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- Tasks: Join our Palliative Care Pharmacy Team to provide specialist clinical pharmacy services.
- Company: Birmingham Hospice, a compassionate and innovative organisation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, and NHS pension recognition.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in patients' lives while developing specialist skills.
- Qualifications: Strong clinical background and excellent communication skills required.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a supportive team environment.
The predicted salary is between 38600 - 44000 £ per year.
We are pleased to offer an exciting opportunity for a motivated and patient-focused pharmacist to join our established Palliative Care Pharmacy Team, delivering specialist clinical pharmacy services for Birmingham Hospice.
You will be based primarily on the inpatient units at our Selly Park and Erdington hospice sites, working as part of a friendly, experienced and supportive Clinical Pharmacy team. The post focuses on providing specialist clinical pharmacy input to patients with life-limiting illness, with the opportunity to expand your role to include work within our Living Well Centre and community services, depending on service need and individual interest.
Key responsibilities include:
- Delivering specialist clinical pharmacy care to hospice inpatients
- Working closely within the multidisciplinary team, providing expert medicines advice to medical, nursing and allied health colleagues
- Supporting the development and delivery of a safe, effective and person-centred medicines management service across both hospice sites
- Contributing to medicines education, governance and service development
About You
We are looking for a pharmacist with a strong clinical background, excellent communication skills and a genuine interest in palliative and end of life care. You will be adaptable, confident working within a multidisciplinary team, and committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate care.
Main duties of the job:
- Independent prescribing is desirable, but not essential
- Previous palliative care experience is welcomed, however pharmacists with relevant transferable skills and a desire to develop in this specialist area are strongly encouraged to apply
Why Choose Birmingham Hospice?
Birmingham Hospice is a large, well-established organisation providing specialist palliative and end of life care across the city. We are committed to innovation, education and continuous improvement, while keeping compassion and dignity at the heart of everything we do.
You will be joining:
- An experienced and supportive palliative care pharmacy team, including specialist pharmacists and technicians
- A hospice that values staff wellbeing, reflection and professional development
- A multidisciplinary environment where pharmacy input is respected and integral to patient care
This post offers an excellent opportunity to develop specialist skills in palliative and end-of-life care, supported through:
- Training and mentorship from experienced palliative care pharmacists and the wider MDT
- Regular clinical supervision, peer support and reflective practice
- Strong technician support to enable clinical focus
What We Offer
A role where your expertise changes lives every day. Generous benefits and recognition of NHS/hospice service for pension and leave. A culture that celebrates innovation, inclusion, and belonging.
About us
The hospice is committed to developing a dynamic and diverse team, representative of the communities it serves. We value each person as an individual whether they are colleagues, patients, family members, carers or supporters, every person matters. We embrace diversity of culture, background and environment knowing it enriches our workplace and our relationships with our local communities. We are committed to building a culture of inclusion and belonging.
Job responsibilities
Happy to talk about Flexible Working
Job Purpose
The post holder will provide a specialist clinical pharmacy service to patients cared for by Birmingham Hospice across inpatient units, day services and community settings. They will work as part of the wider pharmacy and multidisciplinary team, delivering expert pharmaceutical advice, supporting the safe, effective and person-centred use of medicines, and contributing to the development of high-quality palliative and end of life care services.
The post holder will be required to work across both the Selly Park and Erdington hospice sites. This role is well suited to pharmacists from hospital or primary care backgrounds with strong clinical skills who are motivated to develop specialist expertise in palliative and end of life care.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Clinical Patient Services
- To provide specialist palliative care clinical pharmacy services to patients under the care of Birmingham Hospice in line with priorities agreed with the Senior Specialist Clinical Pharmacist and Director of Clinical Services.
- To manage a clinical caseload of patients with palliative care needs, working collaboratively across hospice inpatient units, community palliative care services, Hospice at Home, medical teams, therapy services and other relevant teams.
- To provide specialist pharmaceutical advice on a day-to-day basis to healthcare professionals including GPs, consultants, clinical nurse specialists, district nurses and allied health professionals, as well as to patients and carers, as appropriate.
- To provide ward-based clinical pharmacy services to hospice inpatient units, including: Medicines reconciliation and confirmation of medication histories, Prescription review and optimisation of therapy, Advice on dosing, interactions, contraindications, monitoring and routes of administration, Monitoring efficacy, appropriateness and tolerability of medicines, Patient and carer education, Attendance at and active participation in ward rounds.
- To provide community-based clinical pharmacy services to patients under the care of Birmingham Hospice, including: Holistic medication review and optimisation, Management of complex symptoms, Advice on safe administration of medicines in the community, Liaison with GPs, district nurses and community pharmacies to ensure continuity of care, Assessment and arrangement of anticipatory medicines, with sensitive communication to patients and families, Prescribing medicines where appropriate, in line with professional competence and organisational policy.
- To support patients and healthcare professionals to access specialist palliative care medicines in the community and provide advice on appropriate alternatives where required.
- To attend and contribute to hospice and wider multidisciplinary team meetings as required.
Medicines Management, Governance and Quality
- To support the delivery of a safe, effective and cost-effective medicines management service across Birmingham Hospice sites.
- To work closely with Medicines Management Technicians to ensure compliance with medicines legislation, Controlled Drugs requirements and CQC standards.
- To contribute to the development, implementation and review of medicines-related policies, procedures, guidelines and clinical care pathways.
- To participate in audit, service evaluation and quality improvement activities and make recommendations based on findings.
Education, Training and Mentorship
- To provide medicines-related education and training to hospice staff in response to service and learning needs.
- To mentor pharmacy students during placements within Birmingham Hospice.
- To support prescribers within the organisation to promote safe, effective and evidence-based prescribing practice.
Development and Support
Birmingham Hospice is committed to supporting pharmacists to develop specialist expertise in palliative and end of life care. The successful post holder will receive support to develop confidently in post, tailored to their previous experience and individual learning needs. This will include mentorship and clinical supervision from experienced palliative care pharmacists, supported clinical exposure across inpatient and community settings, and opportunities to develop prescribing practice, service development and leadership skills. Where required, support will be provided to undertake relevant postgraduate learning and to develop competence in specialist areas of palliative care practice.
Communication
- To communicate complex and sensitive medicines-related information effectively to patients, carers and healthcare professionals, often in emotionally challenging and distressing situations.
- To use advanced verbal, nonverbal and written communication skills to discuss prescribing decisions, challenge practice constructively where appropriate, and support shared decision-making.
- To maintain effective communication across primary, secondary and specialist care interfaces to ensure seamless patient care.
Freedom to Act and Professional Autonomy
- To work with a high level of autonomy, managing own workload and priorities within agreed service frameworks.
- To practice in accordance with the General Pharmaceutical Council Standards and be professionally accountable for own practice.
- To delegate appropriate tasks to other members of the pharmacy team to support efficient and effective service delivery.
- To undertake any other reasonable duties as agreed with the Senior Specialist Clinical Pharmacist or Director of Clinical Services.
General Duties
All employees are required to adhere to hospice policies relating to: Confidentiality and information governance, Equality, diversity and inclusion, Health and safety, Infection prevention and control, Safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults, Mandatory training, appraisal and professional development. This job description is not exhaustive and may be amended following appropriate consultation to meet service needs.
Person Specification
Experience
- Experience of working as a clinical pharmacist
- Experience working within multidisciplinary teams
- Experience managing complex patients and clinical decision making
- Experience of working under pressure and prioritising competing demands
- Advanced clinical knowledge of therapeutics and medicines optimisation
- Knowledge of medicines legislation, including Controlled Drugs
- General knowledge of palliative and end of life medicines
- Experience of providing specialist advice to healthcare professionals
- Experience of working in palliative care
- Experience across more than one pharmacy sector
- Experience of working as a Non-Medical-Prescriber
- Experience contributing to policy, guidance or pathway development
- Experience delivering education or training to healthcare professionals
- Experience of audit, service evaluation or quality improvement
Personal Skills and Attributes
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information to patients and carers
- Ability to provide specialist medicines advice and challenge practice constructively
- Strong organisational and time management skills
- High level of numerical and analytical skills
- IT skills including use of clinical systems and Microsoft Office
- Ability to contribute to service development and quality improvement
- Patient centred, compassionate and empathetic approach
- High level of self-motivation and ability to work independently
- Flexible and adaptable in response to changing clinical priorities
- Ability to work calmly and effectively in emotionally challenging situations
- Professional integrity and accountability
- Ability to lead, support and motivate others
- Leadership skills and ability to influence others
Qualifications
- MPharm/BPharm Degree in Pharmacy
- Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
- Evidence of commitment to Continuing Professional Development
- Post graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or relevant specialist area OR currently working towards completion
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.
£44,835 to £51,307 a year pro rata for part-time
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working
Band 7 Specialist Pharmacist Palliative Care in Birmingham employer: Birmingham Hospice
Contact Detail:
Birmingham Hospice Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Band 7 Specialist Pharmacist Palliative Care in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the healthcare field, especially those in palliative care. Attend relevant events or webinars to meet potential employers and show them your passion for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your clinical knowledge and understanding of palliative care. Be ready to discuss how your skills can directly benefit patients and the multidisciplinary team at Birmingham Hospice.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your adaptability! Highlight experiences where you've successfully worked in a team or adapted to changing situations. This is key in a dynamic environment like a hospice.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our compassionate team at Birmingham Hospice.
We think you need these skills to ace Band 7 Specialist Pharmacist Palliative Care in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in palliative care and clinical pharmacy. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant expertise!
Show Your Passion: Let us know why you’re interested in working in palliative care. Share any personal experiences or motivations that drive your passion for this field. We love hearing what makes you tick!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read and understand.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at Birmingham Hospice!
How to prepare for a job interview at Birmingham Hospice
✨Know Your Palliative Care
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of palliative care principles and practices. Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of patients with life-limiting illnesses, as well as the medications commonly used in this field. This will show your genuine interest and commitment to providing compassionate care.
✨Showcase Your Teamwork Skills
Since this role involves working closely with a multidisciplinary team, be prepared to discuss your experiences collaborating with other healthcare professionals. Share examples of how you've contributed to team success and how you handle differing opinions or conflicts within a team setting.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your clinical decision-making skills. Think about past experiences where you had to manage complex patient cases or provide expert advice under pressure. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
✨Communicate with Compassion
In palliative care, communication is key. Practice articulating complex medical information in a way that's easy for patients and their families to understand. Be ready to demonstrate your ability to handle sensitive conversations, especially when discussing end-of-life care options.
