Rheumatology Specialist Pharmacist

Go back The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust Rheumatology Specialist Pharmacist The closing date is 06 August 2026 To be the lead pharmacist for rheumatology, leading, managing and developing medicines management initiatives for rheumatology patients at PAHT.This is an innovative role with the majority of time spent on rheumatology duties. The post holder will be based in the rheumatology departmentTo lead work with the specialist nurses & consultants in rheumatology to implement biosimilar switching, to the benefit of the health economy and to maximise the income to the Trust from any switching.To lead work with the specialist nurses & consultants in rheumatology in setting up and running biologics consent clinics to review long term patients prescribed biologics.To report back on savings / income generation from biosimilar switching to the Family, Diagnostics and Community and Planned pathways (MSK and ENT Care Group) Divisions.To develop, train, motivate and encourage staff working within the team. Main duties of the job This is an innovative role with the majority of time spent on rheumatology duties. The post holder will be based in the rheumatology department.To lead work with the specialist nurses & consultants in rheumatology to implement all biosimilar switching to the benefit of the health economy and in order to maximise the income to the Trust from biosimilar switching.To report back on savings / income generation from biosimilar switching to the Family, Diagnostics and Community and Planned pathways (MSK and ENT Care Group) Divisions.To lead work with the specialist nurses & consultants in rheumatology in setting up and running biologics review clinics to review long term patients prescribed biologics. About us The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wave; a national programme thats changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined-up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector.This means were working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives.Were a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex. Job responsibilities Job summary To be the lead pharmacist for rheumatology, leading, managing and developing medicines management initiatives for rheumatology patients at PAHT. This is an innovative role with the majority of time spent on rheumatology duties. The post holder will be based in the rheumatology department To lead work with the specialist nurses & consultants in rheumatology to implement biosimilar switching, to the benefit of the health economy and to maximise the income to the Trust from any switching. To lead work with the specialist nurses & consultants in rheumatology in setting up and running biologics consent clinics to review long term patients prescribed biologics. To report back on savings / income generation from biosimilar switching to the Family, Diagnostics and Community and Planned pathways (MSK and ENT Care Group) Divisions. To develop, train, motivate and encourage staff working within the team. To further examine the opportunities for biologics. This may include: Introducing new biosimilars when available and monitoring their outcomes Reviewing stopping criteria Monitor homecare deliveries to reduce waste, including patients in a partnership Help in moving appropriate patients to subcutaneous formulations as they become available To advise and develop biologic pathways in collaboration with the ICB when/ if new developments are made and/ or new biologics are introduced Conduct audit on patients due to start on biologics are instead started on MTX S/C (if appropriate) and the financial savings this could make vs starting patients on biologics Start biologic weaning clinic for stable patients with regular monitoring to wean patients off biologic safely resulting in reduced medication burden to patient and financial saving for trust Start moderate pathway initiating clinic as per NICE - starting patients early on biologics will reduce the health-economic impact. Counselling patients starting biologics and DMARDs thoroughly will help reduce calls to helpline and improve patient safety and compliance Safety checks for patients initiated on biologic can be done by nurse/ pharmacist as a telephone clinic - increasing clinic capacity in doctors clinic for new patients Combined counselling sessions for patients being started on DMARDs/ Biologics - having presentations to run through the information 1. Service Provision 1.1 To lead on the implementation of the biosimilar switching as appropriate to ensure patients are switched as smoothly as possible & within the Trust timeframe of the biosimilar implementation 1.2 To work with the specialist nurses to keep a database of all switches & ensure patients are followed up 1.3 To keep a record of failures to switch & the reasons why 1.4 To produce financial reports for the Family, Diagnostic and Community and Planned Pathways Divisions where appropriate 1.5 To improve mechanisms within Rheumatology to minimise ‘waste’ with Homecare biologics. Examples of mechanisms include: monitoring dose changes; monitoring prescription requests and monitoring drug supplies. 1.6 To ensure the smooth running, day to day management of the Homecare pharmacy service to the rheumatology patients, as well as ensuring the switch happens with no disruption to patients. 1.7 To optimise funding applications for biological therapies that are used outside of national guidelines 1.8 To assist the existing CNS Rheumatology team in setting up a Biologics Review Service to optimise the use of biological therapy within the Rheumatology Service 1.9 To ensure that service provision is flexible and responsive to patient and service needs 1.10 To ensure the safe, clinically effective and cost-efficient use of drugs within rheumatology 1.11 To attend MDTs as part of the multi-disciplinary team 1.12 To meet any medication-related needs of rheumatology patients 1.13 To ensure that all healthcare professionals working in rheumatology are trained appropriately and are aware of all medicine related policies and procedures relating to the service 1.14 To provide drug expenditure reports and identify potential cost savings within the service as requested 1.15 To design and carry out audits as required 1.16 To attend outpatient clinics as deemed appropriate 1.17 Undertake risk management, including investigating clinical incidents in rheumatology and ensuring compliance with medicine legislation. 1.18 The post holder will be expected to identify, where necessary, areas that require service changes and develop a strategy to carry out the change through consultation with senior colleagues within and outside the pharmacy including commissioners. 1.19 Communication with ICB and NHS England about medicines policies or guidelines specific for their area of practice and for funding requests 1.20 Review and deal with high cost drug challenges from ICB and NHS England 1.21 Undertakes research into homecare medicines management services, which may include the trial of novel methods of providing homecare medicines management, or services for medicines previously not managed through homecare. 1.22 Pharmacy lead in the achievement of short, and long term, objectives within rheumatology in relation to medicine optimisation, especially regarding DMARDS 1.23 Develop and manage biologic review meetings to discuss all biologic initiations and yearly reviews 1.24 Counselling patients and answering concerns on their medication including telephone support clinics 1.25 To manage non biologic patients through drug switching DMARD management 1.28 Write or respond to business cases for service development to secure additional funding. 1.29 Attend departmental meetings to advise on medicine use and financial implications 1.30 Horizon scan for new drugs and advise the rheumatology meetings on the financial implications 1.31 Co-ordinate Medicines Use Savings Projects 1.32 Review prescribing data from out-patient clinics 1.33 To develop shared care guidelines for rheumatology 1.34 Responsible for self-audit and data collection to evaluate the on-going effectiveness of the role of Advanced Clinical Pharmacist for rheumatology Person Specification Qualifications * Masters qualification in pharmacy or equivalent qualification plus one- year pre-registration experience * Registrant of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) * Postgraduate diploma in clinical pharmacy or equivalent experience or qualification * Independent prescriber status or ability to complete course leading to independent prescriber qualification Experience * Substantial post-registration experience as a practising clinical pharmacist. * Experience of dealing with highly complex clinical issues which require the pharmacist to analyse information from a range of sources, which may not be in agreement, to formulate a response. In such situations, it may be necessary to find a novel solution to an unusual clinical situation. The pharmacist will have developed negotiating and persuasive skills with other clinical team members, patients and relatives. * Experience of dealing with a wide variety and grade of hospital staff (including senior medical and managerial staff) on a regular and ongoing basis. * Experience of hospital clinical pharmacy services, including high cost and homecare services. 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. Employer name The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust J-18808-Ljbffr