Job summary
Best of both worlds! This post enables you to develop within a variety of specialist areas that use High Cost Medicines (HCM) alongside retaining and developing your general clinical knowledge by working within our Medicines Advice team.
You will develop your specialist skills in these areas and use your expertise to support our High Cost Medicines & Homecare team to implement cost-effective medicines use across the Trust. This will involve close liaison with clinical colleagues in a multidisciplinary environment.
You will also support our Medicines Advice Service, working with a team of pharmacists and technicians to provide medicines advice to patients and healthcare professionals. You will be supported to develop new expertise in information retrieval, interpretation and evaluation. Over time, you will also get the opportunity to train and develop others in these areas. As a valued member of the team, you will be expected to contribute to service evaluation and development.
Throughout our department, we have a very strong team ethos and you will have good support from your peers, the senior pharmacists and technicians. You will work closely with our team of clinical pharmacists. We are in the process of implementing electronic prescribing and medicines administration on all our inpatient wards.
A strong team spirit and good communication will be required as well as a desire to have the patient's safety at the foremost of everything you do.
Main duties of the job
The role involves providing specialist clinical pharmacy support to specialties that use medicines which are excluded from the NHS Payment System, and via the Medicines Advice Service. You will be supported by the lead pharmacists in high-cost medicines and Medicines Advice Service to develop your role. As a guide, the split post is:
To ensure that the specialist areas have the pharmaceutical support and information necessary to manage medicines safely and in a cost effective manner.
To support the management of High-Cost Medicines.
To provide medicines advice to patients and healthcare professionals.
Management duties (planning, organising, monitoring, controlling, developing staff etc.).
Other duties/functions to ensure that the objectives of the Trust and Pharmacy Services are achieved.
About us
Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.
Our Excellence Values
Compassion
Accountability
Respect
Integrity
Courage
We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.
We are a Defence positive trust, supporting our reservists, veterans, spouses and partners.
The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.
We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.
We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds.This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To become a specialist pharmacist in use of High Cost Medicines:
To develop specialist expertise in areas with a high use of High Cost Medicines.
To have a working knowledge of current practise and protocols in these specialties.
To facilitate the development and implementation of medicine-related guidelines.
To lead the auditing of medicines within specialist areas.
To attend appropriate Directorate meetings to ensure that pharmaceutical issues are considered.
To work with Specialist Areas and High Cost Medicines and homecare team:
To monitor, analyse and report on medicine use.
To undertake variance analysis to explain changes in expenditure.
To advise the specialist areas on changes in practise to improve quality and efficiency of medicine treatment.
To assist the High Cost Medicines team in producing reports relating to activities.
To deputise for the Advanced High Cost Medicines Pharmacist and Homecare Pharmacist, when required.
To monitor the effectiveness of advice given.
To advise the High Cost Medicines Pharmacists of specialist area service plans and medicine developments within that area.
To set/monitor the standards for Clinical Services within the specialist areas with the support of the High Cost Medicines Pharmacists.
To investigate incidents and complaints relating to medicines usage within the specialist area with the support of the High Cost Medicines Pharmacists.
To provide Medicines Advice to facilitate the safe and cost-effective use of medicines through the provision of robust, up-to-date advice:
To provide an enquiry answering service offering expert advice and guidance on the safe, effective and economical use of medicines; to maintain knowledge of development in pharmacy practice.
To train Pharmacy staff and other disciplines to enable them to provide safe, high quality advice on medicines; to be involved in the support and supervision arrangements for staff working in the Medicines Advice service, such as Pharmacists undergoing the Clinical Pharmacy Diploma course and Pre-registration Pharmacists.
To work with the wider Pharmacy team to facilitate staff to keep up-to-date with pharmacy practice and therapeutic developments within their areas of specialism.
To provide information and advice to address local medicines issues, e.g. through production of guidelines, policies and bulletins.
To provide support for the development of county wide shared care agreements
To ensure that activities are carried out in accordance with the latest UKMI advice.
To help to maintain efficient and effective systems for storing and retrieving information.
To maintain service standards
To provide information and advice to address local medicines issues.
To provide support for the Trusts Formulary Medicines Policy to ensure that the best possible evidence is available for decision-making.
To promote the reporting of adverse drug reactions to improve the safe use of medicines.
To use your pharmaceutical expertise for the benefit of patients and the organisation:
To be an ambassador for all Pharmacy Services
To optimise medicines through prescribing role operating within areas of competence (where appropriately qualified and authorised via the Trust NMP register)
To participate in the clinical/advisory pharmacy service.
To record your clinical activity and to monitor the outcome of your advice.
To fulfil the requirements of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Good Professional Practice.
To implement countywide and local prescribing strategies within medical specialities.
To undertake ADR reporting where necessary.
To manage and develop staff to ensure that the objectives of the Trust and Pharmacy Service are achieved:
To participate in the training of Pharmacy staff and other disciplines; to be involved in the support and supervision arrangements for those working in your area, such as Pharmacists undergoing the Clinical Pharmacy Diploma course and Pre-registration Pharmacists.
To manage and lead those staff allocated and make the best of their qualification, abilities and experience.
To assist in the induction of staff into the service; to help identify training and development needs.
To maintain appropriate standards of service and safety; to enforce guidelines, policies and procedures to ensure standards are met.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To become a specialist pharmacist in use of High Cost Medicines:
To develop specialist expertise in areas with a high use of High Cost Medicines.
To have a working knowledge of current practise and protocols in these specialties.
To facilitate the development and implementation of medicine-related guidelines.
To lead the auditing of medicines within specialist areas.
To attend appropriate Directorate meetings to ensure that pharmaceutical issues are considered.
To work with Specialist Areas and High Cost Medicines and homecare team:
To monitor, analyse and report on medicine use.
To undertake variance analysis to explain changes in expenditure.
To advise the specialist areas on changes in practise to improve quality and efficiency of medicine treatment.
To assist the High Cost Medicines team in producing reports relating to activities.
To deputise for the Advanced High Cost Medicines Pharmacist and Homecare Pharmacist, when required.
To monitor the effectiveness of advice given.
To advise the High Cost Medicines Pharmacists of specialist area service plans and medicine developments within that area.
To set/monitor the standards for Clinical Services within the specialist areas with the support of the High Cost Medicines Pharmacists.
To investigate incidents and complaints relating to medicines usage within the specialist area with the support of the High Cost Medicines Pharmacists.
To provide Medicines Advice to facilitate the safe and cost-effective use of medicines through the provision of robust, up-to-date advice:
To provide an enquiry answering service offering expert advice and guidance on the safe, effective and economical use of medicines; to maintain knowledge of development in pharmacy practice.
To train Pharmacy staff and other disciplines to enable them to provide safe, high quality advice on medicines; to be involved in the support and supervision arrangements for staff working in the Medicines Advice service, such as Pharmacists undergoing the Clinical Pharmacy Diploma course and Pre-registration Pharmacists.
To work with the wider Pharmacy team to facilitate staff to keep up-to-date with pharmacy practice and therapeutic developments within their areas of specialism.
To provide information and advice to address local medicines issues, e.g. through production of guidelines, policies and bulletins.
To provide support for the development of county wide shared care agreements
To ensure that activities are carried out in accordance with the latest UKMI advice.
To help to maintain efficient and effective systems for storing and retrieving information.
To maintain service standards
To provide information and advice to address local medicines issues.
To provide support for the Trusts Formulary Medicines Policy to ensure that the best possible evidence is available for decision-making.
To promote the reporting of adverse drug reactions to improve the safe use of medicines.
To use your pharmaceutical expertise for the benefit of patients and the organisation:
To be an ambassador for all Pharmacy Services
To optimise medicines through prescribing role operating within areas of competence (where appropriately qualified and authorised via the Trust NMP register)
To participate in the clinical/advisory pharmacy service.
To record your clinical activity and to monitor the outcome of your advice.
To fulfil the requirements of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Good Professional Practice.
To implement countywide and local prescribing strategies within medical specialities.
To undertake ADR reporting where necessary.
To manage and develop staff to ensure that the objectives of the Trust and Pharmacy Service are achieved:
To participate in the training of Pharmacy staff and other disciplines; to be involved in the support and supervision arrangements for those working in your area, such as Pharmacists undergoing the Clinical Pharmacy Diploma course and Pre-registration Pharmacists.
To manage and lead those staff allocated and make the best of their qualification, abilities and experience.
To assist in the induction of staff into the service; to help identify training and development needs.
To maintain appropriate standards of service and safety; to enforce guidelines, policies and procedures to ensure standards are met.
Person Specification
Shortlisting
Essential
- Educated to Post-graduate clinical qualification level or equivalent level of education, training or experience
- Post-registration hospital clinical pharmacy experience including at least four of the following rotations: medicine (or medical specialties), care of the older person, surgery, paediatrics, medicines information, oncology / haematology, aseptics (this would normally be achieved over at least a 2 year period).
- GPhC registration
- CPD Portfolio
Desirable
- Medicines Information experience
- Homecare Medicines Services experience
- Member of RPSGB
Shortlisting
Essential
- Evidence of CPD
- Ability to prioritise and delegate
- Evidence of information appraisal
Desirable
- Evidence of IT skills, audit, reporting
Shortlisting
Essential
- Ability to work alone and as team member
Desirable
- Mentoring, training and supervisory skills
Shortlisting
Essential
- Effective communications and social skill
Desirable
- Knowledge in high cost medicines
Person Specification
Shortlisting
Essential
- Educated to Post-graduate clinical qualification level or equivalent level of education, training or experience
- Post-registration hospital clinical pharmacy experience including at least four of the following rotations: medicine (or medical specialties), care of the older person, surgery, paediatrics, medicines information, oncology / haematology, aseptics (this would normally be achieved over at least a 2 year period).
- GPhC registration
- CPD Portfolio
Desirable
- Medicines Information experience
- Homecare Medicines Services experience
- Member of RPSGB
Shortlisting
Essential
- Evidence of CPD
- Ability to prioritise and delegate
- Evidence of information appraisal
Desirable
- Evidence of IT skills, audit, reporting
Shortlisting
Essential
- Ability to work alone and as team member
Desirable
- Mentoring, training and supervisory skills
Shortlisting
Essential
- Effective communications and social skill
Desirable
- Knowledge in high cost medicines
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).
