Specialist Clinical Pharmacist - Clinical Rotational & Dispensary

NHS; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job description

Job summary

This post uniquely combines the reward of delivering a patient-facing clinical pharmacist role across a range of medical and surgical specialities, on both in-patient wards and the Medical Day Unit at Cheltenham General Hospital, alongside the opportunity to develop and demonstrate leadership and management skills within a dispensary setting.

You will deputise on occasion for the Clinical Pharmacist Leads for Medicine & Surgery as well as the Lead Dispensary Pharmacist, play a key role in the development of both our clinical and dispensary services alongside supporting the education and progression of Foundation and newly qualified pharmacist within both clinical and dispensary rotations.

Main duties of the job

The post-holder is responsible for delivering a specialist clinical pharmacy service to inpatient wards at Cheltenham General Hospital, alongside a commitment deputising for the Lead Dispensary Pharmacist. The role involves providing a ward-based clinical pharmacy service across a range of medical and surgical specialities, alongside the responsibility to offer leadership to the team of rotational Pharmacists working within the dispensary. The post-holder will provide a clinical pharmacy service to one or more specified clinical ward/Unit areas each day, including acting as the pharmacy link between the dispensary and Medical Day Unit (MDU), promoting the safe, rational, effective and economic use of medicines.

The post-holder will have the opportunity to develop their leadership and management experience, working closely with the Dispensary Senior Pharmacy Technicians and Lead Dispensary Pharmacist, to provide an efficient and safe dispensary service.

Undertaking audits and service improvement projects within the clinical pharmacy service and dispensary is a key part of the role, as is teaching, supervising and supporting the development of Foundation and newly qualified pharmacists rotating through the clinical pharmacy and dispensary services. On occasion, the post-holder will be expected to act as deputy to the Clinical Pharmacist Leads for Medicines & Surgery and Lead Dispensary Specialist Pharmacist.

About us

The pharmacy department has approximately 240 staff. The 2 sites provide dispensary services to inpatients & outpatients, medicines information, procurement services and full clinical service to wards; the onsite aseptic and manufacturing services are centralised at CGH.

Pharmacy is at the forefront of many exciting projects including an award-winning service provided by pharmacist prescribers in orthopaedic pre-admission clinic.

Within the department are specialist clinical teams; the Specialist Mental Health Pharmacy facilitates delivery of Specialist services for Mental Health & Learning Disabilities. The cancer services team provide a pharmacy service at both sites for oncology & haematology and satellite pharmacy.

Date posted

09 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year (pro rata if part time)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share

Reference number

318-25-T0299

Job locations

Cheltenham General Hospital

Sandford Rd

Cheltenham

GL53 7AN

Job description Job responsibilities

See Job Description for full details

1. Provision of Clinical Pharmacy Service to clinical area of responsibility.

During the visit the pharmacist will be:

• Collecting, interpreting and documenting details of medication taken at home (the medication history).
• Confirming details of the medication history with the patient, carer(s), GP Receptionist, the GP (occasionally), and by reviewing the patients own drugs from home if available, working alongside the Medicines Optimisation Pharmacy Technicians.
• Confirming and documenting important factors affecting the patients ability to manage their medicines at home (e.g. sight, hearing, manual dexterity, and use of a compliance aid).
• Resolving any discrepancies and problems identified as a prescriber, to complete medicines reconciliation.
• Review prescriptions to ensure they are legal, safe, cost-effective, clinically necessary and appropriate, accurate, and complete.
• Undertake Medicines Optimisation.
• Arrange for drugs to be supplied to patients, ward(s) or department(s).
• Provide information and advice to nursing staff on a daily basis, about drugs, doses, administration and potential side-effects.
• Provide information and advice to junior medical staff on a daily basis, and to Consultants as and when needed, including suggestions for initiating and modifying treatment.
• Educate patients as appropriate about changes to their medication, and how to take specific medicines (e.g. warfarin, inhaler devices).
• Access and interpret clinical information for specific patients (e.g. e-PMA system (Sunrise Clinical Manager), Pharmacy computer system (EMIS) as well as case notes and Summary Care Record (SCR), and use it to individualise and monitor treatment.
• Document relevant clinical and pharmaceutical information during in-patient stay which may be used to prepare discharge prescription and/or communicated to patient, carer(s) or GP.
• Review discharge prescriptions written by medical staff, using professional judgement to make a final decision about content and appropriateness of discharge prescriptions when a suitable prescriber cannot be contacted.
• Participate in Consultant ward rounds as appropriate, providing pharmaceutical advice and information to medical staff, nursing staff, and patients as part of a multi-professional team.
• Undertake risk management and ensure compliance with legislation and relevant national policies and guidelines, along with local policies and procedures including the Trust Formulary.
• Work in an effective team with technicians involved in Trust Medicines Management scheme on designated wards.
• Usually work unsupervised, although the post-holder can seek advice from a range of colleagues as and when required.

Provide clinical pharmacy service to the medical day Unit (MDU) promoting safe, rational, effective and economic use of medicines.

Manage prescriptions for MDU and support specialist teams with safe and cost-effective prescribing and supply of biologics and other medications routinely administered on the MDU.

Participation in the weekend pharmacy service rota as we move towards 7-day working.

Undertake teaching and clinical supervision of pharmacists, foundation pharmacists, Medicines Optimisation Technicians and undergraduate pharmacy students.

Develop and foster good relations with clinical staff on the wards/MDU and the specialties.

Provide an efficient pharmacist service by connecting the service to the wards/Units with the dispensary service.

Progress toward independent prescribing and be active within the clinical area of responsibility.

1. Dispensary

The post-holder will have slots in the dispensary as per Job Plan, including deputising for the lead dispensary Pharmacist.

Duties:

• Clinical validation within the dispensary.
• Role as leader within the group.
• Training new Pharmacists working in the dispensary including induction training.
• Carry out entrance and exit interviews of rotational Pharmacists in absence of lead pharmacist.
• Ensure rotational Pharmacists are informed of any changes when starting a block in the dispensary.
• Producing weekly rota for Pharmacist cover in the dispensary.
• Liaising with the Lead Pharmacist for Dispensary to ensure appropriate Pharmacist cover within dispensary.
• Liaising closely with the Senior Pharmacy Technicians to ensure a safe efficient dispensary service.
• Responsibility for maintaining the workflow of prescriptions through the department, in conjunction with the Senior Technicians (Dispensary) and Chief Technicians including ensuring that prescriptions are assessed, dispensed, checked and dispatched, according to priority and in a timely fashion.
• Ensuring any dispensary competencies for Pharmacists are completed and maintained.
• Provide input into Standard Operating procedures relevant to the Pharmacists role in the dispensary.
• Updating and maintaining the dispensary Pharmacists information files in the dispensary.
• Ensuring staff working in the dispensary have completed any regular competency tests that are required.
• Ensuring the Responsible Pharmacist register is completed daily.
• Facilitate Co-ordination of Foundation Pharmacist dispensary training.
• QI project each quarter.
• Organise supply of specialist haematology medication with individualised supply arrangements.
• Supervision of undergraduate pharmacy students on clinical placement.

Routine Pharmacist Duties include:

• Checking in-patient prescription charts, out-patient, and discharge prescriptions for:
• Checking formula calculations.
• Checking the dispensing performed by other Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians and dispensary assistants.
• Effectively educating out-patients on how best to take their medicines, and responding to any queries.
• Respond appropriately to queries from medical staff and all other hospital staff.

3. Other duties within Pharmacy Department

The post-holder will work in the dispensary, as the sole Pharmacist on some occasions per week. Duties include:

Clinical Validation of in-patient prescription charts, out-patient and discharge prescriptions for legality, safety and suitability of medication. Resolving issues with the prescriber as necessary.

Maintaining the workflow of the department and problem-solving when required.

Checking the dispensing performed by other pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and assistants.

Participate in the departments development programme for pharmacy staff through the provision of teaching sessions.

Support clinical placements for undergraduate pharmacy students and participate in the programme through support during their dispensary experience.

Within the Pharmacy department at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHSFT, we are committed to supporting the South West Inclusive Pharmacy Practice manifesto, creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We recognise that a diverse team enhances our ability to provide patients with the best possible care and innovative solutions.

We welcome applications from all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or socioeconomic background. We are dedicated to ensuring equal opportunities in all aspects of employment, from recruitment to career development. We like members of our team to feel empowered to carry out their duties to the best of their abilities and we actively promote a culture of inclusivity and mutual respect.

If you require any adjustments or support during the application process or in the workplace, please let us know. We are here to ensure that all candidates and employees can contribute fully and thrive in their roles.

Join us in making a difference together, we can build a workplace that celebrates diverse perspectives and experiences.

Additional Contact: Ian Butt - Dispensary Specialist Pharmacist ([e-mail])

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Active registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council GPhC.
• United Kingdom recognised Degree in Pharmacy.
• Completed and passed first year of Post Graduate Clinical Pharmacy Diploma.

Desirable

• Completed Post Graduate certificate in Non-Medical Prescribing.

Experience

Desirable

• Previous experience providing a clinical pharmacy service in a hospital setting.
• Work within a Dispensary Setting.
• Work within a multi-disciplinary team and participate in Consultant Ward Rounds.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Self-motivated, able to use initiative & prioritise workload as well as work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written. Able to communicate effectively with a wide range of other healthcare professionals and with patients.
• Excellent interpersonal skills. Able to challenge inappropriate prescribing and influence prescribing decisions of all healthcare professionals including senior medical colleagues.
• Able to effectively and appropriately escalate concerns to reduce risk & promote safety.
• Be proficient in IT and applications including Word, Excel, Outlook, Sunrise EPR and EMIS.
• Supervise, educate, mentor, support and assess others (MOTs, junior pharmacists, foundation pharmacists, medical students).
• Undertake audit of drug use and expenditure and/or clinical pharmacy practice.

Qualities

Essential

• Adaptable to the changing needs of the service including flexible working patterns (e.g. weekend working and working at both sites).
• Awareness of professional and personal limitations, and willing to seek advice and support where necessary.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Employer name

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Cheltenham General Hospital

Sandford Rd

Cheltenham

GL53 7AN

Employer's website

https://www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/