Foundation Pharmacist

If you are looking to begin your career as a hospital pharmacist as a member of a supportive, professional, cohesive team, where training is a priority, come and join us in South Devon. We welcome applications from trainee pharmacists who are sitting the November registration assessment and due to register by the end of 2025. If you are a pharmacist with more experience, perhaps outside of hospital pharmacy, do get in touch, we are very happy to discuss possibilities for part time or flexible working if that is important to you.

Our foundation pharmacists work on a rotational basis and their training and supervision is provided through a number of collaborative initiatives between TSDFT and Devon Partnership NHS Trust. Foundation pharmacists are employed by Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (TSDFT), which is an integrated care organisation. The rotation includes the provision of medicines optimisation services to acute and community hospitals, intermediate care and mental health. The purpose of the foundation pharmacists\’ role is to develop and utilise the clinical and professional skills defined in the South Devon Pharmacist Foundation Programme in order to provide clinical pharmacist input into medicines optimisation services for patients across all sectors of the healthcare system. Health Careers |

• You will be a pharmacist, who acts within their professional boundaries, working within the pharmacy team and alongside the multidisciplinary healthcare teams in each of their rotation placements.
• Work on a rotational basis, gaining competencies and experience as defined by the Foundation Programme. In each rotation you will be supported, mentored and managed by the senior clinical pharmacy team.
• Be competent to practice safely and autonomously at a foundation level within each rotation specialty (competencies and timeframes for assessment and achievement are defined in the Foundation Programme handbook).
• Provide clinically appropriate, patient‑centred, evidence based and cost‑effective pharmaceutical care to patients in all of your rotational placements.
• The Foundation Programme forms the basis of an innovative career pathway for pharmacists. It has the support of local and national pharmacy leaders and provides foundation pharmacists in South Devon with the opportunity to develop a wide range of clinical and professional skills and experience across a number of healthcare settings while actively utilising these skills supportive teams.

Working for our organisation

The TSDFT clinical pharmacy team culture is team based, patient focussed, innovative and supportive. Continuing professional development is expected from all team members and the support for the training and development of pharmacists and technicians through a well‑established foundation programme is a key component the team\’s work. The team is well integrated with the multidisciplinary teams across the Trust and all team members are expected to represent the pharmacy department and their profession in a visible, approachable and competent manner, demonstrating flexibility, positivity and problem‑solving ability as appropriate to their role and competency. The ward facing clinical pharmacy teams (each consisting of highly specialist, mid‑grade and foundation pharmacists, specialist and foundation technicians and ATOs) are supported by and provide clinical support for medicines information, medicines governance, aseptic services, homecare, high cost drugs, dispensary and dispatch teams.

Why work with us

The wide scope of this role is not an expectation of where the post holder will start but where they aim to be after 2 years of rotation through the Foundation Programme.

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships, which inspire confidence in clinical pharmacy and the pharmacy department, with staff and patients in all rotation specialties.
• Actively participate in the Foundation Programme in order to achieve the skills and competencies defined within it.
• Working closely with pharmacy technicians and assistants, provide pharmacist support for discharge facilitation and reuse of patients\’ own medicines.
• Develop, lead and provide support for quality improvement projects and audits related to medicines optimisation and prescribing.
• Provide timely and accurate advice on prescribing issues and evidence‑based prescribing in accordance with local and national guidance and policy, including the South and West Devon Joint Formulary.

Full Vacancy details can be found on the attached Job Description/Person Specification. Please refer to your suitability to the post in your supporting information from the role requirements or person specification. You will be joining the organisation at an exciting time. As the first fully integrated care organisation in England, we are working to improve the way we deliver safe, high‑quality health and social care. We have a positive and vibrant working atmosphere, we are proud of our investment in our staff both in terms of developing potential career skills and valuing people.

If you provide support to a family member or friend with health or care needs, we aim to be a Carer‑friendly employer. We have a \’Staff Carers\’ policy which includes flexible working where possible and a Carer\’s Passport scheme that links you into support and discounts.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• We reserve the right to close vacancies early if we receive a high volume of applications. Therefore, we encourage you to apply promptly.
• Please read the job description carefully and tailor your application to reflect the requirements of the role.
• Applicants who identify in their application form they are a part of the Armed Forces community will be guaranteed an interview, provided they meet the minimum essential criteria outlined in the job description and person specification for the role. Step into Health guidance can be found on our NHS Employers website.
• Correspondence will be sent via Trac, text, and email. Please ensure you check your email and Trac account regularly.
• Applicants with no previous NHS experience will ordinarily be appointed to the minimum of the band.
• If you have not received an invitation to interview within 28 days of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
• It is your responsibility to ensure the timely receipt of appropriate references.

The Trust is committed to preventing discrimination, valuing diversity and achieving equality of opportunity. No person (staff, patient or public) will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of the nine protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. If you require support you can obtain this from our Equality Business Forum which has representatives from all protected groups.