Job summary
Bank Principal Pharmacist - Virtual Wards
Department: Pharmacy
Band: 8a £53,755 - £60,504 per annum, pro rata
Bank contract
All MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
The Pharmacy at Milton Keynes University Hospital has seen exceptional growth and investment over recent years, both in staff and facilities. As a result we are excited to be able to offer a new speciality role.
We are looking for an outstanding clinical pharmacist who is enthusiastic,self-motivated and committed to forging excellent communication between primary and secondary care teams and drive the pharmacy team forward. You will be passionate about helping patients get the best from their medicines, and keen to use your initiative and drive to take opportunities to create an outstanding service and demonstrate leadership around optimal and safe medication use within the MDTs.
If you would like to find out more, please contact Jill McDonald (Associate Director of Pharmacy - Clinical Services) on jill.mcdonald@mkuh.nhs.uk or Emily McDonald (Clinical Pharmacy Lead - CoE & Frailty) for an informal discussion.
Main duties of the job
As the Principal Pharmacist - Bank, you will work closely with the Pharmacy Team working across our Care of the Elderly, Frailty and Interface Teams and the multidisciplinary team supporting inpatient areas and virtual wards, to provide pharmacy and medicines related advice as part of the multidisciplinary team (MDT).
In addition to supporting patients across our care of the elderly and frailty wards you will also work alongside the virtual ward team. The Virtual Wards (VWs) will care for patients with an acute medical episode, in their own homes who require further health and social care support from the MDT, to avoid inappropriate admission to hospital. You will also work as part of a MDT across health and social care, in leading, developing promoting and implementing the high quality, evidence based and cost effective use of medicines in primary care in a way that maximises the benefits and minimises the risks of medicines to patients and service users.
The successful applicant will also provide leadership and line management to other pharmacy staff within the team.
About us
MKUH staff scored highest for 'I look forward to coming to work'
A notable 91% of Healthcare Scientists believe their roles significantly impact patients and service users..(NHS Staff Survey 2023).
We Care We communicate We collaborate We contribute
You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:
- Free on-site parking
- Free refreshments
- Great flexible workingopportunities
- Discounted gym membership
- Lease car scheme
- Generous annual leave and pension scheme
- On site nursery (chargeable)
- Extensive staff health and well-being programme
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To lead and coordinate medicines optimisation services and clinical pharmacy. development to the virtual ward to improve quality of care, personalise care and patient experience.
To provide clinical leadership to ensure high quality and cost-effective prescribing.
To identify, plan, organise, and co-ordinate the implementation of medicines optimisation initiatives, objectives and complex changes to bring about quality improvements in prescribing behaviour and better outcomes for patients including reducing patient harm & improving medication safety.
Lead the development & implementation of new medicines optimisation initiatives and services within GP practices, community pharmacies and community providers. This includes the development of prescribing / medicines optimisation guidelines and protocols.
Work autonomously with significant discretion and work collaboratively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
Please refer to the attached Job Description for further details.
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To lead and coordinate medicines optimisation services and clinical pharmacy. development to the virtual ward to improve quality of care, personalise care and patient experience.
To provide clinical leadership to ensure high quality and cost-effective prescribing.
To identify, plan, organise, and co-ordinate the implementation of medicines optimisation initiatives, objectives and complex changes to bring about quality improvements in prescribing behaviour and better outcomes for patients including reducing patient harm & improving medication safety.
Lead the development & implementation of new medicines optimisation initiatives and services within GP practices, community pharmacies and community providers. This includes the development of prescribing / medicines optimisation guidelines and protocols.
Work autonomously with significant discretion and work collaboratively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
Please refer to the attached Job Description for further details.
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Professional knowledge acquired through vocational master's degree in pharmacy (4 years) + 1 year pre-registration training.
- Extensive knowledge of medicines optimisation, acquired through post graduate clinical pharmacy diploma or equivalent experience or training.
- Registrant of the General Pharmaceutical Council
Desirable
- Registered non-medical prescriber.
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of ongoing professional development
- Evidence of significant personal development, professionally and managerially
- Experience of communicating and engaging effectively with external agencies/stakeholder
- Understanding and knowledge of the workings of the NHS, the challenges it faces and of the reform agenda.
- Experience of working in the NHS
- Up to date clinical knowledge
- Ability to work to deadlines.
- Able to work as part of a team and also independently.
- Able to analyse and interpret complex prescribing information.
- Able to provide and receive highly complex/contentious optimisation/therapeutic information to a multi-professional audience.
- Experience of leading and managing staff
- Knowledge and experience of programme and/or project management
- Experience of using performance management/improvement systems
Skills
Essential
- Has a responsive, solution focused approach to addressing issues and barriers.
- Able to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and ensure a stakeholder focused response.
- Able to build and sustain relationships, actively involving stakeholders where appropriate.
- Able to regulate behaviour even when provoked.
- Is open and honest and acts with integrity.
- Able to work both independently where required and as a team and corporate player.
- Is open to change and possible alternatives to doing things differently.
- Credible, trustworthy and able to inspire confidence in others.
- Enthusiastic about area of work and achieving results.
- Conscientious; able and keen to deliver best possible quality at all times.
- Able to manage conflict in order to bring about positive outcomes.
Personal and people development
Essential
- Evidence of significant personal development, professionally and managerially
- Continued commitment to improve skills and ability in new areas of work.
Communication
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to influence others.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
- Positive and enthusiastic approach
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations.
- Able to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and ensure a stakeholder focussed response.
- Able to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and ensure a stakeholder focussed response.
- Hold a full, clean driving license and have access to own transport.
- Able to undertake the demands of the post with reasonable adjustments if required
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Professional knowledge acquired through vocational master's degree in pharmacy (4 years) + 1 year pre-registration training.
- Extensive knowledge of medicines optimisation, acquired through post graduate clinical pharmacy diploma or equivalent experience or training.
- Registrant of the General Pharmaceutical Council
Desirable
- Registered non-medical prescriber.
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of ongoing professional development
- Evidence of significant personal development, professionally and managerially
- Experience of communicating and engaging effectively with external agencies/stakeholder
- Understanding and knowledge of the workings of the NHS, the challenges it faces and of the reform agenda.
- Experience of working in the NHS
- Up to date clinical knowledge
- Ability to work to deadlines.
- Able to work as part of a team and also independently.
- Able to analyse and interpret complex prescribing information.
- Able to provide and receive highly complex/contentious optimisation/therapeutic information to a multi-professional audience.
- Experience of leading and managing staff
- Knowledge and experience of programme and/or project management
- Experience of using performance management/improvement systems
Skills
Essential
- Has a responsive, solution focused approach to addressing issues and barriers.
- Able to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and ensure a stakeholder focused response.
- Able to build and sustain relationships, actively involving stakeholders where appropriate.
- Able to regulate behaviour even when provoked.
- Is open and honest and acts with integrity.
- Able to work both independently where required and as a team and corporate player.
- Is open to change and possible alternatives to doing things differently.
- Credible, trustworthy and able to inspire confidence in others.
- Enthusiastic about area of work and achieving results.
- Conscientious; able and keen to deliver best possible quality at all times.
- Able to manage conflict in order to bring about positive outcomes.
Personal and people development
Essential
- Evidence of significant personal development, professionally and managerially
- Continued commitment to improve skills and ability in new areas of work.
Communication
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to influence others.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
- Positive and enthusiastic approach
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations.
- Able to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and ensure a stakeholder focussed response.
- Able to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and ensure a stakeholder focussed response.
- Hold a full, clean driving license and have access to own transport.
- Able to undertake the demands of the post with reasonable adjustments if required
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).
