Job summary
East Midlands Neonatal Operational Delivery Network
Neonatal Network Pharmacist
Band 8a
An exciting opportunity for an experienced, enthusiastic Pharmacist has arisen within the East Midlands Neonatal Operational Delivery Network (EMNODN) to support medicines optimisation work across all neonatal units in the East Midlands.
The successful candidate will work alongside the EMNODN team and key stakeholders across the East Midlands to facilitate the implementation of discipline specific key deliverables in line with national recommendations such as those in the Neonatal GIRFT and NHS Long Term Plan. This will include supporting equitable access to knowledge and skills for pharmacists in provider Trusts to ensure that babies and their families receive safe, effective, and compassionate care.
As an individual, and as part of working alongside local pharmacists, you will champion safe and effective medicine and medicine practice in neonates through the development of a Network wide strategy.
Please read the job description and person specification and if you would like to discuss the role further then contact Dr Anneli Wynn-Davies, a.wynn-davies@nhs.net or Dr Jane Gill, jane.gill@uhl-tr.nhs.uk
Main duties of the job
The role of the Neonatal Network pharmacist is to provide leadership to the East Midlands Neonatal Operational Delivery Network.
The successful candidate will contribute to a group of network pharmacists nationally, to support the review and implementation of medicines related recommendations from the GIRFT report and any other future reports that are published, develop and support the training requirements for neonatal pharmacists and other neonatal healthcare professionals, lead and support on medicines related research in neonatal practice,
They will do this by providing advice and support to neonatal pharmacy colleagues within neonatal units throughout the Network.
About us
Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.
Our Excellence Values
Compassion
Accountability
Respect
Integrity
Courage
We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.
We are a Defence positive trust, supporting our reservists, veterans, spouses and partners.
The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.
We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.
We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds.This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Communication and Relationship Responsibilities
- Work closely with the Network team and the individual unit pharmacists to ensure that professional guidance influences and supports the delivery of high-quality neonatal care and the development of pharmacy services.
- Work with the Network Director to agree medicines optimisation priorities and deliverables for the region, which will be included within the Network Action Plan.
- Lead on the development and monitoring of medicine risk management and clinical governance strategies across the network and provide input into network and national safety advice regarding neonatal medicines optimisation.
- Co-ordinate standardised approaches to medicines optimisation within a region and support training around neonatal medicines for pharmacists working in neonatal units and also other neonatal health care professionals.
- Provide and demonstrate expert and advanced clinical skills, knowledge and advice on pharmacy specific care and management of Neonates to all neonatal units, their staff and associated organisations across the Operational Delivery Network.
Develop and lead network-wide pharmacy clinical supervision group(s) in order to upskill and empower existing pharmacists in post within the Operational Delivery Network.
Acting as an expert clinical and non-clinical resource for pharmacy specific information for colleagues, either cot side or remotely, via existing pharmacists where available.
Work collaboratively with key neonatal unit (NNU) leads, unit and Network pharmacists, senior management teams to lead on agreement for both Network-wide and unit based clinical priorities for enhancing and maximising care where medication is involved.
Initiate and develop collaborative contact networks, communication strategies, discussion forums and targeted work streams between units in order to facilitate the development, implementation and enhancement of standardised provision of neonatal care at all levels across the Operational Delivery Network.
Develop multi-faceted strategies for effective Network pharmacy communication. For example, taking responsibility for the development, update and maintenance of discipline specific and overarching pharmacy digital communications eg website pages, social media feeds, blog pages etc. whilst ensuring adherence to host trust communication guidelines at all times.
- Work collaboratively with families and parent partners to ensure any improvements are co-designed and co-produced.
- Establish strong working relationships and work collaboratively with Trust Neonatal Pharmacists, Neonatal Clinical Leads, Neonatal Lead Nurses, Neonatal Educators and Practice Development Nurses, Midwifery and Obstetric Leads, and other stakeholders, encouraging the active participation of all colleagues in service improvement.
- Act as a positive role model and motivator to support staff in the planning, implementing and measurement of improvement projects.
- Ensure effective communication is maintained within the Network units and team, through formal and informal routes.
- Provide comprehensive, and often complex, presentations, briefing documents, background papers, tables, reports, and other materials pertaining to Network pharmacy information as appropriate which can be used to contribute to stakeholder group feedback such as to the Network Board, Clinical Governance groups, Commissioners and Workforce and Education authorities, as required.
- Link with other neonatal Networks, at regional and national level, in respect of pharmacy service improvement projects.
- Maintain equity of support across all sites in the East Midlands.
- Chair/co-chair AHP meetings within and external to the Network.
- Provide professional leadership & clinical supervision for existing unit pharmacists.
Quality and Clinical Excellence Responsibilities
- In conjunction with the Network Director/Lead Nurse, Deputy Lead Nurses, and AHP team, support the development, delivery and monitoring of pharmacy services across the Network.
- Work as part of a national group of expert network neonatal pharmacists.
- Ensure compliance with national directives and action plans i.e. Neonatal GIRFT, Neonatal Critical Care Transformation Review.
- Lead the development, delivery and implementation of pharmacy specific Network wide projects and to be an active member of other Network task and finish groups that require pharmacy specific input.
- Contribute to education and training programmes as required. This may include preparing and providing taught sessions to colleagues.
- Provide on-going support and leadership, under the guidance of the Director/Lead Nurse and Lead Psychologist, across Network units as required.
- Provide direct support to the Network units on clinical interventions and project planning related to pharmacy service improvement with regular review of progress and adjustments to action plans where required to ensure success.
- To maintain an active, leading role in pharmacy specific national neonatal specialist interest groups and relevant multi-disciplinary interest groups.
- Support standardising neonatal parenteral nutrition (PN) regionally and nationally with a move towards appropriate licensed PN bags for neonates purchased on a national procurement framework.
- Provide assistance in development of electronic prescribing systems, to ensure appropriate decision support for neonates.
- Develop a philosophy of sustainability to improvement in quality outcomes.
- Gain an understanding of quality metrics and use to assist in service improvement.
- Gain an understanding of the Network Governance agenda and contribute to meetings where appropriate.
- Promote and assist with the development of guidelines, protocols and standards of care.
- Using nationally agreed, discipline specific, knowledge and skills competency frameworks; develop and deliver strategies for the up-skilling and maintenance of competency levels for new and existing pharmacy staff, ensuring consistency across the network.
- Utilise available national resources to ensure standardisation across the Network.
Patient Care and Experience Responsibilities
- Ensure parent and public involvement and feedback when developing Network pharmacy service development programmes and resources, by working closely with the Director / Lead Nurse, Clinical Leads, Deputy Lead Nurse for Family Integrated Care (FiC) and Patient Public Involvement (PPI) and Network parent groups and representatives.
- Ensure that any project work is co-designed and co-produced and reflects the needs of the parents and families.
- Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of changes on patient and family experience.
Financial and Resource Responsibilities.
- This role has no responsibility for financial resources but is expected to work within current financial instructions and policy and may be asked to contribute to workforce information.
- Support and collaborate with the Network management team in producing business cases for developing service improvement programmes if required.
- Responsible for the safe care and storage of allocated Network IT and telecommunications equipment.
- Responsible for the timely submission of any expense claims in respect to the requirements of the role.
Research and Development Responsibilities
- To coordinate network involvement in Neonatal pharmacy research.
- To collaborate with perinatal research groups within the network to highlight the contribution of pharmacy involvement in the set-up and delivery of neonatal studies.
- To identify and facilitate pharmacy support to Neonatal research and multidisciplinary projects across the Network where resources allow.
- Examine standards of practice across the network are in line with the current evidence base via regular audit. To be responsible for the whole audit process, including Initiating, collecting and the analysis of data, the completion of the audit report, development of action plan and provision of support to provider units in the implementation of any actions required.
- Where appropriate disseminate any audit findings through Network meetings or by presentation.
Professional Responsibilities
- To be responsible for maintaining and developing own knowledge and skills relevant to the post holders professional field, maintaining CPD as required by the GPhC.
- Must act in a manner which is consistent with the Network policy.
- Work independently, taking responsibility for planning and delivering own workload.
- Undertake personal appraisal and individual performance review in line with Trust Policy.
- Take an active role in self-development. Objectively review own performance and identify and address own development needs.
- Take personal and professional responsibility for achieving agreed objectives as identified through annual appraisal.
- Ensure all mandatory training required for the role is completed in line with Trust requirements.
- Keep up to date with clinical, professional, local and NHS development and be able to demonstrate this at annual performance review.
- Act at all times in such a way as to provide a suitable and professional role model.
- Ensure all practice is in line with the NMC Code.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Communication and Relationship Responsibilities
- Work closely with the Network team and the individual unit pharmacists to ensure that professional guidance influences and supports the delivery of high-quality neonatal care and the development of pharmacy services.
- Work with the Network Director to agree medicines optimisation priorities and deliverables for the region, which will be included within the Network Action Plan.
- Lead on the development and monitoring of medicine risk management and clinical governance strategies across the network and provide input into network and national safety advice regarding neonatal medicines optimisation.
- Co-ordinate standardised approaches to medicines optimisation within a region and support training around neonatal medicines for pharmacists working in neonatal units and also other neonatal health care professionals.
- Provide and demonstrate expert and advanced clinical skills, knowledge and advice on pharmacy specific care and management of Neonates to all neonatal units, their staff and associated organisations across the Operational Delivery Network.
Develop and lead network-wide pharmacy clinical supervision group(s) in order to upskill and empower existing pharmacists in post within the Operational Delivery Network.
Acting as an expert clinical and non-clinical resource for pharmacy specific information for colleagues, either cot side or remotely, via existing pharmacists where available.
Work collaboratively with key neonatal unit (NNU) leads, unit and Network pharmacists, senior management teams to lead on agreement for both Network-wide and unit based clinical priorities for enhancing and maximising care where medication is involved.
Initiate and develop collaborative contact networks, communication strategies, discussion forums and targeted work streams between units in order to facilitate the development, implementation and enhancement of standardised provision of neonatal care at all levels across the Operational Delivery Network.
Develop multi-faceted strategies for effective Network pharmacy communication. For example, taking responsibility for the development, update and maintenance of discipline specific and overarching pharmacy digital communications eg website pages, social media feeds, blog pages etc. whilst ensuring adherence to host trust communication guidelines at all times.
- Work collaboratively with families and parent partners to ensure any improvements are co-designed and co-produced.
- Establish strong working relationships and work collaboratively with Trust Neonatal Pharmacists, Neonatal Clinical Leads, Neonatal Lead Nurses, Neonatal Educators and Practice Development Nurses, Midwifery and Obstetric Leads, and other stakeholders, encouraging the active participation of all colleagues in service improvement.
- Act as a positive role model and motivator to support staff in the planning, implementing and measurement of improvement projects.
- Ensure effective communication is maintained within the Network units and team, through formal and informal routes.
- Provide comprehensive, and often complex, presentations, briefing documents, background papers, tables, reports, and other materials pertaining to Network pharmacy information as appropriate which can be used to contribute to stakeholder group feedback such as to the Network Board, Clinical Governance groups, Commissioners and Workforce and Education authorities, as required.
- Link with other neonatal Networks, at regional and national level, in respect of pharmacy service improvement projects.
- Maintain equity of support across all sites in the East Midlands.
- Chair/co-chair AHP meetings within and external to the Network.
- Provide professional leadership & clinical supervision for existing unit pharmacists.
Quality and Clinical Excellence Responsibilities
- In conjunction with the Network Director/Lead Nurse, Deputy Lead Nurses, and AHP team, support the development, delivery and monitoring of pharmacy services across the Network.
- Work as part of a national group of expert network neonatal pharmacists.
- Ensure compliance with national directives and action plans i.e. Neonatal GIRFT, Neonatal Critical Care Transformation Review.
- Lead the development, delivery and implementation of pharmacy specific Network wide projects and to be an active member of other Network task and finish groups that require pharmacy specific input.
- Contribute to education and training programmes as required. This may include preparing and providing taught sessions to colleagues.
- Provide on-going support and leadership, under the guidance of the Director/Lead Nurse and Lead Psychologist, across Network units as required.
- Provide direct support to the Network units on clinical interventions and project planning related to pharmacy service improvement with regular review of progress and adjustments to action plans where required to ensure success.
- To maintain an active, leading role in pharmacy specific national neonatal specialist interest groups and relevant multi-disciplinary interest groups.
- Support standardising neonatal parenteral nutrition (PN) regionally and nationally with a move towards appropriate licensed PN bags for neonates purchased on a national procurement framework.
- Provide assistance in development of electronic prescribing systems, to ensure appropriate decision support for neonates.
- Develop a philosophy of sustainability to improvement in quality outcomes.
- Gain an understanding of quality metrics and use to assist in service improvement.
- Gain an understanding of the Network Governance agenda and contribute to meetings where appropriate.
- Promote and assist with the development of guidelines, protocols and standards of care.
- Using nationally agreed, discipline specific, knowledge and skills competency frameworks; develop and deliver strategies for the up-skilling and maintenance of competency levels for new and existing pharmacy staff, ensuring consistency across the network.
- Utilise available national resources to ensure standardisation across the Network.
Patient Care and Experience Responsibilities
- Ensure parent and public involvement and feedback when developing Network pharmacy service development programmes and resources, by working closely with the Director / Lead Nurse, Clinical Leads, Deputy Lead Nurse for Family Integrated Care (FiC) and Patient Public Involvement (PPI) and Network parent groups and representatives.
- Ensure that any project work is co-designed and co-produced and reflects the needs of the parents and families.
- Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of changes on patient and family experience.
Financial and Resource Responsibilities.
- This role has no responsibility for financial resources but is expected to work within current financial instructions and policy and may be asked to contribute to workforce information.
- Support and collaborate with the Network management team in producing business cases for developing service improvement programmes if required.
- Responsible for the safe care and storage of allocated Network IT and telecommunications equipment.
- Responsible for the timely submission of any expense claims in respect to the requirements of the role.
Research and Development Responsibilities
- To coordinate network involvement in Neonatal pharmacy research.
- To collaborate with perinatal research groups within the network to highlight the contribution of pharmacy involvement in the set-up and delivery of neonatal studies.
- To identify and facilitate pharmacy support to Neonatal research and multidisciplinary projects across the Network where resources allow.
- Examine standards of practice across the network are in line with the current evidence base via regular audit. To be responsible for the whole audit process, including Initiating, collecting and the analysis of data, the completion of the audit report, development of action plan and provision of support to provider units in the implementation of any actions required.
- Where appropriate disseminate any audit findings through Network meetings or by presentation.
Professional Responsibilities
- To be responsible for maintaining and developing own knowledge and skills relevant to the post holders professional field, maintaining CPD as required by the GPhC.
- Must act in a manner which is consistent with the Network policy.
- Work independently, taking responsibility for planning and delivering own workload.
- Undertake personal appraisal and individual performance review in line with Trust Policy.
- Take an active role in self-development. Objectively review own performance and identify and address own development needs.
- Take personal and professional responsibility for achieving agreed objectives as identified through annual appraisal.
- Ensure all mandatory training required for the role is completed in line with Trust requirements.
- Keep up to date with clinical, professional, local and NHS development and be able to demonstrate this at annual performance review.
- Act at all times in such a way as to provide a suitable and professional role model.
- Ensure all practice is in line with the NMC Code.
Person Specification
Eductaion, Training and Qualifications
Essential
- MPharm degree or equivalent
- Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council as a Pharmacist
- Post Graduate Diploma in clinical pharmacy
Desirable
- Leadership course/module or recognised qualification
- Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Previous pharmacy experience working in a neonatal service
- Experience of formally interacting with senior clinicians and managers.
- Experience of teaching/training other healthcare professionals.
- Understanding of Neonatal Networks.
- Experience of undertaking drug usage reviews and audit.
- Sound knowledge of current national standards and guidelines relevant to the safe prescribing of high risk medicines in neonates.
Desirable
- Experience of developing business cases.
Skills
Essential
- Significant post registration experience
- Evidence of involvement in local improvement projects
- Ability to teach healthcare professionals at different levels in a variety of learning styles.
- Can demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills for a variety of audiences including parents/ carers and healthcare professionals.
Key Competencies
Essential
- Passionate and committed to bring our Dedicated to Excellence values to life, improving the way we work with each other, particularly focusing on empowerment, equality diversity and inclusion of our staff, patients and service users.
- Effective organisational skills. Ability to prioritise a complex workload and work accurately under pressure adjusting plans to reflect changing circumstances.
- Trustworthy and respectful of confidential information about both patients and colleagues.
- Able to manage relationships with a range of different stakeholders
Person Specification
Eductaion, Training and Qualifications
Essential
- MPharm degree or equivalent
- Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council as a Pharmacist
- Post Graduate Diploma in clinical pharmacy
Desirable
- Leadership course/module or recognised qualification
- Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Previous pharmacy experience working in a neonatal service
- Experience of formally interacting with senior clinicians and managers.
- Experience of teaching/training other healthcare professionals.
- Understanding of Neonatal Networks.
- Experience of undertaking drug usage reviews and audit.
- Sound knowledge of current national standards and guidelines relevant to the safe prescribing of high risk medicines in neonates.
Desirable
- Experience of developing business cases.
Skills
Essential
- Significant post registration experience
- Evidence of involvement in local improvement projects
- Ability to teach healthcare professionals at different levels in a variety of learning styles.
- Can demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills for a variety of audiences including parents/ carers and healthcare professionals.
Key Competencies
Essential
- Passionate and committed to bring our Dedicated to Excellence values to life, improving the way we work with each other, particularly focusing on empowerment, equality diversity and inclusion of our staff, patients and service users.
- Effective organisational skills. Ability to prioritise a complex workload and work accurately under pressure adjusting plans to reflect changing circumstances.
- Trustworthy and respectful of confidential information about both patients and colleagues.
- Able to manage relationships with a range of different stakeholders
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.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
