STEP Pharmacist - UHL & QE

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

This job is now closed

Job summary

STEP Pharmacist - Band 6 -Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

This vacancy is for registered pharmacists who can start by January 2025

An exciting opportunity has arisen at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust for pharmacists with drive and ability to become part of the dynamic pharmacy team. You will work in a supportive environment with training opportunities, to build your foundation skills and develop your expertise.

We have positions available at University Hospital Lewisham and Queen Elizabeth, Woolwich, some positions are to start from January 2025 and others from March 2025 at the latest.

STEP pharmacists must be able to travel to ALL of the base site South East London Hospitals that participate in the STEP programme. See the STEP Programme Handbook for more details. If you cannot commit to this travel then please do not apply.

You will have the opportunity to rotate through a variety of specialties within Lewisham and Queen Elizabeth Hospital and be offered opportunities to apply for placements as part of the STEP programme at other hospitals in South East London. Rotations span across clinical, medicines information and aseptics services (Lewisham only).

Main duties of the job

The programme provides competency based training, education and experience to equip pharmacists with the skills and knowledge to provide the highest quality professional care and progress their careers. The post requires a highly motivated pharmacist with excellent communication, interpersonal and time management skills.

The clinical pharmacy service to the wards is well established and provides high quality care across a variety of specialties. Joining a team of experienced pharmacists and technicians you will work as part of the multidisciplinary team to deliver a patient focused clinical pharmacy service to the wards. The pharmacy department supports development through having a work place educational supervisor, undertaking work place based learning and weekly teaching sessions.

This job is for pharmacists who can be registered by the GPhC by January 2025

Throughout the STEP programme pharmacists are employed by one of the Trusts in South East London, and will work from one of the seven hospitals henceforth referred to as the "base hospital". This advert is for Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust and the base hospitals areUniversity Lewisham Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

STEP pharmacists gain experience by completing 6 month placements at different base sites and should anticipate travelling to workanywhere within the STEP region, details of these are within the STEP Programme Handbook. Placements with other Trusts are managed through honorary contracts.

About us

Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:

Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
Improving the experience of staff with disability
Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
Making equalities mainstream

Date posted

17 October 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum plus HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

197-UT5908

Job locations

University Hospital Lewisham

London

SE13 6LH

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Summary:

To assist in the delivery of a comprehensive pharmacy service and to provide operational support to the department as agreed in the rotational programme.

To undertake the Postgraduate Diploma in General Practice Pharmacy at University College London (UCL) or equivalent Post Registration Foundation Pharmacist Development Programme, in order to meet the requirements of the NHS to be fit for practice and provide consistently high quality patient care. To work towards completion of The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) Foundation Pharmacy Framework for pharmacists in their first 1000 days of practice. Meet all of our professional, fitness to practise and ethical standards as set out by the GPhC.

Detailed Duties:

Dispensary services (where applicable)

To follow procedures relating to good dispensing practice, and to maintain high standards and orderly methods of working.
To be the Responsible Pharmacist.

To comply with the formulary and dispensary policies.
To dispense and check Outpatients and Inpatients scripts, including clinical trials and chemotherapy.
To effectively clinically screen prescriptions and professionally resolve any problems or refer when appropriate.
To effectively and efficiently counsel patients on the needs relating to their medicines.
To deal with requests from members of staff and patients in a professional manner.
To be aware of the overall dispensary workload, and by liaising with dispensary leads, to prioritise and effectively manage the workflow.
To participate in dispensary audits and contribute to quality service assurance initiatives.
To update dispensary protocols and standard operating procedures as required.

Technical services (where applicable)

To assist in the provision of a comprehensive preparative service to the Trust and external customers. This can include aseptic dispensing and manufacturing, TPN, CIVAS, clinical trial preparation, non-sterile and sterile manufacturing and QC / QA activities, according to the service at the base hospital. The post holder may work in the following areas on a rotational basis depending on base hospital working arrangements and rotas: aseptic services; the oncology suites or satellites; general manufacturing services (sterile and non-sterile production); quality assurance and control departments.
To ensure that activities undertaken within the units meet current legislation such as GMP/GDP, GCP, Health and Safety, COSHH, and that all work is documented according to these procedures.
To undertake when required preparation of all products following adequate training.
To be aware of and follow standard operating procedures at all times.
To be aware of and follow all quality assurance procedures and make the section manager aware of any deficiencies.
To undertake, where relevant, clinical screening of prescriptions and to provide pharmaceutical advice on the use of medicines prepared during the rotation.
To undertake the final check of dispensed and batch prepared products after appropriate training.

Additionally in some base hospitals:

To record, cost and report the activities of the unit.

To participate in education and training programs to develop skills as part of a commitment to CPD.

Medicines Information (MI) services (where applicable)

To participate in the medicines enquiry answering service by the provision of accurate, evaluated and impartial up to date and helpful information & advice about medicines to ensure safe, clinically effective and cost efficient use of medicines in patients.
To assist Senior MI pharmacists in providing training in medicines information skills and knowledge to trainee pharmacists, visiting trainees and students, and in some base hospitals, pharmacy technicians.
To participate in the maintenance and development of systems for the collection, storage retrieval and dissemination of information.

Additionally in some base hospitals:

To be responsible for organising the educational drug lunches provided by Pharmaceutical Representatives for the pharmacy department.
To participate in Journal Club meetings, this involves critically appraising trial data for discussion at the meeting.

Ward based pharmacy services

To participate in the medicines management programme / clinical pharmacy services involving any of the following: ensuring accurate drug histories are taken and documented; patients own drug are reconciled; dispensing for discharge is facilitated; dispensing of medicines on the ward for patients to take home; communicate effectively with patients to improve adherence.
To identify patients with complex pharmaceutical problems, propose solutions and refer these to more senior staff.
To identify drug interactions, prioritise and take appropriate action (which may include referral to a more senior member of staff) to ensure the safe and effective use of medicines.
To monitor patients responses to drug treatments for efficacy and toxicity, prioritise these and take appropriate action (which may include referral to a more senior member of staff) to ensure the safe and effective use of medicines.
To identify errors on clerking including medication histories and allergies documentation, TTOs or on prescriptions initiated during the patients admission. Appropriately prioritise these and take best course of action (which may include referral to a more senior member of staff) to ensure patient safety.

To identify deviations from guidelines, prioritise these and take appropriate action (which may include referral to a more senior member of staff).

To complete all documentation according to Trust and departmental policies.

To work effectively as part of a team in a multi-disciplinary and pharmacy environment, and maintain rapport with medical and other colleagues.
To undertake clinical audit and drug use evaluations (DUEs) in the clinical areas assigned.
To undertake peer review (e.g. MRCF, mini-pat) to assess communication and decision making skills, obtain feedback and amend practice where necessary.

Out of hours pharmacy services

To participate in the resident or on-call pharmacists rota.
To provide an out of hours pharmacy service to the base hospital(s), in accordance with local out of hours guidelines and policies.
To participate in the weekend and Bank holiday rotas of the base hospital.
To undertake dispensing duties as required and to the appropriate standard.
To answer medicines information and other queries as required. (This may include production services if provided out of hours at the base site).
To work within the limitations of ones own competence, referring more complex queries to appropriate pharmacists as required.
To complete all documentation in line with department policy.

Placements

Each rotation will have specific criteria which will be available to the postholder when selecting the rotation.
The postholder should consider these as part of the job description during the period of the placement

There is an expectation that at least one of these placements will be at a site other than the base hospital. STEP pharmacists must be able to travel toALL of the base sites that participate in the STEP programme.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Summary:

To assist in the delivery of a comprehensive pharmacy service and to provide operational support to the department as agreed in the rotational programme.

Detailed Duties:

Dispensary services (where applicable)

To follow procedures relating to good dispensing practice, and to maintain high standards and orderly methods of working.
To be the Responsible Pharmacist.

To comply with the formulary and dispensary policies.
To dispense and check Outpatients and Inpatients scripts, including clinical trials and chemotherapy.
To effectively clinically screen prescriptions and professionally resolve any problems or refer when appropriate.
To effectively and efficiently counsel patients on the needs relating to their medicines.
To deal with requests from members of staff and patients in a professional manner.
To be aware of the overall dispensary workload, and by liaising with dispensary leads, to prioritise and effectively manage the workflow.
To participate in dispensary audits and contribute to quality service assurance initiatives.
To update dispensary protocols and standard operating procedures as required.

Technical services (where applicable)

To assist in the provision of a comprehensive preparative service to the Trust and external customers. This can include aseptic dispensing and manufacturing, TPN, CIVAS, clinical trial preparation, non-sterile and sterile manufacturing and QC / QA activities, according to the service at the base hospital. The post holder may work in the following areas on a rotational basis depending on base hospital working arrangements and rotas: aseptic services; the oncology suites or satellites; general manufacturing services (sterile and non-sterile production); quality assurance and control departments.
To ensure that activities undertaken within the units meet current legislation such as GMP/GDP, GCP, Health and Safety, COSHH, and that all work is documented according to these procedures.
To undertake when required preparation of all products following adequate training.
To be aware of and follow standard operating procedures at all times.
To be aware of and follow all quality assurance procedures and make the section manager aware of any deficiencies.
To undertake, where relevant, clinical screening of prescriptions and to provide pharmaceutical advice on the use of medicines prepared during the rotation.
To undertake the final check of dispensed and batch prepared products after appropriate training.

Additionally in some base hospitals:

To record, cost and report the activities of the unit.

To participate in education and training programs to develop skills as part of a commitment to CPD.

Medicines Information (MI) services (where applicable)

To participate in the medicines enquiry answering service by the provision of accurate, evaluated and impartial up to date and helpful information & advice about medicines to ensure safe, clinically effective and cost efficient use of medicines in patients.
To assist Senior MI pharmacists in providing training in medicines information skills and knowledge to trainee pharmacists, visiting trainees and students, and in some base hospitals, pharmacy technicians.
To participate in the maintenance and development of systems for the collection, storage retrieval and dissemination of information.

Additionally in some base hospitals:

To be responsible for organising the educational drug lunches provided by Pharmaceutical Representatives for the pharmacy department.
To participate in Journal Club meetings, this involves critically appraising trial data for discussion at the meeting.

Ward based pharmacy services

To participate in the medicines management programme / clinical pharmacy services involving any of the following: ensuring accurate drug histories are taken and documented; patients own drug are reconciled; dispensing for discharge is facilitated; dispensing of medicines on the ward for patients to take home; communicate effectively with patients to improve adherence.
To identify patients with complex pharmaceutical problems, propose solutions and refer these to more senior staff.
To identify drug interactions, prioritise and take appropriate action (which may include referral to a more senior member of staff) to ensure the safe and effective use of medicines.
To monitor patients responses to drug treatments for efficacy and toxicity, prioritise these and take appropriate action (which may include referral to a more senior member of staff) to ensure the safe and effective use of medicines.
To identify errors on clerking including medication histories and allergies documentation, TTOs or on prescriptions initiated during the patients admission. Appropriately prioritise these and take best course of action (which may include referral to a more senior member of staff) to ensure patient safety.

To identify deviations from guidelines, prioritise these and take appropriate action (which may include referral to a more senior member of staff).

To complete all documentation according to Trust and departmental policies.

To work effectively as part of a team in a multi-disciplinary and pharmacy environment, and maintain rapport with medical and other colleagues.
To undertake clinical audit and drug use evaluations (DUEs) in the clinical areas assigned.
To undertake peer review (e.g. MRCF, mini-pat) to assess communication and decision making skills, obtain feedback and amend practice where necessary.

Out of hours pharmacy services

To participate in the resident or on-call pharmacists rota.
To provide an out of hours pharmacy service to the base hospital(s), in accordance with local out of hours guidelines and policies.
To participate in the weekend and Bank holiday rotas of the base hospital.
To undertake dispensing duties as required and to the appropriate standard.
To answer medicines information and other queries as required. (This may include production services if provided out of hours at the base site).
To work within the limitations of ones own competence, referring more complex queries to appropriate pharmacists as required.
To complete all documentation in line with department policy.

Placements

Each rotation will have specific criteria which will be available to the postholder when selecting the rotation.
The postholder should consider these as part of the job description during the period of the placement

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

Masters degree MPharm (or equivalent to allow GPhC registration)
Will be registered with the GPhC as a pharmacist by Feb 2022
Mandatory CPD to maintain fitness to practice

Desirable

Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

Demonstrates good clinical knowledge, clinical reasoning and judgement
Ability to prioritise workload and to work accurately
Demonstrates commitment and ability to develop own knowledge, skills and quality of work in line with local and national standards.
Ability to effectively communicate in both written and verbal formats to prescribers, clinicians, patients and their carers; overcoming any barriers to understanding e.g. language difficulties, physical or mental disabilities

Desirable

Has used electronic prescribing software and other clinical software and databases
Facilitates the training and development needs of others (e.g. Pharmacy staff other healthcare professionals). Non-Pharmacy related examples also applicable.
Ability to use presentation aids

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

Masters degree MPharm (or equivalent to allow GPhC registration)
Will be registered with the GPhC as a pharmacist by Feb 2022
Mandatory CPD to maintain fitness to practice

Desirable

Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

Demonstrates good clinical knowledge, clinical reasoning and judgement
Ability to prioritise workload and to work accurately
Demonstrates commitment and ability to develop own knowledge, skills and quality of work in line with local and national standards.
Ability to effectively communicate in both written and verbal formats to prescribers, clinicians, patients and their carers; overcoming any barriers to understanding e.g. language difficulties, physical or mental disabilities

Desirable

Has used electronic prescribing software and other clinical software and databases
Facilitates the training and development needs of others (e.g. Pharmacy staff other healthcare professionals). Non-Pharmacy related examples also applicable.
Ability to use presentation aids

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).