Job summary
We are looking for a skilled and dynamic band 8a Cancer Services & Clinical Trials Pharmacist to grow our Pharmacy team and help deliver a quality clinical service to clinical research, oncology and haematology.
The Pharmacy department is going through a period of dramatic change as we develop within the newly established University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group - improving our services and developing innovative strategies to enhance patient care. As our services grow, we now seek to expand our team with bright, forward-thinking pharmacists to engage with their healthcare professional colleagues and ensure that all our patients receive the medicines they need in a safe and timely way.
We became a University Hospital group in July 2021 and have an Academic Strategy that sets out how we will grow the number of clinical studies in our portfolio, expand opportunities for patients to become involved in research and, develop clinical academic roles across our Group. We have strong partnerships with University of Leicester and University of Northampton and are supported by the East Midlands Clinical Research Network.
Successful applicants will join an established pharmacy team, and an research team growing its academic portfolio within the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group. Candidates should have strong communication skills, with a willingness to learn and a commitment to upholding the highest standards of patient care.
Main duties of the job
To deliver, direct, develop and evaluate clinical Pharmacy services to haematology and oncology areas.
To support the Lead Pharmacist for Clinical Trials in the provision and development of the Pharmacy clinical trials service
To promote the safe, effective and economic use of medicines through a number of methods including the development of guidelines, teaching, training and audit.
To coach, mentor and supervise those staff allocated and to participate in the provision of training to Pharmacy staff and other healthcare workers.
About us
Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. Our mission is to provide safe, compassionate, and clinically excellent patient care, by being an outstanding employer for our people. We have entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Northampton General Hospital and have become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire. Our Excellence Values: Compassion Respect Integrity Courageous Accountable
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Trials
- Develop specialist expertise for the Pharmacy aspects of clinical trials.
- To work closely with senior clinicians, the lead pharmacist and R&D staff to be aware of future plans for oncology / haematology trials, and work with them to plan future capacity in terms of staff and facilities so future demand is met in a timely fashion.
- To have an understanding of the Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations 2004 in relation to documentation, storage, handling and Good Clinical Practice. To ensure all records (including environmental monitoring) and working practices are to the standards expected under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), ICH-GCP and the Research Governance Framework, through audit and other means.
- To lead on the development and review of Pharmacy policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the delivery of clinical trials involving IMPs and related products with other trials pharmacists and lead technicians. Prepare new electronic prescriptions and procedural documentation for cancer clinical trials as required.
- To check the production, implementation and review of detailed written trial specific dispensing procedures and other documentation to be followed by all staff involved in the pharmaceutical elements of clinical trials.
- To act as the professional lead for all aspects of pharmaceutical input in accordance with legal requirements and Good Clinical Practice relating to prescribing, administration, storage, and disposal of IMPs for those clinical trials for which the post holder has responsibility.
- Assist with the training of Pharmacy staff in this area.
- To liaise with Lead Pharmacists and/or clinical Pharmacists in specialised areas when recommending the approval of research projects by the Trust and upon initiation of the trials
- To support the Pharmacy Technician Specialist, Clinical Trials in the set-up and maintenance of clinical trials.
- To line manage pharmacy clinical trial personnel as appropriate, setting objectives and personal development plans and regularly reviewing their progress against these
- To liaise with clinical trial representatives of the pharmaceutical industry, clinical research organisations, university, R&I, clinicians, nurses and pharmacy staff to ensure that trials are conducted appropriately and comply with legal and local requirements.
- To complete HRA Pharmacy Assurance reviews according to HRA guidance and in line with timelines indicated by either he HRA or the sponsor
Clinical
- To develop clinical services in line with the Pharmacy strategic direction.
- To deliver pharmaceutical care delivered to patients receiving SACT, ensuring compliance with all appropriate regulatory, professional and best practice frameworks for cancer.
- To provide a clinical Pharmacy service to those wards allocated ensuring medicines use is optimised for all patients. To be involved with the provision of Pharmacy clinical services to other area(s) as required.
- To provide their pharmaceutical expert knowledge for inpatients and outpatients Trust wide receiving systemic anti-cancer medicines (SACT).
- To maintain knowledge of developments in Pharmacy practice.
- To contribute to the development of prescriptions, protocols, procedures and guidelines within the specialty and review any requests for the introduction of new medicines.
- Ensure information relating to medicines is accurate at discharge and assist in the transfer of this information to the relevant healthcare sector.
- To assist the lead pharmacist, cancer services and business managers in the monitoring of medicines expenditure and delivering on any cost improvement programs.
- To support dispensary and the production unit with the supply of medicines.
- To undertake the final check and release of aseptically compounded products and supervise the aseptic process, by acting as an Authorised Pharmacist in the aseptic unit as defined in the Quality Assurance of Aseptic Preparation Services: Standards Handbook.
- To initiate, undertake and supervise relevant practice research and publishing results locally and nationally.
- Where appropriately trained and qualified the post holder will practice as an independent pharmacist prescriber in line with their competencies, the Trust Non-Medical Prescribing Policy and an agreed scope of practice to meet the local needs of patients, health care professionals and the Trust.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Trials
- Develop specialist expertise for the Pharmacy aspects of clinical trials.
- To work closely with senior clinicians, the lead pharmacist and R&D staff to be aware of future plans for oncology / haematology trials, and work with them to plan future capacity in terms of staff and facilities so future demand is met in a timely fashion.
- To have an understanding of the Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations 2004 in relation to documentation, storage, handling and Good Clinical Practice. To ensure all records (including environmental monitoring) and working practices are to the standards expected under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), ICH-GCP and the Research Governance Framework, through audit and other means.
- To lead on the development and review of Pharmacy policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the delivery of clinical trials involving IMPs and related products with other trials pharmacists and lead technicians. Prepare new electronic prescriptions and procedural documentation for cancer clinical trials as required.
- To check the production, implementation and review of detailed written trial specific dispensing procedures and other documentation to be followed by all staff involved in the pharmaceutical elements of clinical trials.
- To act as the professional lead for all aspects of pharmaceutical input in accordance with legal requirements and Good Clinical Practice relating to prescribing, administration, storage, and disposal of IMPs for those clinical trials for which the post holder has responsibility.
- Assist with the training of Pharmacy staff in this area.
- To liaise with Lead Pharmacists and/or clinical Pharmacists in specialised areas when recommending the approval of research projects by the Trust and upon initiation of the trials
- To support the Pharmacy Technician Specialist, Clinical Trials in the set-up and maintenance of clinical trials.
- To line manage pharmacy clinical trial personnel as appropriate, setting objectives and personal development plans and regularly reviewing their progress against these
- To liaise with clinical trial representatives of the pharmaceutical industry, clinical research organisations, university, R&I, clinicians, nurses and pharmacy staff to ensure that trials are conducted appropriately and comply with legal and local requirements.
- To complete HRA Pharmacy Assurance reviews according to HRA guidance and in line with timelines indicated by either he HRA or the sponsor
Clinical
- To develop clinical services in line with the Pharmacy strategic direction.
- To deliver pharmaceutical care delivered to patients receiving SACT, ensuring compliance with all appropriate regulatory, professional and best practice frameworks for cancer.
- To provide a clinical Pharmacy service to those wards allocated ensuring medicines use is optimised for all patients. To be involved with the provision of Pharmacy clinical services to other area(s) as required.
- To provide their pharmaceutical expert knowledge for inpatients and outpatients Trust wide receiving systemic anti-cancer medicines (SACT).
- To maintain knowledge of developments in Pharmacy practice.
- To contribute to the development of prescriptions, protocols, procedures and guidelines within the specialty and review any requests for the introduction of new medicines.
- Ensure information relating to medicines is accurate at discharge and assist in the transfer of this information to the relevant healthcare sector.
- To assist the lead pharmacist, cancer services and business managers in the monitoring of medicines expenditure and delivering on any cost improvement programs.
- To support dispensary and the production unit with the supply of medicines.
- To undertake the final check and release of aseptically compounded products and supervise the aseptic process, by acting as an Authorised Pharmacist in the aseptic unit as defined in the Quality Assurance of Aseptic Preparation Services: Standards Handbook.
- To initiate, undertake and supervise relevant practice research and publishing results locally and nationally.
- Where appropriately trained and qualified the post holder will practice as an independent pharmacist prescriber in line with their competencies, the Trust Non-Medical Prescribing Policy and an agreed scope of practice to meet the local needs of patients, health care professionals and the Trust.
Person Specification
Educations, Training and Qualifications
Essential
- Master's degree in Pharmacy
- Registration with the GPHC
- Postgraduate qualification in hospital P harmacy (or completion of 2 year study toward one )
Desirable
- Registered Independent prescriber
- Member of professional organisation e.g UKCPA, BOPA or other appropriate national organisation
Knowledge / experience
Essential
- Clinical experience in a range of ward/clinical areas
- Experience in clinical trials
- Experience in oncology / haematology
- Teaching/training/coaching
- Responsibility for a defined area requiring prioritisation/problem solving/delegation
- Experience of leading or implementing change
- Good clinical knowledge of commonly prescribed medicines
- Good knowledge of NICE guidelines for common conditions
Desirable
- Understanding of NHS funding streams
- Experience of clinical trial set u
- Experience working within a multidisciplinary team (MDT)
- Good knowledge of the NHS and current priorities
- Preparation of guidelines involving other healthcare professionals
Person Specification
Educations, Training and Qualifications
Essential
- Master's degree in Pharmacy
- Registration with the GPHC
- Postgraduate qualification in hospital P harmacy (or completion of 2 year study toward one )
Desirable
- Registered Independent prescriber
- Member of professional organisation e.g UKCPA, BOPA or other appropriate national organisation
Knowledge / experience
Essential
- Clinical experience in a range of ward/clinical areas
- Experience in clinical trials
- Experience in oncology / haematology
- Teaching/training/coaching
- Responsibility for a defined area requiring prioritisation/problem solving/delegation
- Experience of leading or implementing change
- Good clinical knowledge of commonly prescribed medicines
- Good knowledge of NICE guidelines for common conditions
Desirable
- Understanding of NHS funding streams
- Experience of clinical trial set u
- Experience working within a multidisciplinary team (MDT)
- Good knowledge of the NHS and current priorities
- Preparation of guidelines involving other healthcare professionals
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).
