Specialist Rotational Clinical Pharmacist - Band 7

Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday-Friday with one weekend day shift every 6 weekends, late nights as per rota)

Are you a Band 6 pharmacist who is due to complete the first year of your clinical diploma in the next few of months? Or, maybe you're currently a Band 7 pharmacist eager to expand your expertise and contribute to specialised service development at a tertiary specialist hospital? 

North Bristol NHS Trust is seeking motivated clinical pharmacists who aspire to advance their careers through our Band 7 specialist clinical pharmacist rotational program. Each rotation lasts 6 months, enabling you to immerse yourself fully in the specialty area, while also honing additional skills such as leadership, mentoring, and service development to enrich your personal portfolio.

The rotations will enable you to benefit from working in a large teaching trust which has strong links with the ICB and include; ICU & surgery, technical services, pharmacoeconomics & ICB, neurosciences, Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC), Acute Medical & Frailty Admissions, Infectious Diseases, NHS@Home, General Medicine, HIV, Respiratory and Palliative Care.

Main duties of the job

• To provide specialist clinical pharmacy services at a high level to inpatients and outpatients on a rotational basis.
• To provide support to the lead specialist Pharmacists.
• To act in accordance with Medicines legislation, the code of ethics of the General Pharmaceutical Council, United Kingdom Medicines Information (UKMI) standards and Trust policies and procedures.
• To teach and supervise less experienced pharmacists, technicians and students.
• To contribute to the Pharmacy weekend service, late nights and provide back up support to the on call pharmacists out of hours.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• In conjunction with the senior clinical pharmacists provide and develop a specialist pharmaceutical service within North Bristol NHS Trust aligned to the Trust Values.
• Deliver specific improvements in the management of patient’s medication to facilitate the discharge process by utilising ward-based discharges and communication with healthcare colleagues in Primary care with the overall aim to reduce length of patient stays.
• Work closely with the clinical site and Trust operational teams to ensure clear communications about daily patient flow issues.
• Clinically screen prescriptions to ensure the safe, efficient, evidence-based, and rational use of medicines in line with the Trust Formulary and departmental policies so that risks to patients are minimised.
• Challenge inappropriate prescribing and escalate as appropriate.
• Support and promote antimicrobial stewardship.
• Advise on strategies to ensure cost-effective use of resources and be involved with achieving CIP targets. In addition, feedback to prescribers.
• Support attainment of medicines related CQUIN and other targets as appropriate.
• Ensure that an accurate medication history is obtained for each patient using the appropriate sources (GP, community pharmacist, patient/carer, clinic notes, nursing home).
• Provide advice and information to patients/carers to ensure compliance with treatment.
• Work closely with the GPs/community pharmacists where necessary to ensure timely and seamless discharge of patients.
• Provide professional supervision to Patients Services on a sessional basis and be the responsible pharmacist when needed.
• Record clinical Pharmacy activity in line with departmental procedures.
• Record interventions in line with departmental procedures.
• Record and investigate incidents in line with Trust procedures.
• Audit and risk manage selected areas of practice to promote continuous quality improvement as required by the directorate, Pharmacy department or the Trust.
• Maintain medicines management systems in conjunction with patients/carers, ward staff and pharmacy staff. Supervise medicines management technicians and/or other dedicated pharmacy staff.
• Contribute to the training of pharmacy undergraduates, medical students, trainee pharmacists, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and medical and nursing staff as appropriate. Train clinical pharmacy diploma students on aspects of rotational specialties.
• Supervise medicines management technicians and/or other dedicated pharmacy staff as required.
• Ensure that all procedures are adhered to, reviewed regularly and that all necessary records are completed.
• Update / prepare medication-related policies, protocols and pathways used within rotational specialties.
• Support the Formulary team with new drug requests and shared care protocols where required.
• Support the Pharmacoeconomics team with horizon scanning, monitoring to ensure adherence to NICE guidance, and ensuring appropriate funding is in place for high-cost medication.
• Keep up to date with developments in Pharmacy in order to maintain a high level of professional knowledge and competence. Attend study days and courses as necessary for the development of the service and the individual. Maintain a record of Continuing Professional Development.
• Provide accurate medicines information to nurses, doctors and patients.
• Attend multidisciplinary meetings and specialty-specific meetings as required.
• 27. Participate in on call (emergency duty) out of hours service support to junior pharmacists as required.

Person specification

Education/training/qualifications

Essential criteria

• Professional knowledge acquired though vocational master’s degree in Pharmacy (4 years) or equivalent.
• 1 year pre-registration training.
• Current registration with the General Pharmaceutical Societ.
• Postgraduate Clinical Pharmacy Certificate or equivalent.
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development.

Desirable criteria

• Postgraduate Clinical Pharmacy Diploma or other recognised postgraduate qualification to a similar standard.

work experience

Essential criteria

• Experience as a Band 6 hospital pharmacist.
• Experience of audit and quality systems.

Desirable criteria

• Hospital pharmacy experience in different clinical specialties.

knowledge/skills/abilities

Essential criteria

• Able to manage time and prioritise effectively.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with pharmacy staff, hospital staff and patients/carers
• Ability to problem solve at a level appropriate to the post.
• Proactive approach to the application of pharmaceutical knowledge in order to enhance patient care.
• Computer literate.

Desirable criteria

• Ability to review, process and present complex information in a clear and concise manner in a variety of formats.

personal qualities / special circumstances

Essential criteria

• Adaptable and flexible approach to work.
• Able to work under own initiative and as part of a team.
• Teaching / tutorial and clinical supervisory skills.
• Methodical and tidy worker.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.