Job description
Are you an enthusiastic, motivated and dynamic clinical pharmacist with an interest in Hepatology who would like work across a regional footprint?
Do you want to be part of an innovative pharmacy department that have just had an ambitious 5-year strategy and workforce plan approved by the Trust Board?
Are you at the stage of your career where you are looking to develop your clinical and leadership skills and working as an integral member of a well-respected and proactive multidisciplinary team, leading the pharmacy service to the South West Liver Unit (SWLU) and Peninsular Hepatitis C ODN?
Based at University Hospitals Plymouth you will be part of a friendly and enthusiastic hepatology team and encouraged to work towards credentialing for a consultant post in Hepatology alongside utilising your skills as a non-medical prescriber in hepatology clinics.
If so, we would love to hear from you!
Depending on the stage of your career, further study will be encouraged and supported. Practice research is also encouraged in this role.
This post will attract a Recruitment & Retention Premia (RRP) totalling £5,000, payable upon appointment, (covering 36 months of service) in addition to a relocation allowance (subject to eligibility). The RRP payment is pro rata for part time employees.
If you would like further information, or to know the full terms of the Recruitment and Retention Payment and/or the Relocation Allowance, please contact [email protected] for further details
- Responsible for the provision of a high-quality patient focused clinical pharmacy service for patients within the South West Liver Unit (SWLU) and Peninsula HCV Operational Delivery Network.
- Lead on pharmacy the delivery of high-quality pharmacy services in order to meet NHS England and Peninsula HCV ODN objectives and the Clinical Governance Agenda.
- provide strategic direction, leadership, evaluation, as part of the wider MDT to support HCV treatment and elimination across the Peninsula HCV (hepatitis C virus) Operational Delivery Network (ODN).
- The post holder although based at UHP is responsible for supporting the service (from a pharmacy perspective) delivered by teams at:
Royal Devon University Healthcare
Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
South Devon Healthcare Trust
Musgrove Park Hospital NHS Trust
- Work in partnership with the ODN Lead Clinician, SW Peninsula HCV ODN, and the pharmacy teams in the Trusts, NHSE, CCGs and other network organisations
- Focus on the strategic development of services to Hepatology establishing defined roles for pharmacist non-medical prescribers and advanced clinical practitioners.
- Work towards credentialing as a consultant pharmacist within Hepatology.
- Work with the clinical and governance teams to develop guidelines, protocols and PGDs with Hepatology
- Undertake audits and engage with Quality Improvement and practice research projects
The Hepatology team at UHP are an enthusiastic team as part of the SWLU providing patient focused services to approximately 2 million people across the local and wider population of the South West region. The team deliver hepatology, hepatobiliary surgery and liver transplantation services. The unit currently assesses patients for liver transplantation from the region and looks after their post-operative care, with established links to the Liver unit at Kings College Hospital London. The SWLU was the first unit to register with the Improving Quality in Liver Services (IQILS) scheme and gained full accreditation in early 2022, acknowledging the high quality of care delivered by our service
The Lead Hepatology & Hepatis C Pharmacist and wider pharmacy team are considered an integral member of the wider multidisciplinary team, joining a team of clinicians, nurse specialists and other allied healthcare professionals providing a dedicated service to both within the SWLN and across the Peninsula ODN.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
- Responsible to the Associate Chief Pharmacist Clinical Services and the Peninsula HCV ODN in for strategic planning and delivery of clinical pharmacy services to patients C across Peninsula HCV ODN
- Deputises for the Associate Chief Pharmacist Clinical Services along with the other Lead Care Group Pharmacists, in their absence as required
- Support the Chief Pharmacist / Deputy Chief Pharmacist / Associate Chief Pharmacist in developing, monitoring, and reporting on drug expenditure and medicines budget and the delivery of financial savings as part of the pharmacy CIP.
- The post holder will be required to represent the clinical pharmacy team and service line and ODN at both internal and external committees and forums including the Drug and Therapeutics committee, Medicines Safety Committee, Clinical Governance and Care Group operational meetings as appropriate.
- Work as a member of the hepatology, clinical, and wider UHP pharmacy team, providing highly specialist clinical pharmacy care to patients with Hepatitis C and related hepatology conditions.
- To develop a role as a pharmacist prescriber for the management of patients with hepatitis C. It is envisaged that the post holder, under appropriate supervision, will develop a pharmacist role within the clinic setting in viral hepatitis supporting the CNS and other prescribers throughout the HCV ODN.
- Lead on the monitoring, review, and report on medicines related incidents within hepatology service line.
- To manage, lead and co-ordinate the hepatology pharmacy team including pharmacists and technicians in the provision of a safe, effective and efficient clinical pharmacy service in accordance with local and national standards and strategy and to ensure all members of the pharmacy team are trained and competent for their roles.
- Ensure an appropriate level of clinical pharmacy service is provided to the hepatology care areas
- Configure and implement inductions for pharmacists in hepatology.
- Provide education and training to all healthcare professionals including medical students.
- To act as a role model as a clinical pharmacist and team leader, to pharmacists, technicians, ATOs and all other members of the multidisciplinary team.
- To practice as an independent prescriber and to work towards advanced clinical practice.
- To engage with Quality Improvement and practice research.
- Development, implementation, and update of clinical pharmacy policy, relevant to pharmacy practice and medicines in hepatology & HCV
- Monitor and evaluate medicines related protocols and guidelines in hepatology & HCV
- Propose policy or service changes which improve services and may have multidisciplinary and resource implications
- Assist in the development and implementation of PGD’s and non-medical prescribing initiatives, when appropriate.
- To use your expertise in Hepatology both within the Trust and externally to form working partnerships with other health and social care service providers from across the wider healthcare system.
- As and advanced specialist pharmacist in your chosen area of practice:
- Recommendation of appropriate therapy for individual patients where evidence is not available, controversial evidence exists or other professionals may challenge advice.
- Contribute to the organisation’s wider antimicrobial surveillance programme, implementing local programmes ensuring appropriate antimicrobial prescribing.
- Attendance at Consultant/GP, speciality team MDMs. white board/MDT meetings/ward rounds to actively facilitate and provide advice on treatment, including highly complex patients.
- Promote compliance by prescribers and other healthcare staff with local/national policies and the South and West Devon Formulary.
- Application of highly complex knowledge of the evidence base behind drug therapies used.
- Assess clinical requirements of patients as a clinical pharmacist and an independent prescriber through interpretation of clinical data and examination. If required request appropriate tests and examinations for patients directly under your care.
- Contribute to pharmaceutical initiatives that help with the seamless transfer of patients between different healthcare settings.
- Participate in any wider departmental rotas where needed.