At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team to deliver top-notch pharmaceutical care in critical settings.
- Company: East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, committed to innovative and compassionate healthcare.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and opportunities for advanced clinical practice.
- Other info: Engage in exciting projects and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams for impactful healthcare.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in patient care while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: MPharm degree and GPhC registration required; passion for patient safety is essential.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, motivated and clinically focused pharmacist to join the Pharmacy Directorate at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust as a Specialist Clinical Pharmacist - Critical Care, Anaesthetics and Surgery. Based at Royal Blackburn Hospital, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality, patient-centred pharmaceutical care across critical care, anaesthetic and surgical services. This is an ideal opportunity for a pharmacist looking to develop advanced clinical practice within a supportive and progressive department. You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams, including consultants, nurses and allied health professionals, to optimise medicines use, improve patient outcomes and support safe and effective prescribing.
The role includes participation in the weekly Critical Care MDT and involvement in quality improvement projects across the Lancashire and South Cumbria Critical Care and Major Trauma Operational Delivery Network. The successful candidate will provide specialist pharmaceutical input to patients across critical care, anaesthetics and surgical specialties whilst contributing to service development, medicines governance, clinical audit, education and research activities. Independent Prescribing development and practice is supported in line with departmental strategy.
Main duties of the job
- Deliver a high-quality clinical pharmacy service to patients within Critical Care, Anaesthetics and Surgical specialties.
- Work alongside consultants and multidisciplinary teams to optimise medicines use and ensure safe, evidence-based prescribing.
- Participate in consultant ward rounds, medicines reconciliation, therapeutic drug monitoring and discharge planning.
- Provide expert advice on complex medication-related issues to medical, nursing and allied healthcare professionals.
- Support medicines safety, clinical governance, risk management and the investigation of medicines incidents and complaints.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of medicines management policies, guidelines and clinical protocols.
- Lead and participate in medicines optimisation audits, service evaluation and quality improvement initiatives.
- Support the education, supervision and development of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and trainee healthcare professionals.
- Help develop innovative pharmacy services including electronic prescribing, medicines management technology and technician-led initiatives.
- Deputise for senior pharmacy colleagues when required and provide professional leadership within the clinical pharmacy team.
- The post also includes participation in weekend and, where required, out-of-hours pharmacy services.
About us
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust provides high-quality hospital and community healthcare services for a population of over 550,000 across East Lancashire and surrounding areas. The Trust is committed to delivering safe, compassionate and innovative care whilst supporting staff to develop and reach their full potential.
The Pharmacy Directorate is a forward-thinking and highly regarded department which plays a central role in patient care, medicines optimisation and service improvement across the organisation. Our clinical pharmacy teams are integrated within specialty services and work closely with clinical colleagues to deliver excellent patient outcomes.
We are committed to supporting professional development and offer a wealth of opportunities including:
- Independent Prescribing development.
- Postgraduate education and specialist training.
- Clinical leadership opportunities.
- Involvement in research, audit and quality improvement projects.
- Participation in regional and network-wide pharmacy initiatives.
- Supportive multidisciplinary working and career progression pathways.
At ELHT, we value diversity, inclusion and wellbeing, and we are proud to provide a supportive environment where staff can thrive and make a real difference to the care of our patients.
Person Specification
We are seeking an enthusiastic pharmacist who is:
- Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
- Committed to delivering high-quality patient care.
- Passionate about medicines optimisation and patient safety.
- Able to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
- Motivated to develop advanced clinical and leadership skills.
- Interested in contributing to service development and innovation within Critical Care, Anaesthetics and Surgery.
Qualifications
Essential
- MPharm Degree (4 years) or equivalent
- Member GPhC
- Postgraduate clinical diploma (or working towards)
Desirable
- UKCPA membership to Critical Care Group
- Intensive Care Society Membership
Special Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of local and national NHS and Pharmaceutical Policy
- Understanding of medicines legislation and guidance i.e. Medicines Act, Misuse of Drugs Act, Safe and Secure Handling of Medicines, Medicine Guidance Notes, MHRA Alerts
- Understanding of clinical and risk management guidance as applied to Medicines Management
- Broad range of understanding of clinical practice and knowledge of medical conditions
- General knowledge of NHS developments including primary and secondary care
- Understanding of clinical governance principles
- Knowledge of external agencies concerned with patient safety NHSLA, NPSA, NPC
Experience
Essential
- Advanced practice in one or more relevant areas
- Supervisory management of a team
- Advanced clinical pharmacy experience and practice
- Ability to deal with complex clinical issues
- Reports to committees
- Multidisciplinary working with medical and nursing staff
Judgement
Essential
- Demonstrates clear thinking and able to analyse highly complex problems of an ethical, pharmaceutical, or clinical nature
- Makes sound decisions with limited information
- Intuition - anticipate difficulties and take appropriate action
- Knows when to consult (own limitations)
- Reflects on own practice and learns from experience
- Able to identify, prioritise and evaluate work
Communication Skills
Essential
- Good verbal and written communication
- Courteous with all customers both internal and external including members of the public and other healthcare professionals
- Able to communicate highly complex information of a clinical nature
- Ability to influence senior Pharmacy and hospital staff and other people
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Has vision and imagination, initiative, creativity, able to see beyond barriers
- Supportive and motivational
- Can balance strong leadership and working within a team
- Prioritises and meets deadlines
- Mature in approach and has professional credibility
- Able to be seen as a role model - reliable fair and balanced
- Flexible
- Systematic approach
- Energetic and can enthuse, 'can-do' approach
- Calm under pressure
- Thrives on change
Specialist Clinical Pharmacist – Critical Care, Anaesthetics & Surgery employer: National health service
The London Ambulance Service NHS Trust is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that prioritises patient safety and service improvement. With a strong commitment to employee development, including leadership training and apprenticeship programmes, staff are empowered to grow their skills while contributing to the health of London. The Trust's inclusive culture and focus on quality management ensure that employees feel valued and supported in their vital roles.
