Job summary
Specialist Pharmacist - Microbiology and Clinical Support (Band 8a), Full time (1 wte) permanent position
There is an exciting opportunity to work closely with microbiologists, nursing staff and other members of the multidisciplinary team to enforce/improve antimicrobial stewardship across the Trust.
The Royal Free hospital is home to a world-renowned infectious diseases speciality where you will play a pivotal role in enhancing and enforcing the antimicrobial stewardship agenda alongside experts within microbiology. The Royal Free has considerable experience in caring for patients with:
- infections acquired in the UK
- illnesses acquired overseas
- viral infections
- bacterial infections
- tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacterial(NTM) infections
- viral hepatitis
- fevers of unknown origin(PUO)
At Royal Free Hospital we run the UK's principal high-level isolation unit (HLIU) for the treatment of adult patients with Contact High Consequence Infectious Diseases (HCIDs), as well as an Airborne HCID Treatment Centre.
In addition to the above, successful candidates will be responsible for the clinical and financial monitoring of antimicrobial use, partaking in audits as well as multidisciplinary consultant led antimicrobial ward rounds.
Main duties of the job
Key duties include:
Participation in microbiology ward rounds and multidisciplinary meetings
Review of anti-infective prescribing including making recommendations based on local policies and best practice
Review of expenditure on anti-infectives including implementing measures to control this
Auditing current practice and developing and monitoring the application of key performance indicators within the anti-infective area
Provide operational and clinical support to clinical ward areas to ensure safe, clinically and cost efficient use of medicines
To line manage and support more junior pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in the team
To participate in on going education and training
Development and review of anti-infective guidelines
The post-holder must always carry out their role in line with the Trust World Class values.
About us
The Royal Free London NHS Trust is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the UK with many specialties including kidney and liver transplantation, haemophilia, amyloidosis and scleroderma with the newly opened Pears Building being at the forefront of medical research.
The trust has around 10,000 staff serving 1.6 million patients. It comprises Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital, the Royal Free Hospital and more than 30 services in the community. This large-scale organisation provides an unprecedented opportunity for us to continue our pioneering work, particularly in finding ways to deliver even better care to our patients.
The Pharmacy department is a friendly, progressive and expanding unit dedicated to providing the highest standards of pharmaceutical care and service. Providing a variety of pharmacy services across all three sites, the pharmacy department have played a pivotal role in the implementation of electronic prescribing system and have strategic plans for the development of more consultant and independent prescribing pharmacists.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description for the full list of roles and responsibilities:
1. Clinical responsibilities
1.1
Delivery of a high quality, ward-based pharmacy service including drug supply, review of highly complex medication regimens, medicine reconciliation, drug interaction monitoring and discharge planning
1.2
Active participation on consultant and microbiology ward rounds and multidisciplinary team meetings
1.3
Making evidence-based decisions, in partnership with patients and other professionals within specialties to improve outcomes
1.4
Demonstration of a comprehensive level of knowledge in the field of microbiology
1.5
Communication of highly complex pharmaceutical information, according to level of understanding, direct to patients/carers and healthcare professionals
1.6
Provision of expert prescribing advice in the field of microbiology, including drug selection, management of adverse events and dosage adjustment where limited/conflicting information is available
1.7
Promotion of high-quality cost-effective prescribing
1.8
Assist in the development and implementation of, and ensuring adherence to evidence based prescribing guidelines
1.9
Ensuring compliance with hospital formulary and other hospital policies
1.10
Assist in identifying, undertaking and evaluating drug usage reviews and clinical audits, and implementing changes in prescribing practice if appropriate
1.11
Development and review of Patient Group Directions for antimicrobials
1.12
Liaising with primary and secondary care healthcare professionals to provide seamless care for patients
1.13
To implement independent or supplementary prescribing within the specialty
RESPONSIBILITY FOR PATIENTS
2.1
To make recommendations regarding medicines to optimise patient care
2.2
Communication of complex pharmaceutical information, according to level of understanding, direct to patients/carers and healthcare professionals
2.3
To accept referrals to review individual patients anti-infective medicines, making recommendations in line with local policies and best practice These recommendations may be challenged
2.4
To provide advice on blood level monitoring and pharmacokinetic analysis of antimicrobials with narrow therapeutic index
2.5
To develop the role of the pharmacist in independent prescribing of anti-infectives to optimize patient care
2.6
To respond to requests for advice from other healthcare professionals on anti-infective medication including choice of anti-infective and recommending alternatives where appropriate
2.7
To work with the OPAT pharmacist when suitable to support the delivery of out-patient parenteral antibiotic therapy including liaising with staff and patients to ensure the safe administration of home IV therapy
2.8
To produce patient information leaflets where necessary
2.9
To provide medication counseling to ensure compliance and answering any concerns patients may have. To provide adherence aids if necessary and document any concerns in the patients notes and escalate to senior member of the team if necessary
3.0
To make recommendations regarding medicines to optimize patient care, communicate complex pharmaceutical information, counsel patients and provide a comprehensive and timely discharge service.
See Job description for further details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description for the full list of roles and responsibilities:
1. Clinical responsibilities
1.1
Delivery of a high quality, ward-based pharmacy service including drug supply, review of highly complex medication regimens, medicine reconciliation, drug interaction monitoring and discharge planning
1.2
Active participation on consultant and microbiology ward rounds and multidisciplinary team meetings
1.3
Making evidence-based decisions, in partnership with patients and other professionals within specialties to improve outcomes
1.4
Demonstration of a comprehensive level of knowledge in the field of microbiology
1.5
Communication of highly complex pharmaceutical information, according to level of understanding, direct to patients/carers and healthcare professionals
1.6
Provision of expert prescribing advice in the field of microbiology, including drug selection, management of adverse events and dosage adjustment where limited/conflicting information is available
1.7
Promotion of high-quality cost-effective prescribing
1.8
Assist in the development and implementation of, and ensuring adherence to evidence based prescribing guidelines
1.9
Ensuring compliance with hospital formulary and other hospital policies
1.10
Assist in identifying, undertaking and evaluating drug usage reviews and clinical audits, and implementing changes in prescribing practice if appropriate
1.11
Development and review of Patient Group Directions for antimicrobials
1.12
Liaising with primary and secondary care healthcare professionals to provide seamless care for patients
1.13
To implement independent or supplementary prescribing within the specialty
RESPONSIBILITY FOR PATIENTS
2.1
To make recommendations regarding medicines to optimise patient care
2.2
Communication of complex pharmaceutical information, according to level of understanding, direct to patients/carers and healthcare professionals
2.3
To accept referrals to review individual patients anti-infective medicines, making recommendations in line with local policies and best practice These recommendations may be challenged
2.4
To provide advice on blood level monitoring and pharmacokinetic analysis of antimicrobials with narrow therapeutic index
2.5
To develop the role of the pharmacist in independent prescribing of anti-infectives to optimize patient care
2.6
To respond to requests for advice from other healthcare professionals on anti-infective medication including choice of anti-infective and recommending alternatives where appropriate
2.7
To work with the OPAT pharmacist when suitable to support the delivery of out-patient parenteral antibiotic therapy including liaising with staff and patients to ensure the safe administration of home IV therapy
2.8
To produce patient information leaflets where necessary
2.9
To provide medication counseling to ensure compliance and answering any concerns patients may have. To provide adherence aids if necessary and document any concerns in the patients notes and escalate to senior member of the team if necessary
3.0
To make recommendations regarding medicines to optimize patient care, communicate complex pharmaceutical information, counsel patients and provide a comprehensive and timely discharge service.
See Job description for further details.
Person Specification
Education & professional Qualifications
Essential
- Masters degree in pharmacy (or equivalent)
- GPhC (GB) registration
- Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent
Desirable
- Registered supplementary or independent prescriber
- Advanced qualification in specialist area
Experience
Essential
- Considerable experience working in hospital pharmacy and proven experience as a specialist clinical pharmacist
- Experience in managing own patient workload
- Experience of managing change and leading service developments
- Experience of managing and analysing drug expenditure and high cost drugs
- Experience of writing/implementing clinical guidelines and government directives
- Experience of multidisciplinary working
- Evidence of clinical audit/drug evaluation/practice research and the promotion of evidence based practice
- Experience of appraising staff and giving feedback
- Experience of appraising staff and giving feedback
- Experience in delivering education and training.
- Comprehensive band 6/7 rotation
Desirable
- Experience in working in clinics
Skills and aptitudes
Essential
- Demonstrates expert clinical knowledge and pharmaceutical care skills in the specialist areas
- Demonstrates good written and verbal communication skills
- Demonstrates good interpersonal skills
- Demonstrates good negotiation skills and the ability to influence medical, pharmacy and management staff
- Ability to communicate with patients and staff of all levels
- Ability to manage a complex workload
- Demonstrates good presentation skills
- Demonstrates good teaching and training skills
- Demonstrates good management skills
- Ability to carry out day to day responsibilities and deal effectively with unpredictable/acute demands
- Ability to justify and reason any advice given should this be challenged.
- Ability to communicate with patients/carers and staff of all levels
- Ability to work alone and a part of a team
- Ability to work accurately under pressure.
- Ability to integrate in a multidisciplinary forum.
- Ability to motivate and act as a role model
- Ability to identify and implement best practice using critical appraisal skills
- Ability to identify and manage risk and understands clinical risk and clinical governance
- Ability to contribute to business plans, policies and clinical protocols
- Understanding of current national standards, guidelines and service delivery issues relevant to the specialist area
- Computer literate (including word processing, email & use of internet) Preferably knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages)
- Understanding of NHS national and local priorities
- Implements finding of clinical and practice based research
- Ability to manage time, people and resources to deliver timely outcomes
Desirable
Personal Qualities & attributes
Essential
- Enthusiastic/positive attitude, self motivated and, hardworking
- Reliable to work weekends, bank holidays, late nights and oncall.
- Identifies own training needs actively seeks training opportunities and maintains a portfolio of practice.
- Reliable with good attendance record
Person Specification
Education & professional Qualifications
Essential
- Masters degree in pharmacy (or equivalent)
- GPhC (GB) registration
- Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent
Desirable
- Registered supplementary or independent prescriber
- Advanced qualification in specialist area
Experience
Essential
- Considerable experience working in hospital pharmacy and proven experience as a specialist clinical pharmacist
- Experience in managing own patient workload
- Experience of managing change and leading service developments
- Experience of managing and analysing drug expenditure and high cost drugs
- Experience of writing/implementing clinical guidelines and government directives
- Experience of multidisciplinary working
- Evidence of clinical audit/drug evaluation/practice research and the promotion of evidence based practice
- Experience of appraising staff and giving feedback
- Experience of appraising staff and giving feedback
- Experience in delivering education and training.
- Comprehensive band 6/7 rotation
Desirable
- Experience in working in clinics
Skills and aptitudes
Essential
- Demonstrates expert clinical knowledge and pharmaceutical care skills in the specialist areas
- Demonstrates good written and verbal communication skills
- Demonstrates good interpersonal skills
- Demonstrates good negotiation skills and the ability to influence medical, pharmacy and management staff
- Ability to communicate with patients and staff of all levels
- Ability to manage a complex workload
- Demonstrates good presentation skills
- Demonstrates good teaching and training skills
- Demonstrates good management skills
- Ability to carry out day to day responsibilities and deal effectively with unpredictable/acute demands
- Ability to justify and reason any advice given should this be challenged.
- Ability to communicate with patients/carers and staff of all levels
- Ability to work alone and a part of a team
- Ability to work accurately under pressure.
- Ability to integrate in a multidisciplinary forum.
- Ability to motivate and act as a role model
- Ability to identify and implement best practice using critical appraisal skills
- Ability to identify and manage risk and understands clinical risk and clinical governance
- Ability to contribute to business plans, policies and clinical protocols
- Understanding of current national standards, guidelines and service delivery issues relevant to the specialist area
- Computer literate (including word processing, email & use of internet) Preferably knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages)
- Understanding of NHS national and local priorities
- Implements finding of clinical and practice based research
- Ability to manage time, people and resources to deliver timely outcomes
Desirable
Personal Qualities & attributes
Essential
- Enthusiastic/positive attitude, self motivated and, hardworking
- Reliable to work weekends, bank holidays, late nights and oncall.
- Identifies own training needs actively seeks training opportunities and maintains a portfolio of practice.
- Reliable with good attendance record
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).
