Lead Pharmacist - Haematology & Clinical Trials

at  Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

To provide an advanced level clinical pharmacy service under the direction of the Principal Pharmacist for Oncology, Haematology & Clinical Trials. Supporting the development, expansion and maintenance of haematology services to adult patients by undertaking clinical practice with a patient care service co-operating with medical and nursing personnel to optimise the pharmaco-therapeutic aspects of patient care. To monitor prescriptions for haematology and oncology medicines, and any associated therapies to help ensure they are prescribed in a safe, efficient and appropriate manner according to Trust, Regional and National guidelines, as well as ensuring compliance with the prescribing requirements of NHS England To liaise with medical and nursing staff on the Primrose Oncology Unit, Haematology Department and the Day Treatment Unit (DTU). To monitor and check chemotherapy and parenteral nutrition products to appropriate standards after completion of local training programme.
To provide advice concerning the pharmaceutical care of cancer and general medical patients as appropriate, to patients, relatives and other health professional colleagues including senior consultant medical staff. To ensure GMP is followed at all times in pharmacy Aseptics and that appropriate monitoring and record-keeping is carried out. To assist in the on-going training of pharmacists to clinically verify chemotherapy prescriptions and to check chemotherapy and parenteral nutrition products as requested by the Principal Pharmacist Oncology, Haematology & Clinical Trials. To promote multidisciplinary working with medical and nursing colleagues on the Primrose Cancer Unit, Haematology Department and the DTU and to report in Oncology Business Meetings.
To participate and contribute to Aseptics/ Haematology/Oncology training, audit and drug usage review, if required to do so. To provide period end reports relating to activity for the Principal Pharmacist Oncology, Haematology & Clinical Trials. To be responsible for the preparation and submission of applications for new haematology Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) or individual funding requests to the Drugs & Therapeutics Committee/NHSE, and the processing and maintenance of SACT medicines requested and approved through the Cancer Drugs Fund. To assist in the ongoing running of the chemotherapy e-prescribing (EPMA) system, iQemo, including adding or reviewing chemotherapy protocols.
To act as a super user for iQemo, providing ongoing support and advice to pharmacy system users relating to its clinical use, as necessary. To undertake line management of a band 7 Specialist Pharmacist in Aseptics. To manage and develop the Clinical Trials Service provided by the Pharmacy Department, Bedford Hospital site. To be GCP trained and and ensure that all staff involved in the provision of Clinical Trials are appropriately trained, ensuring compliance with all legal and best practice standards and local SOPs.
This will include developing training packages when new trials are commenced in the Trust. To contribute to the process of approval of trials through membership of the Trust Research and Development Committee, providing pharmaceutical expertise and ensuring compliance with EU Directive, ICH GCP, local procedures, GPhC/RPS guidelines, GMP and IMP GMP where appropriate To assess capacity and contribute to delivery planning for future studies. To provide expert advice where needed across the Trust regarding the documentation, preparation, storage and use of clinical trials medicines, if requested. This will include the R and D Department, investigators, research staff and other Trust users.
To maximise income generation from pharmacy trials activity by advising on resource implications of new trials and to support the R and D Team in building business cases to help develop the service as required. To maintain a tariff for pharmacy trial involvement in partnership with R and D, Finance Managers and negotiate finances appropriately, generating income for the Trust and for the Pharmacy Department. This requires setting competitive charges, raising of invoices where necessary, payment monitoring and financial reporting of income generation. To work with the Principal Pharmacist Oncology, Haematology & Clinical Trials, if requested, in: participating in formal audits; advising potential impact on the drugs budget of clinical trials drugs being trialled to secure relevant funding; analysing and responding to new initiatives relevant to clinical trials.
To provide supervision and support to all Pharmacy staff involved in clinical trials and promote the safe use of medication. To contribute to the Pharmacy clinical risk programme. To be able to screen / final check clinical trial prescriptions to ensure safety and accuracy of prescriptions according to trial protocols. To ensure that all relevant clinical trial approvals and documentations are in place prior to commencement of the study (including prescriptions, drug accountability logs, SOPs), and to maintain study files where appropriate, if requested.
To maintain and be responsible for drug accountability logs for all trials. To promote high quality, cost effective prescribing in line with local and national guidelines To undertake and take part in clinical audit, practice research and other project work as agreed with senior pharmacists. To complete further Oncology/Clinical Trial training as necessary. This may be to undertake a Diploma/MSc/Independent prescribing/GMP training as per training needs analysis.
To train and work as an Independent Prescriber according to Trust Policies and within your identified scope of practice, if required. To deputise for the Principal Pharmacist Oncology, Haematology & Clinical Trials if requested to do so. To provide highly specialised pharmaceutical information, advice and support to the multi-disciplinary team to ensure care is optimal, individualised and that timely medication reviews are undertaken as determined by relevant protocols. To supervise, check and if necessary, carry out the dispensing and issue of medicines in accordance with the safe systems of work in operation and the established procedures, to ensure a high quality pharmaceutical service as required.
To carry out the professional responsibilities of a pharmacist in accordance with the law and ethics of the General Pharmaceutical Council and to meet registration, continuing education and continuing professional development requirements. To provide advice to all staff and patients on all aspects of medicines and their use, ensuring safe and effective use of medicines in accordance with Trust Policies. To assist with the training of supporting staff and students including pre-registration pharmacists and student technicians as required by the Lead Specialist Pharmacist Training and Development. To assist in the maintenance of agreed policies and procedures on the control of medicines.
To participate in and encourage an open communication climate. To value and acknowledge the contributions of colleagues. To continually improve quality. To actively promote the cost-effective distribution and appropriate use of medicines in the best interests of patients.
To follow pharmacy procedures and participate in their review. To create opportunities for and participate with colleagues to assist CPD activities. To undertake other reasonable duties within the framework of the post as directed by the Chief Pharmacist or their Deputy. To participate in weekend working, late duties and emergency duties (including Bank Holidays) according to rota, if necessary

Please refer the Job description for details