Lead Specialist Pharmacist, Rheumatology

Job overview

In this key role, you will work as part of an established multidisciplinary team and be responsible for leading and shaping high-quality clinical pharmacy services in rheumatology across both inpatient and outpatient settings. The successful candidate will work as an integral member of the multidisciplinary Rheumatology team, leading on medicines optimisation, high-cost drug management, clinical governance, workforce development, service transformation and patient safety initiatives

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate excellent leadership and management skills, be adaptable, and lead a team with strong problem-solving and time management abilities. Applicants must be currently registered with the GPhC as a pharmacist and have completed the clinical pharmacist diploma. An independent prescribing qualification is essential.

Development Opportunity

This post is advertised as a substantive Band 8b position. However, applications will also be considered from candidates who do not yet meet all the Band 8b criteria but can demonstrate the potential to develop into the role.

Candidates appointed through this route will be appointed at Band 8a and will progress to Band 8b upon successful completion of an agreed Rheumatology Lead Pharmacist Competency Framework and formal gateway assessment.

Progression will be competency-based and not time-based.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will join our Pharmacy team and will lead on the development and delivery of a specialist rheumatology pharmacy service across the Trust, including liaising with primary care colleagues.

Provide expert advice on the management and monitoring of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biologics, biosimilars, and other rheumatology therapies.

Lead and run pharmacist-led outpatient clinics to monitor treatment efficacy, safety, and patient adherence.

Oversee and coordinate pharmaceutical care for Rheumatology inpatients and act as the pharmacy lead for complex and high-risk patients.

Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, pharmacists, other healthcare professionals, primary care colleagues and homecare providers to optimise patient outcomes.

Lead on development and implementation of Rheumatology prescribing pathways, guidelines, SOPs and governance processes.

Identify and deliver education and training to pharmacy staff, medical teams, and nursing staff within the specialty.

Monitor, manage and report on Rheumatology medicines expenditure and identify opportunities for quality improvement and cost optimisation

Participate in audits, quality improvement projects, and research initiatives to support innovation and best practice.

Maintain up-to-date knowledge of advances in rheumatology medicines and NHS policy

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To view the main responsibility, please see the attached the Job Description and Person Specification.

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.