Advanced Clinical Pharmacist

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The pharmacy team is well-established within the board, providing a comprehensive and high quality clinical pharmacy service.  The day-to-day clinical ward commitment includes promoting medication safety and optimising medicines use, as well as facilitating safe discharge.   

The post holder will lead the pharmacy provision and service development to adult cardiothoracic services, optimising medicines safety, providing learning opportunities to the pharmacy team and working with the multiprofessional teams to move services forward in line with local and national priorities. 

As an advanced clinical pharmacist you will work closely with the board, make recommendations for, and implement Cost Improvement Programmes (CIPs), and be actively involved with the training of pharmacy and non-pharmacy staff.  You will work with pharmacy colleagues to provide a high quality clinical pharmacy service across the Trust. 

The post holder will be responsible for managing a small number of staff and supporting the team in their roles, including learning and development, and managing the team to ensure appropriate service provision.

We require a dynamic, motivated and enthusiastic team-player, with a sound knowledge of the area and significant clinical experience in cardiothoracic services.  Excellent communication skills are essential.  

All our senior pharmacists are expected to take an active role in our various teaching commitments and there are opportunities to be involved with pharmacy and medical undergraduate teaching.  You will also be able to develop your people management and clinical supervision skills as a clinical diploma supervisor, Foundation Trainee Pharmacist mentor or Designated prescribing practitioner.

Within the role you will be involved with service developments to ensure that high risk patients are reviewed promptly to optimise medication therapy and minimise any medicines related harm. This will be achieved by effectively utilising a team of ward technicians, and clinical pharmacists. You will also use prescribing skills to facilitate prompt medicines reconciliation and medicines optimisation.

You will be responsible for supervising the training of foundation pharmacists and trainees rotating through your clinical area by setting objectives and providing supervision and support during the working day.

Your role will include support to the clinical boards, answering medication related queries and overseeing the access to medicines used in the clinical areas (e.g by providing information on supply problems, advising on medicines storage and facilitating formulary requests) and identifying areas for quality and cost improvement.

As an Advanced Clinical Pharmacist we would expect you to lead on clinical audit and research within your clinical area and also support education and training of the Pharmacy team and the wider MDT.

All our clinical pharmacists will be expected to participate in our 7 day clinical service (including operational commitments to the inpatient services) and you will be included in our weekend and Bank Holiday rota. You will also support late night and weekend dispensary services on a rota basis.

Pharmacists wishing to work slightly reduced hours (≥ 30 hours per week) would be welcomed to apply.

Job Purpose

• To organise and develop clinical pharmacy services within agreed clinical area.
• To undertake an agreed prescribing role within agreed clinical area.
• To participate in the provision of clinical and patient services functions.
• To promote the safe, rational and cost effective use of medicines by working closely with nursing and medical staff and health care managers.
• To perform the professional role of a registered pharmacist, including advice, supervision and co-operation with colleagues, particularly in relation to support/cover for absent colleagues