Specialist Clinical Trials Pharmacist

at  Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dedicated pharmacist post to lead, manage and deliver the pharmacy service for clinical trials at NUH. Your focus will be on a wide range of clinical specialities (outside of cancer), working as part of the established pharmacy clinical service and technician-supported clinical trials teams and in close liaison with the clinicians and research teams . The post holder will also contribute to the delivery of a specialist clinical pharmacy service to NUH patients.
This role will support the Principal Pharmacist R&I in the development of the pharmacy clinical trials service, increasing the portfolio of early-phase clinical trials and advanced therapy investigational medicinal products research.
You must be able to work accurately under pressure, use your own initiative, and be able to plan and manage your own workload and that of others. You will be flexible, have good organisational and communication skills and be able to work to and meet changing deadlines.

JOB SUMMARY

To be the pharmacy lead for clinical trials of medicinal products conducted in a variety of clinical divisions excluding cancer.
To be responsible for appraisal of clinical trials of medicinal products and all aspects of pharmaceutical input in accordance with legal requirements and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) relating to the prescribing, handling, dispensing, administration, storage and disposal of investigational medicinal products (IMPs) advanced therapy investigational products (ATIMPs) and non - investigational medicinal products (NIMPs).
To contribute to the delivery of a high quality clinical pharmacy service
The post holder will have regular service commitments between QMC and City Campuses.
There is an expectation of close working as required with clinical pharmacy colleagues in the therapeutic areas where research is being undertaken.
With over 19,000 staff, we are one of the biggest employers in the city with a central role in supporting the health and wellbeing of our local population. We play a leading role in research, education and innovation.
Come and join our wonderful team at NUH. We are big believers in diversity and welcome new ideas to help develop our team in order to deliver world class healthcare to the vast patient populations we serve. With endless personal development opportunities available, at NUH we will endeavour to turn your job into a career!
We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, or Disabled, as we are striving to be better represented at NUH

Service Management and Development
Takes responsibility for the delivery, management and development of the pharmacy clinical trials service.
Attends specialty clinical trials meetings as appropriate.
In co-operation with the Research teams, and the Principal Pharmacist, Research and Innovative Treatments, identifies and prioritises clinical trial pharmacy services to ensure national and local agendas are delivered.
Develops, implements and audits pharmacy clinical trials practices.
Provides expert advice regarding trials to the Pharmacy Department, the relevant specialties, consultant teams, research teams and other clinical specialties as required.
Supports the Chief Pharmacist and Clinical Director of Medicines Optimisation and the Principal Pharmacist, Research and Innovative Treatments in clinical trials management issues and projects.
Participates and supports the development of business plans and department and clinical strategies, e.g. in response to expansion of services, new consultant appointments, national initiatives and locally identified risks.
Contributes to the overall organisation, administration and management of the Pharmacy Clinical trials team
Clinical Trials Service (80%)
Takes responsibility for the provision, management and development of a high quality, comprehensive specialist clinical trials pharmacy service
5.1. Works according to GCP guidelines and agreed pharmacy clinical trials procedures.
5.2. Critically appraises clinical trials protocols, including amendments, to assess feasibility and ensure all pharmaceutical aspects of the study are deliverable and safe, in liaison with the pharmacy production unit staff as required.
5.3. Calculates pharmacy support costs clinical trials protocols, liaising with the speciality research teams, sponsors and NUH Research and Innovation (R&I) Department where NUH is the chief investigating site.
5.4. Liaises with NUH R&I and research teams, to ensure timely appraisal, costing and pharmacy approval for clinical trials.
5.5. Leads and finalises the set-up of clinical trials, i.e. writing and/or checking dispensing procedure, and manufacturing worksheets where applicable.
5.6. Is accountable for adherence to protocol requirements for investigational medicinal product (IMP) management.
5.7. Facilitates the Principal Pharmacist for Research and Innovative services in the development of new services to deliver novel and innovative therapies to patients with the research setting.
Participates in the provision of a clinical pharmacy service for patients recruited into clinical trials within the Trust
6.1. Assesses and clinically verifies trial specific prescriptions to ensure safe and rational prescribing according to the study protocol.
6.2. Provides trial medication and any additional supporting treatment for inpatient, discharge or outpatient use.
6.3. Counsels patients to ensure medication usage according to the protocol and to improve patient understanding of medication using trial specific patient information.
6.4. Assesses patient compliance via review of trial medication returned by trial subjects and patient counselling.
6.5. Contributes to detection of possible adverse events and prompt notification of the investigator and sponsor, where relevant.
6.6. Accuracy checks prescriptions, dispensed by others, for accuracy of interpretation, supply, labelling and accountability recording.
Clinical Practice (20%)
Supports the provision, of a high quality, comprehensive specialist pharmacy service
7.1. Demonstrates professional accountability to patients under their care.
7.2. Provides specialist advice and guidance on all issues relating to prescribing and therapeutics of drugs in line with national and local guidelines.
7.3. Uses specialist knowledge and experience, and appraises information from numerous sources to provide highly specialised advice on drug therapy to medical, nursing and pharmacy staff. This may include advice about experimental medicines or of medicine use where limited evidence exists.
7.4. Assesses and verifies prescription and charts and prescribing, including chemotherapy, in order to ensure safe, rational and effective prescribing within existing guidelines.
7.5. Identifies potential adverse reactions to medicines, drug interactions and Intravenous drug compatibility issues.
7.6. Establishes drug histories and enables the use of patient’s own medicines.
7.7. Counsels patients on their drug therapy to improve medication usage and patient understanding of their medication during in-patient stay and after discharge.
7.8. Provides medications for individual patients during their stay in hospital and at discharge as necessary.
7.9. Requests and interprets clinical tests and serum drug levels to monitor and make recommendations to improve effectiveness of drug therapy.
7.10. Pro-actively liaises with other members of the multidisciplinary team in order to make recommendations about drug therapy to improve patient outcomes.
7.11. Encourages and monitors adherence to hospital formulary, trial protocols and national guidelines.
7.12. Amends prescriptions on verbal orders from prescribers and transcribes prescriptions for patients being discharged.
7.13. Is accountable on the clinical areas served (wards and clinics) for adherence to all pharmacy policies and procedures relating to medicines management.
Works with the other pharmacists in the provision of a high quality clinical pharmacy service to wards in the hospital as directed by the Assistant Head of Pharmacy - Clinical Services Lead.