Advanced Specialist Clinical Pharmacist - Oncology, Band 8a
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Advanced Specialist Clinical Pharmacist Oncology, Band 8a
We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic patient-oriented clinical pharmacist who embraces the challenge of working in a busy environment as part of a multi-disciplinary team, is keen to further develop their prescribing and clinical skills, focused on delivering high-quality pharmaceutical care to patients.
With this post, you will join a supportive and friendly cancer services pharmacy team, and be provided with numerous opportunities for personal and professional development. This post is a permanent position (1 WTE) and we welcome both full-time and part-time applicants.
For further details or to arrange an informal visit, please contact Sue Watts - Lead Pharmacist Cancer Services (sue.watts@nhs.net).
Weekend and Bank Holiday working as required by the department.
Main duties of the job
The post-holder(s) will be a Pharmacist Independent Prescriber, and:
1. Provide a specialist level patient-facing clinical service to a defined caseload of patients prescribing SACT and supportive treatments.
2. Develop the provision of advanced clinical pharmacy and non-medical prescribing services - promoting safe, evidenced-based practice and contributing to improved clinical outcomes, operational efficiencies, and services to patients.
3. Screen complex prescriptions for SACT medicines and supervise junior staff to do so.
4. Counsel patients on complex medication.
As a member of the wider clinical pharmacy team, the post-holder(s) will be required to provide a clinical pharmacy service within Cancer Services, as required by the department. The post-holder(s) would be responsible for:
1. Reviewing prescriptions to ensure they are legal, safe, cost-effective, clinically necessary, appropriate, accurate, and complete.
2. Undertaking medicines optimisation and reconciliation.
3. Delivering high-quality pharmaceutical care, improving patient safety and patient flow.
Participation in pharmacy department late night, weekend, and bank holiday rotas will be required at Cheltenham General Hospital. Based on the needs of the service, the post-holder(s) will be required to work at both the Cheltenham General and Hereford County Hospital sites.
About us
The pharmacy department has approximately 240 staff on 2 sites - Cheltenham and Gloucester.
The pharmacy cancer services team is an integral part of the multi-disciplinary Gloucestershire Cancer Institute.
Within the Pharmacy department at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHSFT, we are committed to supporting the South West Inclusive Pharmacy Practice manifesto, creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.
We welcome applications from all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or socioeconomic background.
If you require any adjustments or support during the application process or in the workplace, please let us know. We are here to ensure that all candidates and employees can contribute fully and thrive in their roles.
Join us in making a difference—together, we can build a workplace that celebrates diverse perspectives and experiences.
Job responsibilities
The postholder will work within the cancer services team to:
1. Provide a specialist level patient-facing clinical service to a defined caseload of patients prescribing SACT and supportive treatments.
2. Develop the provision of advanced clinical pharmacy and non-medical prescribing services promoting safe, evidenced-based practice and contributing to improved clinical outcomes, operational efficiencies, and services to patients.
3. Screen complex prescriptions for SACT medicines and supervise junior staff to do so.
4. Advise prescribers on funding criteria.
5. Request, review, and monitor lab results and other relevant investigations.
6. Counsel patients on complex medication.
7. Respond to medication-related questions from other members of the MDT.
8. Review and write policies and procedures as required.
As a member of the wider clinical pharmacy team, the post-holder(s) will be required to provide general pharmacist duties within the department and to other clinical specialties as the service requires. This would involve provision of a ward clinical pharmacy service. The post-holder(s) would be responsible for:
1. Reviewing prescriptions to ensure they are legal, safe, cost-effective, clinically necessary, appropriate, accurate, and complete.
2. Undertaking medicines optimisation and reconciliation.
3. Arranging for drugs to be supplied to a patient, ward, or department.
Participation in pharmacy department late night, weekend, and bank holiday rotas will be required. Based on the needs of the service and at the discretion of the Associate Pharmacy Directors, the post-holder(s) may be required to work at both the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and Cheltenham General Hospital sites.
Person Specification
Qualifications, Experience and Skills
* Active registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
* UK recognised Degree in Pharmacy.
* Qualified as a Pharmacist Independent Prescriber.
* Significant clinical experience working in a UK hospital at band 7 level equivalent or above, covering a wide range of duties.
* Experience delivering and developing a clinical pharmacy service.
* Evidence of significant personal development, professionally and managerially.
* Extensive knowledge of medicines optimisation acquired through Postgraduate Clinical Pharmacy Diploma or equivalent experience or training.
* Self-motivated, able to use initiative & prioritise workload as well as work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
* Excellent communication skills, both oral and written. Able to produce a range of written documents, including drug usage reports, SOPs, policies, and guidelines.
* Excellent interpersonal skills. Able to challenge inappropriate prescribing and influence prescribing decisions of all healthcare professionals including senior medical colleagues.
* Able to effectively and appropriately escalate concerns to reduce risk & promote safety.
* Proficient in IT and applications including Word, Excel, Outlook.
* Adaptable to the changing needs of the service including flexible working patterns (e.g. weekend working and working at both sites) and capable of working in a demanding environment with frequent interruptions.
* Has a responsive, solution-focused approach to addressing issues and barriers.
* Able to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and ensure a stakeholder-focused response.
* Positive and enthusiastic about the area of work and achieving results.
* Demonstrate Trust values of Caring, Listening, and Excelling within the role and act as a role model to junior colleagues.
* Reliable, polite, and approachable.
* Awareness of professional and personal limitations, and willing to seek advice and support where necessary.
* Health assessment skills qualification.
* Identify and implement measures to improve cost-effective prescribing.
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.
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working.
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