Chemotherapy Training and Assessment Policy. For Medical Prescribers and Pharmacy Verifiers

Transcription

1 Chemotherapy Training and Assessment Policy For Medical Prescribers and Pharmacy Verifiers For approvals and version control see Document Management Record on page 6 Doc Ref: AngCN-CCG-C36 Approved and published: Dec 2012 Page 1 of 6

2 Training and Assessment Policy 1 Medical staff 1.1 In order to be deemed competent to prescribe chemotherapy, medical staff must complete all relevant in-house training and complete the Trust Medical Staff Competency Statement every three years (see Appendix 1). This document must be signed by both the individual and the assessor. 1.2 Only appropriately assessed consultants, registrars, associate specialists and staff grade doctors may prescribe chemotherapy i.e. chemotherapy is not to be prescribed by junior medical staff. 1.3 Assessors of competence must be the clinical director or line manager in the relevant specialty. 2 Pharmacists 2.1 In order to be deemed competent to undertake pharmacy verification of chemotherapy prescriptions, pharmacists must complete a minimum of eight weeks training with the specialist oncology and haematology pharmacists. They should also complete the British Oncology Pharmacy Association s verification competencies which have been adopted for local use; this record should be signed by their assessor. See Appendix Assessors of pharmacist competence should be dedicated oncology and haematology pharmacists of two years standing who undertake regular screening of chemotherapy prescriptions (at least twice weekly). 2.3 To demonstrate ongoing competence, pharmacists should screen cytotoxic chemotherapy prescriptions on a regular basis (minimum 25 per month) and complete the Trust Pharmacist Competency Statement every three years (see Appendix 6). This document must be signed by both the individual and the Lead Oncology and Haematology Pharmacist or line manager. 2.4 It is recommended that out-of-hours, pharmacists may be required to prepare chemotherapy in an emergency. In these instances it is the responsibility of the prescribing clinician to ensure the accuracy and appropriateness of the prescription. 3 Register of competent staff A register of all staff (medical, nursing, pharmacists) who are deemed competent as per this policy must be maintained. Approved and published: Dec 2012 Page 2 of 6

3 Appendix 1: Medical Staff Competency Statement New entrants: I confirm that I have the suitable level of experience to prescribe chemotherapy within my speciality and that I am of an appropriate grade as detailed in this policy. I understand that I am responsible for reading all departmental and Trust policies and procedures pertaining to the competencies undertaken. I am on the specialist register for clinical, medical or haematology prescribing. I have completed local induction and have been signed off as competent by my Trust Head of Service. Signature: Print name: Date: Clinical Director / Line Manager signature: Date: Re-accreditation: I confirm that within the last three years, I have regularly (i.e. at least monthly) undertaken the prescribing of chemotherapy. I understand that I am responsible for reading all departmental and Trust policies and procedures pertaining to the competencies undertaken. I confirm I am aware of changes in practice implemented in the previous three years. Signature: Print name: Date: Clinical Director / Line Manager signature: Date: Approved and published: Dec 2012 Page 3 of 6

4 Appendix 2: Pharmacist competencies for verification of chemotherapy prescriptions (from British Oncology Pharmacy Association s Competencies for Clinical Pharmacy Verification of Prescriptions for Cancer Medicines July 2010) Name Job Title Competency Supporting Statement / List of Evidence Date Achieved Assessors Signature 1 Demonstrates a basic understanding of the biology of cancer and disease progression 2 Demonstrates understanding of common terminology used in cancer e.g. staging systems, tumour markers, and performance status 3 Demonstrates an understanding of principles of chemotherapy including classification, mechanism of action and scheduling, of systemic anticancer drug therapy 4 systemic therapy dose calculations including body surface area (BSA) determination 5 all regimens used within scope of practice 6 Knows how to access local regimen/protocol information and check if regimen/protocol is approved for use 7 Demonstrates ability to accurately verify chemotherapy prescriptions within scope of practice 8 monitoring and relevant laboratory investigations required to administer specific drugs safely 9 management of common toxicities of cancer treatment and monitoring required to administer specific drugs safely 10 management of common symptoms/ complications of cancer treatments e.g. mucositis, neutropenia, nausea and vomiting, etc. to a depth appropriate to the regimens used 11 Demonstrates understanding of key roles of the local multidisciplinary oncology, haematology teams and structure of local cancer services and know who to contact in case of query 12 Demonstrates understanding of key roles of the local multidisciplinary oncology, haematology teams and structure of local cancer services and know who to contact in case of query Approved and published: Dec 2012 Page 4 of 6

5 Appendix 3: Pharmacist Competency Statement Re-accreditation: I confirm that within the last three years, I have regularly undertaken pharmacy verification of chemotherapy prescriptions (minimum of 25 per month). I understand that I am responsible for reading all departmental and Trust policies and procedures pertaining to the competencies undertaken. I confirm I am aware of changes in practice implemented in the previous three years. Signature: Print name: Date: Lead Pharmacist / Line Manager signature: Date: Approved and published: Dec 2012 Page 5 of 6

6 4 Evidence of Agreement Document management Document ratification and history Matthew Small (NOPG Approved by: Date approved: 11 Dec 2012 Chair) Date placed on electronic library: Dec 2012 Review period: Authors: Version number as approved and published: Two years (or earlier in the light of new evidence) Network Lead Document Owner: Oncology Pharmacist and NOPG members 1 Unique identifier no.: Anglia Cancer Network, Tel: ; AngCN-CCG-C36 Monitoring the effectiveness of the Process a) Process for Monitoring compliance and Effectiveness - Review of compliance as determined by audit. Any non compliance to be presented by PQ Manager to the AngCN Business Meeting on an annual basis the minutes of this meeting are retained for a minimum of five years. b) Standards/Key Performance Indicators This process forms part of a quality system working to, but not accredited to, International Standard BS EN ISO 9001:2008. The effectiveness of the process will be monitored in accordance with the methods given in the quality manual, AngCN-QM. Equality and Diversity Statement This document complies with the Suffolk PCT Equality and Diversity statement an EqIA assessment is available on request to Anglia Cancer Network PQ Manager, Gibson Centre, Exning Road, Newmarket, CB8 7JG. Disclaimer It is your responsibility to check against the electronic library that this printed out copy is the most recent issue of this document. Approved and published: Dec 2012 Page 6 of 6