Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated and experienced pharmacist to lead our Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) programme. The successful candidate will work closely with all grades of pharmacy staff as well as a wide range of medical, nursing and AHP colleagues. The postholder will ensure compliance with the Trust antimicrobial prescribing guidelines, support the work of the infection prevention team, and provide clinical advice on request.
You will be actively involved in strategic planning, education, training, surveillance, and governance of antimicrobial usage. You will also be given the opportunity to provide clinical pharmacy support to our inpatient community health wards.
The postholder will have the opportunity to engage in the wider regional and national context, regarding antimicrobial drug use, represent the Trust at relevant network or regional meetings such as the South Central Antimicrobial Network,and develop and maintain relationships with commissioners and key stakeholders. Knowledgeof working with IT systems such as EMIS and Micro guide is also advantageous but not essential
In return we will help you develop your clinical and leadership skills, and collaborative working with both senior and junior clinicians, nursing teams and primary care colleagues.
We are based at Prospect Park Hospital, with free onsite parking, top staff accommodation less than a 5-minute walk from your base.
Main duties of the job
- Evaluate pharmacy services for antimicrobial stewardship and infection management throughout the Trust in accordance with local and national standards and policies, ensuring the safe, clinical and cost effective use of antimicrobials.
- Provide expert antimicrobial therapy advice to pharmacy staff and other healthcare professionals to encourage and ensure good prescribing practices, optimise outcomes and reduce individual patient and organisational risk.
- Represent the Trust at various AMS groups including the Trust's AMS Group (AMSG) meetings, the cross-sector AMS Network across primary-secondary care settings in Berkshire and the regional Thames Valley & Wessex antimicrobial pharmacist network
- Act as the AMSG secretary ensuring timely submission of AMSG meeting reports and minutes to the trust Drugs and Therapeutics Committee including liaising with clinicians for the timely preparation of the AMSG meeting agenda
- Contribute to the development, monitoring, updating and dissemination of Antimicrobial prescribing guidelines and related policies to ensure appropriate antimicrobial prescribing
The3/4 "must haves" for you to be considered for this role:
- Experience in general / acute hospital pharmacy
- Self motivated, confident and ability to prioritise
- Have a flexible approach to work in order to meet the developing needs of the pharmacy service
- Strong team player and must be able to navigate conflicting work priorities
About us
Berkshire Healthcare has a record of achievement and success that places us as one of the best performing Trusts in the country. We are rated 'Outstanding' by the CQC, we have a history of strong financial performance, and we have a highly skilled and engaged workforce. We aspire to be an outstanding organisation for everyone: our people, our patients, their families, and their carers.
For our people who work here that means we want Berkshire Healthcare to be a great place to work where everyone can thrive and grow. Some of the benefits of joining our team:
- Flexible working opportunities and a strong emphasis on your work, life balance
- Annual leave - 27 days for new starters, plus bank holidays. Increasing to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years NHS service. Pro rata for part time staff
- Excellent learning and development opportunities
- Salary sacrifice scheme for a new car
- Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave for eligible staff
- Advanced IT enablement and support
- Confidential telephone care service providing independent support and advice for staff.
- And so much more
We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where required.
The Trust may close any vacancy prior to the advertised closing date due to the high level of responses we receive for some of our vacancies.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
We are happy to answer any questions that you may have. Please dont hesitate to contact Carl Partridge, Chief Pharmacist on 07799 861823 or email Carl.Partridge@berkshire.nhs.uk
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
We are happy to answer any questions that you may have. Please dont hesitate to contact Carl Partridge, Chief Pharmacist on 07799 861823 or email Carl.Partridge@berkshire.nhs.uk
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications/Training
Essential
- Good Pharmacy Honours degree (BPharm or MPharm)
- Postgraduate diploma or Master's degree in clinical pharmacy
- Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
Desirable
- Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Continuous Professional Development
Essential
- Evidence of continuing professional development and compliance with the GPhC CPD on-line recording system to maintain fitness to practice
Previous Experience
Essential
- Substantial post registration experience as a practising pharmacist
- Substantial experience in a general clinical / hospital pharmacy including ward based clinical work
- Extensive experience of working as pharmacist involved in antimicrobial stewardship
- Experience of chairing working groups and committees
- Experience of providing medicines related information to patients / carers
- Experience in audit or project facilitation
- Experience in undergraduate and junior pharmacist/pre-registration training/teaching
- Experience of multidisciplinary team working
- Experience of line management and clinical supervision
Desirable
- Experience of mental health hospital pharmacy
- Experience of service planning/development
- Experience of budget management
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Demonstrates expert clinical knowledge and skills
- Ability to critically appraise research and incorporate into practice.
- Manages difficult and ambiguous clinical problems
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Ability to influence, negotiate with and practice at senior and directorate level
- High level of report writing and presentation skills
- Keyboard skills and computer literate, with the ability to use software packages.
- Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills in order to communicate confidently in all situations
- Demonstrates ability to organise and prioritise own workload
- Demonstrates awareness of and commitment to the Clinical Governance Agenda
- Keen to undertake self-development
- Time management skills
- To be flexible, work under pressure and provide reports or work at short notice to meet deadlines when required
- Ability to work alone and as part of a team
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Ability to travel across all Berkshire Healthcare sites
- Flexible approach to work patterns in line with needs of the service
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications/Training
Essential
- Good Pharmacy Honours degree (BPharm or MPharm)
- Postgraduate diploma or Master's degree in clinical pharmacy
- Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
Desirable
- Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Continuous Professional Development
Essential
- Evidence of continuing professional development and compliance with the GPhC CPD on-line recording system to maintain fitness to practice
Previous Experience
Essential
- Substantial post registration experience as a practising pharmacist
- Substantial experience in a general clinical / hospital pharmacy including ward based clinical work
- Extensive experience of working as pharmacist involved in antimicrobial stewardship
- Experience of chairing working groups and committees
- Experience of providing medicines related information to patients / carers
- Experience in audit or project facilitation
- Experience in undergraduate and junior pharmacist/pre-registration training/teaching
- Experience of multidisciplinary team working
- Experience of line management and clinical supervision
Desirable
- Experience of mental health hospital pharmacy
- Experience of service planning/development
- Experience of budget management
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Demonstrates expert clinical knowledge and skills
- Ability to critically appraise research and incorporate into practice.
- Manages difficult and ambiguous clinical problems
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Ability to influence, negotiate with and practice at senior and directorate level
- High level of report writing and presentation skills
- Keyboard skills and computer literate, with the ability to use software packages.
- Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills in order to communicate confidently in all situations
- Demonstrates ability to organise and prioritise own workload
- Demonstrates awareness of and commitment to the Clinical Governance Agenda
- Keen to undertake self-development
- Time management skills
- To be flexible, work under pressure and provide reports or work at short notice to meet deadlines when required
- Ability to work alone and as part of a team
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Ability to travel across all Berkshire Healthcare sites
- Flexible approach to work patterns in line with needs of the service
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).
