At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to provide vital pharmaceutical care for mental health patients.
- Company: Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, dedicated to mental health support.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, well-being support, free parking, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Opportunities for postgraduate qualifications and career growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in patients' lives while developing your clinical skills.
- Qualifications: Masters in Pharmacy and experience in hospital pharmacy required.
The predicted salary is between 49387 - 56515 £ per year.
Are you looking for a challenge in a new clinical area based in County Durham? Our pharmacists make a real difference to the mental health of the people who most need support across our communities. The roles are patient facing with time to develop advanced clinical skills whilst caring for those in need as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
This post will be based at Lanchester Road Hospital in Durham, delivering services to wards across the locality. The successful candidate will be delivering the in-patient service with the support of pharmacy technicians. They will be supported by a very experienced team of senior pharmacists.
Our pharmacists can work flexibly within the needs of the service. Use of flexi-time is standard for all staff, we can offer flexible working arrangements to support your well-being and a healthy work-life balance. Weekend working is limited to half days on only 1 or 2 weekends per year. There are no late nights, and the on-call rota is currently covered with pharmacists opting in. There are many benefits to working for TEWV including free access to well-being support, free car parking, lease car schemes and excellent annual leave entitlements.
We are looking for an experienced pharmacist wishing to specialise in mental health having already developed through their newly qualified pharmacist pathway. You should have enthusiasm, confidence and drive to make a real difference to the lives of patients with mental illness. Previous mental health experience is desirable, but training will be provided; however, you should be able to demonstrate a sound understanding of other areas of pharmacy and of mental health conditions and the medication used for them.
You should have experience of patient counselling, prescription screening/checking and have underpinning clinical pharmacy skills and knowledge. Excellent communication skills are essential.
In addition to this, the postholder should have experience of providing clinical pharmacy and medicines optimisation services in a hospital setting. You should have experience of patient counselling, prescription screening/checking and have underpinning clinical pharmacy skills and knowledge, ideally demonstrated through current study of, or attainment of a clinical diploma.
Our teams are friendly, supportive, and committed to providing the best possible services. We developed a 5-year Medicines Optimisation and Pharmacy Framework, which was co-created with the team enabling a shared set of themes and priorities. The trust has also co-created a direction of travel known as Our Journey to Change. The Pharmacy team in TEWV has over 100 people including drivers, pharmacy assistants, admin, nurses, pharmacy technicians and pharmacists. Individual team members are spread across multiple sites, with a dispensary in each of our 3 localities. The locality teams work independently, but come together to agree standards and best practice, learning from each other to improve.
We are committed to developing our staff and can provide the opportunity to undertake post graduate qualifications including independent non-medical prescribing and the Aston University Post Graduate Certificate in Psychiatric Therapeutics. The Trust is committed to Quality Improvement Systems and there will be opportunities to develop your skills using these tools.
The successful postholder will work as a Specialist Clinical Pharmacist within the Clinical Pharmacy Team, and liaise with professional staff and patients and carers; to deliver high quality pharmaceutical care for patients with complex, specialist mental health needs. You will deliver the clinical pharmacy service and promote medicines optimisation within own specialist area and support the responsible 8a Senior Clinical Pharmacist for the speciality/locality.
In addition to this, the postholder will support and be involved in clinical pharmacy service developments as needs or opportunities arise. You will participate in audit and clinical trials within own clinical specialism. You will promote at all times a positive image of people with mental health conditions and learning disabilities. You will promote at all times a positive image of the Pharmacy department and profession and the wider Trust.
The successful postholder should be capable of independent travel, to be able to support clinical services at all sites within the locality.
This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. However, sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements, therefore, we recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position.
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.
Qualifications:
- Masters degree in Pharmacy or equivalent
- Member of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
- Evidence of Continuous Professional Development
- Postgraduate qualification in clinical pharmacy or currently studying.
- Postgraduate qualification in psychiatric pharmacy; or currently studying for or willing to work towards.
Experience:
- Recent significant and relevant experience in community or hospital pharmacy, delivering medicines management activities to patients
- Experience of mental health pharmacy (desirable)
Skills:
- IT skills
- Ability to work independently and as a member of a team
- Confident and articulate communicator both written and verbal
- Critical appraisal skills (desirable)
- Understanding of health service issues in primary and secondary care
- Medicines Information skills (desirable)
Personal attributes:
- Able to work in accordance with the Staff Compact and Trust Values and Behaviours.
- Professional in approach and manner
- Motivation to develop clinical pharmacy skills and specialist mental health knowledge
- Good interpersonal and social skills
- Committed to continual quality and service improvement.
- Self-aware and committed to continual professional and personal development.
- Committed to promoting a positive image of people with mental health conditions and learning disabilities
- Committed to promoting a positive image of Pharmacy department and the wider Trust
Specialist Clinical Pharmacist in Durham employer: National health service
Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment at Lanchester Road Hospital in County Durham. With a strong commitment to employee development, staff can pursue postgraduate qualifications and enjoy flexible working arrangements that promote a healthy work-life balance. The Trust prioritises the well-being of its employees, providing access to well-being support, generous annual leave, and opportunities to make a meaningful impact on the mental health of the community.
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We think you need these skills to ace Specialist Clinical Pharmacist in Durham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for the Specialist Clinical Pharmacist at National health service, focus on highlighting your clinical experience and any specific training you've undergone. Include any relevant placements or internships you’ve completed, as well as any certifications that bolster your qualifications in human medicine.
Highlight Your Soft Skills:In the field of human medicine, soft skills are just as crucial as technical knowledge. Mention your communication skills, empathy, and teamwork experiences in your CV and cover letter. This shows that you can work well in a clinical setting and with patients, which is super important in this industry!
Tailor Your Cover Letter Thoughtfully:Be sure to personalise your cover letter for the Specialist Clinical Pharmacist at National health service. Mention why you’re passionate about human medicine and how you align with the company’s mission. This is your chance to convey your enthusiasm and make a case for why you'll be a valuable addition to the team!
Include Continuing Education:Make sure to mention any ongoing education or courses you’re taking to keep your skills sharp. In human medicine, staying updated with the latest practices is key. It shows you’re dedicated to your field, which employers like National health service will definitely appreciate!
How to prepare for a job interview at National health service
✨Brush Up on Clinical Knowledge
Since you're aiming for a role in human medicine, make sure you’re sharp on the latest clinical guidelines and practices relevant to the position. Be prepared to discuss case studies or scenarios you might encounter in the role. This will show that you're not just knowledgeable but also ready to apply that knowledge in real-life situations.
✨Demonstrate Soft Skills
In human medicine, technical skills are crucial, but don’t forget to showcase your soft skills like communication, empathy, and teamwork. In your answers, share specific examples of how you've worked effectively with patients or colleagues in the past, as these traits are highly valued in clinical settings.
✨Know Your CV Backwards
As you’re applying for a full-time position, your CV should tell a story. Be ready to discuss every part of it, especially your clinical experiences, the impact you had, and what you learned. Employers want to see how your journey has prepared you for this role, so think of it like you're taking them through your professional narrative.
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Ethics are a big deal in human medicine, so expect questions that assess your decision-making in tricky situations. Think about how you'd handle ethical dilemmas or patient confidentiality concerns. Prepare a few examples that illustrate your thought process and how you prioritise patient welfare in your decision-making.
