Dedicated Specialist Clinical Pharmacist – Rheumatology Required – Apply now in Nottingham

Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) is one of the UK’s largest and busiest acute teaching hospital Trusts, boasting a national and international reputation for its specialist services and expertise.

An exciting six-month opportunity has arisen for a dynamic, motivated, and forward-thinking Specialist Clinical Rheumatology Pharmacist to lead and develop pharmacy services within the Rheumatology department at NUH. The successful candidate will work directly with Rheumatology Consultants and nurse specialists, becoming an integral part of our Rheumatology Multidisciplinary Team. The role involves participating in outpatient clinics, acting as an independent prescriber, conducting patient assessments, and prescribing DMARDs, biologics, and specialist medicines. This role offers an excellent opportunity to develop advanced clinical skills and deliver enhanced patient-centered care. Participating in research and teaching are also key aspects of the role.

Although this position is ideal for an experienced clinical pharmacist aiming to advance as an Advanced-level practitioner, we welcome applications from pharmacists with varied Rheumatology experience. Hospital experience is desirable but not essential as role development support will be provided.

Main Duties of the Job

• Provide highly specialist clinical pharmacist input to the Rheumatology Specialty and wider Rheumatology outpatient service.
• Proactively deliver, develop, and evaluate specialist clinical pharmacy services to Rheumatology patients across NUH.
• Participate in outpatient Rheumatology clinics, offering highly specialist pharmaceutical care to a defined group of patients, either as part of the multidisciplinary team or as an independent practitioner.
• As an independent prescriber, initiate drug therapies, review treatment plans, and support the repeat prescribing of specific DMARDs and biological agents.
• Provide specialist advice on drug monitoring and facilitate dose adjustments where required.
• Review, write, and develop procedures, policies, and guidelines within Rheumatology, contributing towards education and training material development.
• Support the development, implementation, and audit of prescribing guidelines and drug protocols for the specialty.
• Provide leadership, management, and operational service support.

The pharmacy department at NUH is forward-thinking, constantly implementing innovative ways to deliver the best possible patient care. We strive to integrate pharmacists fully into medical teams, supported by a dedicated team of medicines management technicians and assistants.

You will join the trust at an exciting time as we are in the process of implementing electronic prescribing and administration. The post is predominantly based at the Treatment Centre Campus and Queens Medical Centre, with occasional travel to the City Hospital Campus. You will participate in a rostered flexible shift system, including evening, weekend, and bank holiday arrangements over a seven-day period, and support on-call pharmacists through the senior pharmacist back-up rota.

Job Responsibilities

• Work as an independent prescriber and participate in outpatient clinics with Consultant Rheumatologists for patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis or other conditions under the Rheumatology team’s care.
• Provide highly specialist pharmaceutical care and contribute to medicines optimization and safe, cost-effective prescribing.
• Take responsibility for prescribing DMARDs, biologics, and supportive medicines independently, with support from the Rheumatology multidisciplinary team.
• Provide expert clinical pharmaceutical services to the Rheumatology department and become an expert within the specialty.
• Review prescriptions, challenge treatment choices, and communicate complex drug and therapeutic information to senior clinicians and other professionals.
• Review, write, and develop procedures, policies, and guidelines within Rheumatology, and contribute to education and training.
• Act as a role model for specialist clinical pharmacists, junior medical staff, students, and others in medication management.
• Monitor drug usage, prescribing patterns, and expenditure to support balanced drug budgets and new drug development planning.
• Attend Multidisciplinary meetings within Rheumatology and represent pharmacy views.
• Participate in regional and national specialty groups, providing advice and incorporating best practices locally into NUH practice.

If you have any questions about the post, please contact Harjinder Dhillon, Lead Divisional Pharmacist.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Essential: Clinical Diploma or equivalent qualification, Independent Prescribing qualification, B.Pharm/BSc (Pharmacy) or MPharm, GPhC registered.
• Desirable: Membership of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (MRPharmS), Active role in a relevant national network/specialist pharmacist group.

Experience

• Essential: Broad post-registration experience in clinical pharmacy, particularly in acute settings, Broad knowledge base across a range of clinical areas, Experience providing specialist clinical pharmacy review and advice, Experience developing and implementing medicines and service-related policies, Some experience in line management and effective performance management, Leadership and management skills, Training and education experience for pharmacy staff and other healthcare professionals, Experience in multidisciplinary and team working, Understanding of NHS issues, Knowledge of DMARDs and biologics for Rheumatology conditions.
• Desirable: Publication of audit/research/clinical work at the national level, Active participation in national groups, Experience in project management and evidence of completed outcomes, Effective liaison with Trust-level committees or equivalent.

Communication

• Essential: Strong written and oral communication skills, Effective independent and team working skills, Excellent interpersonal and negotiating skills.
• Desirable: Teaching skills.

Organisation

• Essential: Effective time management skills, Excellent organizational skills.

Analytical and Judgement Skills

• Essential: Ability to assess and minimize risk in medication processes, Experience in making judgments involving complex facts, Ability to work alone and make decisions within agreed parameters, Critical evaluation of literature and literature searching skills.
• Desirable: Experience analyzing expenditure.

Physical Skills

• Essential: Competent ICT skills.
• Desirable: High-level IT skills.

Other Requirements Specific to the Role

• Essential: Self-motivated, conscientious, confident, accurate, assertive, Professional, credible, accountable, responsible, and confident, Prepared to work flexible hours over a seven-day shifted pattern.

Planning and Organisation Skills

• Essential: Ability to plan and organize existing and new clinical pharmacy services, Flexibility and ability to manage change in a complex healthcare environment, Self-motivated with excellent organizational skills, Positive thinker, problem solver, and lateral thinker.

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviors

• Essential: Demonstrate behaviors consistent with the Trust’s “We are here for you” standards.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, requiring a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for previous criminal convictions.

Applications from job seekers requiring current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.