Nhsct_Clinical Pharmacist - Community Services Band 7

Northern Health And Social Care Trust; Omagh; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust seeks an experienced Clinical Pharmacist for Community Services (Band 7) to deliver advanced clinical pharmaceutical care in Rehabilitation/Intermediate Care Units. The post expects medicines optimization, reconciliation on admission and discharge, and close collaboration with GPs and community teams to ensure safe, effective therapy across Trust sites.

The role requires an MPharm, registration with MPSNI/GPhC or eligibility, and substantial

Qualifications

• MPharm in Pharmacy or equivalent.
• MPSNI registration or eligible to register by 31/01/2026.
• Two years’ post-registration experience, including hospital practice.

Responsibilities

• Provide a comprehensive clinical pharmacy service to Rehabilitation/Intermediate Care Units in Trust Community Hospitals.
• Medicines reconciliation on admission, screening for medication-related issues; review prescriptions for safety and appropriateness.
• Discharge planning: prepare discharge prescriptions and liaise with GPs and community pharmacists to maintain continuity of pharmaceutical care.
• Assist in management of medicines, optimise prescribing, and provide specialist advice tailored to patient needs.

Skills

Independent Pharmacist Prescriber

Clinical Pharmacy Service

Medication Safety

Education

MPharm in Pharmacy

GPhC/MPSNI registered or eligible to register

Job description

Advertised role location: Mid Ulster Hosp Site: Main Building Official document: NHSCT Band 7 - Clinical Pharmacist Community Services (docx) Clinical Pharmacist Community Services (Band 7) Job Description Clinical Pharmacist Community Services (Band 7) 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?’ Openess & 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: Clinical Pharmacist Community Services BAND: 7 DIRECTORATE/DIVISION: Medical & Governance, including Pharmacy INITIAL LOCATION: Trust Community Hospital(s) The post holder will be based at Mid Ulster Hospital, Magherafelt but will be required to travel to Trust Community Hospital facilities across the NHSCT geographical area. REPORTS TO: Lead Pharmacist (Community Services) ACCOUNTABLE TO: Head of Pharmacy and Medicines Management / Deputy Head of Pharmacy and Medicines Management (Patient Services and Community) FLEXIBLE WORKING PROVISIONS AVAILABLE: Part-time working, Job-share JOB SUMMARY: To provide advanced clinical pharmacy services to patients in the Community, primarily to Rehabilitation / Intermediate Care Units in Trust Community Hospitals. To promote the optimisation of medicines management and to improve the quality of patient care through evidence-based and cost-effective prescribing To work in partnership with colleagues in the Pharmacy Department, Mid-Ulster Hospital, to optimise the use of medicines and effectively manage risks associated with medicines use in Community settings To assist the Dispensary Manager / Principal Pharmacist in the management and implementation of changes required to improve & develop service delivery. To deputise for the Senior Pharmacist in their absence. Undertake other senior pharmacist roles as specified by the Trust, including act as Responsible Pharmacist when required. To assist the Dispensary Manager / Principal Pharmacist with all aspects of Dispensing and Distribution Activities in the Pharmacy Department to ensure stock is managed effectively in the delivery of a quality service. KEY RESULT AREAS / MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES To practice as a general Independent Pharmacist Prescriber, following the Trust Treatment Plan for pharmacists after appropriate training and registration To provide a comprehensive clinical pharmacy service to Rehabilitation/Intermediate Care Units in the Trust Community Hospital(s). This service requires pharmacists to use their expertise and experience to maximise medicines efficiency and minimise the risk of medicines toxicity in individual patients and involves the following: Medicines reconciliation on admission, screening for medication related issues Review prescriptions for accuracy and legality and identifying actual and potential problems to ensure optimal choice and safe and effective use of all medicines Plan, manage, monitor and review therapeutic regimes and amend prescriptions to meet the pharmaceutical care needs of the individual patient Ensure the effective and timely supply of medicines suitable for use for inpatients and appropriately labelled for discharge Document pharmaceutical care issues and action plans in medical notes and electronically as appropriate Contribute to the delivery of the pharmacokinetic service and order appropriate drug levels for individual patients Ensure any risk associated with drug therapy is minimised Provide advice to patients and carers regarding the use of medicines and assess patients for any compliance issues Medicines reconciliation on discharge, prior to preparation of the discharge prescription Liaise with GPs, community pharmacists, other hospitals, Community Rehabilitation and Social Care teams, where appropriate, to maintain continuity of pharmaceutical care across the secondary / primary care interface Demonstrate professional accountability to patients Facilitate patient adherence with prescribed medicines, including implementing a range of practical solutions to enable patients to maintain their independence To manage patients’ own drugs to ensure effective prescribing and patient safety at all times To promote the use of patients’ own drugs in Community Hospitals, including liaising directly with patient relatives / carers to obtain them To assist in the management of the pharmaceutical care of complex patients, ie patients > 65 years, patients with significant co-morbidities, patients on high alert medicines (antimicrobials, anticoagulants) To encourage patient self-administration where appropriate following Trust protocols To ensure the appropriate interpretation of prescriptions prior to their preparation in designated ward / area To prepare discharge medication lists on Trust IT systems following appropriate accreditation as per Trust Protocol To ensure that timely discharge information is available to primary care healthcare professionals To identify and resolve identified risk management issues associated with prescribing and safe use of medicines To assist in the further development and roll out of PCEP (Pharmaceutical Clinical Effectiveness Programme) within the designated Rehabilitation / Intermediate Care Units To participate in the pharmaceutical service provided to Community Facilities / Teams and clinics across the Trust as required To assist senior colleagues with ensuring that safe and effective systems are in place within community facilities by participating in Controls Assurance Audits within allocated locations To provide specialised evidence-based medicines advice on all aspects of drug therapy, tailored to the patient’s medical, social and cultural need To provide medicine related information and advice of a therapeutic, legal or procedural nature to prescribers and other healthcare staff, ensuring effective prescribing and patient safety at all times To communicate complex drug or medicine related information to patients and carers, tailoring the information to the patient’s specific needs. The patients may have language difficulties, physical or learning difficulties that require use of a variety of communication tools To participate in Multidisciplinary Team meetings within the designated Rehabilitation / Intermediate Care Units to ensure integration into the team and the provision of highly specialised advice to support safe and effective pharmaceutical care To provide advice on supply, storage and use of pharmaceutical preparations in accordance with legal requirements, good practice standards and Trust policies To assist in the review and evaluation of pharmaceutical clinical technologies (drugs, dressings, medical / surgical items) in the designated Rehabilitation / Intermediate Care Units To encourage compliance with the Regional Medicines Formulary To manipulate a variety of pharmaceutical compounds into a final patient specific product (extemporaneous dispensing), following local guidelines Monitor and make interventions on antibiotic prescribing in line with Primary / Secondary Care Guidelines (as required) and recommendations from the Trust Antimicrobial Pharmacist To participate in Antibiotic Audit and Root Cause Analysis meetings as required To adhere to Infection Control Policy / Procedures when providing pharmacy services to wards / units to protect patients, other staff and self To maintain the security of Pharmacy Department / OSD Rooms at all times Normal working hours 37.5 hrs across a 7 day week to include working shifts, evenings, weekends and public holidays, as required to meet the needs of the service. Bank holiday and weekend working rota commitment is undertaken at the Pharmacy Department, Causeway Hospital To prepare discharge prescriptions at weekends and bank holidays following appropriate accreditation as required To undertake emergency duty commitment as required to meet exigencies of the service To ensure compliance with Trust Policy and Operational Guidelines / SOPs related to unlicensed medicines To review and update Patient Group Directions for Community Services / Hospitals as directed by the relevant Senior Pharmacist in accordance with current legislation To ensure compliance with all Trust and Statutory requirements related to controlled drugs in designated ward / area To perform statutory controlled drug checks as allocated, including completion of report and submission to Senior Management as per Trust protocol To ensure provision of the above services in accordance with published standards and local policies To ensure safe systems of working and compliance with written procedures To ensure all work is undertaken with due regard to Health and Safety and COSHH legislation To plan and prioritise workload to ensure that a high quality and consistent service is delivered at all times To contribute to the investigation of medication incidents and complaints as required To be involved in the preparation of staff rotas as necessary To participate in the implementation of policies and procedures within Community Services and liaise with all relevant staff groups To complete incident forms when medication incidents or near misses are identified To assist senior colleagues with the implementation of NPSA / Regional Patient Safety Alerts and follow-up actions regarding drug alerts To contribute as required to Individual Performance Review of junior pharmacy staff To support senior colleagues with the implementation of the pharmaceutical aspects of any NICE Guidance / Technology Appraisals which are applicable to Community Services To assist senior colleagues with the development of a Controlled Drug Policy for Community Services section To act as a role model for less experienced pharmacists To ensure the maintenance of appropriate documentation and records To ensure that the output and quality of the service is maintained in relation to short and longer term objectives To monitor and act on expenditure reports for the designated Rehabilitation / Intermediate Care Units to ensure value for money and to identify new prescribing practices which should be implemented To review Drugs Liable to Abuse reports for designated Rehabilitation / Intermediate Care Units and report concerns to appropriate senior pharmacist To record pharmaceutical interventions / work activities utilising the EPICS system as per Trust procedures To maintain all records required for legal, financial, clinical and other purposes for Community Services using available hospital / pharmacy software programmes To supervise junior pharmacists and technical staff within the designated Rehabilitation / Intermediate Care Units To deliver training to both undergraduate, pre-registration, post-graduate students in pharmacy, medical, nursing and other healthcare staff as required To participate in audit or research projects for Community Services and contribute to the Annual Report for this service area To contribute to the Regional Hub for Innovation, Research and Service Development in Medicines Optimisation as required To comply with all relevant CPD requirements as per Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland To maintain own CPD and prescribing role by keeping abreast of new trends and developments and incorporate them as necessary into working practice To complete Trust mandatory training modules, including updates at designated intervals, eg ICT, Fire, Manual Handling, etc To at all times practice in accordance with the Code of Ethics, GMP, Medicines Legislation and Trust Standard Operating Procedures To undertake any other duties as required 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. General Pharmacy responsibilities To ensure all work is done with due regard to the Health and Safety and COSHH legislation To participate in the rotas for bank holidays, extended hours, shifts and Saturday and Sunday working as required Normal working hours, 37 ½ hours across a 7 day week, to include working shifts, evenings, weekends and public holidays as required to meet the needs of the service. To undertake emergency duty commitment as required, to meet exigencies of the service. To undertake any other duties as required. 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 7 £47,810 - £54,710 per annum (pro-rata for part-time) 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 temporary, full/part time posts which may arise within the next 6 months. 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. (September 2026) PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION Title of Post: Clinical Pharmacist - Community Services Band of Post: Band 7 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 Experience MPharm in Pharmacy or equivalent MPSNI or eligible to register Certificate or equivalent relevant to hospital pharmacy, or completing by 31/1/2026 Two years’ post registration experience, to include at least one year’s experience in hospital pharmacy practice. 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 Must be able to travel frequently between Community sites and have flexibility to meet service needs Shortlisting by Application Form SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage: Skills / Abilities Ability to communicate accurately and confidently with a wide variety of staff appropriate to the circumstances Ability to initiate and promote service development in key clinical areas Good organisational and time management skills Effective influencing and negotiation skills Ability to forward plan High level of commitment and enthusiasm for the role Effective analytical skills Demonstrate initiative and problem solving skills Ability to work under pressure and effectively prioritise the differing demands of the job role to meet targets Computer literacy Ability to work independently and within a multidisciplinary team Ability to train and mentor staff Interview / Test Knowledge Knowledge of future pharmaceutical service developments Knowledge of the job Knowledge of current challenges in HPSS Knowledge of pharmacy computer systems Knowledge of Clinical Pharmacy Standards Knowledge of Clinical Governance and Risk Management as applied to Medicines Management Knowledge of Local and National Clinical Pharmacy strategies and policies Knowledge of Community Services prescribing issues Interview / Test 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 (see below link) http://www.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk/discover/leadershipmodel/leadership-dimensions/ 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. (September 2026)