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Job description

Are you an enthusiastic, motivated and dynamic clinical pharmacist with an interest in Neurology (Stroke, Epilepsy & Neurosurgery)?

Would you like to work as one of two advanced specialist pharmacists providing specialist pharmacy input to neurology & neurosurgery patients?

Are you at the stage of your career where you are looking to develop your clinical skills and work within well-respected and proactive multidisciplinary teams, managing the pharmacy service to Stroke, Epilepsy & Neurosurgery patients?

Would you like to work towards credentialing for a consultant post alongside utilising your skills as a non-medical prescriber, across the Neurology service line?

Do you want to be part of an innovative Department that have had an ambitious 5-year strategy and workforce plan approved by the Trust Board?

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; we currently have Band 7 Academic intern pharmacists.

***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.***

• Post holder will be responsible for the provision of a high-quality patient focused clinical pharmacy service for patients within the Neurology focusing on Stroke, Epilepsy and Neurosurgery.
• Act as team leader for the ward-based pharmacy team and as team member of the clinical pharmacy team.
• Undertake teaching and clinical supervision of pharmacy staff and other healthcare employees.
• Provide specialist clinical pharmacy services and advice to the clinical specialities, demonstrating a high level of clinical effectiveness.
• Work closely with care group lead pharmacist & associate chief pharmacist for clinical services on the strategic development of clinical pharmacy services and establish clearly defined roles for pharmacist non-medical prescribers within Neurology.
• Develop and manage the delivery of pharmacy services to ensure efficient use of resources and systems including monitoring drug expenditure, delivery of financial savings within the Neurology focusing on Stroke, Epilepsy and Neurosurgery areas.
• Develop and build increased pharmacist presence into outpatients clinical areas.
• Work with the clinical and governance teams to develop guidelines, protocols and PGDs within Neurology focusing on Stroke, Epilepsy and Neurosurgery.
• Undertake audits and engage with Quality Improvement and practice research projects.
• Deputise for the Lead Pharmacist Critical Care & Surgery Care Group as required

University Hospitals Plymouth (UHP) NHS is the largest hospital on the Southwest Peninsula providing comprehensive secondary and tertiary care to a population of around 2,000,000 people who can access our specialist services including cardiothoracic surgery, kidney transplantation, neurosurgery, and the regional trauma Centre. Our specialist cancer treatments include bone marrow transplant, sarcoma surgery and hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancer surgery (not exhaustive). We work closely with our community partners in delivering comprehensive health and social care.

The Neurology department UHP is the largest neurology unit in the peninsula offering both specialised and general neurology services to patients. The Trust also has an Acute Neurology and Stroke Unit whilst also providing of sub-speciality clinics in cerebrovascular disease, Parkinson’s, epilepsy, headache, motor-neurone disease, movement disorders, multiple sclerosis, neurofibromatosis, neuroinflammation and neuromuscular disease. The Acute Neurology and Stroke Unit Clinical care is complemented by an active research programme both in laboratory-based neurosciences and in clinical trials of new treatments.

Working collaboratively with the Advanced Specialist Pharmacist for Neurology – Stroke, Epilepsy & Neurosurgery (SEN), pharmacy will be an integral member of the multidisciplinary team supporting these services joining a team of clinicians, nurse specialists and other allied healthcare professionals.

• Responsible to the Associate Chief Pharmacist Clinical Services for strategic planning and delivery of clinical pharmacy services to patients within Neurology.
• Support the Chief Pharmacist / Deputy Chief Pharmacist / Associate Chief Pharmacist and Care Group Lead Pharmacist in developing, monitoring and reporting on drug expenditure and medicines budget and the delivery of financial savings as part of the pharmacy CIP.
• Development, implementation and update of clinical pharmacy policy in conjunction with senior pharmacists within the clinical pharmacy team and Neurology & SEN.
• Work as a member of the Clinical Pharmacy Team, Neurology Service Line and wider UHP pharmacy team.
• Monitor, review and report on medicines related incidents within Neurology.
• Provide highly specialist clinical pharmacy care to patients in the neurology and neurosurgical areas and related units.
• To manage, lead and co-ordinate the clinical pharmacy team including junior 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.
• 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 be a lead and role model in the field of focusing on Stroke, Epilepsy and Neurosurgery care locally, regionally, and nationally.
• To work collaboratively with the Advanced Specialist Pharmacist for Neurology – PMH (Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis and Headache).
• To practice as an independent prescriber.
• To work towards advanced clinical practice.
• To engage with Quality Improvement and practice research.
• To write and review policies and procedures relevant to pharmacy practice in Neurology, and Stroke, Epilepsy and Neurosurgery.
• Monitor and evaluate medicines related protocols and guidelines in Neurology including Stroke, Epilepsy and Neurosurgery.
• Ensure an appropriate level of clinical pharmacy service is provided to the Neurology care areas including Stroke, Epilepsy and Neurosurgery.
• Propose policy or service changes which improve services and may have multidisciplinary and resource implications
• Configure and implement inductions for pharmacists in Neurology/Neurosurgery and the pharmacy department with support from the Associate Chief Pharmacist Clinical Services Care Group Lead Pharmacists.
• Assist in the development and implementation of PGD’s and non-medical prescribing initiatives, when appropriate.
• Ensure that expertise within your area is seen as a resource within and outside the Trust and form working partnerships with other health and social care service providers.
• Recommendation of appropriate therapy for individual patients where evidence is not available, controversial evidence exists or other professionals may challenge advice
• Contribute to the organisations wider antimicrobial surveillance programme, implementing local programmes ensuring appropriate antimicrobial prescribing
• Attendance at Consultant/GP 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.
• Manage day to day medicines queries, including face to face consultations with patients identified to have compliance or other problems in medicine administration.
• Refer patients to other community services where appropriate.
• Liaise with all levels of healthcare staff, patients and carers in all areas of work.
• Analysis, interpretation and monitoring of clinical data including but not limited to: drug levels, U&E’s, blood counts and microbiological sensitivities to guide diagnosis and drug therapy.
• 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.
• Provide education and training to all healthcare professionals including medical students.
• Pharmacists are expected to work largely unsupervised and to act on their own professional judgement.
• Clinical supervision from another health professional can be arranged and is to be encouraged.
• Clinical roles are supported by policies and guidelines within which the pharmacist is allowed to exercise professional discretion / interpretation.
• Participate in any wider departmental rotas where needed.