Branch: Belfast HSCT
Location: Tower Block
Salary: Band 7 (£47,810 - £54,710)
Contract Type: Permanent

Job Summary / Main Purpose
The person appointed will join the regional cancer pharmacy team and be responsible for supporting the provision, maintenance and development of the Regional Information System for Oncology and Haematology (RISOH) across Northern Ireland. The post holder will contribute to the safe, effective and efficient use of medicines within oncology and haematology services through supporting electronic prescribing, protocol management, medicines governance and system development activities. They will work collaboratively with pharmacy, medical, nursing and information technology colleagues to ensure the safe operation and ongoing optimisation of RISOH.

Periodically, for business continuity purposes and ensuring service delivery, you may be required to work, within your sphere of competence, on other pharmacy sites within the Trust.

Main Duties / Responsibilities
For each of the following, the post holder will;

Clinical and Technical

• Support the maintenance and development of the clinical elements of RISOH in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and relevant regional groups.
• Apply specialist pharmaceutical knowledge to support the clinical safety and accuracy of the electronic prescribing functions within RISOH.
• Participate in the build, review, testing and validation of chemotherapy and systemic anti-cancer treatment (SACT) regimens within the electronic prescribing system.
• Support the maintenance and updating of regional SACT protocols, clinical management guidelines and medicines-related content within RISOH.
• Maintain and update drug files, regimen libraries and regionally standardised components of the electronic prescribing and aseptic dispensing modules.
• Assist in the identification, reporting and management of risks associated with electronic prescribing and medicines management systems.
• Provide specialist pharmaceutical advice to healthcare professionals on matters relating to electronic prescribing, cancer medicines and use of RISOH.
• Participate in testing of software upgrades, system enhancements and new functionality and contribute to clinical test plans.
• Support the development, implementation and review of standard operating procedures relating to electronic prescribing and medicines management systems.
• Contribute to medicines governance activities including audit, quality improvement initiatives, data validation and service evaluation projects.
• Participate in the provision of clinical pharmacy services to oncology and haematology patients in accordance with relevant regional and Trust standards where required.
• Where appropriate, and with the appropriate qualifications, act as an Independent Pharmacist Prescriber within an agreed area of competence.

Management and Leadership

• Act as a Responsible Pharmacist when required.
• Assist in the implementation of regional and local developments relating to cancer medicines electronic prescribing and medicines optimisation.
• Demonstrate effective prioritisation and management of workload to meet agreed objectives and project deadlines.
• Contribute to service improvement initiatives and support the implementation of new technologies and ways of working.
• Provide support, guidance and informal supervision to junior pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and other staff as appropriate.
• Participate in recruitment and selection processes for pharmacy staff when required.
• Represent pharmacy services at relevant local and regional meetings as delegated by senior pharmacists.

Educational Responsibilities

• Assist in the development and delivery of training programmes relating to RISOH, electronic prescribing and cancer medicines management for pharmacy, medical and nursing staff.
• Support induction and training of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, foundation pharmacists and other healthcare professionals.
• Develop and maintain educational resources, guidance documents and user support materials for RISOH users.
• Provide medicines information and education to healthcare professionals as appropriate.
• Undertake continual professional development and maintain a CPD portfolio in accordance with Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland requirements.
• Participate in mandatory training and education requirements of the Trust and Pharmacy Service.

Other Duties

• Maintain required standards of appearance and dress.
• Maintain all necessary records and documentation in accordance with Trust policies, information governance requirements and pharmacy procedures.
• Support management of system downtime procedures, contingency arrangements and business continuity plans relating to RISOH.
• Assist with analysis, validation and reporting of prescribing and medicines management data where required.
• Participate in dispensary duties where required.
• Participate in extended hours, weekend, bank holiday and on-call services in accordance with departmental rotas.
• Support the Trust in its drive for seven-day working to best suit the needs of patients.
• Pharmacy Services are provided from a number of locations across the Belfast Trust and you will be required to work from any of those Trust sites during the Saturday, EHS or On-call service.
• The duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description are neither definitive nor restrictive and may be modified to meet changing service needs.

General Responsibilities
Employees of the Trust are required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible and:

• At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner.
• Promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency. The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with Belfast Trust's Whistleblowing Policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.
• Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them.
• Comply with the Trust's Smoke Free Policy.
• Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with the Health and Safety Policies and Statutory Regulations.
• Adhere to Equality and Good Relations duties throughout the course of their employment.
• Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in-service provision.
• Maintain high standards of personal accountability.
• Comply with the HPSS Code of Conduct.

Information Governance
All employees of Belfast Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including e-mails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004, the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant and to comply with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust policies on Information Governance including for example the ICT Security Policy, Data Protection Policy and Records Management Policy and to seek advice if in doubt.

For further information on how we use your personal data within HR, please refer to the Privacy Notice available on the HUB or Your HR.

Environmental Cleaning Strategy
The Trust's Environmental Cleaning Strategy recognizes the key principle that "Cleanliness matters is everyone's responsibility, not just the cleaners" Whilst there are staff employed who are responsible for cleaning services, all Trust staff have a responsibility to ensure a clean, comfortable, safe environment for patients, clients, residents, visitors, staff and members of the general public.

Infection Prevention and Control
The Belfast Trust is committed to reducing Healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and all staff have a part to play in making this happen. Staff must comply with all policies in relation to Infection Prevention and Control and with ongoing reduction strategies. Standard Infection Prevention and Control Precautions must be used at all times to ensure the safety of patients and staff.
This includes:-

• Cleaning hands either with soap and water or a hand sanitiser at the appropriate times (WHO '5 moments');
• Using the correct '7 step' hand hygiene technique;
• Being 'bare below the elbows' when in a clinical environment;
• Following Trust policies and the Regional Infection Control Manual (found on intranet);
• Wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE);
• Ensuring correct handling and disposal of waste (including sharps) and laundry;
• Ensuring all medical devices (equipment) are decontaminated appropriately i.e. cleaned, disinfected and/or sterilised;
• Ensuring compliance with High Impact Interventions.

Personal Public Involvement
Staff members are expected to involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community were relevant, in developing, planning and delivering our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust's ongoing commitment to Personal Public Involvement (PPI).

Please use the link below to access the PPI standards leaflet for further information.

Clause: This job description is not meant to be definitive and may be amended to meet the changing needs of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.

Essential Criteria
M.Pharm. or equivalent.
Be a member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland or eligible for membership.
Have both 18 months post registration experience as a qualified Hospital Pharmacist AND have completed and passed a recognised Foundation Programme or equivalent qualification.
Be able to respond to an emergency call within 30 minutes under normal travelling conditions and have access to transport in order to respond.
Highly computer literate; highly developed communication and interpersonal skills; good organisational and time-management skills; evidence of team working and building strong relationships.

Desirable Criteria
Experience of electronic prescribing systems e.g. RISOH; confidence, enthusiasm and a high degree of self-motivation; experience of delivering education and training programmes.