Job Description

The closing date is 6th May 2025

Job summary

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Would you like the opportunity to lead clinical pharmacy services for paediatric patients as a key member of a senior clinical pharmacy team, working as a part of a progressive, patient focused Pharmacy service?


We are looking for an enthusiastic and innovative pharmacist to become an integral senior member of our clinical pharmacy team.


The Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is an integrated NHS Trust, providing inpatient healthcare across Somerset at 2 acute hospitals (approximately 950 acute beds), 9 community hospitals and 4 mental health units as well as diverse acute, community and mental health outpatient services.


This lead pharmacist role will drive the integration and expansion of clinical pharmacy and medicines optimisation services for children and provide clinical pharmacy leadership within the Families service group across Somerset NHS Foundation Trust.

Main duties, tasks & skills required

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This is a key a role that will integrate and embed within the relevant clinical teams to lead and provide expert clinical pharmacy services for children across Somerset.


The successful candidate will work closely with the Associate Director of Pharmacy (Clinical Services) to strategically develop, align and deliver clinical pharmacy services and support for children and the Families service group across the Trust


Develop and lead a Trust wide paediatric pharmacy team


Support a continuous learning environment for pharmacy colleagues

About us

------------


At

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

Flexible working options

to help you balance work and life

NHS pension scheme

for long-term financial security

Generous annual leave allowance

to recharge and relax A strong focus on

career development

to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our

Blue Light Card

, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.


We are proud to foster a

diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce

, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset?

Somerset offers the perfect blend of

idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty

, and

breathtaking coastlines

, with vibrant cities like

Bristol

,

Bath

, and

Exeter

just a short drive away - and only two hours to

London

.


The region is home to excellent

educational facilities

, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all

- the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Job description

-------------------

Planning and organisation

Strategically lead the development and provision of a high-quality clinical pharmacy service as part of the multidisciplinary team for children to ensure maximum efficacy, safety, and economic drug use to enhance the quality of patient care Support clinical governance processes, such as incident reporting and investigation, complaint handling, development of guidelines, policies and procedures, and the monitoring and evaluation of services Identify, develop, implement, and sustain medicines safety, efficiency or quality improvement and research projects in paediatrics and maternity services

Patient Care, Treatment & Therapy

Lead the development and provision of a comprehensive, high-quality ward based clinical pharmacy service for children, at Musgrove Park and Yeovil District hospitals, as part of the multidisciplinary team, in-liaison with service leads and in-line with national service standards. Practice as a pharmacist prescriber in paediatrics adhering to all national legal and professional standards, always working within professional competence. Provision of clinical pharmacy support to neonatal and maternity services. Regular attendance at consultant ward rounds, multidisciplinary team and governance team meetings, raising and/or presenting medicines management issues. Act as an exemplar in the provision of clinical pharmacy services and medicines management in the Families service group by providing expert clinical pharmacy advice to clinicians, pharmacy staff and other healthcare providers on related drug prescribing and medicines management issues. Provision of expert prescribing advice for children and pregnant women, including drug selection, adverse events, and dosage adjustment in specialist areas where limited or conflicting information is available. Lead on all pharmacy related aspects of medicines governance in the Families service group, ensuring risks are managed and assurance of best practice achieved for specifically identified risks. Demonstrate a whole-system, patient-focused approach Provide educational / instructional support on current, relevant pharmaceutical matters to medical and nursing staff, other healthcare professionals and patients. Identify service barriers and develop strategies to drive change, including best practice models for medicines management. Oversee the education and clinical development of pharmacists working in paediatrics Participate in general clinical pharmacy ward and dispensary cover if requested to facilitate continuous clinical pharmacy services during periods of pharmacy staff absence and shortage.

Supervision, Leadership & Management

Responsible for the day-to-day delivery and development of clinical pharmacy services to paediatric wards to ensure safe, clinically effective and cost-efficient use of medicines Professionally support, supervise, and regularly mentor pharmacy staff working clinically in paediatric and maternity settings. Line manage, mentor and act as a preceptor for agreed members of the pharmacy team including appraisal; clinical supervision, objective setting and personal development plans Act as formal tutor and provide support to pharmacists undertaking post graduate clinical pharmacy education. Contribute to the development of trainee pharmacists as a Designated Supervisor Act as a Designated Prescribing Practitioner for pharmacists undertaking non-medical prescribing qualification or sign-off, as agreed. Supervise the activities of junior pharmacists undertaking clinical pharmacy activities and prioritise ward cover in their absence. Promote best practice. Work collaboratively with senior pharmacy colleagues and appropriate staff in other disciplines to forward the pharmacy services agenda, in accordance with agreed objectives and priorities. Provide professional support and leadership to the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust pharmacy service.

Analytics

When required assist the review of clinical incidents occurring in paediatrics, maternity and the Families service group focusing specifically on medicines related incidents and advising on pharmaceutical risk management strategies. Monitor and interpret from a pharmaceutical / therapeutics perspective, drug expenditure and prescribing trends in the Families service group Help to identify safety improvements, cost effective initiatives and environmentally sustainable medicine management strategies. Provide assurance to SFT on the safe, effective, and efficient use of medicines within the Families directorate Critical appraisal and review of drug therapies requested for paediatric use

Policy, Service, Research & Development

Develop and undertake specific audit, drug usage reviews and other improvement project work as agreed with the Associate Director of Pharmacy (Clinical Service). Develop, maintain and contribute to Trust policies and guidance relating to medicine prescribing and/or administration for children and pregnant women Undertake and participate in research projects as agreed with the Associate Director of Pharmacy (Clinical Service). Appraise the applicability of research evidence and incorporate into clinical practice where appropriate. Identify, develop, implement and sustain medicines safety, efficiency or quality improvement. Extend the boundaries of clinical pharmacy professional practice within the Families service group.

Finance & Other Resources

Monitor and interpret from a pharmaceutical / therapeutics perspective, drug expenditure and prescribing trends in paediatric and maternity settings. Provide relevant evaluated financial data on medicines expenditure, income, and cost saving or avoidance initiatives. Identify and take forward opportunities for medicines related cost saving/ improved cost effectiveness in the Families directorate. Ensure local treatment regimen align with national guidance and recommendations meeting the appropriate criteria for best practice and funding.

Information Resources & Administrative Duties

Recording of clinical activity and other data using departmental/ organisational databases and electronic systems. Oversight of administrative systems for staff leave and workforce allocation. Administrative requirements as a pharmacist preceptor and supervisor.

Other Specific Duties

To maintain familiarity with dispensary practice and procedure, providing late evening, weekend and weekday dispensary cover. Participate in bank holiday rotas. Actively participates in departmental continuous professional development. Maintain professional registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council through payment of fees and participation in Continuous Professional Development. To follow all SFT pharmacy departmental policies and procedures at all times.

Person specification

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Qualifications

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Essential

Professional Registration

Full current registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)

Qualifications and Training

Masters degree or equivalent in Pharmacy Postgraduate Diploma and/or MSc in Clinical Pharmacy and/or General Pharmacy Practice Registered independent prescriber (or willing to undertake independent prescriber training)



####

Desirable

Specific paediatric clinical pharmacy training or similar A recognised NHS leadership qualification or equivalent

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Experience

####

Essential

Knowledge

Maintains a broad knowledge of clinical and pharmacy practice Demonstrable commitment to continuous professional development

Experience

Demonstrable pharmacy experience delivering clinical pharmacy practice at an advanced level (min 5 years) Significant experience in clinical pharmacy management of complex paediatric patients Demonstrable clinical pharmacy experience of general medicine, general surgery (including non-specialist service provision to acute and emergency patients) Significant experience of in-house one-to-one teaching, including clinical training and/or mentoring of pharmacy staff Experience of staff appraisal and objective setting



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Additional Criteria

####

Essential

Skills and abilities

Positive attitude to change. Innovative and well organised. Ability to analyse and critically appraise clinical and operational data Literature evaluation skills, including critical appraisal and related epidemiological skills Influencing skills Ability to use judgement to challenge inappropriate prescribing and influence prescribing decisions to enable optimal therapy Ability to utilise digital systems for prescribing and record keeping, email and Microsoft Office tools to support routine work activity Good interpersonal skills Able to coordinate and manage audit and improvement project work Ability to handle difficult situations whilst maintaining a professional approach

Communication Skills

Evidence of a good standard of literacy and English language skills High quality communication skills written, verbal, telephonic and the ability to work virtually using electronic means such as MS Teams Professional attitude at all times Good communicator, motivated, able to work as part of a multidisciplinary team. Ability to communicate effectively in differing situations Able to influence pharmacy, nursing, medical, and other multidisciplinary staff

Planning and Organisation Skills

Ability to work to tight deadlines and under pressure Ability to work both independently and as part of groups and teams Ability to plan, prioritise and organise own and others work to meet agreed deadlines Ability to achieve desired outcomes in the face of unavoidable work pressures

Physical Skills

Ability to travel to both acute hospital sites, Musgrove Park and Yeovil District Hospitals Participation in weekend and bank holiday services

Other

Willingness to use technology to improve standards of care and support to our patients Displays honesty and integrity, is aware of ethical dilemmas relating to practice, and respects confidentiality

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UK Professional Registration

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


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For help with your application, contact:

Antony Zorzi


antony.zorzi@somersetft.nhs.uk


07471336742


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Pay scheme

Agenda for Change


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Band

Band 8b


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Salary

62215.00 to 72293.00 Yearly
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Contract

Permanent


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Working pattern

Full-Time, Flexible Working


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Reference number

184-OL-PU-2371


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Job locations

Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA


Yeovil District Hospital

Higher Kingston

Yeovil

Somerset

BA21 4AT