Specialist Pharmacist Homecare and High Cost Drugs

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Leadership

·         Manage the homecare team on a day-to-day basis under the direction of the Lead Pharmacist Medicines Optimisation.

·         Manage, plan and direct the work of the team in collaboration with the Medicines Optimisation Technician - Homecare.

·         Be responsible for the planning and implementation of strategic goals for the Pharmacy Homecare team.

Service Delivery and Improvement in Homecare Services

·         Lead the pharmacy homecare services and Pharmacy Homecare Team.

·         Lead in the implementation, monitoring of compliance with, and updating of Trust policies relating to the homecare service.

·         Review relevant Trust policies and procedures related to homecare to ensure compliance with relevant professional and clinical standards, including the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Professional standards for Homecare Services and the Hackett report.

·         Develop clinical excellence in services provided for patients, such as homecare consultations for initiation and switching of therapies and ongoing patient support.

·         Develop and implement procedures for clinical screening of homecare prescriptions including document approval and control, and provide training to clinical pharmacists in the clinical screening of prescriptions of medicines supplied through the homecare route.

·         Carry out clinical screening of prescriptions in the absence of specialist clinical pharmacists.

·         Work closely with the Commissioning and Finance teams to develop processes to manage funding challenges arising from the use of homecare medicines.

·         Ensure Blueteq forms are submitted for NICE approved drugs.

·         Develop systems for homecare services that promote safe medication practices that lead to a reduction in the clinical and operational risk associated with medicine use.

·         Lead on the handling of complaints for clinical incidents relating to homecare supplied medicines.

·         Ensure that appropriate actions are taken following new drug approval and treatment pathway decisions related to homecare made by the Trust Medicines Value Group.

·         Identify areas for audit which contribute to improving patient care, safety, and experience in relation to homecare medicines use and provision.

·         Implement contracts and develop methods of identifying potential savings and ensuring value for money in relation to homecare supplied medicines, in conjunction with the Pharmacy Homecare technician.

·         Develop and regularly review KPIs to monitor homecare services.

Lead Specialist Clinical Pharmacist Role

·         Act as a link and provide support and advice to a specialist clinical areas where high cost drugs and homecare services are used, e.g. Rheumatology, Dermatology, Gastroenterology.

·         Plan and implement medicines optimisation strategies within specialist clinical areas, working closely and communicating effectively with all staff within the area.

·         Support the Medicines Optimisation Pharmacist in the development and implementation of medicines optimisation practices in line with the Trusts medicines optimisation strategy.

·         Participate in the provision of ward / clinical pharmacy services to the Trust; reviewing prescriptions, communicating effectively with appropriate healthcare professionals to solve patient related medicines management problems, and minimising clinical risk.

·         Provide education for patients and carers in all aspects of their drug therapy and medicines management, advising them of any discharge issues.

·         Support the service to manage complex situations relating to medicines and rapid discharge.

·         Assist in the provision of education to other healthcare professionals on medication related topics.

·         Record appropriate information on prescriptions, administration records and clinical records to ensure safety in medicines administration while showing good information governance.

·         Prioritise workload in clinical areas to ensure higher priority issues are dealt with first.

·         Assist senior pharmacists in the development, review, and implementation of clinical pharmacy services.

Financial and Performance Management

·         Work closely with the Commissioning and Finance teams to develop processes for managing funding challenges associated with the use of homecare medicines.

·         Ensure that all SLAs and contracts in place deliver value for money for the Trust in terms of homecare and procurement of medicines.

·         Support the development of future SLAs for homecare through horizon scanning of pipeline medicines and homecare services to deliver cost effective, value for money medicines.

·         Develop and maintain performance dashboards for regular review with team members.

·         Lead pharmacy input into all areas of homecare services and associated risks of medication use and policies.

·         Inform on pharmacy strategy with regards to homecare services.

·         Liaise with medical, nursing, and pharmacy personnel to ensure comprehensive pharmaceutical contributions are integrated into all homecare services' clinical guidelines and policies (e.g., Integrated Care Pathways, Patient Group Directions, etc.).

·         Work collaboratively with colleagues to establish and maintain effective governance arrangements and performance management systems for homecare services.

Education and Training

·         To identify any training needs of pharmacy staff in order to undertake the roles required in relation to homecare services.

·         To provide education and training of pharmacy and other staff in relation to homecare and procurement services, the screening of homecare prescriptions and the submission of Blueteq forms.

·         To participate in education and training of other healthcare professionals as required.

·         To identify own training needs and document in a personal development plan.

·         To participate in other areas of pharmacy practice to ensure a broad base of pharmaceutical knowledge.

·         To undertake continual professional development and revalidation in line with the requirements of professional bodies, including continuing education and attendance at appropriate courses and study days.

General

·         To assist in the maintenance of the wider pharmacy services by participating in late night, weekend and Bank Holiday and emergency on-call duties in accordance with agreed rotas.

·         To participate in the Trust’s annual appraisal process.

·         At all times present a positive and professional image of the pharmacy department to all service users.

·         To act as a role model / mentor within the department.

To ensure all work completed complies with departmental Standards of Practice, risk management and health and safety policies and protocols.

·         To undertake any further duties as agreed with the Senior Pharmacy Leadership Team.