Job summary
We are looking for a talented and experienced pharmacist to provide clinical leadership for our epilepsy service. As our lead pharmacist for Epilepsy Services, you will set the strategy and the tone for our clinical service, ensuring the continued provision and ongoing development of high quality, patient-centred care.
We are looking for someone with a proven track record for delivering safe and effective care in hospital pharmacy services. You will need a clear vision for developing existing clinical pharmacy services, and developing new and innovative services to meet the needs of our patients. You will be able to demonstrate that you have the values and skills to provide effective, inspiring, and respectful leadership to the whole Pharmacy Team.
Applicants must be currently registered with the GPhC as a pharmacist and have extensive, demonstrable pharmacy and leadership experience.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be responsible for leading and delivering a highly specialist service for the review of epileptic medicines in the treatment for adult patients. As such, they will be the specialist clinical expert.
They will advise and make clinical recommendations to the neurology and pharmacy to support the treatment of adult patients with epilepsy.
Implement the MHRA safety alerts in relation to valproate and topiramate,
Support patients with complex medication needs to improve medication safety and outcomes in this patient group.
They will work across the Kent and Medway ICS via an honorary contract.
About us
We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer. We strive to employ people who reflect the communities we serve, and aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone can reach their full potential. Whatever your race, ethnicity, belief, generation, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability or experience, you'll appreciate the opportunities we give you to work in an inclusive atmosphere. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to build on the progress we've achieved to make our Trust diverse and the best place to work. We celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that help us overcome challenges and embrace new possibilities.
If you are considering applying for a role, please be aware that as an NHS Employee you may have contact with vulnerable service users. We strongly encourage that all of our staff are vaccinated against COVID-19, in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and our patients. Your commitment will help us to put the safety and care of our patients first, as well as helping us to protect you and your colleagues.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide expert clinical pharmacy input, advice, and knowledge in the area of epilepsy, providing highly specialist advice to consultants, junior doctors, nursing, and pharmacy staff.
To be responsible for leading and delivering a highly specialist service for the review of epileptic medicines in the treatment for adult patients.
To advise and make clinical recommendations to the neurology and pharmacy to support the treatment of adult patients with epilepsy.
To implement the MHRA safety alerts in relation to valproate and topiramate, working under honorary contract across acute providers in Kent and Medway.
Support patients with complex medication needs to improve medication safety and outcomes in this patient group.
To work in partnership with the Lead Clinical Pharmacist to plan the future development and progress of clinical pharmacy services and medicines optimisation services to the Trust, particularly in light of national and regional directives and guidance, in liaison with the Senior Leadership Team.
To lead in the development of medicines optimisation initiatives in epilepsy
To monitor the level and standard of professional work undertaken by clinical pharmacy staff in accordance with local KPIs and national competency frameworks.
To develop clinical pharmacy services which are targeted at all domains of medicines optimisation, maximising use of patients own drugs, completing medicines reconciliation, focused on discharge and ensuring adherence to policies around safe prescribing and administration.
To review and interpret complex literature and present this at The Medicines Committee
To provide professional and clinical advice to the multidisciplinary healthcare team, patients and carers, to support individual patient care and medicines optimisation
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide expert clinical pharmacy input, advice, and knowledge in the area of epilepsy, providing highly specialist advice to consultants, junior doctors, nursing, and pharmacy staff.
To be responsible for leading and delivering a highly specialist service for the review of epileptic medicines in the treatment for adult patients.
To advise and make clinical recommendations to the neurology and pharmacy to support the treatment of adult patients with epilepsy.
To implement the MHRA safety alerts in relation to valproate and topiramate, working under honorary contract across acute providers in Kent and Medway.
Support patients with complex medication needs to improve medication safety and outcomes in this patient group.
To work in partnership with the Lead Clinical Pharmacist to plan the future development and progress of clinical pharmacy services and medicines optimisation services to the Trust, particularly in light of national and regional directives and guidance, in liaison with the Senior Leadership Team.
To lead in the development of medicines optimisation initiatives in epilepsy
To monitor the level and standard of professional work undertaken by clinical pharmacy staff in accordance with local KPIs and national competency frameworks.
To develop clinical pharmacy services which are targeted at all domains of medicines optimisation, maximising use of patients own drugs, completing medicines reconciliation, focused on discharge and ensuring adherence to policies around safe prescribing and administration.
To review and interpret complex literature and present this at The Medicines Committee
To provide professional and clinical advice to the multidisciplinary healthcare team, patients and carers, to support individual patient care and medicines optimisation
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- GPhC registration as a pharmacist
- Independent prescriber (or working towards)
- MSc or equivalent postgraduate qualification in management of epilepsy
- Degree in pharmacy
- Management and leadership qualification
- Practice/Educational Supervisor Accreditation or equivalent teaching accreditation
Desirable
- Member of Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Excellent communication skills
- Broad pharmaceutical knowledge relating to general medicine and core medical specialities
- Expert knowledge of national and local guidelines relating to specialism that need to be adhered to
- Ability to practice with a high level of professional autonomy in dealing with complex issues or situations
- Ability to work strategically to deliver service objectives on time
- Ability to mentor pharmacy and health care staff
- Advanced computer literacy including Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Awareness of current practice and policy affecting pharmacy practice in the NHS and understanding the NHS structure
- Excellent interpersonal skills, both written and verbal
Desirable
- JAC computer skills
- Incident investigation/ root cause analysis
- Risk management
- Budgetary control skills
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of the delivery of expert practice in epilepsy
- A proven track record of supporting national and local initiatives to ensure evidence-based practice in epilepsy
- Evidence of experience in research, evaluation and service development
- Evidence of using high level pharmacy skills in patient care
Desirable
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary clinical pharmacy setting
- Maintains a portfolio of practice
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- GPhC registration as a pharmacist
- Independent prescriber (or working towards)
- MSc or equivalent postgraduate qualification in management of epilepsy
- Degree in pharmacy
- Management and leadership qualification
- Practice/Educational Supervisor Accreditation or equivalent teaching accreditation
Desirable
- Member of Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Excellent communication skills
- Broad pharmaceutical knowledge relating to general medicine and core medical specialities
- Expert knowledge of national and local guidelines relating to specialism that need to be adhered to
- Ability to practice with a high level of professional autonomy in dealing with complex issues or situations
- Ability to work strategically to deliver service objectives on time
- Ability to mentor pharmacy and health care staff
- Advanced computer literacy including Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Awareness of current practice and policy affecting pharmacy practice in the NHS and understanding the NHS structure
- Excellent interpersonal skills, both written and verbal
Desirable
- JAC computer skills
- Incident investigation/ root cause analysis
- Risk management
- Budgetary control skills
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of the delivery of expert practice in epilepsy
- A proven track record of supporting national and local initiatives to ensure evidence-based practice in epilepsy
- Evidence of experience in research, evaluation and service development
- Evidence of using high level pharmacy skills in patient care
Desirable
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary clinical pharmacy setting
- Maintains a portfolio of practice
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.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
