Pharmacist

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Luton; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the UK is looking for an enthusiastic Pharmacist to join their dynamic Medicines Use team in Luton. This role entails managing the Drugs and Therapeutics Committee and leading the Medicines Information Service. Candidates must have a strong pharmacy background, leadership skills, and knowledge of cost-effective medicines management. The position offers opportunities for professional development and the chance to make a significant impact on patient care across the Bedfordshire region.

Benefits

Access to high-quality training and development

Supportive work environment

Opportunities for career growth

Qualifications

• Qualified Pharmacist with experience in clinical pharmacy.
• Ability to manage clinical teams and committees effectively.
• Strong knowledge of commissioning frameworks and cost management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Medicines Information Service by providing high-quality information.
• Manage the operational aspects of the Drugs and Therapeutics Committee.
• Support clinical service lines in cost-effective drug prescribing.
• Train pharmacy staff in Medicines Information services.
• Monitor and review formulary adherence and related processes.

Skills

Leadership

Clinical enquiry answering

Cost-effective medicines use

Training Pharmacy staff

Literature evaluation

Education

Pharmacist qualification

Tools

Medicines Information databases

UKMi standards

Job description

Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic Pharmacist to join our friendly and supportive Medicines Use, Safety, Governance and Quality team within the Pharmacy Department at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We are a friendly, dynamic and compassionate team who collectively aspire to deliver a safe and effective service for our staff and patients, in line with our Trust objectives.

In this leadership post, you will be responsible for the management of our Drugs and Therapeutics Committee which includes the review of new medicines and formulary adherence for both sites of Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Trusts and at Integrated Care System (ICS) Level. You will be the operational lead for the Trust Medicines Information Service and will be responsible for providing a high quality clinical enquiry answering service to healthcare professionals within the Trust and to patients via our established medicines helpline and training and promoting service use within the organisation in conjunction with our local partners.

You will, with support from the Principal Pharmacist - Medicines Information, Formulary and Commissioning, lead on the high cost drug engagement programme with our clinical service lines ensuring the organisation\'s medicines use is in line with local, regional and national governance and commissioning frameworks including the promotion of cost effective use of medicines and contribution to the Trust medicines cost improvement programme. The post holder will lead, manage and develop the Medicines information Service provided to Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust to provide a high quality, customer responsive service in enquiry answering, literature evaluation and the provision of active information on all aspects of medicines and their use.

The post holder will operationally manage the Drugs and Therapeutics Committee and represent BHFT at ICS area prescribing committee and related subgroups as advised by the Principal Pharmacist, Commissioning Formulary and Medicines Information. The post will support the Pharmacy Purchasing Medicines for Safety Group programme. The post holder will be involved in the operational management of high cost drug requests and medicines related cost improvement programmes, providing specialist advice on the commissioning of medicines, evaluation and implementation of new medicines, working closely with the commissioners, finance, the clinical pharmacy team and the clinical service lines to optimise cost effective use of medicines within the Trust.

To provide clinical support to CSLs in the management of high cost drug prescribing as appropriate, contributing to cost effective medicines use and service quality improvement.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical support to Medicines Information Service, lead on high quality enquiry answering, literature evaluation and provision of information on all aspects of medicines and their use.
• Manage the Drugs and Therapeutics Committee operationally and represent BHFT at ICS area prescribing committee and related subgroups.
• Lead on the high cost drug engagement programme with clinical service lines and ensure medicines use aligns with governance and commissioning frameworks; promote cost effective use of medicines and contribute to the cost improvement programme.
• Develop, lead and manage the Medicines Information Service to deliver a customer responsive service, including maintenance of in-house files and enquiry databases and selection of journals and reference sources.
• Provide specialist advice on commissioning of medicines, evaluation and implementation of new medicines; support CSLs and stakeholders in cost-effective use of medicines within the Trust.
• Disseminate information about new drugs, licence changes, ADRs, and contribute to shortages management in collaboration with the clinical and operations teams.
• Produce and present policies at meetings and Trust committees for ratification; train staff in Medicines Information according to UKMi standards.
• Maintain and develop the in-house MI database and support audit and reporting against UKMi standards and user satisfaction.
• Support formulary processes for the introduction of new medicines, including critical appraisal, economic evaluation, risk assessment and prioritisation; monitor formulary adherence and handle non-formulary requests.
• Represent the Medicines Use Team at formulary-related committees and support procurement with formulary medicines reconciliation and supply issue assessment.
• Collaborate with commissioning, formulary, and medicines information to support cost-effective medicines management and delivery of clinical pathways and shared care protocols.

To be accountable for the delivery of a high quality, efficient, specialist medicines information service to the Trust, interface, primary care healthcare professionals and members of the public, according to their needs and ensuring compliance with medicines legislation, professional standards and risk minimisation strategies.

To train pharmacy staff (including Rotational Pharmacists, Pre-registration Pharmacists, Pre-registration Pharmacy Technicians and any new Pharmacists or Technicians) in the provision of Medicines Information services according to UKMi standards including the use of computer databases.

Formulary Process and Commissioning

• Support the principal pharmacist, medicines information, commissioning and formulary in providing leadership and professional guidance related to NHSE and ICB commissioned high cost medicines, including NICE TA, CDF and horizon scanning, and budget planning.
• Provide clinical management/advice regarding IVIg requests, high cost drugs, homecare, individual funding requests and biosimilar/generic switching.
• Contribute to the medicines cost improvement plan and work with stakeholders to deliver cost-effective medicines management.
• Develop and maintain formulary processes for introducing new medicines, including evidence appraisal, economic evaluation, risk assessment, and prioritisation.
• Monitor adherence to formulary, assess non-formulary use, and support formulary applications and reviews.
• Represent the Medicines Use Team at internal and external formulary committees and support procurement teams with formulary reconciliation and contract change implications.

It is an exciting time to join the newly formed Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We run two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Our 7,500 staff provide high quality care for a growing population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.
We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post.