Lead Pharmacist - Antimicrobials

Job overview

An amazing opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated and dynamic pharmacist to join the Pharmacy teams to support us in our antimicrobial management. The postholder will take over this well-established role in proactive management of patients who require antimicrobial treatment. They will be expected to work alongside our antimicrobial consultants and specialists in day-to day management of patients including prescribing and monitoring antimicrobial therapy.

The postholder will have significant input into outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT) management and MWL policies and guidelines concerning antimicrobials, antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention and control.

The postholder will benefit from expert support from our newly created consultant pharmacist in antimicrobials.

The successful applicant will be based at Southport District General Hospital but cross-site working will be required on occasion throughout Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals.

The JD & PS are currently under AfC review and are subject to change.

Main duties of the job

The successful post holder will have significant experience of hospital clinical pharmacy and antimicrobials and they will be an excellent team player with ability to communicate effectively across teams. They will also be dynamic and innovative to develop and implement their own ideas to continually improve the service.

With the Consultant Microbiologists, the post holder will support and implement quality-driven Antimicrobial Clinical Pharmacy Services to the Trust. This will ensure anti-microbial therapies are used in a safe, effective, patient-centred, timely, economic and efficient manner. The post holder will promote appropriate and cost-effective antibiotic prescribing and expenditure control across the Trust in collaboration with the Consultant Microbiologists. This includes drug usage analysis, identification of budget pressures arising from new products, co-ordination of projects and audits and the development of protocols.

The post holder will provide a clinical pharmacy service to a ward and a clinical speciality role in anti-microbials across all directorates.

The post holder will assist the Deputy Chief Pharmacist – clinical services in providing clinical training and supervision of other departmental staff.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical and Professional Responsibilities

• Provide a Clinical Pharmacy Service to a designated ward and develop a specialist practice base in anti-microbials. This will include: - Taking drug histories on admission

- Screening of patients on admission for pharmaceutical care issues and formulation of care plans where pharmaceutical care issues are identified

• - Review medication to ensure safe and effective use - Review and update of care plans depending on response, results of investigations and adverse effects - Therapeutic drug monitoring for specific drugs - Educate patients about their drug therapy

- Facilitate implementation of local and national guidelines

Administrative Responsibilities

Teaching and Training Responsibilities

• To work with the Deputy Chief Pharmacist – clinical services and other senior members of staff to develop Pharmacy Services as appropriate
• Attend Consultant Medical Microbiologist clinical ward rounds and clinical and multidisciplinary meetings relevant to anti-microbials.
• Undertaking and supervising audit and research projects in anti-microbials to ensure the cost-effective use of anti-microbials throughout the Trust. This will involve liaison with Consultant Microbiologists, Senior Clinicians and Pharmacists.
• To assist the Deputy Chief Pharmacist – clinical services with information regarding intervention monitoring by regularly recording clinical interventions and activities.
• Representing the Department and the Trust in regional and other clinical pharmacy forums and meetings, particularly with respect to anti-microbials. This includes the North West Regional Antibiotics Pharmacist Group.
• In liaison with the lead Pharmacy technicians in procurement/computer services, provide and interpret monthly drug-use information for anti-microbials and prioritise areas for action to contain unexplained spending. Liaise with Finance, Clinical Directors, Consultant Microbiologists and Clinical Service Managers to address any financial concerns.
• Develop evidence-based treatment protocols, guidelines and care pathways with Microbiology for anti-microbials. Produce updated Trust Antibiotic Guidelines on an annual basis after consideration of local antibiotic sensitivities and evidence-based medicine in collaboration with Consultant Microbiologists, Senior Clinicians and Pharmacists.
• Responsible for drug administration protocols for anti-microbials.
• Provide evaluated information for the Drugs & Therapeutics Group on anti-microbials, as requested, to facilitate decision making with respect to the inclusion of new anti-microbials products in the Formulary.
• Provide specialist pharmaceutical information to medical, nursing staff and patients in anti-microbials and to General Practitioners and other staff within the Trust where appropriate.
• Documentation of patient Medicines Reconciliation as per Trust Policy.
• Review of ward/department expenditure as allocated.
• Record regularly clinical interventions and activities in line with departmental policy.
• Provide clinical training for other Pharmacists, Trainee Pharmacists, Undergraduate Students and Technicians especially in anti-microbials.
• Provide technical and clinical support to other Pharmacists as appropriate within their area of practice.
• Responsible for the personal development of Foundation Pharmacists and Trainee Pharmacists as appropriate. Undertake individual developmental review sessions for designated Foundation Pharmacists. Mentor Foundation Pharmacists and trainee Pharmacists regarding Continuing Professional Development (CPD)/Revalidation.
• To actively participate and contribute to in-house clinical meetings.
• Training of staff from other disciplines e.g. medical, nursing staff, paramedics on drug issues.
• Participate in CPD/Revalidation as per Department Policy and National Guidelines from The Royal College of Pharmacy. Maintain portfolio of evidence of CPD.
• Undertake mandatory training in risk management, manual handling and resuscitation skills.
• Undertake mandatory training in infection control and comply with all Trust infection control policies relevant to the post, particularly with regard to the hand hygiene policy. Audit/Research
• To participate in clinical audit and practice research within the department.
• Line manage designate foundation pharmacist.
• Supervise Foundation Pharmacists, trainee pharmacists and undergraduate students.
• Act as tutor for pharmacists undertaking a post-graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy.

Other

• Provide professional and legal clinical supervision in the dispensary as allocated.
• Liaise with senior management to ensure agreed safe systems of work are followed that comply with current recommendations or instructions that may be issued from time to time by the Department of Health and Medicines Inspectorate
• Participate as necessary in the provision of emergency services outside normal working hours, weekend roster and Pharmacy late-night roster

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.