Job summary
Putting patients at the heart of what we do
In 2019, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust's Integrated Local Services (ILS) was rated outstanding by CQC. The pharmacy service received special recognition in the CQC report in supporting the safe handling of medicines in ILS. The post-holder will be expected to support the ILS pharmacy team to continue to deliver high-quality, safe and efficient care in dedicated services within South-East London by:
- optimising the use of medicines through patient-centered consultations
- Partnering with other providers to embed the medicines optimisation principles within the heart of the organisational culture to optimise the services provided
- developing and participating in shared-decision making in quite often complex medical, mental health and/or social circumstances
- ensure safe systems are in place to support the medicines optimisation systems within the service such as safe-handling and storage of medicines.
- support the wider Integrated Care Systems, Trust, Medicines Optimisation, Education and EDI strategies
- commitment to engage and upskill a diverse range of MDT workforce within and outside the organisation to deliver safer and efficient medicines management services
Main duties of the job
The post-holder will be a key member of the pharmacy and multidisciplinary team (MDT) within the Integrated Local Services (ILS) directorate.
The post-holder will:
- rotate through and support various ILS commissioned services and teams such as the Neighbourhood Nursing service, Urgent Care Response (UCR) and Care Homes Pharmacy teams.
- develop their clinical and professional skills in optimising medicines within their services and understand the governance underpinning medicines administration to a population that will typically include vulnerable and/or frail older people with multiple long term conditions (LTC).
- develop their leadership and soft-skills in working closely with the patient and the wider MDT including other providers i.e. care homes, GP practices, Adult Social Care, Mental Health Teams and the Voluntary sector.
- assist with the Medicines Optimisation and Trust strategies in developing medicines management services and support quality improvement projects/audits to monitor medicines-related risk in line with local and national guidelines and providing leadership to the MDT in reducing and managing such risk.
- commit to patient-centred care and undertake complex medication reviews; providing leadership and advice to the MDT, to provide holistic care to patients in their own homes or care homes as part of the medicines optimisation pharmacy service.
About us
Working for GSTT ILS means being a key member of an outstanding CQC rated multidisciplinary team and being an exceptional role model of the Trusts values and behaviours.
Partnership working and integrating with various MDT teams enables us to deliver the best possible agreed outcomes for patients.
Pharmacy services are vital to the medicines optimisation agenda and are undoubtedly appreciated by the wider MDT.
Testimonials include:
After a pharmacy service pilot, the care homes manager was asked if the pilot helped the care homes to identify areas for improvement, to improve on these areas and if the pilot had made the care home team more confident around medicines management - the answer to all three questions was to "strongly agree" with the statements. The care home manager stated they would strongly recommend the same care home pharmacy support to other care homes
We recognise that some people hesitate to apply for jobs if they don't meet all the essential criteria. We welcome all applications and encourage those from a diverse background, experienced GP practice pharmacists, or those who may be returning to work after a break, to apply. We are open to flexible and agile ways of working so that you can find the right work-life balance while delivering a safe and effective service.
We are a supportive, diverse and inclusive workforce who are committed to support your clinical and professional development to become an advanced senior integrated care pharmacist.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Practice
- To work across community sites, care homes and in patients home to provide safe, clinically effective and cost efficient use of medicines for the patients as allocated.
- To demonstrate and apply general pharmaceutical and specialist clinical pharmacy knowledge in order to plan, manage, monitor and review therapeutic programmes for patients allocated.
- To manage patients pharmaceutical needs appropriately, make appropriate referrals and to liaise with key relationships in the acute Trust and primary care
- To follow legal, ethical, professional, and employers codes of conduct.
- To ensure the quality of patient care
- To demonstrate appropriate clinical reasoning and judgement
- To ensure the clear and effective communication of patients pharmaceutical needs to other pharmacists and health care professionals both within the Trust and in other health care environments.
- To demonstrate professional accountability to patients.
- To demonstrate awareness and commitment to the Trusts Clinical Governance agenda.
Leadership
- To promote best practice
- To implement agreed clinical governance initiatives
- To develop clinical pharmacy services in line with local and national objectives
- To work collaboratively with pharmacy and medical staff, the multidisciplinary team and management and to participate in the agenda for pharmacy services in accordance with the agreed objectives.
- To deputise for senior pharmacists during periods of absence
Management of service
- To provide a clinical pharmacy service in accordance with the priorities set by the clinical team leader for each ILS service in order to ensure safe, clinically effective and cost efficient use of medicines in these patients
- To ensure national and local agendas are delivered
- To follow and conform to relevant standards of care
- To identify and manage risks in relation to medicines use according to policy/protocol
- To promote Improvements in Working Lives
- To provide evaluated pharmaceutical and financial information in accordance with the needs of the directorate
- To identify changes in prescribing practice that will lead to more cost effective practice
- To demonstrate professional accountability
- To be aware of and adhere to SFIs and the Trusts Corporate Governance commitments.
Evaluation of Service
- To monitor clinical pharmacy service provided in order to ensure safe, clinically effective and cost effective use of medicines in these patients.
- To document the workload of pharmacy services in line with departmental and corporate objectives.
- To document the quality of pharmacy services in line with departmental and corporate objectives
- To undertake clinical audit as part of the MDT audit process
- To undertake assessments/evaluations as required and be able to apply the key principles of giving feedback
Research and Service Development
- To demonstrate a critical approach towards pharmacy practice in the Integrated Care setting across each ILS service.
- To integrate research evidence into practice.
- To work with Integrated Care Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to develop clinical pathways
- To actively seek to improve clinical services provided
- To undertake practice research in accordance with the pharmacy research agenda
Education and Training
- To identify training needs of ILS staff in order to undertake the role required.
- To provide education and training to pharmacy and other staff.
- To evaluate training provided.
- Critically assess personal limitations and identify own training needs.
- To maintain a portfolio of practice.
- To participate in in-service clinical pharmacy teaching and MDT teaching as appropriate.
Other
- To maintain a broad level of pharmacy practice and ensure a broad base of pharmaceutical knowledge.
- To undertake clinical duties as required by the service including but not limited to participation in weekend working, post take ward rounds and specialist frailty ward rounds.
- To participate in education and training programmes to develop skills as part of a commitment to continuing education and the concept of lifelong learning.
- To provide other duties as specified by the Principal Pharmacists for ILS.
- To be aware of, and apply relevant legislation such as the H&SAWA, COSHH, Medicines Act, GMP etc.
- To at all times practice in accordance with the Standards of Conduct, Ethics and Performance of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GB) and the Professional Standards for Hospital Pharmacy of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (GB).
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Practice
- To work across community sites, care homes and in patients home to provide safe, clinically effective and cost efficient use of medicines for the patients as allocated.
- To demonstrate and apply general pharmaceutical and specialist clinical pharmacy knowledge in order to plan, manage, monitor and review therapeutic programmes for patients allocated.
- To manage patients pharmaceutical needs appropriately, make appropriate referrals and to liaise with key relationships in the acute Trust and primary care
- To follow legal, ethical, professional, and employers codes of conduct.
- To ensure the quality of patient care
- To demonstrate appropriate clinical reasoning and judgement
- To ensure the clear and effective communication of patients pharmaceutical needs to other pharmacists and health care professionals both within the Trust and in other health care environments.
- To demonstrate professional accountability to patients.
- To demonstrate awareness and commitment to the Trusts Clinical Governance agenda.
Leadership
- To promote best practice
- To implement agreed clinical governance initiatives
- To develop clinical pharmacy services in line with local and national objectives
- To work collaboratively with pharmacy and medical staff, the multidisciplinary team and management and to participate in the agenda for pharmacy services in accordance with the agreed objectives.
- To deputise for senior pharmacists during periods of absence
Management of service
- To provide a clinical pharmacy service in accordance with the priorities set by the clinical team leader for each ILS service in order to ensure safe, clinically effective and cost efficient use of medicines in these patients
- To ensure national and local agendas are delivered
- To follow and conform to relevant standards of care
- To identify and manage risks in relation to medicines use according to policy/protocol
- To promote Improvements in Working Lives
- To provide evaluated pharmaceutical and financial information in accordance with the needs of the directorate
- To identify changes in prescribing practice that will lead to more cost effective practice
- To demonstrate professional accountability
- To be aware of and adhere to SFIs and the Trusts Corporate Governance commitments.
Evaluation of Service
- To monitor clinical pharmacy service provided in order to ensure safe, clinically effective and cost effective use of medicines in these patients.
- To document the workload of pharmacy services in line with departmental and corporate objectives.
- To document the quality of pharmacy services in line with departmental and corporate objectives
- To undertake clinical audit as part of the MDT audit process
- To undertake assessments/evaluations as required and be able to apply the key principles of giving feedback
Research and Service Development
- To demonstrate a critical approach towards pharmacy practice in the Integrated Care setting across each ILS service.
- To integrate research evidence into practice.
- To work with Integrated Care Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to develop clinical pathways
- To actively seek to improve clinical services provided
- To undertake practice research in accordance with the pharmacy research agenda
Education and Training
- To identify training needs of ILS staff in order to undertake the role required.
- To provide education and training to pharmacy and other staff.
- To evaluate training provided.
- Critically assess personal limitations and identify own training needs.
- To maintain a portfolio of practice.
- To participate in in-service clinical pharmacy teaching and MDT teaching as appropriate.
Other
- To maintain a broad level of pharmacy practice and ensure a broad base of pharmaceutical knowledge.
- To undertake clinical duties as required by the service including but not limited to participation in weekend working, post take ward rounds and specialist frailty ward rounds.
- To participate in education and training programmes to develop skills as part of a commitment to continuing education and the concept of lifelong learning.
- To provide other duties as specified by the Principal Pharmacists for ILS.
- To be aware of, and apply relevant legislation such as the H&SAWA, COSHH, Medicines Act, GMP etc.
- To at all times practice in accordance with the Standards of Conduct, Ethics and Performance of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GB) and the Professional Standards for Hospital Pharmacy of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (GB).
Person Specification
Qualification and Knowledge
Essential
- Registered member of GPhC
- Substantial evidence of CPD and continuing education
- Educated to degree level
Desirable
- Qualified Non-Medical Prescriber
- Member of UKCPA or other recognised groups / network for older people
- Specialist training, qualification or education in the care of older people
Experience
Essential
- Undertaking clinical medication reviews in older people and improving adherence
- Delivering direct pharmaceutical care
- Sound therapeutic and clinical knowledge in care of older people
- Understands the effects of ageing on drug handling and medicines use
- Ability to provide high quality clinical advice and communicate complex pharmacy issues that may be frequently challenged
Desirable
- Understands national policies and the context around managing long term conditions, case management and reducing unnecessary hospital admissions in the NHS and their implication for medicines management
- Understands the wider issues in the community and across the interface with social care that affect medicines optimisation particularly during transition of care
Skills
Essential
- Understands pharmacy and medicines management issues in primary/community and secondary care that affect patient care
- Ability to provide high quality clinical advice and communicate complex pharmacy issues that may be frequently challenged
- Willingness to tackle difficult issues as well as challenge practices and systems that lead to sub-optimal use of medicines
- Working within multidisciplinary teams
Desirable
- Ability to work autonomously and use own initiative
Person Specification
Qualification and Knowledge
Essential
- Registered member of GPhC
- Substantial evidence of CPD and continuing education
- Educated to degree level
Desirable
- Qualified Non-Medical Prescriber
- Member of UKCPA or other recognised groups / network for older people
- Specialist training, qualification or education in the care of older people
Experience
Essential
- Undertaking clinical medication reviews in older people and improving adherence
- Delivering direct pharmaceutical care
- Sound therapeutic and clinical knowledge in care of older people
- Understands the effects of ageing on drug handling and medicines use
- Ability to provide high quality clinical advice and communicate complex pharmacy issues that may be frequently challenged
Desirable
- Understands national policies and the context around managing long term conditions, case management and reducing unnecessary hospital admissions in the NHS and their implication for medicines management
- Understands the wider issues in the community and across the interface with social care that affect medicines optimisation particularly during transition of care
Skills
Essential
- Understands pharmacy and medicines management issues in primary/community and secondary care that affect patient care
- Ability to provide high quality clinical advice and communicate complex pharmacy issues that may be frequently challenged
- Willingness to tackle difficult issues as well as challenge practices and systems that lead to sub-optimal use of medicines
- Working within multidisciplinary teams
Desirable
- Ability to work autonomously and use own initiative
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).
