Job summary
The Lead Pharmacist - Medicines Safety leads the development, delivery and monitoring of the Trust's medicines safety agenda. Working as part of the multidisciplinary safety system, the post holder analyses safety insights, coordinates proportionate responses to medication safety events in line with PSIRF, and implements evidence-based improvements to reduce avoidable harm. The role provides specialist advice, education and engagement across clinical services, and reports assurance and learning to pharmacy and Trust governance forums. The post holder reports to the Principal pharmacist- Safety, Governance & Audit, and Medication Safety (MSO)
Main duties of the job
Please see the attached job description and person specification for further details around the main duties of the job role.
About us
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.
With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyone voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and person specification for further details around the main responsibilities of the job role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and person specification for further details around the main responsibilities of the job role.
Person Specification
Education & Qualification
Essential
- Masters Degree in Pharmacy or equivalent
- Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical or Technical Pharmacy or equivalent demonstrable experience
- Registered as a pharmacist with The General Pharmaceutical Council
Desirable
- MSc in Clinical or Technical Pharmacy
- Independent prescribing qualification
- Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Experience & Knowledge
Essential
- Extensive post-registration experience with substantial hospital experience
- Experience of multidisciplinary team working
- Experience in providing and evaluating pharmacy education & training including mentorship
- Experience of managing or supervising other staff
- Experience of implementing and/or reviewing policies, guidelines, PGDs or equivalent
- Evidence of on-going revalidation with the GPhC
- Knowledge of risk management, patient safety strategies and learning culture
- Knowledge of how the delivery of the clinical pharmacy service must meet the needs of local and national priorities
- Knowledge of pharmacy based computer systems
Desirable
- Previous undertaking of the role of Medication Safety Officer
- Experience of working directly within a medication safety specialism
- Experience in the provision of pharmacy expertise to the clinical governance agenda
- Experience of providing post-graduate level training and/or education
- Experience of managing the entry of new medicines into a hospital formulary
- Experience of budgetary responsibility and/or experience with high cost drugs
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Able to communicate effectively with a wide range of healthcare professionals and patients
- Able to provide expert advice on the use of medicines to treat patients within a specialist area
- Able to manage difficult or ambiguous situations
- Able to manage time effectively and meet tight deadlines
- Able to prioritise and manage workload
- Able to demonstrate an advanced level of reasoning and judgment
- Able to present complex information to a large groups of staff
- Able to train and supervise staff
- Able to undertake prescription review of complex medication regimes
- Attention to detail and good problem solving skills
- Proficient computer skills
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Takes responsibility for own actions and promotes positive team working ethic
- Shares information and good practice appropriately
- Treats others with courtesy and respect at all times
- Maintains high levels of concentration for prolonged periods of time
- Excellent verbal and written skills
Person Specification
Education & Qualification
Essential
- Masters Degree in Pharmacy or equivalent
- Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical or Technical Pharmacy or equivalent demonstrable experience
- Registered as a pharmacist with The General Pharmaceutical Council
Desirable
- MSc in Clinical or Technical Pharmacy
- Independent prescribing qualification
- Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Experience & Knowledge
Essential
- Extensive post-registration experience with substantial hospital experience
- Experience of multidisciplinary team working
- Experience in providing and evaluating pharmacy education & training including mentorship
- Experience of managing or supervising other staff
- Experience of implementing and/or reviewing policies, guidelines, PGDs or equivalent
- Evidence of on-going revalidation with the GPhC
- Knowledge of risk management, patient safety strategies and learning culture
- Knowledge of how the delivery of the clinical pharmacy service must meet the needs of local and national priorities
- Knowledge of pharmacy based computer systems
Desirable
- Previous undertaking of the role of Medication Safety Officer
- Experience of working directly within a medication safety specialism
- Experience in the provision of pharmacy expertise to the clinical governance agenda
- Experience of providing post-graduate level training and/or education
- Experience of managing the entry of new medicines into a hospital formulary
- Experience of budgetary responsibility and/or experience with high cost drugs
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Able to communicate effectively with a wide range of healthcare professionals and patients
- Able to provide expert advice on the use of medicines to treat patients within a specialist area
- Able to manage difficult or ambiguous situations
- Able to manage time effectively and meet tight deadlines
- Able to prioritise and manage workload
- Able to demonstrate an advanced level of reasoning and judgment
- Able to present complex information to a large groups of staff
- Able to train and supervise staff
- Able to undertake prescription review of complex medication regimes
- Attention to detail and good problem solving skills
- Proficient computer skills
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Takes responsibility for own actions and promotes positive team working ethic
- Shares information and good practice appropriately
- Treats others with courtesy and respect at all times
- Maintains high levels of concentration for prolonged periods of time
- Excellent verbal and written skills
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
