Advanced Specialist Pharmacist

Duties & Responsibilities for the Advanced Specialist Pharmacist:   

• Strategically and operationally lead, manage and develop the provision of pharmaceutical care and clinical pharmacy services to the Haematology/Oncology day ward and inpatient wards of UPMC Whitfield Hospital.
• Achieve and maintain competence in the use and administration of the Oncology/Haematology clinical information system (ARIA), acting as the Pharmacy lead for operational and training issues relating to this system.
• Be fully conversant with best practice and relevant competency frameworks for the delivery of Oncology/Haematology pharmacy services.
• Review Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) protocols
• Manage the safe and cost-effective entry of new anti-cancer medications on to the hospital formulary, supporting colleagues in Pharmacy and other disciplines with expert advice and education as appropriate.
• Take a lead role in the management of SACT medicine stock shortages
• Assist in the management of expanded access or compassionate use programmes, acting as the first point of contact for Consultant Oncologists and Haematologists tp assist in the preparation of associated submissions to Drugs and Therapeutics Committee.
• Lead and oversee the development and maintenance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) required for procurement, storage, handling, and dispensing of SACT and ensure that these are updated and implemented in line with changing practices locally, nationally and internationally, and in accordance with Pharmacy law.
• Contribute to the provision of medicines information and advice on drug availability and procurement to clinical staff in relation to SACT and associated medicines.
• Oversee the development of SACT information resources for clinical colleagues and patients e.g. patient information leaflets, monographs, policies, procedures, protocols, and guidelines.
• Audit compliance to good clinical practice standards in relation to SACT and associated medicines e.g. with respect to labelling, storage, dispensing, and documentation.
• Develop and compile reports on Key Performance indicators (KPIs) for the Oncology/Haematology Pharmacy service and ensure that these are disseminated to, and actioned by, appropriate stakeholders in a timely manner. These KPIs will include metrics describing capacity, workload, drug costs, quality and medication safety.
• Propose, lead, and manage innovation and technological improvements in the Oncology/Haematology Pharmacy service, preparing and presenting business cases for service development as appropriate.
• Implement and maintain systems to ensure the effective induction and on-going training of all Pharmacy staff in the Oncology/Haematology Pharmacy service.
• Supervise and line manage staff within the Oncology/Haematology Pharmacy service.
• Support Pharmacy colleagues in enhancing their skills and assuming additional and advanced responsibilities.
• As agreed with the Chief Pharmacist, manage performance of Pharmacy team members against measured and reported competency and performance metrics.
• Participate in the performance review and appraisal process as required.

Qualifications & Experience for the Advanced Specialist Pharmacist

• Be registered with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland or be entitled to be so registered.
• Have at last 4 years satisfactory post-registration hospital experience.
• Possess the requisite specialised knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and management ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the role.
• Significant, proven post-registration hospital practice experience, with a broad clinical pharmacy experience and experience of line management.
• Experience in working within an Aseptic Compounding Unit and/or haematology/oncology unit(s).
• Previous experience of working within Cancer specialties at a senior level.
• Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development and role-specific learning.

Desirable Criteria forthe Advanced Specialist Pharmacist

• Formal management and leadership training or equivalent experience in management, training and supervision of Pharmacy staff.
• Experience of Good Clinical Practice
• A further qualification such as a post-graduate diploma or MSc in Clinical Pharmacy.