Job summary
An excellent opportunity for a pharmacist with a passion for improving the lives of those suffering with mental health conditions has arisen at AWP Mental Health Trust.
This role requires a dynamic, enthusiastic pharmacist with good communication skills, to integrate themselves into both the pharmacy team and the Trust's Secure (forensic) Services clinical teams.
The role involves working with healthcare professionals across Secure Services at AWP area, including nurses, doctors and allied health professionals within the inpatient and community team, as well as colleagues in primary care. The role will focus on collaborative working, supporting the Locality Lead Pharmacist to improve the clinical pharmacy service within Secure Services, securing better outcomes for our patients.
Previous experience working with people with severe mental health conditions is not a necessity, although a strong desire to improve the lives of those using the service is essential. The pharmacy team will support the successful candidate in further development of specialist knowledge, through external courses and internal training opportunities.
The post holder will also work closely with clinical pharmacists in different localities, the lead pharmacy technicians and the senior pharmacy leadership to develop and deliver the Medicines Optimisation agenda and AWP Trust values.
Main duties of the job
1. Provision of a clinical pharmacy service to secure/forensic inpatient units at the Blackberry Hill Hospital site
2. Provision of specialist pharmaceutical expertise to MDTs and answering of medicines information enquiries.
3. Attend multidisciplinary rounds, team meetings and ward rounds
4. Participation in the education and training of all grades of staff within the Trust on issues concerned with medicines.
5. Provide advice and information about medicines to service users and carers
6. Undertake sessions within the Callington Road dispensary acting as theresponsible pharmacist.
7. Participate in audits and projects to review and improve the pharmacy service.
The AWP pharmacy service supplies medication and provides clinical support to wards and teams across our core catchment area. We have two dispensaries: one in Calne (Wiltshire) and one at Callington Road Hospital (Bristol). As well as managing the medicines supply chain in the trust, we support the safe and effective use of medicines throughout the organisation through our clinical work, enquiry answering, medicines governance activity and many other roles. The team are friendly, dynamicand evolving, with aspirations to improve patient care across the AWP geography. Support from other experienced mental health pharmacists and technicians is always available.
About us
The role will be based at the Blackberry Hill Hospital site, with a regular dispensary commitment at our Callington Road Hospital dispensary; however, there could be the need to travel to other sites within the AWP geography on occasion.
We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust): a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.
We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.
Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.
At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. In conjunction with the Locality Lead Pharmacist(s) provide, monitor and support development of specialist clinical pharmacy services to in-patient and community mental health teams with a particular focus on units within Secure Services. Provide clinical pharmacist cover to other units when required.
2. Clinically screen prescriptions to ensure the safe, efficient, evidence-based and rational use of medicines in line with the Trust formulary, mental health policies and departmental policies so that risks to patients are minimised. To check prescriptions against T2 and T3 forms to ensure they comply with the Mental Health Act Consent to Treatment. Advise on therapeutic and physical health monitoring as indicated.
3. Undertake regular sessions within the Callington Road dispensary acting as the Responsible Pharmacist. Duties include the clinical screening of prescriptions (including clozapine and repeat dispensing) and participating in the rota for final accuracy checking. The technical aspects of all dispensary duties are overseen by the Lead Technician or their deputy.
4. Under the direction of the Locality Lead Pharmacist(s), manage, review and improve the medicines supply chain for particular specialist areas for example clozapine, long-acting injections, self-medication.
5. Provide specialist pharmaceutical expertise to multidisciplinary teams and answer medicines information enquiries appropriate to the level of the post which will involve literature searches and the production of oral and written responses.
6. With the Locality Lead Pharmacist and local Medicines Optimisation Pharmacy Technician(s) maintain and develop a reliable and efficient medicines supply chain to the teams in the locality. Identify and resolve difficulties through liaison with the relevant dispensary and locality team(s).
7. Provide advice and support to the Secure Services Primary Care team, based on site, to ensure that treatment with physical health medication is safe, cost-effective and in line with the local acute trust formulary.
8. Follow the Trust procedure on Medicines Reconciliation when service users change care settings to ensure a smooth and safe transition, without inadvertent changes in medication.
9. Support discharge planning from inpatient units to provide a smooth and safe transition of care. Proactively screen requests for discharge medication within the locality whenever possible. With involvement from the dispensary, Locality Lead and Medicines Optimisation Pharmacy Technician, develop one-stop dispensing practices if appropriate.
10. Participate in the education and training of all grades of staff within the Trust on issues concerned with medicines.
11. Provide advice and information to service users and carers. Counsel service users to ensure they understand how to take their medicines correctly, advising on choice of medication, likely benefits and potential common side effects.
12. Support self-medication and patients own drugs schemes where they are in use, and assist the Locality Lead Pharmacist in developing them where appropriate
13. Attend multidisciplinary rounds and team meetings.
14. Under the direction of the Locality Lead Pharmacist, review and interpret budgetary information to locality staff to ensure that significant trends and variances are highlighted together with proposals for remedial action.
15. Participate in audits of prescribing and clinical pharmacy practice to ensure that policies and procedures are implemented and promote continuous quality improvement.
16. Participate in the departmental governance procedures around medication errors. Specific roles may include: reviewing local near misses and clinical incidents, investigating and producing management reports for incidents and feeding back recurring themes or issues via the relevant departmental meeting.
17. Work with the Locality Lead Pharmacist(s) to identify and promote service developments to ensure that services meet the needs of the localities.
18. Implement the decisions of the AWP Medicines Optimisation Group including adherence to the Trust formulary.
19. To be involved in the pharmaceutical aspects of clinical trials and the use of other unlicensed drug use where appropriate.
20. Participate in the Trusts monthly supervision and annual appraisal system.
21. Participate in the AWP Pharmacy on-call rota and weekend/Bank holiday working rota.
22. Undertake all statutory and mandatory training as determined by the Trust and take responsibility for keeping this training up-to-date.
23. Observe the principles of clinical governance in general and in particular be able to demonstrate participation in continuing professional development.
24. Participate in the AWP pharmacy team meetings, assisting with project, policy and procedural work where necessary and with appropriate support. Support the development of Trust initiatives which have a pharmacy or medicines aspect, under the direction of a senior pharmacist.
25. Deputise for the Locality Lead Pharmacist at pharmacy or locality meetings as requested for example locality governance or formulary groups.
26. Maintain appropriate systems of record keeping and retention according to the needs of the service particularly the maintenance of pharmacy records (including records of clinical activity) and medicines information enquiries.
We operate a weekend and bank holiday pharmacy service from both dispensaries. This is approximately 1 in 10. There is also an on-call pharmacy service out of hours, which the successful candidate will participate in.
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. In conjunction with the Locality Lead Pharmacist(s) provide, monitor and support development of specialist clinical pharmacy services to in-patient and community mental health teams with a particular focus on units within Secure Services. Provide clinical pharmacist cover to other units when required.
2. Clinically screen prescriptions to ensure the safe, efficient, evidence-based and rational use of medicines in line with the Trust formulary, mental health policies and departmental policies so that risks to patients are minimised. To check prescriptions against T2 and T3 forms to ensure they comply with the Mental Health Act Consent to Treatment. Advise on therapeutic and physical health monitoring as indicated.
3. Undertake regular sessions within the Callington Road dispensary acting as the Responsible Pharmacist. Duties include the clinical screening of prescriptions (including clozapine and repeat dispensing) and participating in the rota for final accuracy checking. The technical aspects of all dispensary duties are overseen by the Lead Technician or their deputy.
4. Under the direction of the Locality Lead Pharmacist(s), manage, review and improve the medicines supply chain for particular specialist areas for example clozapine, long-acting injections, self-medication.
5. Provide specialist pharmaceutical expertise to multidisciplinary teams and answer medicines information enquiries appropriate to the level of the post which will involve literature searches and the production of oral and written responses.
6. With the Locality Lead Pharmacist and local Medicines Optimisation Pharmacy Technician(s) maintain and develop a reliable and efficient medicines supply chain to the teams in the locality. Identify and resolve difficulties through liaison with the relevant dispensary and locality team(s).
7. Provide advice and support to the Secure Services Primary Care team, based on site, to ensure that treatment with physical health medication is safe, cost-effective and in line with the local acute trust formulary.
8. Follow the Trust procedure on Medicines Reconciliation when service users change care settings to ensure a smooth and safe transition, without inadvertent changes in medication.
9. Support discharge planning from inpatient units to provide a smooth and safe transition of care. Proactively screen requests for discharge medication within the locality whenever possible. With involvement from the dispensary, Locality Lead and Medicines Optimisation Pharmacy Technician, develop one-stop dispensing practices if appropriate.
10. Participate in the education and training of all grades of staff within the Trust on issues concerned with medicines.
11. Provide advice and information to service users and carers. Counsel service users to ensure they understand how to take their medicines correctly, advising on choice of medication, likely benefits and potential common side effects.
12. Support self-medication and patients own drugs schemes where they are in use, and assist the Locality Lead Pharmacist in developing them where appropriate
13. Attend multidisciplinary rounds and team meetings.
14. Under the direction of the Locality Lead Pharmacist, review and interpret budgetary information to locality staff to ensure that significant trends and variances are highlighted together with proposals for remedial action.
15. Participate in audits of prescribing and clinical pharmacy practice to ensure that policies and procedures are implemented and promote continuous quality improvement.
16. Participate in the departmental governance procedures around medication errors. Specific roles may include: reviewing local near misses and clinical incidents, investigating and producing management reports for incidents and feeding back recurring themes or issues via the relevant departmental meeting.
17. Work with the Locality Lead Pharmacist(s) to identify and promote service developments to ensure that services meet the needs of the localities.
18. Implement the decisions of the AWP Medicines Optimisation Group including adherence to the Trust formulary.
19. To be involved in the pharmaceutical aspects of clinical trials and the use of other unlicensed drug use where appropriate.
20. Participate in the Trusts monthly supervision and annual appraisal system.
21. Participate in the AWP Pharmacy on-call rota and weekend/Bank holiday working rota.
22. Undertake all statutory and mandatory training as determined by the Trust and take responsibility for keeping this training up-to-date.
23. Observe the principles of clinical governance in general and in particular be able to demonstrate participation in continuing professional development.
24. Participate in the AWP pharmacy team meetings, assisting with project, policy and procedural work where necessary and with appropriate support. Support the development of Trust initiatives which have a pharmacy or medicines aspect, under the direction of a senior pharmacist.
25. Deputise for the Locality Lead Pharmacist at pharmacy or locality meetings as requested for example locality governance or formulary groups.
26. Maintain appropriate systems of record keeping and retention according to the needs of the service particularly the maintenance of pharmacy records (including records of clinical activity) and medicines information enquiries.
We operate a weekend and bank holiday pharmacy service from both dispensaries. This is approximately 1 in 10. There is also an on-call pharmacy service out of hours, which the successful candidate will participate in.
Person Specification
Qualifactions
Essential
- Degree in Pharmacy from an accredited British School of Pharmacy, or recognised equivalent
- Registered Member of the General Pharmaceutical Council
- Post-graduate qualification in clinical or mental health pharmacy (diploma or MSc) or willing to undertake this qualification.
Desirable
- Membership of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
- Membership of the College of Mental Health Pharmacists
- Post-graduate qualification in mental health pharmacy
- Non-medical prescriber
Experience
Essential
- Significant UK hospital pharmacy experience
- Knowledge of the pharmacological treatment options for different mental health conditions including their adverse effects
Desirable
- Experienced in writing guidelines and reports
- Working with primary care organisations
- Education and training of others
- Experience of HR and managerial skills
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Experience in providing both written and verbal information on medicines use
- Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of multi professional team working and an ability to promote the role of the pharmacist within it
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Competent with standard information technology, pharmacy computer systems and associated tools
- Ability to demonstrate attention to detail, accuracy and calculation skills.
- Ability to access, review and process complex clinical and mental health pharmacy information from appropriate sources.
- Ability to critically appraise information and clinical papers
- Good problem solving skills
- Good time management and prioritization skills
- Working knowledge of relevant medicines and pharmacy related legislation
Person Specification
Qualifactions
Essential
- Degree in Pharmacy from an accredited British School of Pharmacy, or recognised equivalent
- Registered Member of the General Pharmaceutical Council
- Post-graduate qualification in clinical or mental health pharmacy (diploma or MSc) or willing to undertake this qualification.
Desirable
- Membership of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
- Membership of the College of Mental Health Pharmacists
- Post-graduate qualification in mental health pharmacy
- Non-medical prescriber
Experience
Essential
- Significant UK hospital pharmacy experience
- Knowledge of the pharmacological treatment options for different mental health conditions including their adverse effects
Desirable
- Experienced in writing guidelines and reports
- Working with primary care organisations
- Education and training of others
- Experience of HR and managerial skills
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Experience in providing both written and verbal information on medicines use
- Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of multi professional team working and an ability to promote the role of the pharmacist within it
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Competent with standard information technology, pharmacy computer systems and associated tools
- Ability to demonstrate attention to detail, accuracy and calculation skills.
- Ability to access, review and process complex clinical and mental health pharmacy information from appropriate sources.
- Ability to critically appraise information and clinical papers
- Good problem solving skills
- Good time management and prioritization skills
- Working knowledge of relevant medicines and pharmacy related legislation
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).
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