Specialist Support Pharmacist – Surgery

Job summary
We have the following opportunity for an enthusiastic and self-motivated pharmacist to join our Surgical and Critical Care division, and in particular to support the elective surgery pathways.
The post holder will develop the knowledge and expertise with the Speciality and support the wider pharmacy team to deliver a comprehensive and consistently high-quality clinical service to elective surgical wards (currently Henry Moore Unit and John Snow, as well as being an integrated member of the parenteral nutrition (PN) multidisciplinary team and actively participating in PN ward rounds.
The post holder will work closely with the Lead Pharmacist for Critical Care to develop and implement specialist clinical pharmacy services to surgical patients within The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust.
The successful applicant will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated pharmacist with an interest in developing their career further in cancer care. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are vital for this position.
The role will also include weekend and on-call duties on a rotational basis, to provide general pharmacy services to wards and dispensary.

Main duties of the job
To deliver, develop and evaluate clinical services to the adult elective surgical wards at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust.
To assist in the provision of a high-quality service to the patients and staff within the Surgical and Critical Care directorate.
To assist the Lead Pharmacist for Critical Care with the training of rotational band 6 Pharmacists and support in the cover of pharmaceutical aspects of care in Critical Care.
To be an active member of the Parenteral Nutrition Team and regular attendance in the daily PN ward rounds
To provide expert advice on pharmaceutical issues, utilising advanced specialist knowledge in surgical matters
Be responsible, on a day to day basis, for medicines reconciliation and medicines optimisation for patients on the general wards at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust.
To promote the safe, clinically effective and cost-effective use of medicines
To undertake audit/ research and act as a source of pharmaceutical expertise and promote cost effective use of medicines to other healthcare professionals
To support on formulary issues at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust to manage the introduction of new medicines / formulations undertake

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
Service Delivery Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Lead Surgical Pharmacy Technician to deliver a patient focused clinical pharmacy service to patients within the elective Surgical Wards.
• To develop and evaluate clinical services to the adult elective surgical wards at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust and implement areas for improvement to support patient flow and patient experience.
• To support the provision of a clinical pharmacy service to the Trust Adult Critical Care Unit in the absence of the Critical Care Pharmacist.
• Provide a clinical pharmacy service and support medical optimisation to Level 1 patients based on the Unit.
• Contribute to the timely discharge of patients being discharged from the surgical wards by ensuring TTAs are prepared prior to discharge.
• To improve patient experience by ensuring patients by providing patient counselling and education of medications prior to discharge.
• To work as part of the multidisciplinary team to support medical and nursing staff, as well as allied healthcare professionals.
• Creation and implementation of surgical guidelines as necessary.
• To monitor and evaluate the pharmacy services provided in accordance with the set objectives to ensure that they are of a high quality and that departmental standards are met
• Participate in audits and service reviews in accordance with the set objectives agreed with the Lead Pharmacist for Critical Care.

Clinical Pharmacy Duties

• Provide high quality clinical pharmacy input as part of the multidisciplinary team within directorate to improve and enhance the quality of patient care
• Ensure that medication histories and patients’ own drugs are check on admission.
• Reconcile patients’ regular medication and professionally screen prescriptions, thus taking professional responsibility, as required by legislation.
• To prioritise clinical interventions in accordance to patients’ individual needs.
• To provide timely and expert clinical pharmaceutical advice to medical and nursing staff to enable them to prescribe and administer medicines for inpatients in a safe, appropriate and efficient manner.
• To help with the monitoring and implementation of clinical management guidelines such as the antimicrobial guidelines and adherence to Trust Formulary.
• To work with the Lead Pharmacist for Critical Care to develop and input into clinical prescribing guidelines, care pathways, care bundles, patient group directions, implementation of NICE and other guidance in line with local and national directives.
• To undertake counselling and provision of information on medication related issues, delivering highly sensitive information to a vulnerable sector of the community, both patients and carers.
• To train and work as an independent prescriber (IP) according to Trust policies and within your identified scope of practice, if required.
• To monitor, audit and report on any medicines related incidents, complaints or clinical governance issues and explore ways of minimising risk of future re-occurrence or risk to patients and staff. Make appropriate recommendations to support improvement in these areas.
• To undertake clinical audits and to participate in undertaking research, audit or development work for service improvement.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Registration with General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
• Masters of Pharmacy (MPharm) or equivalent
• Evidence of continuing professional development to a least meet the mandatory requirements of the GPhC

Desirable

• Postgraduate Clinical Qualification/ Diploma in Pharmacy Practice or equivalent
• Member of Royal Pharmaceutical Society and/or other professional groups to facilitate continuing professional development

Experience
Essential

• Pharmacist experience in hospital (minimum 18months)
• Experience working on a busy hospital ward and working as part of an MDT

Desirable

• Evidence of relevant clinical pharmacy experience in a surgical setting
• Pharmacy practice research and clinical audit

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.