Palliative Care PharmacistNHS

Job summary

The Palliative Care Pharmacist is the lead pharmacist for Rotherham Hospice and provides strategic and operational leadership and medicines advice for safe, effective and person centred use of medicines across all hospice services.

Main duties of the job

Working as part of the Care Navigation hub, the post holder works with the Head of Care Navigation, Triage Manager, Doctors, Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs) and Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) with expert advice on medicines, prescribing and stewardship. They oversee the onsite drugs room, work closely with TRFT pharmacy services for medicines supply, and lead the hospice transition to e prescribing.

The Palliative Care Pharmacist is responsible for clinical pharmacy services, medicines governance, policies and audits, and for ensuring that medicines support Living Lifes Wishes, helping patients to manage symptoms and maintain quality of life in the safest and most effective way possible.

Job description

Clinical Responsibilities

Deliver expert pharmaceutical care to hospice inpatients, day patients, and community patients where applicable

Review and optimise medication regimens for symptom control e.g. pain, nausea, agitation, breathlessness

Provide advice on complex prescribing, including syringe drivers and anticipatory medications

Support deprescribing and rationalisation of medicines in line with patient goals of care

Monitor for adverse drug reactions and interactions, particularly in frail and complex patients

Participate in ward rounds and multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings

Medicines Management

Ensure the safe, legal, and effective supply of medicines within the hospice

Oversee controlled drugs management in accordance with UK legislation

Develop and implement policies, guidelines, and standard operating procedures

Support audit and quality improvement initiatives related to medicines use

Contribute to formulary development and cost-effective prescribing

Education and Training

Provide training and education to healthcare professionals on palliative care pharmacotherapy

Support the development of junior pharmacists, nurses, and medical staff

Offer guidance to patients and carers on medication use, including administration and side effects

Patient and Family Support

Provide compassionate, patient-centred counselling on medicines

Support patients and families in understanding treatment options and symptom management

Contribute to advance care planning discussions where appropriate

Governance and Quality

Participate in clinical audit, research, and service evaluation

Ensure compliance with professional standards e.g. GPhC, NICE, local policies

Contribute to risk management and incident reporting processes

E prescribing preparation and implementation

Lead the planning and implementation of e prescribing within the hospice, working with clinical, IT and external partners.

Contribute to system design, testing, training and go live planning to ensure safe and user friendly e prescribing processes.

Develop and maintain associated policies, procedures and guidance for e prescribing and medicines administration.

Team leadership and development

Line manage and support the Pharmacy Technician, ensuring regular supervision, appraisal and development.

Promote a culture of openness, learning and high standards within the pharmacy and Care Navigation teams.

General

Act at all times in line with the values and behaviours of Rotherham Hospice.

Ensure compliance with hospice policies, including health and safety, infection prevention and control, safeguarding, lone working, information governance and confidentiality.

Participate in meetings, training and mandatory updates as required.

Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role and grade, as agreed with the Head of Care Navigation.

About us

Rotherham Hospice is a charity dedicated to the people of Rotherham, offering specialist palliative and end of life care to our community since 1996.

We provide comprehensive, compassionate care through two primary patient services:

• 24-hour, 14-bed Inpatient Service
• 24-hour Hospice at Home Service

Additionally, we offer wider support to patients and their families through:

• Complementary therapies & hairdressing
• Counselling and Bereavement Support for adults, children and teenagers
• Day services with individual and group sessions
• Family memory events
• Occupation therapy and physiotherapy
• Social work
• Spiritual care
• Tailored experiences for patients and loved ones