Job Title: Advanced Specialist Pharmacist -Oncology Department: Pharmacy Reports to: Head of Pharmacy Services, Head of Pharmacy Cancer Services Date: **** Overall Purpose of Job The purpose of this role is to lead on delivering medicines optimisation, supporting the development of Oncology Pharmacy Services at Beacon Hospital, in order to enhance pharmaceutical care to the patients of Beacon Hospital, in accordance with the mission, values, vision and strategic plan of the Hospital.
The ASP will have responsibility for pharmacy services to oncology and haematology patients providing a high level of expertise, competence and performance within this specialty.
They will provide patient-facing advice on medicines optimisation and liaise with the multi-disciplinary oncology team.
The role will also involve working within the oncology pharmacy and aseptic unit as a clinical oncology pharmacist.
The post-holder will demonstrate professional leadership within their designated clinical area through effective communication with other clinical practitioners, motivation of staff and challenging barriers to change.
Key Responsibilities and Deliverables The Advanced Specialist Pharmacist practices to a high level of capability across six domains of advanced practice aligned with International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Advanced Level II in the specialist area of practice.
The six domains of advanced practice are defined as follows: Expert Professional Knowledge Working with Others Leadership Management Education, Training and Development Research and Evaluation In conjunction with the Head of Pharmacy Cancer Services: Expert Professional Knowledge Lead and support medicines optimisation as part of a multidisciplinary team within oncology and haematology.
Deliver a specialised level of clinical input using advanced theoretical and practical knowledge oncology, also demonstrating high level of knowledge in other areas so as to take relevant co-morbidities into account when making treatment decisions commensurate with the grade.
Provide specialised medication related advice.
This will include individualised advice on medication dosing, drug choice, administration, drug level monitoring and dose adjustment, the use of unlicensed medicines, the use of medicines outside the terms of their product authorisation and advice on the safety and storage of medications.
Provide medicines information and advice to patients and work with patients in order to support adherence to prescribed treatments.
Contribute to the organisation's wider antimicrobial stewardship programme.
Contribute to pharmaceutical initiatives to ensure the optimisation of patient safety initiatives including those which help with the seamless transfer of patients between different healthcare settings.
Be cognisant of and advise appropriately of regulations (Medicinal Products, Prescription and Control of Supply and Misuse of Drugs Regulations), as applicable to their area of speciality.
Working with others Act as a professional resource within oncology for advising other pharmacists and other healthcare professionals in the organisation.
Liaise with all healthcare staff, patients and carers in all areas of work.
Develop good working relationships and communications with all staff in the oncology multidisciplinary team, providing a link regarding all aspects of pharmacy service and medicines optimisation.
Use available information to ensure the most appropriate and cost-effective choice of therapy.
Leadership Promote and lead in the development and delivery of best practice standards.
Provide effective clinical leadership to the oncology pharmacy team by working with other clinical leaders.
Act as a role model to pharmacists, technicians, pharmacy students and all other members of the multidisciplinary team, working as a pharmacist expert in the area of specialty and networking with peers in other organisations.
Management Ensure the safe use of medicines by evaluating and managing risks associated with the use of medicines and by participating in the hospital's Medicines Safety reporting process.
Ensure the cost-effective use of medicines.
Contribute to formulary development and implementation.
Manage and professionally supervise other pharmacy staff assigned to oncology.
Lead and/ or contribute to the development and implementation of SOPs, guidelines, protocols etc. relevant to oncology.
Continually monitor the service to ensure it reflects current needs.
Optimise the potential of pharmacy resources, skills and knowledge through monitoring and evaluation, underpinned by research and professional development within oncology.
Implement and manage identified changes.
Contribute to the service planning process.
Actively participate in risk management issues, identify risks and take responsibility for appropriate action.
Report and manage any adverse incidents in accordance with organisational guidelines.
Under the direction of their line manager, investigate critical incidents within their designated areas of responsibility and work with the multidisciplinary team to identify and implement preventative and corrective solutions in order to improve patient care.
Be aware of, contribute to, and implement agreed policies, procedures and safe professional practice by adhering to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.
Participate in individual performance review.
Maintain records according to local and statutory requirements.
Participate in continuing education and research activities consistent with the post.
Ensure best practice and compliance with agreed clinical guidelines.
Ensure that all departmental and hospital wide Health and Safety protocols and procedures are adhered to and all areas of non-compliance are promptly addressed.
Performance of such other duties appropriate to the post, including on call and the participation in extended opening rosters including weekend opening and other such services that may from time to time be introduced by the Head of Pharmacy Services Oncology Pharmacy Service: To be responsible for the safe and effective operation of the clinical pharmacy service for oncology and haematology out-patients and daycase patients Quality Ensure that the oncology pharmacy service is analysed and optimised by undertaking regular clinical/technical audits in relation usage and capacity.
Participate in JCI Accreditation and adherence to standards and hospital-wide quality management programmes.
Ensure appropriate change management and governance is applied to all decision-making processes related to chemotherapy.
Use accurate data to demonstrate activity and report medication events.
Carry-out risk assessments and effect change in a timely manner, where patient safety could be compromised.
Contribute to hospital -wide quality reports Lead the process of developing protocols and guidelines designed to deliver optimal and economical patient care.
Report all medication incidents in a timely fashion, via the approved reporting system and participates in any remedial actions that are designated the responsibility of the pharmacy department.
Clinical Ward/Clinic based: Maintains competence in current Clinical service delivery, in order to facilitate the implementation and continued clinical application of E-Prescribing.
Participates in ward and clinical pharmacy services and provides advice to ensure safe and cost-effective prescribing and drug expenditure control.
Undertakes Medicines reconciliation of patients to ensure continuity of their medication and identifies chemotherapy drug interactions.
Monitors prescriptions for clinical accuracy and cost-effective prescribing.
Assesses the patient's response to therapy, interprets blood results, and depending on their clinical parameters either adjusts drug doses in accordance with local procedures or advises the clinicians appropriately.
Advises on therapeutic drug monitoring as appropriate to ensure patients receive optimum and effective treatment.
Monitors and reports Adverse Drug Reactions that patients experience as a result of their medication in line with national guidance.
Records clinical interventions and activities in line with local policy Act as a clinical role model and demonstrate the ability to provide safe, clinically effective and cost-efficient use of medicines for junior pharmacists Develop and demonstrate expert clinical knowledge in appropriate areas.
Training and Development Participates in in-service training and continuing education programmes within the department Undertake continuous professional development and develop professional knowledge and competencies.
Identify own training needs and provide evidence of maintaining and updating specialist and general pharmacy knowledge.
Participate in mandatory training programmes.
Develop, support and assist in the training of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy students in oncology as appropriate.
Develop and/or deliver teaching sessions for NCHDs, nurses and/ or HSCPs in relation to medication in oncology.
Participate in education and training in an external environment as required by the Head of Pharmacy Services This may include having teaching responsibility in universities.
Lead and Contribute to audit and quality improvement initiatives.
Actively promote the implementation of evidence-based practice within oncology and/or organisation.
Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to contribute to research and its application within the area of speciality and/or organisation.
Presentation of research or evaluation findings at research or professional symposium.
Flexibility The above indicates the main duties of the post, which may be reviewed in the light of experience and developments within the service.
This post requires a high level of flexibility to ensure the delivery of an effective and efficient service.
Therefore, the post holder will be required to demonstrate flexibility as and when required by their manager.
Person Specification ESSENTIAL/DESIRABLE Qualifications Be registered with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland.
Diploma/MSc in pharmacy practice (clinical).
Further Qualification such as a Diploma or M.Sc.
in Clinical Pharmacy, Business, Risk Management, Managerial qualification etc.
Experience 4 years post registration hospital experience, of which at least 2 years must be in the relevant specialty demonstrating the required level of specialist practice Excellent working knowledge of: - Pharmacy training and education issues - Managing, supervising and training staff - Clinical Pharmacy - Financial control, including financial reporting on drug usage and drug consumption - Change management and change processes - Risk management and medication safety - Experience of hospital interdisciplinary committees, including actioning outcomes - Service management experience -Experience of interdisciplinary team management in the hospital environment.
- Experience of Project management Skills Abilities Ability to plan, manage and implement pharmacy projects.
Can prioritise workload.
Collaborate with Pharmacy management and other hospital departments to ensure delivery of an effective pharmacy service.
Monitor and maintain health, safety and security of self and others Train and lead team of skilled staff Create, promote and maintain open communications and healthy working relationships Experience in the process of developing protocols and guidelines Experience in training and leading a team of skilled staff.
Personal Competencies Is self-motivated and committed towards quality service provision.
Can motivate others.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Has an inherent person-centred philosophy which is respectful and assertive towards clients, staff and other contacts.
Enjoys working as part of a team.
Is honest and trustworthy.
Is accurate.
Is computer literate.
This job description is intended to be an outline of the areas of responsibility and deliverables at the time of its writing.
As the Hospital and the post holder develop, this job description may be subject to review in light of the changing needs of the Hospital.