Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic pharmacist (Band 8A), with experience of horizon scanning for new medicines, to join the NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS).
This is a newly established post and will expand our existing horizon scanning team which sits within the Medicines Advice function of SPS. Secondments, job shares and part time working will be considered.
This post is hosted by the Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and based at the Pharmacy Practice Unit with opportunity to work remotely. Note the job description and person specification describe generic roles, responsibilities and qualities. An application would be expected to outline experience relevant to horizon scanning.
Main duties of the job
The postholder will support the delivery of key outputs of the HS service, including those produced for key customers involved with the managed entry of medicines nationally. This involves working with and interpreting data, as well as maintaining our internal database of pipeline medicines, in order to provide expert advice on the impact of new medicines in the NHS. It may also involve supplementing desktop data with qualitative data provided by key stakeholders and clinicians. The resulting reports are insightful and evaluated, providing valuable information for the development of national services and delivery mechanisms.
As priorities change and evolve, individual flexibility is essential to ensure the delivery of outputs and projects on time.
About us
The post holder will work as part of a small expert team to support the delivery of key outputs of the HS service. The current horizon scanning team is dispersed across different locations, and therefore has experience working collaboratively and remotely.
About SPS
The NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS) supports the NHS to develop best practice systems of work related to buying, making and using medicines. The service provides leadership, instructive and informative specialist input and operational support to the sourcing, supply and use of medicines across the system.
Our strengths are borne out of connecting national expertise with policy teams and arm's length bodies to ensure consistency and high standards. The service supports both regional and local connections to ensure that the service's outputs resonate with and support local NHS organisations which deliver care to patients. The key successes of SPS are through the development of a "Do Once and Share" methodology.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post-holder will:
Be accountable for their own actions and those of any staff that they line manage.
Manage their own work under the direction of the SPS MA Advanced Pharmacist, or SPS MA Professional or Associate Leads.
Support service delivery changes within the NHS SPS MA Service.
Represent the NHS SPS MA at a range of meetings with stakeholders, commissioners and providers from across the NHS as required.
Be expected to act largely independently, with minimum input from senior pharmacists, and to behave and act in a manner consistent with the values of the NHS SPS.
Where appropriate and necessary, the post-holder will be expected to provide medicines advice relating to a specialist service.
Support the Advanced MA Pharmacist to work with a range of diverse stakeholders across pharmacy and elsewhere; these will be both regional and national colleagues. Such individuals may have different views on how particular projects and pieces of work should be taken forward. They may also have differing agendas and areas of interest. The postholder is expected to express their own view and position assertively and with reference to the problem being addressed but be able to seeks consensus where possible. They will knows where it is appropriate to refer to the relevant SPS Advanced MA Pharmacist, or SPS MA Professional/Associate Lead.
Maintain concentration for prolonged periods of time, while writing, checking or evaluating information.
Deputise for SPS Advanced MA Pharmacist when necessary.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post-holder will:
Be accountable for their own actions and those of any staff that they line manage.
Manage their own work under the direction of the SPS MA Advanced Pharmacist, or SPS MA Professional or Associate Leads.
Support service delivery changes within the NHS SPS MA Service.
Represent the NHS SPS MA at a range of meetings with stakeholders, commissioners and providers from across the NHS as required.
Be expected to act largely independently, with minimum input from senior pharmacists, and to behave and act in a manner consistent with the values of the NHS SPS.
Where appropriate and necessary, the post-holder will be expected to provide medicines advice relating to a specialist service.
Support the Advanced MA Pharmacist to work with a range of diverse stakeholders across pharmacy and elsewhere; these will be both regional and national colleagues. Such individuals may have different views on how particular projects and pieces of work should be taken forward. They may also have differing agendas and areas of interest. The postholder is expected to express their own view and position assertively and with reference to the problem being addressed but be able to seeks consensus where possible. They will knows where it is appropriate to refer to the relevant SPS Advanced MA Pharmacist, or SPS MA Professional/Associate Lead.
Maintain concentration for prolonged periods of time, while writing, checking or evaluating information.
Deputise for SPS Advanced MA Pharmacist when necessary.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Pharmacist (registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council)
- Postgraduate diploma in clinical pharmacy or other relevant field e.g. management, or equivalent experience of working in a specialist area
Desirable
- Post-graduate qualification, i.e. MSc, in clinical pharmacy, or equivalent experience
- Post graduate qualification in evidence-based healthcare, or equivalent
- Post-graduate level original research and/or publication in an area relevant specifically to the delivery of Medicines Optimisation
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- In depth knowledge of Medicines Optimisation as it pertains to both primary and secondary care and horizon scanning
- Significant experience delivering medicines advice to health care professionals, its current provision across England through SPS, and its role in supporting Medicines Optimisation
- A clear understanding of project management.
- Experience of working in a complex matrix type working environment within a diffuse national organisation
Desirable
- Existing knowledge of the Specialist Pharmacy Service and its development and role in delivery of Medicines Optimisation
- Some experience of working with medicines commissioning and decision making structures within the NHS to influence change
- Managing difficult situations and motivating others for service delivery.
Skills, Abilities and Attributes
Essential
- Ability to manage own time and workload with good organisational skills
- Ability to plan the work of others where they are directly managed
- Ability to motivate and influence the work of others
- Ability to manage small/discrete projects and use own initiative, within agreed cost, quality and time
- Ability to support research, teaching, and audit activities
- Ability to work under pressure, in a changing strategic environment, to tight deadlines, and withcompeting agendas
- Ability to critically appraise and analyse medicines and service data and to interpret and present results coherently
- Ability to critically appraise options for service and Medicines Optimisation/ Information delivery rationally and systematically, to reach logical and informed conclusions, and to present those coherently to highlevel decision-making audiences and to individual health care professionals
Desirable
- Ability to organise the provision of a specialist service and service provision
- Ability to plan and organise a broad range of complex activities, formulating and adjusting plans to reflect changing circumstances
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Pharmacist (registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council)
- Postgraduate diploma in clinical pharmacy or other relevant field e.g. management, or equivalent experience of working in a specialist area
Desirable
- Post-graduate qualification, i.e. MSc, in clinical pharmacy, or equivalent experience
- Post graduate qualification in evidence-based healthcare, or equivalent
- Post-graduate level original research and/or publication in an area relevant specifically to the delivery of Medicines Optimisation
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- In depth knowledge of Medicines Optimisation as it pertains to both primary and secondary care and horizon scanning
- Significant experience delivering medicines advice to health care professionals, its current provision across England through SPS, and its role in supporting Medicines Optimisation
- A clear understanding of project management.
- Experience of working in a complex matrix type working environment within a diffuse national organisation
Desirable
- Existing knowledge of the Specialist Pharmacy Service and its development and role in delivery of Medicines Optimisation
- Some experience of working with medicines commissioning and decision making structures within the NHS to influence change
- Managing difficult situations and motivating others for service delivery.
Skills, Abilities and Attributes
Essential
- Ability to manage own time and workload with good organisational skills
- Ability to plan the work of others where they are directly managed
- Ability to motivate and influence the work of others
- Ability to manage small/discrete projects and use own initiative, within agreed cost, quality and time
- Ability to support research, teaching, and audit activities
- Ability to work under pressure, in a changing strategic environment, to tight deadlines, and withcompeting agendas
- Ability to critically appraise and analyse medicines and service data and to interpret and present results coherently
- Ability to critically appraise options for service and Medicines Optimisation/ Information delivery rationally and systematically, to reach logical and informed conclusions, and to present those coherently to highlevel decision-making audiences and to individual health care professionals
Desirable
- Ability to organise the provision of a specialist service and service provision
- Ability to plan and organise a broad range of complex activities, formulating and adjusting plans to reflect changing circumstances
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).
