy dispensed in the dispensary.
- To advise and offer support to the Outpatient Pharmacy with regards to oral Chemotherapy and supportive medications.
- To undertake the duties of a pre-registration pharmacist tutor and/or a clinical pharmacy diploma clinical co-ordinator and / or tutor to Medicines Management Technician where necessary.
- To provide clinical pharmacy training for undergraduate pharmacy students, vacation students, pre-registration pharmacists (hospital and community[1]based) and hospital clinical pharmacists.
- To contribute to the induction and in-service training of nursing staff and junior medical staff as appropriate.
- To advise senior nursing staff on appropriate use of patient group directions in order to improve the efficiency of healthcare provision in cancer services.
- To undertake duties as a clinical pharmacist to other wards in the Trust when necessary, including occasional work at other pharmacies from which a pharmacy service is provided.
- To advise medical, nursing, other professional staff, managers and patients on any aspect of drug therapy or drug control as required or when considered necessary.
- To contribute to the audit work of the pharmacy service and developments in service quality.
- To undertake routine duties within the dispensary as required, supervising the work of junior pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and (senior) ATOs.
- To undertake Saturday, Sunday, Bank Holiday and Statutory Day working on rota and to contribute rarely on a one off basis to the Emergency Duty on call from home service where required
To deputise for senior pharmacy managers as required.
- To demonstrate and maintain a commitment to continuing professional development and encourage members of the team to do likewise.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Result Areas
- To provide a high level, responsive, and developing clinical pharmacy service to Cancer Services in the Trust.
- To validate the clinical pharmacy and pharmaceutical components of cancer chemotherapy treatment plans, schedules, protocols etc. raising any concerns or issues with the appropriate medical or nursing staff.
- To design and deliver packages of pharmaceutical care to individual patients admitted to the cancer chemotherapy wards/units and train and assist other pharmacists to undertake such duties.
- To assure the standards of pharmaceutical care provided to cancer chemotherapy patients ensuring that a satisfactory level of pharmacy service is provided within the staffing resources available.
- To attend and contribute to multidisciplinary ward rounds/meetings, where appropriate, in relation to cancer chemotherapy patients and patients requiring parenteral nutrition.
- To advise the Head of Pharmacy on any developments that the postholder becomes aware of that may have implications for the Pharmacy Service.
- To assist in the strategic development of cancer services of the Trust, by contributing to the work of appropriate groups and attending relevant meetings within the Trust or with outside agencies.
To be responsible for and oversee the training programmes for staff working in the areas of Cancer Services and Aseptic Services and to assure the competence of pharmacists allocated to work in the Unit.
- To be responsible for assuring the standards of facilities and equipment used within the Aseptic Unit and solve problems that may exist or develop, bringing unresolved issues to the attention of the Accountable Pharmacist.
- In the absence of the Lead Technician Cancer and Aseptic Services, to provide support and help manage the Aseptic Unit on a day-by-day basis deputising for the statutory role of Accountable Pharmacist.
- To be responsible for assuring the standards of facilities and equipment used within the Aseptic Unit and solve problems that may exist or develop, bringing unresolved issues to the attention of the Accountable Pharmacist.
- To assist with the QC/QA contract that exists and take a lead role in resolving issues that may arise as a result of the Farwell Audit (whilst the Unit is unlicensed) or MHRA audit (when the Unit is licensed).
- To collect, prepare and provide timely financial and activity data on aseptic service activity, particularly relating to chemotherapy activity and expenditure, to the appropriate financial advisors as agreed.
- To contribute to the development of pharmacy services and standards, the preparation of bids and business cases and the implementation of agreed developments.
- To liaise with other senior staff who are responsible for the allocation of pharmacist staff and allocation of technician staff, to negotiate staffing resource to provide the necessary services, if required.
- To maintain an awareness of current developments in pharmacy practice pertinent to aseptic services in general, and cancer and parenteral nutrition services in particular, by liaising with relevant bodies, outside agencies, special interest groups and other specialist pharmacists. To inform and advise senior pharmacy staff as appropriate.
- To assist the relevant drug budget holders in managing their drugs budget and advising on potential improvements in the cost-effective use of drugs.
- To ensure any new drugs prescribed, relating to cancer services, have been approved for use via the appropriate routes.
- To ensure Consultant medical staff and their teams are fully aware of procedures relating to new drug requests, particularly in relation to high cost drugs (PbR excluded drugs) and to advise and assist when necessary.
- To ensure Consultant medical staff and their teams are aware of and comply with any risk management procedures relating to cancer chemotherapy products and provide training where necessary.
- When required, to advise the Associate Medical Director for Medicine and the Operational General Manager for Medicine on issues relating to the use of drugs in their Division including potential improvements in the clinical and cost-effective use of drugs.
- To horizon scan and advise on budget implications of new and developing drug therapies in the specialist areas, particularly in respect of NICE technology appraisals.
- To advise on/recommend/produce/adapt clinical treatment guidelines and prescriptions for use in the specialist areas of the post-holder that have been produced locally or by national bodies.
To contribute to and undertake audit projects in the specialty area particularly those concerned with compliance with safer prescribing and drug administration policies, procedures and guidelines and implementation of pharmacy service developments. To provide reports and present the audit findings within the Trust or to outside organisations, where appropriate.
- To ensure clinical trials work can be incorporated into the work schedule and Aseptic Unit capacity. To lead on and be responsible for audit work carried out in the Aseptic Unit, in line with the annual audit program required by the external Inspector.
- To advise and support the Lead Technician for Clinical Trials on dispensary trials.
- To ensure all staff working with clinical trials have had appropriate training.
- To ensure clinical trials work for Dispensary and the Aseptic Unit is carried out in accordance with Good Clinical Practice GCP.
- To attend and participate, where required, in the chemotherapy Cross Cutting Group and in Nurses and Pharmacists Group meetings
- To be involved in producing/checking/commenting on polices and guidelines for the Cross Cutting Group and Nurses and Pharmacists Group.
- To assist with ensuring the Pharmacy department complies with standards set out in the Manual for Cancer Services (Peer review).
- To ensure all dispensary staff (pharmacists, technicians and senior ATOs) are trained appropriately when clinically checking/dispensing and accuracy checking any chemotherapy dispensed in the dispensary.
- To advise and offer support to the Outpatient Pharmacy with regards to oral Chemotherapy and supportive medications.
- To undertake the duties of a pre-registration pharmacist tutor and/or a clinical pharmacy diploma clinical co-ordinator and / or tutor to Medicines Management Technician where necessary.
- To provide clinical pharmacy training for undergraduate pharmacy students, vacation students, pre-registration pharmacists (hospital and community[1]based) and hospital clinical pharmacists.
- To contribute to the induction and in-service training of nursing staff and junior medical staff as appropriate.
- To advise senior nursing staff on appropriate use of patient group directions in order to improve the efficiency of healthcare provision in cancer services.
- To undertake duties as a clinical pharmacist to other wards in the Trust when necessary, including occasional work at other pharmacies from which a pharmacy service is provided.
- To advise medical, nursing, other professional staff, managers and patients on any aspect of drug therapy or drug control as required or when considered necessary.
- To contribute to the audit work of the pharmacy service and developments in service quality.
- To undertake routine duties within the dispensary as required, supervising the work of junior pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and (senior) ATOs.
- To undertake Saturday, Sunday, Bank Holiday and Statutory Day working on rota and to contribute rarely on a one off basis to the Emergency Duty on call from home service where required
To deputise for senior pharmacy managers as required.
- To demonstrate and maintain a commitment to continuing professional development and encourage members of the team to do likewise.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters Degree in Pharmacy (or equiv.)
- Membership of General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
- Clinical pharmacy diploma or equivalent advanced experience
- Specialist training in relevant areas
Desirable
- Formal or on the job training in management, or equivalent advanced experience
- Membership of Royal Pharmaceutical Society
- Faculty Member of Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Experience
Essential
- 4 years of hospital pharmacy experience (as a registered pharmacist).
- Minimum of 3 years experience of hospital clinical pharmacy practice.
- Recent clinical experience in a general hospital setting
- Experience of managing a clinical service in pharmacy.
Desirable
- Undertaken audit work.
- Lectures, talks, training given (Medical/Nursing/Pharmacy staff and patients).
Skills
Essential
- Good understanding of recent NHS and pharmacy reports and how they relate to cancer and aseptic services.
- Ability to demonstrate a very high level of specialist knowledge in cancer and aseptic services
- Ability to advise and influence all grades of medical and nursing staff on therapeutic aspects of patient care
- Ability to demonstrate a high level of knowledge on technical and operational aspects of the operational services which are line managed
- Good organise
- An understanding of the relevance of clinical governance and risk management
- Knowledge of drug expenditure/drug budget/clinical activity issues.
- Able to understand clinical research data.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Able to clearly communicate highly complex clinical information to all grades of medical, nursing and pharmacy staff.
- Able to sensitively question patients on their drug treatment and to communicate clearly with them
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Good presentation skills.
- Able to create a rapport with interview panel.
- Able to use initiative and work without supervision.
- Understanding of budgetary mechanisms, funding processes
- Ability to manage pharmacy team members
- Able to give credible representation of pharmacy at very senior medical and management levels.
- Ability to work in teams - pharmacy teams and multidisciplinary teams.
- Sound judgement on clinical, pharmaceutical and ethical issues
- Able to advise other pharmacists of all grades in the postholder's expert area of knowledge.
- Assertiveness skills- able to respond at very senior medical levels.
- Able to deal with concerned/anxious patients or relatives particularly in relation to their drug treatment.
- Able to meet deadlines
- High standards of work presentation.
Desirable
- Record of success in service development and the implementation of change
- Ability to prioritise own work and assist others to do so.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Smart appearance
- Friendly/sense of humour
- A positive can do, enthusiastic approach to work.
- Initiative and ingenuity in development planning and problem solving
- Self-motivating and able to motivate a pharmacy team
- Wants to make a difference
- Can enthuse about the potential of the post
- Ability to undertake further study such as Health Assessment, Independent Prescribing and Advanced Care Practitioner courses
Other
Essential
- Prepared to undertake regular clinical pharmacy and dispensary duties.
- Accurate clinical, dispensing and checking abilities.
- Able to undertake shift work as part of usual working hours
- Able to undertake Saturday, Sunday, Bank Holiday and Statutory Day working and (if required) Emergency Duty Commitment on a rota or as part of usual working hours
- Ability to use VDUs.
- Able to demonstrate through revalidation a satisfactory level of continuing professional development.
- Satisfactory computer keyboard skills.
- Use of motorised transport and insured for business use.
- Honest and trustworthy
- Competent in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Microsoft Outlook
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters Degree in Pharmacy (or equiv.)
- Membership of General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
- Clinical pharmacy diploma or equivalent advanced experience
- Specialist training in relevant areas
Desirable
- Formal or on the job training in management, or equivalent advanced experience
- Membership of Royal Pharmaceutical Society
- Faculty Member of Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Experience
Essential
- 4 years of hospital pharmacy experience (as a registered pharmacist).
- Minimum of 3 years experience of hospital clinical pharmacy practice.
- Recent clinical experience in a general hospital setting
- Experience of managing a clinical service in pharmacy.
Desirable
- Undertaken audit work.
- Lectures, talks, training given (Medical/Nursing/Pharmacy staff and patients).
Skills
Essential
- Good understanding of recent NHS and pharmacy reports and how they relate to cancer and aseptic services.
- Ability to demonstrate a very high level of specialist knowledge in cancer and aseptic services
- Ability to advise and influence all grades of medical and nursing staff on therapeutic aspects of patient care
- Ability to demonstrate a high level of knowledge on technical and operational aspects of the operational services which are line managed
- Good organise
- An understanding of the relevance of clinical governance and risk management
- Knowledge of drug expenditure/drug budget/clinical activity issues.
- Able to understand clinical research data.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Able to clearly communicate highly complex clinical information to all grades of medical, nursing and pharmacy staff.
- Able to sensitively question patients on their drug treatment and to communicate clearly with them
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Good presentation skills.
- Able to create a rapport with interview panel.
- Able to use initiative and work without supervision.
- Understanding of budgetary mechanisms, funding processes
- Ability to manage pharmacy team members
- Able to give credible representation of pharmacy at very senior medical and management levels.
- Ability to work in teams - pharmacy teams and multidisciplinary teams.
- Sound judgement on clinical, pharmaceutical and ethical issues
- Able to advise other pharmacists of all grades in the postholder's expert area of knowledge.
- Assertiveness skills- able to respond at very senior medical levels.
- Able to deal with concerned/anxious patients or relatives particularly in relation to their drug treatment.
- Able to meet deadlines
- High standards of work presentation.
Desirable
- Record of success in service development and the implementation of change
- Ability to prioritise own work and assist others to do so.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Smart appearance
- Friendly/sense of humour
- A positive can do, enthusiastic approach to work.
- Initiative and ingenuity in development planning and problem solving
- Self-motivating and able to motivate a pharmacy team
- Wants to make a difference
- Can enthuse about the potential of the post
- Ability to undertake further study such as Health Assessment, Independent Prescribing and Advanced Care Practitioner courses
Other
Essential
- Prepared to undertake regular clinical pharmacy and dispensary duties.
- Accurate clinical, dispensing and checking abilities.
- Able to undertake shift work as part of usual working hours
- Able to undertake Saturday, Sunday, Bank Holiday and Statutory Day working and (if required) Emergency Duty Commitment on a rota or as part of usual working hours
- Ability to use VDUs.
- Able to demonstrate through revalidation a satisfactory level of continuing professional development.
- Satisfactory computer keyboard skills.
- Use of motorised transport and insured for business use.
- Honest and trustworthy
- Competent in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Microsoft Outlook
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 (Opens in a new tab).
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 (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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 (Opens in a new tab).
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 (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
