Job vacancy: Senior Medicines Advice (MA) Pharmacist NHS SPS MA Service/Digital, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool

Job summary

Main area

Senior SPS Medicines Advice/Digital Pharmacist

Grade

Band 8a

Contract

Permanent: Will consider secondment

Hours

Full time
Home or remote working

37.5 hours per week

Job ref

287-PPU-11-24

Employer: Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Pharmacy Practice Unit
Town: Liverpool
Salary: £50,952 - £57,349 per annum
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 12/08/2024 23:59

Senior Medicines Advice (MA) Pharmacist NHS SPS MA Service/Digital

Band 8a

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY:

Develops and delivers a programme of work supporting the MA team to improve legacy material and create new website content. Achieves this by working closely with the SPS Digital Team, by applying an agile approach, and through reference and application to NHS Digital and aligned gov.uk content standards.
Uses business intelligence (BI) and analytics to identify trends and priority areas for MA content improvement. Applies best practice principles to MA content using the existing site features. Helps identify unmet user need that could be improved through further feature development.
Acts as the inhouse expert for the MA team on digital features available and their appropriate
application for development and delivery of SPS resources.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership responsibilities
The post-holder will support delivery of a transformation plan for the NHS SPS MA service which includes Information & resources, and either the clinical enquiry or Regional Medicines Optimisation Committee Support Services for England. The post holder will work in collaboration with peers and under the direction of the relevant Associate Hub, and Hub Leads for these functions.

The post-holder will:

Support the implementation of strategies and plans for the NHS SPS MA Service for England.
Provide medicines advice in line with governance arrangements for the SPS MA Service for England that enable and assure delivery against the NHS SPS service specification as commissioned by NHSEI.
Support the transformation of SPS MA Service for England.
Maintain a specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of medicines optimisation as it applies across integrated care systems.
Where appropriate and under the direction of the Hub Leads or Head of SPS, act as an expert resource nationally for the NHS SPS MA more generally for a range of internal stakeholders
Work as part of a high performing team to deliver the agreed strategy for the NHS SPS MA Service for England.
Implement and monitor standards for the provision of the MA service in line with national guidelines/specifications to ensure an effective, timely and safe level of service that meet user’s needs.
Undertake coaching, mentoring, and performance management of direct reports.
Utilise your expertise to train others to deliver an expert, high quality, effective and stakeholder focused service to all areas of responsibility.
Support the NHS SPS MA team to maintain motivation to consistently meet challenging service and transformation targets.
Deputise for the Advanced MA Pharmacist as appropriate and when required.

Service improvement and management responsibilities
Across England the NHS SPS MA Service is provided through a workforce located across different geographical sites which are designated to host the NHS SPS. The post-holder will work collaboratively with other Pharmacy Professionals to achieve the objectives of the MA service.

The post-holder will support the scoping, organising and delivering of any changes to service delivery necessary across England in order to meet the ongoing objectives of the SPS MA national service.

Finance responsibilities
The post-holder will not have budgetary responsibility but will be expected to help ensure that the budgetary sum is managed appropriately in-year by maximising efficiencies wherever possible.

The post-holder will be expected to support SPS MA Hub Leads to ensure that future transformation of the NHS SPS MA Service is managed appropriately, both in relation to service development and in relation to financial responsibility. This will include helping to ensure that service transformation objectives are met in a manner which is safe, effective and delivers efficiencies.

Research and innovation
The post-holder would be expected to undertake and promote research & development, where such activities support the broader strategic objectives of the SPS MA. They will also be expected to support the development and delivery of innovative approaches to the delivery of the SPS MA Service. This will include the following:

Support transformation of the NHS SPS MA Service such that it is provided consistently and equitably across England and is aligned to NHSEI commissioning expectations.
Support achieving economies of scale, reduced duplication, and increased ability to meet commissioner and user needs as part of the national NHS SPS specification.
Support developing and implementing qualitative and quantitative measures to determine performance against the organisational strategy.
Gathering, analysing and critically appraising service data as a crucial component of determining both the baseline state and the success of future transformation plans.
Working with SPS MA Hub Leads to ensure appropriate transformation of the SPS MA services.

Management responsibilities
The post-holder may have line management and oversight responsibility for a small number of pharmacists based in their base centre and staff who deliver elements of this service on other geographical sites which are designated to host elements of the NHS SPS. This may include dealing with difficult situations involving significant changes to the roles and responsibilities of some individuals and as such may require the post-holder to support formal consultation processes where necessary.

The post-holder is expected to manage, train, appraise and set direction for pharmacy professional(s). The post-holder will:

Directly manage, undertake individual appraisals, and agree objectives.
Ensure appropriate supervision of more junior staff within the teams.
Participate in, and take responsibility for, regular training of the NHS SPS MA colleagues as appropriate.
Directly supervise the work of colleagues, particularly as it pertains to the work of the NHS SPS MA Service
Work in a multi-disciplinary way with various stakeholders

Information Management skills
The post holder will be expected to have an intermediate level of proficiency with Microsoft Office software packages. They will also be expected to have an intermediate level of proficiency using other software packages that support efficient, national team operations (e.g. MS Teams, MS OneDrive, MS SharePoint, NHS Futures).

They will also be expected to have some familiarity with the bespoke software package, MiDatabank, and to understand the strengths and limitations, as well as to develop and implement its role to enable transformation of t h e NHS SPS Medicines Advice service.

The post-holder will support the implementation and maintenance of the digital solution to support operational management of the NHS SPS MA Clinical Enquiry service, as appropriate. They will also be expected to have some familiarity with the operational aspects of developing content for the SPS website.

Key working relationships and accountability

The post-holder will:

Be accountable for their own actions and those of any staff that they line manage.
Manage their own work under the direction of the SPS MA Advanced Pharmacist, or SPS MA Associate Hub Leads.
Support the transformation of the NHS SPS MA Service.
Represent the NHS SPS MA at a range of meetings with stakeholders, commissioners and providers from across the NHS as required.
Be expected to act largely independently, with minimum input from senior pharmacists, and to behave and act in a manner consistent with the values of the NHS SPS.
Be an expert in the delivery of at least one of the three arms of SPS MA (RMOC, clinical enquiry answering or developing information and resources), and be credible across a wide range of stakeholders, commissioners and providers.
Where appropriate and necessary, the post-holder will be expected to provide medicines advice relating to a specialist service.
Support the Advanced MA Pharmacist to work with a range of diverse stakeholders across pharmacy and elsewhere; these will be both regional and national colleagues. Such individuals may have different views on how particular projects and pieces of work should be taken forward. They may also have differing agendas and areas of interest. Asserts own view and position assertively and with reference to the problem being addressed. Seeks to find consensus where possible. Knows when to refer to the relevant SPS Advanced MA Pharmacist, or SPS MA (Associate) Hub Lead where appropriate.
Maintain concentration for prolonged periods of time, while writing, checking or evaluating information.
The post-holder would be expected to deputise for SPS Advanced MA Pharmacist when necessary.

Other aspects of the role

The post-holder would be expected to have key relationships across the Specialist Pharmacy Service. At time, relationships will be expected with, but not confined to, senior Medicines Optimisation and pharmacy field:

NHS SPS Senior Management Team
UK Medicines Information
Lead specialist clinicians in both primary and secondary care
Integrated care Systems
NHS England Regional Chief Pharmacists
NHS England Regional Medical Directors
NHS England Medicines Policy Unit
Area prescribing committees
NHS Improvement National Safe Medication Practice team

Person specification

Education/ Qualifications

Essential criteria

Pharmacist (Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council)
Post-graduate diploma in clinical pharmacy or other relevant field, e.g. management, or equivalent experience of working in specialist area

Desirable criteria

Post-graduate qualification, i.e. MSc, in clinical pharmacy, or equivalent experience
Post graduate qualification in evidence-based healthcare, or equivalent
Post-graduate level original research and/or publication in an area relevant specifically to the delivery of Medicines Optimisation

Knowledge & Experience

Essential criteria

In depth knowledge of Medicines Optimisation as it pertains to both primary and secondary care
Significant experience delivering medicines advice to health care professionals, its current provision across England through SPS, and its role in supporting Medicines Optimisation
A clear understanding of project management
Experience of working in a complex matrix type working environment within a diffuse national organisation
Prior use of WordPress or similar content management system (e.g. Drupal) to publish webpages.

Desirable criteria

Existing knowledge of the Specialist Pharmacy Service and its development and role in delivery of Medicines Optimisation
Some experience of working with medicines commissioning and decision making structures within the NHS to influence change
Managing difficult situations and motivating others for service delivery
Prior knowledge of principles of good online publishing

Skills, Abilities and Attributes

Essential criteria

Ability to manage own time and workload with good organisational skills
Ability to plan the work of others where they are directly managed
Ability to motivate and influence the work of others
Ability to manage small/discrete projects and use own initiative, within agreed cost, quality and time
Ability to support research, teaching, and audit activities
Ability to work under pressure, in a changing strategic environment, to tight deadlines, and withcompeting agendas
Ability to critically appraise and analyse medicines and service data and to interpret and present results coherently
Ability to critically appraise options for service and Medicines Optimisation/ Information delivery rationally and systematically, to reach logical and informed conclusions, and to present those coherently to highlevel decision-making audiences and to individual health care professionals

Desirable criteria

Ability to organise the provision of a specialist service and service provision
Ability to plan and organise a broad range of complex activities, formulating and adjusting plans to reflect changing circumstances

Please ensure you check the email account (including junk/spam boxes) from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application.

Only those applicants who demonstrate clearly how they meet our person specification will be shortlisted for interview.

We reserve the right to close any vacancies from further applications when we have received a minimum number of applications from which to make a shortlist. Please ensure you apply without delay if you wish to be considered for this role.

Candidates applying for the role of Healthcare Assistant on the staff bank should note that due to the nature of the role, workers must be aged 18 or above when commencing in post. Applicants are therefore welcome from those aged over 18 or within 3 months’ of their 18^th birthday.

The Trust is committed to promoting a healthy work-life balance and achieve fair, equitable and consistent practice. We welcome flexible working requests and will consider a variety of flexible working arrangements from day one of your employment. Not all roles are suitable for every flexible working opportunity all of the time. Flexible working options may include reduced hours, compressed hours, fixed shifts, time back in lieu and home working.

The Trust is committed to promoting equality and diversity; we value the contribution of individual talent, skills, knowledge and experience and aim for a workforce demography representative of the local community. We encourage applicants from the following groups that are currently under-represented in our workforce black, Asian and minority ethnic, lesbian, gay, bisexual and Transgender (LGBTQ+), disabled, male and age 16-24.

Trust policy requires that the cost of submitting & processing the successful applicant/s DBS application be recovered via salary deduction following start in post. The amount of £18+£5 (standard disclosure) or £38+£5 (enhanced disclosure) will be deducted from salary, in manageable monthly instalments for up to 3 months following commencement of employment. Bank posts require upfront payment.

From April 2017, Skilled visa applicants and their adult dependant(s) will be required to provide a criminal record certificate from each country they have lived in consecutively for 12 months or more in the past ten years.

Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.

This organisation has a zero-tolerance approach to the abuse of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff must ensure they adhere to the organisations safeguarding children and adults’ policy and comply with the Local Safeguarding Children and Adult Board procedures.

Staff should be mindful of their responsibility to safeguard children and adults in any activity performed on behalf of the organisation in line with the requirements of statutory guidance and legislation.

All employees (and volunteers)are expected maintain their safeguarding knowledge and skills by completing mandatory safeguarding training which includes understanding and recognising the signs of abuse and neglect and taking appropriate action.

As an organisation, we have adopted the Merseyside Domestic abuse workplace scheme which supports our staff who are experiencing Domestic Abuse /any forms of sexual violence.

If you have any personal requirements that will enable you to participate in our recruitment process please contact a member of the Recruitment Services by phone on 0151 706 4666 at the earliest opportunity to ensure that measures can be put in place to enable your application for this post.

Please note: new entrants to the NHS will commence on the first paypoint of the relevant band.