Job summary

The Trust has implemented electronic prescribing for 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 especially with the advent of newly registered pharmacists being qualified with independent prescriber status.

The Pharmacy Department has the opportunity for the Christie hospital to host Foundation year pharmacists for the very first time in 2025 in addition to supporting a number of ongoing and new collaborative projects alongside several research partners and has strong links with the University of Manchester. Several members of our staff have undertaken post graduate training, research and other secondment opportunities and we are keen to support more.

We currently have an opportunity for highly motivated enthusiastic clinical pharmacist(s) band 6 or 7, depending on previous experience. We would consider a band 6 with planned progression to band 7 role with training and development opportunities based on a competency based training programme. The post holder(s) will support the pharmacy department in further developing the clinical pharmacy service to patients including electronic prescribing initiatives across the Trust.

If you are enthusiastic and keen to make a positive contribution to the care of cancer patients, we would like to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

To provide a high quality, patient -focused clinical pharmacy and medicines supply service to oncology patients ensuring a safe, effective and efficient use of medicines. To provide support to the dispensary, aseptic, satellite units and peripheral C@sites if required To support the pharmacy EP team and work closely with the Trust's project team to achieve full roll out and operational provision of the EPMA (Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration) systems on introduction to the Trust. To maintain and develop specialist knowledge in relation to clinical pharmacy services To provide advice on medicine related issues and clinical trials to healthcare professionals To provide education and training support to nursing, medical staff and patients. To participate in weekend and Bank Holiday rotas and additional out of hours and emergency duty commitment (EDC) duties as required to meet the needs of the service Although this post is based at The Christie Hospital main site, post holders 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.

About us

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 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.

Job description

Job responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To actively participate in the departmental training programme and complete competencies for each of the following areas: wards, dispensary, satellite pharmacies, clinical trials and aseptics as appropriate. Duties will include the following:

Supporting the provision of clinical pharmacy services within the dispensaries, satellite pharmacies within the Trust and at C@ sites and the aseptic services unit, if required. 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 Oversee the patient specific reconstitution of Investigational Medicinal Products (IMPs) from Baxter Healthcare and to provide the final check of IMPs from this service if required. Providing the professional check and final release of items prepared within the aseptic unit if required. 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.

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. To provide specialist medicines information including advice on clinical trials to healthcare professionals within the Greater Manchester network as appropriate.

Electronic prescribing

To support the maintenance of Electronic Prescribing (EP) and Pharmacy systems in conjunction with the EP project team contributing as necessary to ensure all tasks are completed to deadline. To be responsible for liaising with the pharmacy team, ward nursing & medical teams and the Informatics department in relation to the implementation and maintenance of the Trusts EPMA systems including the planning and contribute to the delivery of the training requirements for individual user groups. To check and validate all medicines and medicine order sets for accuracy, ease of use and patient safety if required. To support issue reporting during the implementation of new initiatives to enable projects to be delivered effectively. To contribute with the Informatics teams, management accountants, medical staff, pharmacy staff and other stakeholders in relation to problem solving, auditing, service development and statistical and financial drug transactions. To contribute to the clinical governance process by undertaking risk assessments and by analysing data provided by the system with regard to safety and prescribing issues. To inform system users across the Trust of any risks or issues arising from use of the system.

Other clinical 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 have the opportunity to participate in research internal or external to the Trust in collaboration with disease groups or university faculties in line with the pharmacy department strategy To have the opportunity to work towards further post graduate qualifications in line with services requirements and the pharmacy department strategy including independent prescribing qualification. To qualify as an independent prescriber and prescribe to appropriate patients in agreement with the relevant Consultants. To assist in the development of patient group directions (PGDs) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as appropriate. To provide the clinical pharmacy service to additional wards in the absence of colleagues. To provide pharmacist cover at Christie @ sites as required Participate in clinical activities multidisciplinary ward rounds and deputise as needed clinical and committee meetings. To provide clinical and professional supervision of junior pharmacists, pre-registration foundation year 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. 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 Clinical Services Manager and where necessary discuss the impact on pharmacy services and the action to be taken.

Governance/risk

To demonstrate awareness and commitment to the Trusts 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.

General

To attend departmental pharmacy meetings and any other meetings relevant to their role. To develop time management skills to ensure appropriate prioritisation of workload in all areas of work. 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 including the extended opening hours of the department rota, 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.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Vocational Masters Degree in Pharmacy Pre-registration training and successful completion of relevant exam Membership of General Pharmaceutical Council Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

Diploma in clinical pharmacy or relevant post graduate qualification Independent prescribing qualification

Experience

Essential

Providing medicines information and advice Experience of multidisciplinary working

Desirable

Experience of working within a hospital environment including ward pharmacy and clinical services. Experience within the oncology setting Experience in supervision of other staff. Experience of working within a project team

Skills

Essential

Excellent communication skills both verbal and written Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team Self motivating Good organisation and time management skills Ability to work under pressure, highly organised, work to deadlines Ability to manage and implement change Ability to influence and negotiate with medical, nursing and pharmacy staff IT literate Ability to recognise own limitations

Desirable

Training healthcare professionals IT qualification

Knowledge

Essential

NICE Excellent knowledge of clinical use of medicines Cost effective use of medicines and medicines management National intrathecal guidance

Desirable

Experience of drug use in oncology setting Financial awareness in the management of drug budgets

Other

Essential

Commitment to improving services for staff and patients Able to research, interpret and present complex information in a clear and logical manner On call duties Flexible working hours as required Bank holiday working

Desirable

Driver's license

Values

Essential

Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours