Job Description

The Trust has implemented electronic prescribing for systemic anti-cancer therapy (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 Pharmacy Department is also supporting a number of collaborative projects alongside several research partners and has strong links with the University of Manchester.



We currently have an opportunity for highly motivated enthusiastic clinical pharmacist band 7 to specialise in the Pharmacy Homecare service within the Trust and contribute and lead service developments both within designated disease groups and the Homecare service. You will be working alongside our Principal Pharmacist Medicines Optimisation and Homecare in shaping the future of healthcare for our patients by playing a pivotal role in helping to deliver on the NHS 10-year health plan of shifting health and care from hospital to community.



The post holder(s) will be required to have good prioritisation skills to manage both elements of the post efficiently and effectively. The postholder will initially contribute to Lung cancer service expansion and new initiatives in addition to contributing to the management and development of Homecare Services. The postholder will also be required to support the operational clinical pharmacy services.



To manage and develop homecare medicines optimisation services by providing a specialist pharmacist service to the homecare team which includes the Christie at Home team and Outsourced homecare



To manage services for the homecare specialist area through liaison with external homecare providers



To provide support to the dispensary, aseptic, satellite units and peripheral C@sites if required



To qualify as an independent prescriber (if qualification not already achieved) and work as an independent prescriber within a designated disease group working alongside the relevant consultant and MDT team.



To provide advice on medicine related issues and clinical trials to healthcare professionals



To participate in weekend and Bank Holiday rotas and additional out of hours and emergency duty commitment (EDC) duties as required



Although this post is based at The Christie Hospital main site, postholders may be required to work at any location across the Greater Manchester and Cheshire Cancer Network. The Trust has a flexible working policy and, subject to service commitments, it may also be possible to support an element of working from home.



The role will be both challenging and rewarding and you will be joining a friendly and supportive team that is still growing as our portfolio continues to develop and expand. You will be self-confident with excellent interpersonal and organisational skills and contribute to service development through your initiative and enthusiasm.



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 provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. 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.



DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Homecare duties as follows:

Co-ordinates with multidisciplinary healthcare teams to implement new homecare services. Works with multidisciplinary healthcare teams to review existing and develop new homecare service specifications



Works with Clinical Pharmacy Team Leaders, Lead Pharmacists,

Outpatient Dispensary Managers, and other Pharmacy staff to identify, plan, and develop new opportunities for homecare services



Co-ordinates the service review meetings for homecare medicines

optimisation working closely with pharmaceutical companies,

homecare companies, pharmacists, nurses, doctors, other healthcare

staff, and patients



Produces quarterly reports on quality and financial indicators on all

homecare medicine services



Ensures compliance with current homecare medicines optimisation

guidance, and contributes nationally to the development of homecare medicines optimisation guidance and policy



Deputises for the Senior Homecare Pharmacist at the National

Medicines Homecare Committee and Regional homecare procurement meetings as appropriate



Support the development and review of homecare scheme SLAs,

protocols, treatment guidelines, service specifications, SOPs,

prescription forms and patient information both within the clinical

pharmacy service, Christie@Home team and other homecare external providers.



Identify areas for audit which contribute to improving patient care,

safety and experience in relation to homecare medicines use and

provision.



Maintain support for the Lead Procurement and Homecare Technician in relation to the homecare services



Manage all homecare related incidents in conjunction with the

homecare companies and C@H team



To develop and implement procedures for clinical screening of

homecare prescriptions



To provide training for specialist pharmacists in the clinical screening of prescriptions for medicines supplied via Homecare

2. Clinical duties as follows:

To qualify (or if already qualified, work as) as an Independent

Prescriber and prescribe to appropriate patients in agreement with

relevant consultants



To support prescribing at the individual patient level, contributing to the optimisation of patients' drug therapy with due consideration to

risk/benefit issues.



Supporting the provision of clinical pharmacy services within the

dispensaries. Responsible for the clinical screening/review of

prescriptions, both in-patients and outpatients, and to accurately check and supply medicines to patients, including clinical trials in accordance with all departmental, Trust and national standards, procedures, and policies.



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



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



3. Service developments within other disease groups



To participate in service development and implementation with regards to other disease group initiatives.



To work in collaboration with and support disease group lead

pharmacists with service evaluation, project management and

implementation of new initiatives / scheme.



To contribute to projects to integrate GM cancers services across the Christie@sites.



To develop time management skills to ensure appropriate prioritisation of project implementation and workload in all areas of work.



Participate in clinical activities e.g. multidisciplinary ward rounds, outpatien clinics and deputise as needed e.g. clinical and committee

meetings.

4. Medicines advice:

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.



Manages homecare medicines optimisation services for the homecare specialist area

5. Other duties:

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 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 Principal

Pharmacist for Clinical Services and where necessary discuss the

impact on pharmacy services and the action to be taken.

6. Governance/risk:

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.



To demonstrate that the Trust is compliant with Hackett and RPS

recommendations in relation to homecare.

7. General:

To attend departmental pharmacy meetings and any other meetings

relevant to their role.



To provide the clinical pharmacy service to additional wards in the

absence of colleagues.



To provide pharmacist cover at Christie @ sites as required



To provide clinical and professional supervision of junior pharmacists, foundation year trainee 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.



Ensure all activities comply with departmental and trust health and

safety, fire, security policies and COSHH regulations. To report any

issues at the workplace which may put health and safety at risk.



To participate in Continuing Professional Development ensuring

relevant knowledge and skills are up to date, meeting the professional requirements of the General Pharmaceutical Council. To participate in mandatory training in line with the trust and departmental requirements.



To participate in all department rotas, Saturday service and Bank

Holiday working and on-call rotas as requested



To behave in a manner at all times that is in accordance with the

professional standards set by the General Pharmaceutical Council.



Undertake all other related duties which may be required in accordance with the changing needs and practices of the department and organisation.