Job 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.
