Specialist Pharmacist - Genitourinary Medicine (GUM)/HIV

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Contribute to the development and implementation of medicines-related guidelines, SOPs and policies in line with best practice and current medicines legislation to promote good governance consistent standards of practice regarding medicines management, and support clinical practice and service development.

Participate in the development and updating of identified speciality-related PGDs, and support training and regular audit where medicines are administered and supplied under PGD.  

Support production of patient specific written information, such as Patient Information Leaflets, covering relevant topics.

Support the maintenance, and review, of the iCaSH Formulary and the managed entry of new medicines in iCaSH, ensuring cost-efficacy and appropriate place in therapy, using evidence-based medicine and national and/or local guidance.

Contribute to identifying, developing and implementing the Trust’s medicines management audit protocols and contribute to the annual audit plan.  

Monitor, audit and advise on standards of medicines management, including safe and secure systems for supply, storage and handling of medicines, and recommend action plans and to liaise with, and support, staff to facilitate actions that have been proposed following audit.  

Ensure the effective supply of medicines relevant to the speciality, suitable for use in clinic, and appropriately labelled for patients to take away.

Identify changes in prescribing practices that may impact on the drugs budget, identifying potential impact on drug usage and expenditure as directed by the Lead Pharmacist iCaSH.

Support in the provision of evaluated pharmaceutical and financial information in accordance with the needs of the Trust and relevant external bodies.

Interpret speciality expenditure and usage data and suggest strategies to tackle inappropriate prescribing.

Support clinical leads in the development, dissemination and implementation of evidence-based speciality medicines guidelines within iCaSH, consistent with the requirements of clinical governance and of local and national objectives such as NICE, BASHH, BHIVA, NHSE.

Improve the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of, and reduce risk associated with, medicines usage, and reduce wastage of medicines.

Support the quality and cost effectiveness of anti-infective prescribing within the iCaSH services in line with the Trust’s antimicrobial strategy.

Support the Lead Pharmacist iCaSH with implementation of national contracts for HIV and anti-retroviral therapy across iCaSH.

Participate in MDT/HIV Network meetings as a Specialist HIV pharmacist.

Demonstrate, and apply, general pharmaceutical knowledge, and where applicable, specialist clinical pharmacy knowledge in core areas in order to plan, manage, monitor and review therapeutic programmes for patients, thereby optimizing the quality of patient care.

Proactively provide advice and information on any pharmaceutical issues within the speciality to staff of all disciplines within the iCaSH services and act as first point of contact for them.

Provide a clinical pharmacy service to patients and their carers/relatives, including prescribing (within scope of practice and as agreed), counselling on all aspects of their medicines prescribed by iCaSH, acting as a point of contact for them with regards to medicine/prescription queries, and and facilitating patient support groups as appropriate.

Support the provision of specialty medications to patients within HM Prison service.

Advise regarding alternative treatments when choices are unavailable or unsuitable and communicate as necessary with the Trust’s Pharmacy services provider regarding supplies and other practical issues.

Be competent in the management of under 18-year-olds and vulnerable adults working within Fraser Guidelines and mental capacity assessments and liaising with the multi-disciplinary team and CCS and local safeguarding teams/services as appropriate.

If you have a non-medical prescribing qualification, you will be expected to practice as a prescriber as part of this role.

Participate in the development and delivery of education and training to multidisciplinary colleagues and patient/carer groups on relevant subject areas.

Identify own training needs and be able to devise solutions to meet these needs using SMART objectives.

Attend, and participate in, education and training programmes to develop skills, keep abreast of therapeutic developments and share best practice as part of a commitment to continuing education and the concept of lifelong learning, including the iCaSH Clinical Teaching programme.

Be an active member of the Trust’s Pharmacy Team and Medicines Safety and Governance Group, contributing to the debates and providing constructive feedback and challenge where appropriate.