Clinical Effectiveness & Clinical Economy Pharmacist

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Oxford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A major NHS teaching trust is looking for a Clinical Pharmacist to lead efforts in promoting safe and cost-effective medicine use. The role involves managing the Medicines Management Committee, collaborating with other organizations, and contributing to formulary development. Ideal candidates will hold a Master’s degree in Clinical Pharmacy and have experience in a clinical environment, as well as strong communication and problem-solving skills.

Qualifications

• Experience as a clinical pharmacist in various clinical areas.
• Accredited tutor status or eligibility.
• Membership of specialist interest groups or contributions to publications.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Trust Medicines Management and Therapeutics Committee.
• Collaborate with other NHS organizations for prescribing guidance.
• Contribute to audit of current practice against standards.

Skills

Problem identification and solving skills

Good written and oral communication skills

Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team

Education

Master’s degree in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent

Job description

Overview

1. To facilitate and promote safe, effective and efficient use of medicines within the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUHFT). 2. To promote the economic use of medicines within the OUH NHS Foundation Trust by actively participating in the Trust's "Cost-Effective Use of Medicines" Project. 3. To promote and ensure the economic use of medicines whilst actively contributing to the activities of the pharmacy department to ensure high standards of quality of pharmaceutical care for patients. 4. To deputise for the Medicines Effectiveness Lead Pharmacist as appropriate. Main duties of the job include being the pharmacy lead in promoting cost-effective, evidence-based and safe prescribing of medicines within the OUHFT.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Trust Medicines Management and Therapeutics Committee (MMTC) and ensure effective communication and day-to-day implementation of its decisions, including triage of one-off non-formulary requests for the MMTC chair.
• Collaborate with neighbouring NHS and other organisations (including the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Area Prescribing Committee) to ensure consistency of prescribing guidance.
• Support the OUHFT Formulary managed by the Medicines Management & Therapeutics Committee (MMTC) on behalf of the Clinical Governance Committee (CGC); ensure formulary limits prescribe only medicines established as gold-standard in their class or of best value for money.
• Participate in the MMTC meetings, contribute to evaluations of new medicines, and assist in disseminating Medicines Information Leaflets (MILs).
• Provide professional support to the MMTC, including: drawing up meeting agendas, creating evidence-based reviews of new medical technologies, conducting preliminary evaluations of applications, and engaging with applicants for clarification as appropriate.
• Contribute to the writing and dissemination of Medicines Information Leaflets and other information to promote quality and cost-effective prescribing within the Trust.
• Liaise with Specialist Pharmacists on Formulary issues and MMTC applications; actively participate in implementation of Formulary decisions; stay informed on newly launched medicines and those in development.
• Assist in developing and managing the OUHFT Formulary and in the implementation of Formulary decisions.
• Contribute to audit of current practice against nationally recognised standards and authorise supply of non-formulary medicines in line with the Trust Medicines Policy.
• Participate in the Trust’s Cost Effective Use of Medicines (CEUM) project and other initiatives to manage expenditure on medicines within the local health economy.
• Support the Medicines Effectiveness Pharmacist in implementing the Trust Policy on the use of unlicensed Medicines and deputise for Medicines Effectiveness Pharmacists on committee meetings as appropriate (including Area Prescribing Committee of Oxfordshire).
• Be actively involved in the day-to-day implementation of the Cost Effective Use of Medicines project, including identifying opportunities for cost reduction by therapeutic substitution and supporting safe switches where agreed.
• Participate in the Trust’s Drugs Cost Savings Project, supporting directorate-level initiatives and contributing to drug cost savings group meetings.
• Contribute to the writing, dissemination and publicising of Medicines Information Leaflets and other information to promote good quality and cost-effective prescribing.
• Analyse data on drug expenditure, identify opportunities for cost savings, and create and present reports on drug expenditure and cost savings.
• Support the implementation of the Trust Formulary and the Trust Policy on the cost-effective use of unlicensed medicines.

Qualifications and Experience

• Qualified to master’s degree level (4 year MPharm) or equivalent; Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent.
• Experience of working as a clinical pharmacist at a high level in a variety of clinical areas and in relevant clinical areas.
• Accredited tutor for Cardiff University Clinical Pharmacy Diploma (or eligible to become accredited if already tutoring another diploma).
• Problem identification and solving skills with the ability to prioritise effectively; ability to make decisions; well organised with good time management.
• Good written and oral communication skills; good interpersonal skills including being assertive; professional and personal integrity.
• Membership of regional/national/international specialist interest groups; contributing to publications/conference presentations at least at a regional level; evidence of contribution to regional specialist interest groups.
• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team; awareness of NHS drivers and financial pressures within the NHS; experience of developing drug protocols and contributing to formulary development; experience of preparing budgetary reports for clinical areas.
• Involvement in developing a service within pharmacy; experience of undertaking and supervising audits or drug use evaluations; ability to work in a team as well as autonomously and delegate appropriately; flexibility in working practices; experience of teaching and tutoring; enthusiastic and self-motivated; capable of working under pressure; commitment to role.
• Desirable: experience of undertaking practice research; involvement in developing a multidisciplinary service; Accredited non-medical prescriber; evidence of contribution to national/international specialist groups; experience in creating evidence-based reviews on medicines; IT skills (Word/Excel); pharmacist-led outpatient clinic experience; MSc in Clinical Pharmacy; Royal Pharmaceutical Society membership; appropriate UK professional registration.

Organisation and Values

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country, providing a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals: John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington, and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury. The Trust promotes Delivering Compassionate Excellence, with values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence. It also signs the Sexual Safety Charter and maintains a zero-tolerance stance on inappropriate sexual behaviour.

Legal and Compliance

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people and is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020; a Disclosure to the DBS is required.