Job Description

Principal Pharmacist - Cancer Services 8b Based at Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital



An exciting opportunity has become available for an experienced cancer pharmacist to lead the cancer pharmacy at the Royal Free London NHS Trust with the support of the newly created Clinical Lead Pharmacist Cancer role.



This post will be responsible for service based at Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital.



Additional funding has recently been secured to allow for expansion of the cancer pharmacy team to provide additional prescribing and monitoring of systemic anti-cancer therapy, primarily in the out-patient setting. The successful candidate will lead the team through this expansion, further developing the role of the pharmacist within the clinic setting and providing excellent patient care and outcomes within the cancer speciality. They will also be responsible for a large cancer pharmacy team and for delivering the safe and cost-effective use of systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT)



The ideal candidate will be a highly experienced cancer pharmacist who is looking for the next step up to a leadership role with a proven track record in managing a team and a service. Experience of working in cancer clinics would also be beneficial.

JOB SUMMARY:

To lead and harmonise (with the support of the clinical lead pharmacist) the pharmacy cancer services team. Cancer services are provided across all Royal Free London site namely the royal free hospital, Barnet hospital, Finchley Memorial Hospital and Chase farm hospital. This post holder will have specific site responsibilities for Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospitals.



To deliver, develop and evaluate clinical pharmacy services to the oncology, haematology, palliative care specialities in accordance with objectives set by the Clinical Lead Pharmacist, Cancer and the Deputy Chief Pharmacist.



Working closely with the multidisciplinary team, Service Line Leads and Divisional Managers, the post holder will develop initiatives and guidelines to ensure safe and cost-effective use of medicines and chemotherapy in this area, and across the interface between primary and secondary care.



The post holder will be jointly responsible for all aspects of the management of high cost drugs for cancer with the principal pharmacist based at RFH site, and the supply of medication via homecare where appropriate.



The post holder will be a key member of the Chemotherapy Operational Group (COG) jointly with the Principal Pharmacist Cancer Services based at the RFH and with the clinical lead pharmacist cancer.



The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's biggest and most innovative trusts. Across three main hospitals, our dedicated army of staff care for over 1.6million patients, treat more than 200,000 in A&E, deliver over 8,000 babies and carry out more than 17million tests.



Our size, scale and influence offer you unrivalled career opportunities and a forward-thinking approach to working that works around your lifestyle. From flexible hours and generous benefits, to next level training, we make it easier to take your career to the top.



For more information please follow link https://www.royalfreelondonjobs.co.uk/



CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES



To lead (with the support of the clinical lead pharmacist post) the provision and development of a high-quality clinical pharmacy service as part of the multidisciplinary team to patients within cancer, palliative care and the LSD unit, to ensure maximum efficacy, safety and economic drug use and to demonstrate professional accountability to enhance patient care. The responsibilities will include:



Regular attendance of consultant ward rounds and multidisciplinary team meetings



Demonstration of expert specialist knowledge in the field of cancer, palliative care



Delivery of a high quality, specialist ward-based pharmacy service. This involves taking medication histories from patients admitted to the wards, clarifying inconsistencies with the patient's GP or Community Pharmacist, ensuring appropriate use of patients' own drugs brought from home, drug supply, review of highly complex medication regimens, clarification of medication changes made during inpatient stay by liaising with the medical team, drug interaction and adverse drug reaction monitoring, discharge planning and rapid turnaround of TTAs, full medication counselling to patients, and assessment for appropriateness of compliance aids to assist patients' medication needs.



Provision of pharmacy-led cancer outpatient clinics including prescribing, review, verification, optimisation and monitoring of systemic anti-cancer medicines (SACT)



Provision of expert prescribing advice in the specialist area, including selection, adverse events and dosage adjustment in specialist areas where limited or conflicting information is available. This advice may be challenged.



Promotion of high-quality cost-effective prescribing



Leading the development and ensuring adherence to evidence based prescribing guidelines / protocols within cancer services



Making evidence-based decisions, in partnership with patients and other professionals within the specialist area



Development and review of Patient Group Directions



Development and review of Shared Care guidelines



To participate in drug usage reviews



Development of relevant patient information leaflets which complement licensed product information



In conjunction with the clinicians and managers, ensure compliance with CQC medicines related outcomes, NICE technology appraisals and other government initiatives and national policy.



To liaise and work with other specialist pharmacists to share the best practice, to strengthen patient focused pharmaceutical care.



To liaise with the palliative care pharmacist at Marie Curie Hospice Hampstead on pharmaceutical issues and to provide expert advice on aspects of symptom control and pain relief as appropriate.



RESPONSIBILITY FOR PATIENTS



To manage own caseload and work as an independent prescriber in cancer clinics, prescribing and optimising SACT



To demonstrate an advanced level of clinical assessment - including assessment of cancer patients to ensure chemotherapy is prescribed safely and responses to treatment are documented appropriately. To know when to refer patients to a senior clinician for review.



To provide clinical screening support for the supply of chemotherapy medicines including ensuring:



Anti-cancer treatment prescribing is in accordance with an approved protocol or ensuring an 'off-protocol' form has been completed



Anti-cancer treatment is in accordance with NICE / CDF guidelines or criteria for use



Funding arrangements are in place prior to commencing treatment



Doses are correct, taking into account laboratory results, dose reductions and previous treatments



Appropriate supportive medicines have been prescribed



To provide patient-facing medicines advice and counselling service to cancer patients where appropriate to enhance understanding of medicines prescribed.



To contribute towards ensuring a high-quality patient experience within the cancer setting.



To deal effectively with situations where medication errors have occurred, including liaising directly with patients and staff concerned.



To lead in responding to complaints from patients and the public in relation to medicines management issues within cancer services as required.



RESPONSIBILITY FOR POLICY AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT



To lead on the continuing development of policies and procedures to ensure that cancer services comply with existing legal requirements and best practice in the field and requirements of the Care Quality Commission.



To be responsible for providing expert advice to senior pharmacy, clinical and management staff regarding the pharmaceutical aspects of network and national standards (e.g. North Central London Cancer Alliance/ BOPA) and guidelines relating to cancer and to ensure these are met or implemented



To lead in maintaining records of chemotherapy regimens used outside the agreed list and present this on a regular basis to the Local Chemotherapy Group.



To lead on the production and implementation of business plans for the development of the pharmacy service provided to the cancer services in line with local oncology clinical strategy.



To audit the service provided with the aim of improving the service provided by the pharmacy cancer team