Head Of Pharmacy Cancer Services

Job Description   Job Title: Head of Pharmacy Cancer Services Department: Pharmacy Reports to: Head of Pharmacy Services Date: 2025   Overall Purpose of Job The purpose of the role is -      Lead for Pharmacy Cancer services, with delegated responsibility for Aseptic Services, Clinical Oncology, Palliative Care, and Clinical Trials within the service.
-      To identify and implement operational processes to the standards of best practice in order to optimise use of resources and ensure compliance with statutory requirements.
-      To support the Head of Pharmacy Services in the governance of medicines management within the Hospital.
-      To participate and lead in governance agenda for Pharmacy Cancer Services medicines management, pharmacy practice, risk management of relevant issues from the Hospital risk register and other clinical governance concerns as may be identified.
-      To contribute to the enhancement of professional leadership by Pharmacy within the Hospital and other services, through effective communication, motivation and by challenging barriers to change.  -      To work with the Pharmacy Management team to recruit, train and lead a skilled Pharmacy Department team, creating and promoting healthy working relationships.
-      To work with the Head of Pharmacy Services to ensure that Pharmacy Cancer services are prioritised in line with available resources.
-      To deputise for the Head of Pharmacy Services in their short-term absence.
    Key Responsibilities and Deliverables The post holder will: -      Lead on Pharmacy Cancer service planning and monitoring.
Drive change where required as identified and agreed with the Head of Pharmacy Services.
-      Under the direction of the Head of Pharmacy Service, work in collaboration with relevant hospital-based pharmacy stakeholders and wider hospital community to develop, implement and monitor of medicines management policies.
-      Work with clinical, scientific and nursing staff on the maintenance and development of new methods of evidence-based Cancer treatments.
-      Contribute to the local clinical and corporate governance agendas, with special emphasis on medicines management, contributing to an assured system for the synthesis of relevant medicines policies, their implementation, monitoring and ongoing audit and governance arrangements for the delivery of a safe and effective hospital pharmacy service.
-      Work with the Head of Pharmacy Services to ensure processes are in place to provide safe supply of clinically indicated medicines when needed both in and out of core working hours.
-      Provide advice and direction to medical and other clinical staff and patients in relation to safe and effective pharmaceutical care of patients and patient groups.
-      Ensures compliance with medicines legislation and accountability for service delivery.
-      Participate on the hospital's Drugs and Therapeutics Committee, and other relevant committees as required by the Head of Pharmacy Services with a focus on the operational implications of decisions on Pharmacy.
-      Participate in creating and influencing the strategic development of the hospital.
-      Participate in the Hospital's performance review process.
-      Day to day supervision/management of the Pharmacy Cancer team.
-      Liaise with senior pharmacy colleagues, nursing, medical and financial colleagues to manage the drug expenditure for the Pharmacy Cancer service.
-      Apply best practice techniques for contract negotiation, purchasing, supplier appraisal, supply chain management and inventory control for the Pharmacy Cancer Service.
-      Manage the audit, monitoring, analysis and reporting on all aspects of medicines usage within Pharmacy Cancer services as required, including the provision of feedback to prescribers and managers and involvement in the co-ordination of changes in practice required as a result of the risk management process.
    Quality The post holder will: -      Participate in JCI Accreditation and adherence to standards and hospital-wide quality management programmes.
-      Investigate critical incidents within the designated areas of responsibility and implement preventative and corrective solutions in order to improve patient care.
-      Ensure that correct procedures are adhered to in relation to accidents and investigations and that proper reporting arrangements are in place.
-      Promote a safe working environment in accordance with Health and Safety legislation.
-      Be aware of and implement agreed policies, procedures and safe professional practice by adhering to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.
-      Actively participate in other risk management issues, identify risks, taking or advising on appropriate corrective action.
-      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.
-      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.
-      To facilitate hospital-wide clinical supervision, mentoring and competency assessment for all pharmacists working within Chemotherapy Services.
Information Technology The post holder will: -      Contribute to hospital strategy in the use of technology in medicines management and clinical decision support, to include electronic prescribing, applications ('apps') for patient care portable devices, pharmacy inventory, and financial management software and the use of robotics, as required.
-      Support the implementation of new integrated care information systems within their designated areas of responsibility within the Pharmacy and wider hospital environment.
-      Collect, interpret and present drug management data and information on the department's activities, staffing and expenditure, as required by the Head of Pharmacy, for hospital managers.
    Training and Development The post holder will: -      Actively support a culture of continuous learning where all members of the Pharmacy Cancer team are active in their role as learners and educators.
-      Liaise with the Pharmacy managers to establish the training and development needs and to plan training for pharmacy cancer staff in line with the Hospital's education and training policy and within departmental resources.  -      Work with the Head of Pharmacy Services to provide opportunities to support the future workforce via provision of experiential placements as part of APPEL training for pharmacy students and pharmacy technician student placements.
-      Encourage and support research in accordance with service needs and support the publication of research in appropriate formats/media.
-      Undertake personal continuous professional development, knowledge and competencies - maintain and update specialist and general pharmacy knowledge in core areas.
-      Participates in the training of hospital staff in pharmacy-related topics as necessary.
    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 Qualifications Essential: Be registered with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland.
Diploma/MSc in pharmacy practice (clinical) Desirable: Further Qualification such as a Diploma or M.Sc.
in Clinical Pharmacy, Business, Risk Management, Managerial qualification etc.
Experience Essential: Five years post registration hospital experience including pharmacy experience with regard to Cancer Services and / or Clinical Pharmacy Services as well as process and people management services.
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 Desirable: Experience of interdisciplinary team management in the hospital environment.
Experience of Project management   Skills & Abilities Essential: Ability to plan, manage and implement service changes.
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.
Desirable: 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.