Job summary
Employer heading
Rotational Clinical Pharmacist
Band 7
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust is one of the top performing organisations within the NHS. Our staff think this is a great place to work and we hope you will agree. We have recently been rated as 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following our most recent inspection.
We provide services across Warwickshire and beyond ranging from Hospitals in Warwick, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Royal Leamington Spa and Shipston-on Stour to Community Services across the whole county. This includes our Community Teams in North Warwickshire.
We are a progressive, expanding organisation with great ambition around improving quality, integrating pathways and delivering high levels of productivity. Over 6000 people work for the Trust and many of them have been here a long time. People find they don’t need to go elsewhere to find a fulfilling career in healthcare.
The first thing you will notice about us is how we take our values seriously. We believe that our values underpin everything we do. If you are interested in a role with us you need to make sure our values match your own.
Our values can be summed up in one sentence. We are ‘Trusted to provide inclusive, safe, effective and compassionate care’. Throughout the recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you demonstrate these values and how they impact on your work. It doesn’t matter what role you do, whether it is patient facing or not, we are all working in the same way with our values at the core.
Probationary Period
All new staff to the Trust will be subject to a standard 6 month probationary period, the details of which will duly follow in your contract of employment.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust is committed to creating and sustaining a positive and inclusive working environment for all our employees. Our aim is to ensure that employees are equally valued and respected and that our organisation is representative of all members of society. We define diversity as valuing everyone as an individual – we value our employees, job applicants, students, patients and visitors as people. This is reflected within our values of being Inclusive, Safe, Effective, Compassionate and Trusted.
Agile and Flexible Working
All our staff will have a work base. However the Trust operates as an Agile Working Team therefore staff may be working from home on a regular basis as required by the service. However, occasionally travel around Warwickshire and into your base will be required so access to your own transport would be helpful.
The Trust also welcome staff to work flexibly and we would welcome the conversation at interview regarding flexible working.
Staff Benefits
The Trust offer a wide range of additional benefits to staff. Anyone who joins us on a substantive basis can assess things such as the Lease Car Scheme, Electronics Scheme, Discounted Leisure and Travel, Cycle to work scheme amongst many others available.
Car Parking
The Trust have recently completed the construction of a multi-storey car park at our Warwick Hospital site which has allowed us to reduce waiting times for car parking passes.
To keep up to date on our latest recruitment activity follow us on twitter @swftrecruit or look us up on Facebook (Recruitment - South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust).
Job overview
Band 6 to 7 Step
This post will suit a newly qualified pharmacist or a pharmacist transferring from another sector wanting to develop their Clincial skills in the acute. We will encourage your personal development through funded training opportunities and have a range of rotations providing you with the foundation knowledge. We offer protected learning time to all members of the team.
As a forward thinking department we continually drive innovation and utilisation of digital solutions such as EPMA to support our workflows and allow more of time to support direct patient care. This is an exciting time to join the organisation as we are exploring new ways to deliver pharmacy services at ward level with input from all members of the team.
We are an independent organisation providing hospital and out of hospital services. However SWFT is also a member of the ‘Foundation Group’ with Wye Valley NHS Trust, George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. The ‘Foundation Group’ structure sees each trust operate independently and maintain its identity, but provides a platform for collaboration, innovation and opportunities to work across the group model.
We recognise that our staff are our most valuable resource and we acknowledge the importance and benefits of a healthy workplace and workforce. We are able to offer a range of wellbeing support initiatives including 1-2-1 confidential psychological staff support.
Main duties of the job
To provide a high level of specialist pharmacy services to one or more of the
specialist service areas listed below, working closely with other pharmacists, medical/ nursing staff and senior technicians /ward technicians.
Our aim is that some of these posts will be rotational (year-long rotations) and include the below specialities:
- Acute Medical Admission
- Cancer & Aseptics Team
- Family Health
- Frailty Assessment unit/Frailty
- Medicine (Respiratory, Diabetes, Stroke, Cardiology, Gastroenterology,
- Dermatology and Rheumatology)
- Surgery (Elective Orthopaedics, General Surgery, Short Stay Surgery and
Day Surgery and ITU), Palliative care
All rotation are ward based, clinic based or based in the cancer team as the
dispensary only requires minimum pharmacist input.
Posts that are non-rotational will be speciality based as per the advertised role therefore general aspects and appropriate specialty aspects will apply.
To provide a high level of clinical pharmacy care to patients on allocated wards, to support the medical, nursing and other healthcare staff providing clinical care in the specialty areas, and to assist in the clinical and cost-effective use of drugs.
To assist the lead or Principal pharmacist in the management and delivery of their specialist pharmacy service and/or to manage the delivery of an element of service in a specialist area of practice.
To contribute to the strategic development and business plan of pharmacy
services for the specialist area.
Working for our organisation
Come and join a Trust rated Outstanding by the CQC. South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust have been rated as outstanding following our latest inspection by the CQC and we are recruiting new staff to come and help us improve even further. In addition our staff survey results have placed us 4th in the country for recommended place to work.
We provide services across Warwickshire and beyond ranging from Hospitals in Warwick, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Royal Leamington Spa and Shipston-on Stour to Community Services across the county. We are a progressive, expanding organisation with great ambition around improving quality, integrating pathways and delivering high levels of productivity.
Our values can be summed up in one sentence. We are ‘Trusted to provide safe, inclusive, effective and compassionate care’. Throughout the recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you demonstrate these values and how they impact on your work. It doesn’t matter what role you do, whether it is patient facing or not, we are all working in the same way with our values at the core.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
All Roles
To provide a high level, responsive, and developing clinical pharmacy service to individual patients on allocated wards, and assist junior pharmacists in such roles, and ward based Medicines Management technicians in their duties.
To be actively involved in efficient discharge planning on the allocated wards by reviewing and transcribing patient’s discharge treatment (as appropriate) facilitating timely dispensing of discharge medication and, where necessary, liaising and communicating with relevant healthcare practitioners in intermediate or primary care to ensure safe transfer and continuity of care.
If agreed, to undertake prescribing as a Pharmacist independent Prescriber, in the clinical area for which Prescriber accreditation was gained, and in a wider sense within the limits of competency.
To lead the efficient organisation and smooth running of a dispensary, including assuring that the environment is ready and safe for the day’s work.
To monitor service delivery.
From Main Dispensary provide cover and support to the Outpatients dispensary operated by SWFT Clinical Services Ltd. on demand.
To train and support staff to maintain formulary control, and adherence to prescribing and dispensing policies, and to collect prescription charges.
To assist the Lead and Senior Technician in policies, procedures and the framework for dispensing, and the planning and development of the service, including automation, and stock control.
To liaise with patients and answer their questions and concerns about their therapy, and to provide tailored counselling around complex regimes.
To advise and support ward and clinic staff, not least regarding controlled stationery, service hours, late prescribing, e-prescribing, and use of the tracker to monitor prescription progress.
To undertake clinical checks of the treatment regimens in care pathways, and raise and resolve anomalies with prescribers.
To contribute to dispensing.
To ensure that staff log errors and near misses and that the team and the individual learn from these.
To pick up issues arising during weekend service hours and address these on the next full working day.
To contribute to the Emergency Duty Commitment of pharmacists providing an out-of-hours emergency Pharmacy service. To undertake routine duties within the dispensary as required, supervising the work of junior pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and (senior) ATOs.
To contribute to the late night, weekend, Bank Holiday and Statutory Day working rota.
If requested, to be an authorised signatory for drug purchase orders and for drug invoice payments.
To demonstrate and maintain a commitment to continuing professional development and encourage other members of the team to do likewise.
Surgical Specialties, Medical Specialties, Medical Admissions, Frailty, Family Health, Neurology and neuro-rehabilitation, and Elective Care
To provide a specialist level of clinical pharmacy services to the patients on the allocated wards, and assist the medical and nursing teams on the wards with pharmaceutical and therapeutic advice.
To liaise with patients and answer their questions and concerns about their therapy.
To attend multi-disciplinary team meetings to discuss therapy regimens.
To deputise for the Lead Pharmacist.
To advise the Principal Pharmacist and Lead Pharmacists on development needs and opportunities for this service area.
To supervise and mentor more junior staff in the provision of services to these areas.
To develop or contribute to a training programme for clinical pharmacists allocated to the specialty areas and to administer any competency assessment process that is in place to ensure the appropriate standards are achieved.
To assist with Foundation student pharmacist training within the Trust for our own Foundation student pharmacists and community Foundation student pharmacists allocated to Warwick Hospital.
To provide clinical pharmacy training for undergraduate pharmacy students, vacation students, Foundation Student pharmacists (hospital and community-based) and hospital clinical pharmacists.
To contribute as required to the induction and in-service training of nursing, midwifery and medical staff as appropriate.
To assist and supervise as necessary, ward–based Medicines Management technicians in the clinical aspects of their work.
To maintain an awareness of current developments in pharmacy practice pertinent to the specialist pharmacy area.
To coordinate the out of hours on call service, providing reports, evaluating responses to calls, sharing lessons learned, and ensuring consistency and a good standard of service.
To lead on opportunities to improve the efficiency or cost of drugs use (QIPP).
To act as Pharmacy’s representative to the Audit and Operational Governance Group AOGG for a Division when required.
When required, to advise/ comment on clinical treatment guidelines for use in the specialty area that have been produced locally or by national bodies e.g. NICE, NSFs, National Prescribing Centre guidelines etc.
To contribute to and/ or undertake audit projects in the specialty areas particularly those concerned with the clinical and cost effective use of drugs, compliance with safer prescribing and drug administration policies, procedures and guidelines, and implementation of pharmacy service developments. To provide reports and present the audit findings within the Trust.
To be involved in the work of clinical drug trials including, where necessary, initial clinical discussions with the investigator / sponsor, review of the trial protocol, initiation/ implementation, supply of study material to patients, record keeping, problem solving and liaison with the study investigators and co-ordinators when necessary.
To undertake duties as a clinical pharmacist to other wards in the Trust when necessary, including occasional work at other pharmacies from which a pharmacy service is provided.
Clinical Haematology and Oncology, with Aseptics and Clinical Trials
To assist the Principal Pharmacist in their role of providing highly specialist clinical pharmacy advice to consultant clinicians, clinical nurse specialists, ward and clinic staff.
To liaise with patients and answer their questions and concerns about their therapy.
To attend multi-disciplinary team meetings to discuss therapy regimens.
To advise dispensary staff (SWFT CS and inpatient dispensary) in the dispensing of chemotherapy and adjuvants.
To contribute with the Cancer Unit lead, to the development of the chemotherapy management system Mosaiq (software).
To contribute to the preparation of cancer treatment regimens.
To check the treatment regimens in care pathways and resolve any anomalies.
To be responsible for the clinical and final checks of products prepared in the Aseptics Unit.
To provide clinical and final checks of bought-in specials.
To ensure that staff are trained in risk management processes relating to the therapy area (this will include cancer and non-cancer intrathecal administration for non-rotational posts).
To attend clinical meetings, when required, of the relevant clinical Network.
To assist the Principal Pharmacist –Cancer and Aseptic Services in ensuring all chemotherapy prescribed has appropriate funding and Patient Access Schemes are followed.
To assist with the training of junior pharmacists, Foundation Student Pharmacists, technicians and student technicians in this area of specialised practice.
To act as Pharmacy’s link to the Nutrition Team, advise and support on Clinical Nutrition, assist dietitians in converting patients’ nutrition needs into a formulation (where other forms of feeding are inappropriate) for parenteral nutrition when require.
To support the Lead pharmacists in the implementation and running of clinical trials as directed.
To support the clinical ward service, as outlined above, as per the teams rota commitments.
Other Duties
Any other duties considered appropriate to the post and grade by the line manager.
To adhere to and perpetuate Trust Policies and Procedures, e.g. Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety etc.
Special Requirements of the Postholder
The post holder will have Warwick Hospital as their main base but will be required to work at and/or visit other hospitals in the Trusts we serve.
This job description does not form part of the contract of employment, is not exhaustive and serves as a guide to the main tasks, envisaged at the time of drafting. As such this job description will change and evolve in accordance with the Pharmacy Services’ needs.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Master’s Degree in Pharmacy (or equivalent)
- Professional registration as a Pharmacist in the UK, through practitioner Membership of The General Pharmaceutical Council
- Postgraduate Clinical Pharmacy diploma OR postgraduate Clinical Pharmacy Certificate completed and working towards postgraduate Clinical Diploma (to be completed within 12 months of appointment) OR at least 12 months of appointment) OR at least 2 years post qualification experience with at least 6 months of those within specialist area
- Pharmacist independent Prescribing national accreditation and registration
Experience
Essential criteria
- Sufficient hospital pharmacy experience (as a registered pharmacist) to have acquired the competencies needed for the job
- Recent clinical practitioner ward experience in a general hospital setting
- Specialist services relevant to the post (e.g. aseptics)
Desirable criteria
- Undertaken audit work
- Lectures, talks, training given (Medical/Nursing/Pharmacy staff and patients)
- Experience of managing a clinical pharmacy service to a specialty on a day to day basis (e.g. whilst covering a senior colleague)
Skills
Essential criteria
- Good understanding of recent NHS and pharmacy and medicines management reports and how they relate to pharmacy practice
- Ability to demonstrate a high level of specialist knowledge in the relevant area for the post
- Ability to advise and influence all grades of medical and nursing staff on therapeutic aspects of patient care
- An understanding of the relevance of clinical governance and risk management
- Able to understand clinical research data
- Good verbal and written communication skills
- Able to clearly communicate complex clinical information to all grades of medical, nursing and pharmacy staff
- Able to sensitively question patients on their drug treatment and to communicate clearly with them
- Good interpersonal skills
- Good presentation skills
- Able to create a rapport with people
- Ability to prioritise own work and assist others to do so
- Able to use initiative and work without supervision
- Ability to manage pharmacy staff allocated to the specialty
- Able to give credible representation of the Pharmacy at a senior medical and management levels
- Ability to work in teams – pharmacy teams and multidisciplinary teams
- Sound judgement on clinical, pharmaceutical and ethical issues
- Able to advise other pharmacists of all grades in the post holder’s expert area of knowledge
- Assertiveness skills - able to respond to challenge at senior medical or nursing levels
- Able to deal with concerned/anxious patients or relatives particularly in relation to their drug treatment
- Able to meet deadlines
- High standards of work presentation
Personal Qualities
Essential criteria
- Professional appearance
- A positive “can do”, enthusiastic approach to work
- Self-motivating and able to motivate a pharmacy team
- Wants to “make a difference” can enthuse about the potential of the post
Other
Essential criteria
- Prepared to contribute to routine, clinical pharmacy and dispensary duties
- Accurate clinical, dispensing and checking abilities
- Able to undertake weekend, Bank Holiday and Statutory Day working and Emergency Duty Commitment on a rota
- Ability to use VDUs
- Able to demonstrate a satisfactory level of continuing professional development
- Satisfactory computer keyboard skills
- Use of motorised transport and insured for business use (or willingness to stay on site at own expense whilst on call)
- Competent in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Outlook
- Competent in Microsoft Excel and Powerpoint
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Nicola Lewis
- Job title
- Lead Pharmacist - Education and Training
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Additional information
01926 495321 Ext 4003
If you are ready for a rewarding new challenge, give us a call on 01926 495321 asked and we would be happy to answer any questions you have.
Applications for different flexible work arrangements will be considered.
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