NHSCT Lead Pharmacist / Consultant Pharmacist, Medicines Optimisation in Older People

Advertised role location: Antrim Hospital Site
Official document: NHSCT Lead_Consultant Pharmacist Meds Opt in Older People B8c Oc (docx)
Lead Pharmacist/Consultant Pharmacist, Medicines Optimisation of Older People (MOOP) with on call
Job Description

Lead Pharmacist/Consultant Pharmacist, Medicines Optimisation of Older People (MOOP) with on call
Job Description


The Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT) is responsible for the delivery of safe and effective health and social care (HSC) services to the population of the Northern Trust area in Northern Ireland.
We provide compassionate care with our community in our community. In order to do this we require the commitment of a highly skilled and professional workforce that meets the need of the service.
The diagram below outlines our values and our objectives which support the delivery of compassionate care within our community.

The below diagram details the values and associated behaviours that we expect staff working within Health and Social Care (HSC) to display at all times;

HSC Value
What does this mean?
What does this look like in practice? - Behaviours

Working Together

We work together for the best outcome for people we care for and support. We work across Health and Social Care and with other external organisations and agencies, recognising that leadership is the responsibility of all.


I work with others and value everyone’s contribution
I treat people with respect and dignity
I work as part of a team looking for opportunities to support and help people in both my own and other teams
I actively engage people on issues that affect them
I look for feedback and examples of good practice, aiming to improve where possible

Compassion

We are sensitive, caring, respectful and understanding towards those we care for and support and our colleagues. We listen carefully to others to better understand and take action to help them and ourselves.


I am sensitive to the different needs and feelings of others and treat people with kindness
I learn from others by listening carefully to them
I look after my own health and well-being so that I can care for and support others


Excellence

We commit to being the best we can be in our work, aiming to improve and develop services to achieve positive changes. We deliver safe, high-quality, compassionate care and support.
I put the people I care for and support at the centre of all I do to make a difference
I take responsibility for my decisions and actions
I commit to best practice and sharing learning, while continually learning and developing
I try to improve by asking ‘could we do this better?’

Openness & Honesty

We are open and honest with each other and act with integrity and candour.

I am open and honest in order to develop trusting relationships
I ask someone for help when needed
I speak up if I have concerns
I challenge inappropriate or unacceptable behaviour and practice


JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Lead Pharmacist/ Consultant Pharmacist, Medicines Optimisation of Older People (MOOP) with on call

BAND: 8b / 8c*

DIRECTORATE/DIVISION: Medical and Governance

INITIAL LOCATION: Antrim Hospital

REPORTS TO: Head of Pharmacy and Medicines Management

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Head of Pharmacy and Medicines Management

FLEXIBLE WORKING
PROVISIONS AVAILABLE: Full-time working, Fixed working patterns


*If not already accreditated as a consultant pharmacist, the post holder will commence as a band 8B and move to band 8C following consultant pharmacist accreditation when they will be able to use the protected title ‘Consultant Pharmacist’.


JOB SUMMARY:
In order to meet the overall mission of the Trust the post holder will:
Provide expert medicines optimisation services to an identified case load of vulnerable older people with complex needs and to accept referrals from clinical staff and managers for complex patients, providing expert opinion and consultancy support where appropriate. This will be atleast 50% of the post holder’s job plan.

Contribute to the development of a strategy and support innovative system wide models of pharmaceutical care that aid identification and optimise management of older patients with the highest risk of adverse effects from medicines or who would benefit most from unmet therapeutic interventions.

Lead a programme of research, service evaluation to establish the evidence base for medicines optimisation in older people across the region, collaborating with the other consultants for older people both locally and nationally and with universities and organisations such as Medicines Optimisation and Innovation Centre (MOIC) and ensure that learning is shared through reporting/publishing findings.

In collaboration with the regional consultants for older people to lead across the interface between secondary, intermediate and primary care on policy development and interpretation for medicines optimisation ensuring that medicines issues are addressed in the development of guidance and care pathways for older people linking with other organisations.

Provide input at Trust level to the multidisciplinary governance agenda related to medicines for older people.

Work within health and social care and in collaboration with the voluntary sector, patients and carers to deliver high quality specialist pharmaceutical care and to implement national guidance in medicines optimisation and medicines adherence to older patients within the Trust area.

Work in line within the Department of Health definition of a Consultant Pharmacist, including teaching and participation in research for at least one day a week.

KEY RESULT AREAS / MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Act as a mentor and role model as an expert clinical pharmacist and be recognised as a local, regional and national expert in medicines optimisation and medicines management for older people.

Deliver against regional and national strategic initiatives especially in the pharmaceutical care of older people

Lead on the implementation and development of new and existing models of pharmaceutical care, medicines optimisation and case management for older people in acute care, intermediate care, community falls prevention, care home settings, the Hospital at Home Service and those requiring medicines adherence support.

Evaluate, audit and research case management and pharmaceutical care of older people within the Trust area and regionally in collaboration with the NI Consultants Pharmacist Network against agreed outcomes.

Lead on service development, quality improvement and research activity relating to medicines in older people in collaboration with higher education institutions and organisations using evidence base to determine the most appropriate model.

Lead education, development and training of pharmacy staff and other healthcare professionals in order to promote best practice relating to medicines management and optimisation in older people across the Trust and care homes.

Lead on policy development and interpretation, ensuring that medicines optimisation issues are addressed in the development of guidelines, protocols and care pathways for older people linking with other health, social care, independent and voluntary organisations.

Contribute to strategic planning and service development for older people both regionally, for example in conjunction with the regional network of Consultant Pharmacists for Older People, and within the Trust.

Provide expert advice and support on matters relating to medicines in older people to HSC Directors, senior managers/healthcare professionals and health and social care teams in the Trust and wider health economy.

Act as a mentor and facilitator for pharmacists working with older people both within the Trust acute care and intermediate care facilities within care homes, medicines adherence and the Hospital at Home Service.

Ensure that learning from own knowledge and experience is shared with other healthcare professionals in the Trust and spread across the HSCNI through presentations and publications.

Practise as an independent prescriber for a group of vulnerable or complex older people within the Trust and care homes, and support other non-medical prescribers to develop their competencies in this area.

Active membership of the Northern Ireland Consultant Pharmacist Development Working Group contributing to the development of regional workplans, aligned with the strategic development of medicines optimisation and pharmaceutical care, and the development of communities of practice to support pharmacists in advancing their professional practice across all sectors.

Participate in regular job planning and the development of an annual workplan.

Clinical Practice
Manage and oversee a case load of vulnerable older people with complex or specialist medicines management needs by undertaking activities such as medicines optimisation, promoting medicines adherence support, prescribing and adverse medicines reaction reporting to optimse patient outcomes and patient experience.

Develop and implement appropriate referral systems and communication mechanisms in hospital to take referrals for complex patients from, for example pharmacists, doctors, nurses, therapists and to ensure that older people get the expertise and care that matches their holistic needs.

Develop strategies to reduce polypharmacy, the risk of falls, frailty and other medicines related problem in older people across the region.

Apply specialist expertise and experience to the planning and delivery of pharmaceutical care to older people in the Trust area.

Ensure appropriate referral and communication mechanisms which ensure that older people continue to get expert pharmaceutical care when transferring between secondary, intermediate and primary care services.

Work as an integral member of the Trust’s pharmacy team to support the provision of safe and effective pharmaceutical care.

Work closely with medical consultants and other members of the multidisciplinary teams in the Trust to ensure that therapeutic management is enhanced for older people whilst the risk of harm is reduced.

Be recognised as a local, regional and national expert in the area of pharmaceutical care of older people whether care is required in the acute, intermediate or community sectors.

Provide advice and support to health and social care personnel in the acute, intermediate and primary care sectors to ensure that older people continue to get the best out of their medicines.

Lead, develop and review Trust medicines policies, guidelines and protocols for older people based on evidence, national guidance and accepted best practice.

Demonstrate expert practice and innovation, and extend the boundaries of the profession in the pharmaceutical care of older people.

Demonstrate expert knowledge, work autonomously, manage difficult and ambiguous problems and take appropriate decisions even where there is limited information or lack of evidence.

Demonstrate advanced levels of professional reasoning and judgement, as well as a whole system approach to pharmaceutical care of older people.

Where relevant, contribute to policies, protocols and guidelines for other local health, social, independent and voluntary care organisations.

Contribute to the regional and national policies on care of the elderly in the acute, intermediate and primary care sectors to enhance the safety and quality of patients care.

Apply specialist expertise and experience to the planning and delivery of medicines optimisation and medicines management in older people to ensure that statutory requirements and quality standards are met e.g. NICE, RQIA

Provide direct care and develop strategies to reduce polypharmacy, overprescribing, the risks of falls, frailty score, anticholinergic burden and other medicines related problems in older people.

Engage with and involve patients, patient groups, carers and the public in co-production of services and on medicines related issues and empower them to take control of their medicines.

Provide advice and support to health and social care practitioners in the acute, intermediate care and primary care sectors to ensure that older people continue to get optimised outcomes from their medicines.

Be a Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP) to oversee, support and assess the competence of non-medical prescribing trainees, in collaboration with academic and workplace partners, during the period of learning in practice.

Professional Leadership
Identify a vision for the delivery of expert pharmaceutical care to vulnerable older people via complex case management in the acute sector and transferring to intermediate and/or primary care, or those based in a community setting.

Lead on the strategic approach to fully integrate pharmaceutical care and medicines management for older people into the Trust’s care systems and case management of older people with complex needs.

Work with the Trust’s Clinical Pharmacy Development Lead and other senior pharmacy managers to ensure the pharmaceutical care service to older people is an integral part of Trust pharmacy services.

Act as a champion for medicines management and optimisation in older people, working across professional and organisational boundaries to facilitate the changes required as older people move between primary, intermediate and secondary care, so as to maximise therapeutic effectiveness and reduce adverse drug reactions and medication incidents.
Lead on the research and development of new pharmaceutical care pathways as older people move between primary, intermediate and secondary care in the Trust.

Identify and promote best prescribing and pharmacy practice by contributing to local, regional and national policy and practice development.

Work across traditional professional and geographical boundaries to enhance the use of medicines and reduce medicine related risks in older people across the five Trusts areas.

Work collaboratively with other disciplines and organisations to deliver the trust clinical governance agenda in relation to prescribing and use of medicines in older people.

Motivate, inspire and act as a mentor for pharmacists working with older people both in the Trust and in care homes.

Ensure that issues relating to pharmaceutical care of older people are appropriately researched and evaluated, and presented via conferences, educational events and peer-reviewed publications.

Professionally lead a pharmacy team within care home settings, medicines adherence and the Hospital at Home Service ensuring consistent delivery of a high-quality medicines optimisation service to older people.

Contribute to workforce development as well as supporting the development of consultant pharmacists for older people across the NHS.

Contribute to the Trust self-assessment of compliance with NICE NG5 Medicines optimisation: the safe and effective use of medicines to enable the best possible outcomes and the RPS Professional Standards for Hospital Pharmacy Services.

Contribute to local, national and international specialist interest groups and conference/meetings and relevant networks, including actively participate in the NI consultant pharmacist development group

Actively lead and develop the Medicines Optimisation in Older people (MOOP) work streams, standardising and optimising pharmaceutical care of older people accessing theses services.

Demonstrate professional accountability to patients, stakeholders and the profession.

Research, Evaluation and Service Development
Oversee the rollout of new pharmaceutical care pathways, and participate in multidisciplinary case management of vulnerable older people with complex needs (including complex pharmaceutical care needs) transferring from the acute sector to intermediate and/or primary care, or based within the community setting.

Lead on developing a research strategy that will benefit patients locally, regionally and nationally, by promoting joint multidisciplinary research programmes.

Lead and undertake research into pharmacy practice in older people ensuring findings of research are published in peer reviewed journals, and implemented where supported by evidence.

Identify, lead and support Quality Improvement and service development projects, aligned with the organisational approach to improvement and for example, the Transforming Medication Safety in NI (TMSNI) workstreams, in the area of medicines optimisation for older people.

Participate in, and contribute to, the research activities of the Schools of Pharmacy in Northern Ireland and the Medicines Optimisation Innovation Centre (MOIC).

Lead in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of new initiatives and pharmaceutical service development for older people in the Trust.

Ensure that successful pilots are mainstreamed locally and shared across the wider HSC as exemplars of good practice.

Identify gaps in the evidence base for pharmaceutical care of older people particularly in the acute, intermediate care and care home sectors and contribute to generating research proposals, secure funding and contribute to the evidence base.

Establish research partnerships with local universities and other bodies as needed.

Disseminate research findings via conferences (presentations and posters) and peer-reviewed publications (abstracts and journal papers) supported by the local Universities.

Guide and support others undertaking relevant research and provide supervision for students undertaking research projects.

Produce business cases and proposals to support develop of medicines optimisation projects for older people across the region.

Education, Mentoring and Overview of Practice
Establish and maintain formal links with the Schools of Pharmacy and if required undertake teaching commitments and contribute to curriculum development within the undergraduate/postgraduate programmes for pharmacists and other healthcare professionals.

Contribute to the education and training of Trust pharmacists and develop their role in pharmaceutical care of older people in the trust.

Contribute to the education and training of other health care staff across the Trust in the area of medicines optimisation in older people.

Evaluate training provided to pharmacy students, Trust pharmacists and other healthcare professionals.

Support and develop pharmacists outside the organisation through internal and external clinical and professional networks (peer support/peer review).

Undertake a range of roles such as Educational Supervisor, Designated Prescribing Professional, mentor and project supervisor for pharmacy undergraduates, Foundation Training Year Trainee Pharmacists and pharmacists.

Provide coaching and mentoring to pharmacists working with older people to support staff development, enhanced care provision and staff progression.

Identify and build on opportunities to develop multi-professional training.

Identify own training needs and ensuring a specialised level of pharmacy practice through maintenance a portfolio of practice and CPD.

Provide bespoke education and advice to patient and carer groups.

Communication & Information Management

Communicate effectively and maintain productive working relationships amongst staff and with others.

Deal with and report complaints, in keeping with Trust Policy, and assist with investigations, when necessary.

Ensure all information is kept confidential in line with Trust policy.

Quality

Ensure that the needs of patients and their carers are at the core of the way that the Trust delivers services.

Work within the Trust’s governance framework to ensure policies and procedures meet relevant statutory requirements, professional standards, policy guidance and workforce and regulatory requirements.

Support the Trust in advancing its compliance with the RPS Professional Standards including Professional Standards for Hospital Pharmacy Services and NICE Guideline (NG5) Medicines Optimisation: the safe and effective use of medicines to enable the best possible outcomes, to contribute to improving governance across the organisation.

Raise quality issues and related risk with the relevant team manager or senior manager including contributing to the review of risk registers within the pharmacy team and service providing care for older people.

Identify opportunities for service and quality improvement, lead in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of outcomes and ensure that successful pilots are mainstreamed locally and shared wider across health and social care.

Promote a culture of continuous service improvement amongst your staff, encouraging their participation and that of service users in reviewing and modernising current services and in service development.

Understand and practice in accordance with all relevant Trust and local policies and procedures.

Financial & Resource Management

Ensure a consistent, evidence-based and cost effective prescribing practice in local and regional area by contributing to policy and practice development at local, and regional levels

Develop and monitor appropriate controls within scope of budget holder responsibility in accordance with the Trust’s Schedule of Delegated Authority.

Adhere to agreed policies and procedures including standing financial instructions.

Ensure that the Trust’s funds are effectively used, that financial commitments represent value for money and comply with standing financial instructions and Trust protocols.


People Management

Manage a team of staff delivering pharmaceutical care to older people in care homes, those requiring medicines adherence support, Hospital at Home.

Support the development of job plans and work plans for each service, incorporating personal development, quality improvement, service development and education

Establish a supportive, fair and open culture that encourages and enables staff, within your area of responsibility, to meet required performance standards.

Review individually, at least annually, the performance of immediately subordinate staff, provide guidance on personal development requirements and advise on and initiate, where appropriate, further training.

Maintain staff relationships and morale amongst the staff reporting to him/her.

Review the organisation plan and establishment level of the service for which he/she is responsible to ensure that each is consistent with achieving objectives, and recommend change where appropriate.

Delegate appropriate responsibility and authority to the level of staff within his/her control consistent with effective decision making, while retaining overall responsibility and accountability for results.

Participate, as required, in the selection and appointment of staff reporting to him/her in accordance with procedures laid down by the Trust.

Be involved in all HR related process for staff within area of responsibility -including recruitment, management of leave and sickness, dealing with performance and conduct.

Take such action as may be necessary in disciplinary matters in accordance with procedures laid down by the Trust.
Generic managerial responsibilities both within an operational and strategic context.
The post holder will:
Maintain staff relationships and morale amongst staff
Supervise and assist in the training of Pharmacists, Foundation Training Year Student pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, Student Pharmacy Technicians and Assistant Technical Officers, as required.
Report critical incidents/near misses using the Trust reporting mechanism
Proactively support the health and wellbeing of colleagues and report any signs of ill health/stress in colleagues
Support the Trust in defending legal actions and participate in tribunals as required
Comply with all Trust policies and procedures relevant to area of work
Participate in the weekend and statutory duty rota on call rota, as necessary
Support the Trust in its drive for seven day working in order to ensure it best meets the needs of our patients.

Undertake all mandatory training for the role.

The duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description are neither meant to be definitive nor restrictive and may be modified to meet changing needs. It should be noted therefore that duties, designation and location of post might be subject to change in the future to meet the changing requirements of the service.
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
The Trust supports and promotes a culture of collective leadership where those who have responsibility for managing other staff:
Establish and promote a supportive, fair and open culture that encourages and enables all parts of the team to have clearly aligned goals and objectives, to meet the required performance standards and to achieve continuous improvement in the services they deliver.
Ensure access to skills and personal development through appropriate training and support.
Promote a culture of openness and honesty to enable shared learning.
Encourage and empower others in their team to achieve their goals and reach their full potential through regular supportive conversation and shared decision making.
Adhere to and promote Trust policy and procedure in all staffing matters, participating as appropriate in a way which underpins Trust values.


GENERAL MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Ensure the appropriate governance and risk management arrangements are in place for the services you are responsible for and take appropriate action to identify and manage risk and to maintain safety of users, staff and others in accordance with relevant regulations, policies and procedures;
It is essential to ensure that the highest standards of infection prevention and control are maintained to ensure patient and client safety and maintain confidence in the Trust. As a Manager, you must ensure that you implement all instructions/ policy in this area and that all staff are made aware of and fully comply with these;
Where the post-holder has responsibility for managing a budget, ensure that services are managed and developed both in accordance with agreed and funded priorities as set out on a yearly basis and in accordance with Standing Financial Instructions, particularly ensuring your compliance with payroll documentation procedures and timescales;
Ensure the necessary arrangements are in place in regard to the ‘Knowledge and Skills Framework’ outlines, where this applies, for the posts for which you have management responsibility and ensure that each member of staff has an annual development and performance review, a personal development plan and that arrangements are in place to ensure that staff have maximum opportunity to progress through gateways in their pay bands and to contribute effectively towards our objectives;
Promote a culture of continuous service improvement amongst your staff, encouraging their participation and that of service users in reviewing and modernising current services and in service development;
Make sure you are trained and competent in the relevant policies and procedures which apply to the management of staff and other resources and abide by these policies; seeking advice as necessary from senior management or specialist staff as necessary;
Communicate effectively with staff and maintain productive working relationships amongst your staff and with others;
Delegate appropriate responsibility and authority to staff in order to ensure optimum and effective service delivery and decision-making, whilst retaining overall accountability and responsibility for outcomes;
Promote a culture of learning and development and facilitate arrangements for and participate in training and development of staff as agreed for the performance of their duties. Where training is in accordance with relevant standards make sure you have the relevant competences in order to carry out this responsibility;
Promote equality of opportunity for all by personal action, both in the management of your staff and in the provision of care to service users in accordance with the Trust’s Equality of Opportunity Policy and Equality Scheme;
Take responsibility for ensuring appropriate standards of environmental cleanliness and for encouraging staff to maintain standards in their work area. Have an awareness of environmental issues and take appropriate action, for example to ensure the efficient use of energy and other resources, recycling etc.;
Make sure that staff are aware of Trust policies regarding the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and Records Management and that they must not disclose, withhold, retain or dispose of any information unless legally authorised.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Employees of the Trust will be required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible and:-
At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner

At all times demonstrate practice the HSC values of Working Together, Excellence, Openness & Honesty and Compassion

Carry out their duties and responsibilities in a manner which assures patient and client safety

Comply with all instructions in regard to Infection Prevention and Control

Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them

Comply with the Trust’s Smoke Free Policy

Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with health and safety policy and statutory regulations

Adhere to equal opportunities policy throughout the course of their employment

Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in service provision

Adhere to the Code of Conduct for HSC Employees which aims to guide staff, managers and employers in the work that they do and the decisions and choices they have to make. Professional staff are expected to follow the code of conduct for their own professions as well as this code.

The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency. The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the NHSCT Raising Concerns Policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

The post holder will, in the event of a concern being raised with them, ensure that it is managed correctly under the NHSCT Raising Concerns Policy, and ensure feedback/learning is communicated at individual, team and organisational level regarding the concerns, and how they were resolved.

RECORDS MANAGEMENT
All employees of the Northern Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including e-mails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant and to comply with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust policies on Information Governance including (for example) the ICT Security Policy, Data Quality and Data Protection Policy and Records Management Policy and to seek advice if in doubt.

SALARY
Band 8b £64,455 - £74,896 per annum
Band 8c £76,965 - £88,682 per annum

RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UK
Please note this role may not meet the requirements for a Skilled Worker visa (including a Heath and Care Worker visa) and the Trust therefore would be unable to employ anyone that requires Sponsorship. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration).

HOURS
Normal full-time hours of duty are 37½ hours per week, exclusive of meal times

MEDICAL
Appointment will be subject to a successful pre-employment health assessment.

HOLIDAYS
27 days each year; 29 days after 5 years’ service; 33 days after 10 years’ service and 10 statutory and public holidays.

PENSION
The post-holder can participate in the Health Social Care Pension Scheme.

NORTHERN TRUST BENEFITS
You can explore the benefits on offer to you in the Northern Trust by clicking here

PROBATIONARY PERIOD
You will serve a probationary period of normally six months.

WAITING LIST
A waiting list may be compiled for similar permanent / temporary, full / part time posts which may arise within the next 6 months in the Northern Trust.

PAY PROTECTION
Legacy Trust Staff who apply for a promotion after 1 April 2011 should be aware that they will lose their legacy protection arrangements and will be entitled to pay protection in accordance with circular HSS (JNF)(1) 2011. This circular will also apply to legacy staff who are currently in receipt of protection and who move post on promotion.

Completed application forms should be returned to the BSO Recruitment and Selection Shared Services Centre, on or before the closing date as stated in the advertisement.

Canvassing, either directly or indirectly, will be an absolute disqualification.

We will review this Job Description and it may include any other duties and responsibilities we determine in consultation with the jobholder. We do not intend it to be rigid and inflexible but rather to provide guidelines within which the jobholder works.

October 2026

































PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

Title of Post: Lead Pharmacist/Consultant Pharmacist, Medicines Optimisation of Older People (MOOP) with on call

Band of Post: Band 8b/8c*

Notes to applicants:
You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.
Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.
Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.
Volunteering experience may be considered appropriate in particular for roles within the context of direct patient/client care.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA


SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor
Criteria

Method of Assessment

Qualifications/ Registration


MPharm or equivalent and registered with or eligible to register with the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
Hold a minimum of a post graduate masters in clinical pharmacy.
Be a Pharmacist Independent Prescriber and actively prescribing in practise.
Be a Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP) – or willing to become one within 18 months of appointment.

Shortlisting by Application Form








Experience
Minimum of 4 years’ post registration experience in hospital pharmacy at band 8a or above as a clinical pharmacist.
Experience in providing a clinical pharmacy service to older people.
Shortlisting by Application Form

Other
Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. This criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post.
Be able to respond to an emergency call within 45 minutes under normal travelling conditions.
Be computer literate with good practical experience of using software packages such as Excel, Word, Powerpoint and the internet

Shortlisting by Application Form

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Knowledge/
Skills / Abilities
Able to demonstrate behaviours that meet the Trust values
Demonstrates high level communication and collaboration skills; able to communicate complex information to stakeholders in challenging environments to promote a collaborative approach across the healthcare system.
Demonstrates in-depth pharmaceutical knowledge and skills relating to Older People and able to apply these to deliver complex pharmaceutical person centred care at both an individual level and population level.
Influences the delivery and quality assurance of clinical services across boundaries.
Demonstrates effective critical thinking, clinical reasoning and decision making where there is uncertainty, competing and/or complex clinical issues.
Implements regional and national policy and strategy in their area of clinical speciality practice.
Translates specialist expertise and research into the creation of new policy influencing practice beyond their organisation, demonstrably improving patient care.
Creates and embeds a shared strategic vision for service delivery and quality assurance within their organisation and beyond; relates goals and actions to wider strategic aims of the organisation, profession and healthcare system.
Leads on innovation and improvement to service delivery at organisational level and beyond; manages change effectively to achieve demonstrable improvement(s) to patient care.
Motivates and effectively manages individual and/or team performance at an organisational level.
Manages the professional development of individuals within a team and/or service and manages resources and risk to maximise performance and the impact on patient care within the trust.
Shapes and contributes to the governance agenda at a senior level within their organisation and beyond.
Shapes and contributes to educational provision for patients and healthcare professionals in their area of expertise within and beyond their organisation.
Interprets national policy to create strategic approaches to local workforce education, planning and development.
Applies critical evaluation skills in the context of their working practice; uses research and evidence-base to inform and develop practice and services improving patient care at an organisational level and beyond.
Formulates research questions based on gaps in the evidence base; designs rigorous research protocols to address these and improve service delivery at organisational level and beyond.
Contributes to research supervision in collaboration with research experts and collaborates with the wider multidisciplinary team to conduct research projects.
Interview / Presentation

*If appointed without credentialing the candidate will commence as a band 8B and will be required to successfully credential with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) within 3 years of taking up the post.
The candidate will progress to band 8C when they become credentialed as Consultant -ready by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of GB.
The title Consultant Pharmacist can only be used once the candidate has been credentialed by RPS.

Value Based Recruitment
Value Based Recruitment is a process adopted by the Northern Trust to attract and select employees on the basis that their individual values and behaviours align with those of the Trust.
It focuses on the ‘how’ and ‘why’ people do what they do.
Candidates who are short-listed for interview will need to demonstrate at interview that they have the required knowledge, skills, competencies and values to be effective in this new role.
In answering the value based questions you have the opportunity to share examples of when you have demonstrated values relevant to the Northern Trust.

Criminal Offences, Investigations and Charges
Having a criminal record will not necessarily debar you from working with the Trust. This will depend on the nature of the position, together with the circumstances and background of your offences or other information contained on a disclosure certificate. Where it is necessary to obtain an Access NI disclosure the Trust operates in line with the Access NI Code of Practice (www.nidirect.gov.uk/publications/accessni-code-practice).

If you require further information or a copy of the policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders or the policy on the Secure Handling, Use, Storage and Retention of Disclosure Information, please contact the Trust Human Resources Department.

Essential Leadership Capabilities

The successful candidate will need to provide evidence and demonstrate their Leadership capabilities against the required dimension on the NHS Leadership framework.
A shortlist of candidates for interview will be prepared on the basis of the information contained in the application form. It is therefore essential that all applicants demonstrate through their application how and to what extent their experience and qualities are relevant to this post and the extent to which they satisfy each criterion specified. An assessment centre may also be used as part of the short-listing process.
Candidates who are short-listed for interview will need to demonstrate at interview that they have the required competencies to be effective in this demanding leadership role. The dimensions concerned are given in the Healthcare Leadership Model details of which can be found at http://www.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk/resources/healthcare-leadership-model.
Particular attention will be given to the following:
Inspiring shared purpose
Leading with care
Evaluating information
Connecting our service
Sharing the vision
Engaging the team
Holding to account
Developing capability
Influencing for results

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for the Trust to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

THE NHSCT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

Successful applicants:
may be required to attend for a Health Assessment
can expect to be placed at the minimum point of the pay scale, although a higher starting salary, within the range of the pay band may be available if the person appointed has experience relevant & equivalent to the post. If the successful candidate is an existing HSC employee moving to a higher band, AfC Pay on Promotion will apply.
have the right to request Flexible Working from the 1st day of their employment. A number of flexible working provisions are offered by all HSC Organisations including Full-time working, Fixed working patterns, Part-time working, Flexi-time, Compressed/elongated hours, Average hours working patterns, Term-time working, Job-share or Homeworking for some or all of the working pattern, depending on the role being undertaken. Successful applicants are encouraged to discuss with their manager what Flexible Working provisions may be available in the role they are taking up, prior to commencing employment, to help them achieve a positive Work/Life Balance.
October 2026