Specialist Pharmacist – Cancer & Aseptics B7 (Attracts 5,000 RRP)

Transformationunitgm; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

An established healthcare provider is seeking a dedicated Specialist Pharmacist for Aseptic Services. This role involves delivering high-quality clinical pharmacy services to patients in cancer care, including both inpatient and outpatient settings. You will play a crucial role in supporting the Cancer Services team, ensuring compliance with good manufacturing practices, and managing pharmaceutical quality systems. The position offers opportunities for professional development, including funding for further qualifications. Join a dynamic team at a leading hospital and make a significant impact on patient care.

Benefits

Flexible Working

Relocation Allowance

Recruitment & Retention Premium

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience as a pharmacist in the UK with clinical knowledge.
• Experience in aseptic preparation and chemotherapy.
• Ability to supervise junior staff and engage in audits.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality clinical pharmacy services for cancer patients.
• Screen prescriptions for systemic anti-cancer therapy.
• Participate in audits and quality improvement projects.

Skills

Clinical Pharmacy Knowledge

Aseptic Preparation

Communication Skills

Audit Skills

Supervision of Staff

Education

Master’s Degree in Pharmacy

Current Registration with General Pharmaceutical Council

Post Graduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy

Tools

ARIA Electronic Prescribing System

Job description

Main area Specialist Pharmacist - Aseptic Services Grade NHS AfC: Band 7 Contract Permanent: This post will attract a Recruitment & Retention Premia (RRP) totalling £5,000, payable upon appointment Hours

• Full time
• Flexible working

37.5 hours per week Job ref 216-AH-C7086733

Employer University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust Employer type NHS Site Derriford Hospital Town Plymouth Salary £46,148 - £52,809 Per Annum Salary period Yearly Closing 22/05/2025 23:59

NHS AfC: Band 7

Job overview

If you are an enthusiastic, motivated pharmacist eager to advance your career & specialise in cancer or aseptic services, we would love to hear from you.

The role involves supporting the Cancer Services team to deliver a specialist Pharmacy Service to patients receiving systemic anti-cancer treatments in both inpatient & outpatient settings across solid tumours & haematological malignancies, including our diverse cancer clinical trials. As an integral part of the pharmacy team, you will receive training in aseptic services, clinical trials, & paediatric cancer treatment for a holistic experience.

You will support the Accountable pharmacist and be a key part of the team as the department moves to new aseptic facilities. Your role will involve checking and releasing aseptically prepared products and managing the Pharmaceutical Quality Systems to ensure compliance with good manufacturing practice.

Depending on your career stage, a diploma, PTQA, or independent prescribing qualification will be funded. Practice research is also encouraged in this role.

This post will attract a Recruitment & Retention Premia (RRP) totalling £5,000, payable upon appointment, (covering 36 months of service) in addition to a relocation allowance (subject to eligibility). The RRP is for external candidates only & is pro rata for part time employees.

If you would like further information, or to know the full terms of the RRP &/or the Relocation Allowance, please contact [e-mail]

Main duties of the job

• This post holder will be responsible for the provision and development of high-quality patient focused clinical pharmacy services for patients within Cancer Services.

• To promote the safe, rational, cost-effective use of medicines within the Haematology/Oncology.

• Screen systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) prescriptions for both inpatients and outpatients on the ARIA electronic prescribing system.

• Be a key team member of the cancer services pharmacy team, acting as team leader for the ward-based pharmacy team in the absence of advanced specialist or lead pharmacist.

• Working closely with the Specialist Pharmacist for Aseptic Services in the absence of Accountable Pharmacy, Deputy Accountable Pharmacy or Aseptic Services Manager, deputising for the Accountable Pharmacist, taking responsibility for the preparation of medicines under Section 10 of the Medicines Act 1968 as well as fulfilling any delegated responsibilities.

• Participate in the Cancer and Aseptic Services on-call and out of hours service on a rotational basis.

• Undertake teaching and clinical supervision of pharmacy staff and other healthcare employees.

• Undertake audits and engage with Quality Improvement and practice research projects.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Working for our organisation

University Hospitals Plymouth (UHP) NHS is the largest hospital on the Southwest Peninsula providing comprehensive secondary and tertiary care to a population of around 2,000,000 people who can access our
specialist services including bone marrow transplant, sarcoma surgery and hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancer surgery (not exhaustive) and the regional trauma Centre.

UHP is a large tertiary centre, with an expanding clinical trial portfolio across cancer services. We hold JACIE accreditation for Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) and are currently going through the onboarding process as one of NHS England’s Wave 3 CAR-T centres.

You will be joining the team at an exciting time of change where you will be able to input your ideas into developing our services, including the integration of pharmacist non-medical prescribers in both the inpatient and outpatient setting. The Pharmacy team are considered an integral member of the multidisciplinary team supporting services alongside a team of clinicians, nurse specialists and other allied healthcare professionals.

From September 2024, the highly-ranked University of Bath MPharm degree will be available to study at the University of Plymouth. There will be opportunities for pharmacist colleagues to participate in these educational activities, with the potential for more formal roles with the University of Bath in the future.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Responsible to the B8a Advanced Specialist Pharmacist Cancer Services / Lead Pharmacist for cancer services to provide highly specialist clinical pharmacy services to haematology/oncology in-patients, day case and outpatients.
• Responsible to the B8a Advanced Specialist Pharmacist Aseptic Services pharmacist and Aseptic Services Manager for the delivery of the pharmacy aseptic service to patients within all care areas that require the provision.
• Responsible to the Advanced Specialist(s) or Lead pharmacist for cancer services for the delivery of clinical pharmacy services to patients within haematology and oncology care areas.
• Work as a member of the cancer services pharmacy team pharmacy team providing specialist clinical pharmacy services to haematology/oncology in-patients, day case and outpatients.
• Support the Lead Pharmacist Women’s and Childrens / Advanced Specialist Pharmacist Paediatrics & Women’s service in the delivery of safe treatment for paediatric haematology and oncology patients.
• Be on the Trust register for the final product approval (release) of intrathecal preparations from the Pharmacy Department in line with Department of Health guidelines and Trust Policy.
• To support introduction of new SACT protocols onto the approved protocol list in a timely fashion ensuring all appropriate safety and governance processes are followed.
• Support the senior pharmacists and Aseptic Services Manager within both cancer services and aseptic services pharmacy team in developing, monitoring and reporting on drug expenditure and medicines budget.
• Work as a member of both the cancer services aseptic services pharmacy team.
• To act as an Authorised Pharmacist and take professional responsibility for the provision of sterile and non-sterile pharmaceuticals prepared under Exemption 10 of the Medicines Act 1968.
• Authorise, in conjunction with the Aseptic Services Manager and Specialist Pharmacist Aseptics, standard operating procedures for use in Aseptic Services.
• Authorise, in conjunction with the Aseptic Services Manager and Specialist Pharmacist Aseptics, manufacturing worksheets and labels for new products prior to their manufacture ensuring the following have been properly considered:
• Clinical suitability of the preparation
• Formulation
• Stability of the final product
• Storage
• Administration
• Presentation
• Monitoring
• Potential Problems
• Ensure appropriate change control processes are followed and authorise changes to any existing product/process or the implementation of any new product or process.
• Assist the Aseptic Services Manager and Specialist Pharmacist Aseptics with the management of “out of specifications” and product/process deviations relating to Aseptic Services.
• Supports the Accountable Pharmacist / Deputy Accountable/ Aseptic Services Manager and Lead/ Advanced Specialist pharmacists Cancer Services to manage, lead and co-ordinate pharmacy team including junior pharmacists and technicians in the provision of a safe, effective and efficient pharmacy aseptic service in accordance with local and national standards and strategy and to ensure all members of the pharmacy team are trained and competent for their roles.
• To complete aseptic verification of worksheets where appropriate
• Assist and support with the running and maintenance of the Pharmaceutical Quality Management System (QMS), internal and external audits.
• Supervise the preparation of medicinal products made under section 10 of the medicines act 1968 and ensure compliance with ‘Quality Assurance of Aseptic Preparation Services’ to provide products that are fit for their intended use:
• Ensure the initial check and preparation of medicinal products is undertaken according to local procedures.
• Undertake the final check for these products taking responsibility for the final product approval (release) of medicinal products to the patient.
• Act as an advisor to all staff if support or intervention is required.
• Ensure that safe and effective systems of work are followed within the unit in compliance with the COSHH (1988) Regulations.
• Assist in the validation and maintenance of computer programmes and systems used in named-patient preparation processes e.g. EMIS
• Assist in ensuring the department is fully compliant with the requirements associated with the regulation of clinical trials in the provision of aseptic products for clinical trials.
• To act as a role model and mentor for junior pharmacists, trainee pharmacists, technicians and Pharmacy Support Assistants.
• To work towards practicing as an independent prescriber.
• To engage with Quality Improvement and practice research.
• To support senior pharmacists in writing and reviewing policies, procedures and guidelines relevant to medicines and pharmacy practice within both cancer and Aseptic Services.
• Liaise with the aseptic services senior team in the development of products and services and future strategy.
• Ensure that expertise within your area is seen as a resource within and outside the Trust and form working partnerships with other health and social care service providers.
• Recommendation of appropriate therapy for individual patients where evidence is not available, controversial evidence exists or other professionals may challenge advice.
• Promote compliance by prescribers and other healthcare staff with local/national policies and the South and West Devon Formulary.
• Manage day to day medicines queries related to the aseptic services provision.
• Liaise with all levels of healthcare staff, patients and carers in all areas of work
• Analysis, interpretation and monitoring of clinical data including drug levels, U&E’s, blood counts and microbiological sensitivities to guide diagnosis and drug therapy related to the service provision.
• Provide education and training to all healthcare professionals including medical students.
• Pharmacists are expected to work largely unsupervised and to act on their own professional judgement supported by policies and guidelines.

Person specification

Knowledge and Experience

• Relevant post-registration demonstrable experience as a pharmacist in UK and broad proven knowledge base of clinical areas
• Proven good general pharmaceutical, technical & clinical knowledge
• Previous demonstrable experience in an aseptic preparation workplace, which may have included the preparation of chemotherapy or parenteral nutrition
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and able to communicate effectively with clinical staff, patients and relatives.
• Able to prioritise work and work well within a busy environment
• Audit skills
• Able to supervise and guide the work of less experienced members of staff
• A proven understanding of pharmacy interfaces and current NHS drivers affecting these
• Demonstrable experience of clinical/technical supervision of junior staff
• Completed clinical rotations in Medicine, Surgery, Medicines Information Aseptics and Cancer Services
• Demonstrable Supervision and management experience
• Critical appraisal skills

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree (or equivalent) in Pharmacy.
• Current registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council
• Non-medical prescriber (or must be willing to undertake this when requested)
• Post Graduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy or Equivalent
• Working towards a Post graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent e.g., PTQA (must have certificate level)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Pharmacy Practice or working towards equivalent qualification e.g. PTQA
• Further clinical, research or management qualification
• Current registration with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
• Member of the British Oncology Pharmacy Association (BOPA) or equivalent pharmacist specialist interest group

Aptitude and Abilities

• Good communication skills, written and verbal, with ability to demonstrate fluency, clarity and effectiveness at all levels.
• Demonstrate potential management ability
• Proven knowledge and understanding of financial issues

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY INCLUDING YOUR JUNK FOLDER.

If you need support with the online application process or require reasonable adjustments with the application and/or interview process please contact the Recruiting Manager for this post.

We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants about less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. We recommend contacting the manager of the role prior to applying and we commit to giving requests full consideration.

We welcome and encourage applicants who identify with all protected characteristics to apply for our roles. We believe that diversity strengthens our teams and improves our patients' experience. At UHP we aim to create an inclusive workplace and hospital where everyone feels they belong and included .

It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Providing false information is an offence & could result in the application being rejected or summary dismissal/police action if an applicant is successful.

Please note that if you are successful in your application & accept the position you agree that the Staff Health and Wellbeing Department can access your health records from your current/previous employer in order to check the status of your inoculations & screening tests. This is an automated process & the information will only be used for these purposes prior to your taking up the position with us.

For Doctors Roles:

Unsolicited CVs and Candidate Profiles/Details
University Hospitals Plymouth has a commitment to sourcing candidates directly and as such we do not accept speculative CVs from agencies.

We do, however, work with a defined list of preferred HTE Framework suppliers who may be invited to support us in sourcing candidates for particular roles.

In line with our preferred supplier list, we only pay agency fees where we have a signed agreement in place and an agency has been instructed by a member of the Trust’s Medical Workforce team.

We do not pay agency fees where speculative and unsolicited CVs are submitted to the Trust or Trust employees by any other means than the official route above. Where this is not observed the Trust reserves the right to contact these candidates directly and initiate discussions without payment of any agency fee.

Any candidate details (whether written or spoken) or CVs that are referred directly will not constitute an introduction. The Trust will under no circumstances be responsible for any recruitment fees in relation to these contacts.

Submission of any unsolicited CVs, candidate’s details and/or proposals to the Trust will not be considered further and will be deemed evidence of full and unlimited acceptance of this Agency Protocol.

In order to establish and maintain good working relationships with the Trust’s agency suppliers, we ask that this Protocol is adhered to and thank you for your co-operation.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name Katy Munro Job title Lead Pharmacist - Cancer Services Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 01752 439977 Additional information

For an informal discussion or to arrange a site visit please contact Katy Munro, Lead Pharmacist Cancer Services [e-mail] or Lukasz Kopocinski, Advanced Specialist Pharmacist Aseptic Services & Deputy Accountable Pharmacist [e-mail]