Lead Epilepsy Specialist Pharmacist - 7.5hr/weekly

Job overview

We are looking for a talented and experienced pharmacist to provide clinical leadership for our epilepsy service. As our lead pharmacist for Epilepsy Services, you will set the strategy and the tone for our clinical service, ensuring the continued provision and ongoing development of high quality, patient-centred care.

We are looking for someone with a proven track record for delivering safe and effective care in hospital pharmacy services. You will need a clear vision for developing existing clinical pharmacy services, and developing new and innovative services to meet the needs of our patients. You will be able to demonstrate that you have the values and skills to provide effective, inspiring, and respectful leadership to the whole Pharmacy Team.

Applicants must be currently registered with the GPhC as a pharmacist and have extensive, demonstrable pharmacy and leadership experience.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be responsible for leading and delivering a highly specialist service for the review of epileptic medicines in the treatment for adult patients.  As such, they will be the specialist clinical expert.

They will advise and make clinical recommendations to the neurology and pharmacy to support the treatment of adult patients with epilepsy.

Implement the MHRA safety alerts in relation to valproate and topiramate,

Support patients with complex medication needs to improve medication safety and outcomes in this patient group.

They will work across the Kent and Medway ICS via an honorary contract.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To provide expert clinical pharmacy input, advice, and knowledge in the area of epilepsy, providing highly specialist advice to consultants, junior doctors, nursing, and pharmacy staff.

To be responsible for leading and delivering a highly specialist service for the review of epileptic medicines in the treatment for adult patients.

To advise and make clinical recommendations to the neurology and pharmacy to support the treatment of adult patients with epilepsy.

To implement the MHRA safety alerts in relation to valproate and topiramate, working under honorary contract across acute providers in Kent and Medway.

Support patients with complex medication needs to improve medication safety and outcomes in this patient group.

To work in partnership with the Lead Clinical Pharmacist to plan the future development and progress of clinical pharmacy services and medicines optimisation services to the Trust, particularly in light of national and regional directives and guidance, in liaison with the Senior Leadership Team.

To lead in the development of medicines optimisation initiatives in epilepsy

To monitor the level and standard of professional work undertaken by clinical pharmacy staff in accordance with local KPIs and national competency frameworks.

To develop clinical pharmacy services which are targeted at all domains of medicines optimisation, maximising use of patients’ own drugs, completing medicines reconciliation, focused on discharge and ensuring adherence to policies around safe prescribing and administration.

To review and interpret complex literature and present this at The Medicines Committee

To provide professional and clinical advice to the multidisciplinary healthcare team, patients and carers, to support individual patient care and medicines optimisation