Rotational Pharmacist for Cancer & Technical Services

NHS; Greater London; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Greater London is seeking a passionate Rotational Pharmacist for Cancer & Technical Services. This role offers diverse rotations covering areas like palliative care and haematology, enhancing clinical expertise. Responsibilities include providing high-quality pharmacy services and working closely with multidisciplinary teams. Candidates should have a solid experience in hospital pharmacy and excellent communication skills. Competitive salary between £47,810 and £54,710 plus additional benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years post registration experience in hospital pharmacy.
• Experience in aseptic services and clinical pharmacy practice.
• Evidence of delivering formal education and training sessions.

Responsibilities

• Provide high quality clinical pharmacy service for cancer services.
• Liaise with multidisciplinary teams for patient care.
• Supervise and train pre-registration and junior pharmacists.

Skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Aseptic services experience

Ability to work under pressure

Education

B. Pharm / M. Pharm / BSc (Pharmacy)

Professional registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council

Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or General Pharmacy Practice

Job description

Rotational Pharmacist for Cancer & Technical Services

The pharmacy department at Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust is looking for a passionate and driven pharmacist to join our thriving Cancer & Technical Services team. As a senior member, you will gain valuable experience in the clinical management of Oncology and Haematology patients, as well as Technical Services. With diverse rotations covering palliative care, parenteral nutrition, and haematology & oncology, this role offers intellectually stimulating challenges which will enhance your clinical expertise in specialised services and contribute to your professional development. You will also have the chance to hone your managerial and leadership capabilities through various training and support programmes, all with the backing of our exceptional team.

PLEASE NOTE: We may not be able to offer sponsorship for this post

Main duties of the job

This is a rotational post requiring you to work at both Lewisham Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital on a rotational basis, in which you will build on your existing experience in hospital pharmacy, gaining specialist knowledge and experience in the following areas:

• Pharmacy Technical Services (aseptic manufacturing)
• SACT day units (oncology & haem-onc outpatients) liaising directly with the medical and nursing team to deliver a clinical service to patients attending the hospital as day case treatments
• Haemato‑oncology wards (inpatients) – We currently have inpatient beds at both sites where you will provide clinical ward duties as well as participating in the multi‑disciplinary haematology ward rounds working with the medical and nursing teams
• Adult parenteral nutrition – You will gain experience in the provision of clinical parenteral nutrition through ward rounds liaising with dieticians and the medical team
• Community hospice and palliative care – Work in partnership with Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice to provide a clinical pharmacist service, gaining experience in palliative care and patient management

About us

At Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust (LGT), our success is rooted in the collective effort of every individual. Our team has actively contributed to shaping our values, fostering an environment that enhances the well‑being of both patients and staff. Together, we continuously strive for excellence in healthcare.

Interested candidates will have a breadth of clinical experience at a Band 6 level and having provided clinical/technical services to a variety of wards and areas (including, but not essential, cancer services). You must have excellent verbal and written communication skills, a post‑graduate qualification (or working towards one), and be a registered Pharmacist with the UK General Pharmaceutical Council. There will be opportunities for further training and development in this post, including non‑medical prescribing.

Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE

• To provide a high quality, evidence‑based clinical pharmacy service for cancer services, parenteral nutrition and palliative care.
• To work as part of the technical services team ensuring the provision of a responsive, high quality, safe and effective service to the customers of the unit.
• To be named on the Trust register of pharmacists accredited to clinically screen chemotherapy prescriptions.
• To supervise and train pre‑registration and junior pharmacists and other less experienced pharmacy staff.
• To assist in the training of nurses, doctors and other healthcare staff.
• To undertake audits and research as necessary.
• To promote the safe, rational and cost effective use of medicines across the care group.
• To plan own workload and project work in order to develop the service to the specialities.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Internal

Junior and senior medical staff; Pharmacists, technicians, pharmacy assistants, clerical officers and porters within the pharmacy department; Nursing staff; Dietitians; Other health care professionals as appropriate; Patients.

External

Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice; GPs; Community Pharmacists; Patients families and carers.

Key Result Areas & Performance:

Aseptics with Parenteral Nutrition Rotation

• With the senior technician, to plan and organise the day‑to‑day running of the aseptic unit.
• To be an Authorised Pharmacist for the final check and release of products prepared in the aseptic unit, ensuring all facilities, equipment, activities, procedures and documentation meet current legislation and best practice.
• To contribute to the preparation of documentation in accordance with the requirements of Good Manufacturing Practice.
• Apply Good Clinical Practice in the professional supervision and release of IMPs for clinical trials.
• Work as part of the multi‑disciplinary nutrition team for prescribing, monitoring and the clinical management of adult patients on parenteral nutrition.
• Liaise with the chemotherapy day unit to ensure the service meets the needs of patients within the unit.
• To clinically screen chemotherapy prescriptions.
• To deputise for the Lead Pharmacist Aseptic Services, in their absence.

Aseptics with Palliative Care Rotation

• With the senior technician, to plan and organise the day‑to‑day running of the aseptic unit.
• To be an Authorised Pharmacist for the final check and release of products prepared in the aseptic unit, ensuring all facilities, equipment, activities, procedures and documentation meet current legislation and best practice.
• To contribute to the preparation of documentation in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice.
• Apply Good Clinical Practice in the professional supervision and release of IMPs and nIMPs for clinical trials.
• To clinically screen chemotherapy prescriptions.
• To provide a clinical pharmacy service to Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice in accordance with the service level agreement.
• To deputise for the Lead Pharmacist Aseptic Services, in their absence.

Chemotherapy Day Unit Rotation

• To clinically screen chemotherapy prescriptions.
• Contribute to the clinical care of oncology and haemato‑oncology patients treated as outpatients, day cases or inpatients within the Trust.
• Liaise with the chemotherapy day unit to ensure the service meets the needs of patients within the unit.
• To assist in the development of prescribing guidelines, chemotherapy proformas and new treatment evaluations.
• To monitor drug usage against the drug budgets set for directorates, providing financial reports and advice on cost saving measures.
• To deputise for the Lead Pharmacist Cancer Services and Palliative Care, in their absence.

Key Result Areas & Performance:

Leadership & Service Development

• To support the development, implementation and adherence to local and national guidelines/policies to ensure cost‑effective and safe prescribing within the division.
• To collaborate in the development on Integrated Care Pathways and Patient Group Directions within Cancer & Long Term Conditions as necessary.
• To liaise with senior pharmacy staff to ensure the effective provision of Pharmacy Services.

To actively contribute to the management of the drug budget for the division through effective drug use to ensure the most effective use of resources.

• To identify areas of potential cost‑savings within Cancer and Technical Services.
• To educate healthcare professionals on the costs associated with drug therapy and promote the use of evidence based, cost effective prescribing within the division.
• To actively participate in departmental and divisional meetings where appropriate.

Governance, Information & Data Management

• To support the investigation of medication related safety incidents and formulation/delivery of action plans across the Trust to address problems identified where appropriate.
• To promote effective prescribing in the Trust following formulary and NICE guidance.

Staff Management & Training

• To support the education and training of other healthcare professionals.
• To participate and contribute to clinical training programmes at a local and national level e.g. summer students, pharmacy undergraduates.
• To evaluate and develop own management and professional knowledge competencies by attendance to in‑house/external training programmes, self‑education and practice research.
• To undertake CPD to ensure that knowledge is continually updated.
• To be a postgraduate tutor (pre‑registration) for Pharmacy staff as appropriate and required.

Research & Development

• To participate in audit and practice research to investigate, and where appropriate improve the quality of service for patients in the trust.

Communications and Relationships

• To communicate with the multi‑disciplinary healthcare team (doctors, nurses, dieticians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, ward managers, and site practitioners), to intermediate care, general practice support and community pharmacists in the provision of medicine related information and assessment of patients treatment.
• To work with appropriate staff to support development of services and facilitate the implementation of strategies for education and training of staff throughout the Trust.
• To demonstrate good communication skills as the role liaises with a wide variety of people within the Trust, including managers across all directorates, trust risk managers, directorate governance leads, multi‑disciplinary team members and all Pharmacy staff.
• To liaise with external bodies including local CCGs, regional pharmacy services, and necessary pharmacy networks.
• The post‑holder will be required to communicate clearly and sensitively about patient medication issues both internally and externally.
• To provide training on medication related issues, policies, guidelines and service developments to pharmacy colleagues, nursing and medical staff, ranging from one‑on‑one communication to more formal presentations.
• To participate in any other duties as requested by the senior pharmacy managers in keeping with expectations of the grade.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

• B. Pharm / M. Pharm / BSc (Pharmacy) or equivalent
• Professional registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
• Postgraduate Diploma in either Clinical Pharmacy or General Pharmacy Practice (or equivalent) or be able to demonstrate the intention to complete within 12 months of being in post
• Mandatory CPD to maintain fitness to practice.
• BOPA Passport

Experience

• A minimum of 2 years post registration experience in hospital pharmacy
• Demonstrate experience in aseptic services and clinical pharmacy practice
• Supervision and training of others
• Examples of clinical audit and literature evaluations
• A minimum of 3 years post registration experience in hospital pharmacy
• Previous experience delivering formal education and training sessions
• Development of evidence based guidelines.

Knowledge & Skill

• Good communication skills, both written and oral, of specialist clinical information.
• Self‑motivated and ability to motivate others.
• Ability to use own initiative and plan own work.
• Ability to work effectively, positively and calmly under pressure and prioritise workload alone and as part of a team.
• Experience of working within a multi‑disciplinary team.
• Problem‑solving skills.
• Influencing and negotiating skills.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum plus HCAS (pro rata if part‑time)