Detailed job description and main responsibilities

KEY DUTIES

• To assist the Head of Pharmacy and all other pharmacy staff in providing and developing an efficient and comprehensive pharmaceutical service for the patients of MWL Teaching Hospital Trust 
• To assist the Clinical Pharmacy Services Manager to develop and deliver comprehensive and progressive pharmaceutical services to the medical directorate in line with national and local medicines optimisation strategies
• To lead and deliver high quality clinical pharmacy services to the designated speciality at MWL Teaching Hospital Trust, including the development of an advanced pharmacist role
• To develop competencies in your designated speciality and deliver ward based clinical teaching to band 6/7 pharmacists & pre –registration pharmacists within the Trust
• To practice as a Trust approved Independent Non – Medical Prescriber
• To participate in clinical audit and practice research relevant to medical specialties
• To participate in the department rota to ensure a pharmacy service is provided efficiently over 7 days
• Assist the Clinical Pharmacy Services Manager in providing clinical training and supervision to other departmental staff
• To assist the department in producing and reviewing guidelines and polices
• To critically evaluate and interpret all information obtained from all sources and to apply professional judgement, to provide clinically sound, unbiased, up-to-date, evaluated information.
• To apply sound professional judgement to complex legal and ethical issues and dilemmas.
• Be aware of changes to national policies, guidelines, NICE guidance and other medicines/health directives and recommend amendments to the formulary and medicines management policies as appropriate.
• Scan national medical and pharmaceutical news by using recognised medical and pharmaceutical databases and websites to identify current and future developments in the pharmaceutical care of medical and surgical patients

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• To provide an advanced clinical pharmacy service to specified wards in accordance with professional, departmental and Trust policies. This will include:
  • Taking drug histories on admission
  • Checking medical notes of each new patient to ascertain presenting complaint, past medical history, working diagnosis and relevant biochemical, haematological and microbiological test results to ensure safe and effective medicines use.
  • Ensuring each medicine has an appropriate indication and that each diagnosis has appropriate therapy.
  • Ensuring that existing therapy is safe to take with, and has not contributed to, the presenting complaint.
  • Ensuring that new treatments are compatible with the patients’ conditions.
  • Making recommendations on changes to drug therapy in line with the above.
  • Reviewing recommendations in the light of new results and treatment plans.
  • Advising on which medications to continue and which to stop during the peri-operative period, if appropriate
  • Monitoring for adverse drug reactions and submit ‘yellow cards’ to the CSM where appropriate.
  • Advising on therapeutic drug level monitoring for specific drugs where appropriate.
  • Ensuring compliance with formularies, policies and procedures.
  • Educating patients about their drug therapy.
  • Developing evidence based treatment protocols for use within specialities or across the Trust where appropriate.
  • Providing advice on the availability of alternative formulations suitable for use in patients who are nil by mouth
  • Providing information on the use of drugs outside their licensed indications
  • Monitoring use and ensure adequate stock levels of crucial drugs on a daily basis

• To participate in consultant ward rounds and multidisciplinary meetings where appropriate
• Provide specialist pharmaceutical information to medical and nursing staff and patients in your specialty and to General Practitioners and other staff where appropriate
• Liaise with General Practitioners and other primary care professional to obtain accurate drug histories
• Record clinical interventions in line with departmental policy
• Report any drug errors you detect to the Head of Pharmacy or their deputy. Ensure that the appropriate error form and prescriber feedback are complete
• Participate in the departmental therapeutic drug monitoring service, interpreting drug levels and providing advice to medical staff on appropriate dosage, including on call
• Liaise with appropriate healthcare professionals within local Primary Care Trusts to ensure the effective and efficient use of resources across the primary/secondary care interface and where necessary develop shared care protocol
• Professional checking of inpatient requisitions and TTO’s
• Ensuring all prescriptions comply with the  Medicines Ac
• Ensuring all prescriptions comply Misuse of Drugs Act where appropriate
• Final checking of prescriptions for accuracy prior to release
• Labelling and dispensing of medication as required
• Providing advice to patients on how to take their medicines and potential side effects
• Advice to Doctors, nurses and other professionals as required
• Order, receive and dispense controlled drugs in accordance with the Misuse of Drugs Act
• To develop competencies in designated specialty and deliver ward based clinical teaching to band 6/7 pharmacists & pre–registration pharmacists within the Trust
• Supervision of pre-registration graduates and junior pharmacist
• Comply with the legal and other requirements related to the purchase, supply, use safe custody and destruction of drugs within pharmacy and other areas of the hospital
• To assist medical staff in undertaking of such clinical trials as have been approved by the Ethical Committee and to arrange under the direction of senior members of staff of the Pharmacy department the necessary supplies and aspects of clinical trials protocol affecting the pharmaceutical service
• Asist in the development, implementation and monitoring of The Clinical Pharmacy Standards across the pharmacy department
• To act as a clinical tutor for pharmacists undertaking the Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy
• To assist the Clinical Pharmacy Services Manager in the recruitment of staff including participation on interview panels

• To assist the department in the review of patient group direction
• Return unwanted or patients own Controlled drugs from the wards in accordance with the departmental policy and the Misuse of Drugs Act
• Assist in the delivery of pharmacist teaching of junior doctor
• Participate in the training of medical and nursing staff and other paramedical disciplines either within or external to the Trust
• Participate in individual performance review and the use of personal development plans including performing appraisals where appropriate
• To participate in clinical audit and practice research as instructed by senior pharmacists within the department including presentation of results where appropriate
• To assist in the organisation and participate in the weekly clinical meetings and continuing professional development feedback sessions for the pharmacist
• To attend appropriate training courses for pharmacists and to encourage other staff to undertake further training
• To participate in Continuing Professional Development and Professional Revalidation as per department policy and national guidelines from the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
• To assist other pharmacists in ensuring that work carried out in the departments at St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals is performed in accordance with the recommendation contained in the Guide to Good Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Practice and its supplements; and the safe systems of work documentation
• To comply with Health and Safety at Work legislation, COSSH Regulations, Data Protection Act and other appropriate legislation
• To participate in a rota which enables the department to provide a full 7 day service
• To participate in the on call, Saturday, Sunday , Bank Holiday and emergency duty rota
• To maintain the security of the in-patient and out-patient dispensaries especially whilst working alone (for example on call or whilst locking the department
• To participate in the department late night and locking up rota and ensure the safe custody of all pharmacy keys in your possession both on and off sit
• To undertake any other related duties which may be require

Medicines Optimisation

• Work closely with the Head of Pharmacy and Pharmacy Leadership Team to develop and implement the Trust’s Medicines Optimisation Strategy.
• Assist in the production of evidence based prescribing guidance. in your speciality
• To work closely with key Trust and PMAPC colleagues to organise effective horizon scanning to identify and manage future developments in medicines which will have impact within the Trust and local health economy