Lead Pharmacist for Rheumatology, Bone Health and Clinical Trials

Job summary

Further to new investment in the Pharmacy Service, we are looking for an experienced Pharmacist to lead the Rheumatology and Metabolic Bone Health service. The ideal candidate will have experience of working in secondary care with a knowledge and understanding of the biological medicines used in the management of rheumatological or similar inflammatory conditions. They will need excellent organisational skills and the desire to provide a high quality, safe, cost effective and efficient service to our patients.

The role will involve working closely with clinicians to deliver exemplary pharmaceutical care for our patients and ensure that there are safe and cost effective clinical pathways across the interface with Primary Care. The successful candidate will be expected to take part in Rheumatology and Bone Health clinics and will be encouraged and supported to develop their skills and knowledge.

Our Rheumatology Department offers services to diagnose and treat joint, bone and connective tissue diseases in adults. We also provide a service for diagnosis and management of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis including a specialist service to diagnose, prevent and treat osteoporosis and other metabolic bone diseases in adults. We offer care services including bone densitometry scanning and we are actively involved in clinical trials and research to ensure our patients have access to the most up to date treatments.

** Banding subject to Agenda for Change evaluation **

Main duties of the job

To lead the provision and further development of clinical pharmacy services to the Rheumatology and Bone Health department. To be the Pharmacy expert in Rheumatology and Bone Health and to lead, manage, and develop the pharmacy team providing clinical services to the Rheumatology and Bone Health department at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital. To lead, coordinate and manage the provision of specialist medicines for rheumatological and bone health conditions to ensure that patients receive the most cost effective, optimal treatment in line with NICE guidelines. This will be in conjunction with the Senior Pharmacist for Homecare and High-Cost Medicines. To be a key member of the Rheumatology and Bone Health multidisciplinary teams, participating in multidisciplinary team meetings and clinics. To provide highly specialist clinical pharmacy service to Rheumatology and Bone Health patients including provision of clinics where appropriate, advising and liaising with the consultants and nursing teams to support safe and appropriate prescribing and monitoring of therapy in this patient group. To lead and participate in clinical research, audit, and quality improvement projects within Rheumatology and Bone Health. To monitor and analyse drug expenditure for the Chief Pharmacist, identifying and investigating trends and making recommendations for savings, without compromising the quality of patient care.

About us

The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic NHS Trust (RJAH)is one of the leading orthopaedic hospitals in the country, with some of the highest levels of staff and patient satisfaction, as well as a strong reputation for research and innovation. Joining RJAH is more than just a job - we want our people to have the best opportunities to thrive in their role. We have a range of fantastic staff benefits on offer to everyone who joins RJAH and you'll have access to outstanding professional development opportunities and state-of-the-art facilities - including our recently-opened £6 million Headley Court Veterans' Orthopaedic Centre (the first unit of its kind in the UK). RJAH has strong links with a range of universities including Staffordshire, Keele, Glyndwr, Chester and Birmingham. The hospital is located on a site outside Oswestry, just off the A5. The nearest train station is in Gobowen, approximately two miles from the hospital. The station is part of the Chester to Birmingham line. We are based in North Shropshire, close to the border with North and Mid Wales. It is one of the most attractive parts of the country, with a rich historic culture and excellent transport links. It offers outstanding opportunities for anyone who enjoys an outdoor lifestyle or is looking to raise a family.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Professional Role for Rheumatology and Bone Health

Lead and further develop pharmacy service to Rheumatology and Bone Health, this will include identifying and addressing any gaps and risks in the service and taking every opportunity to improve the service in line with national recommendations, best available evidence, and benchmarking data. Provide expert pharmaceutical support and advice to all Rheumatology and Bone Health services. Act as a clinical role model and lead all pharmacy staff in the provision of a high standard of clinical pharmacy services which including out-patient clinics, inpatients, and homecare services. Act as an independent prescriber, including prescribing in Rheumatology and/or Bone Health clinics, Lead and support the Pharmacy Homecare team in delivering a safe and effective service to Rheumatology and Bone Health patients in line with national standards and guidelines. Train and supervise junior pharmacy staff working in Rheumatology and Bone Health. Develop the role of a specialist pharmacist in out-patient clinics as appropriate to skills, knowledge and requirements of the service. Liaise with colleagues in Primary Care and the Rheumatology and Bone Health teams to explore opportunities for collaboration on delivering excellent pharmaceutical care to patients receiving specialist medicines for rheumatology and bone health conditions. Proactively support the safe and timely discharge of complex patients addressing any pharmaceutical needs that arise. Provide advice and education to patients on the correct use of medication and ensure that directions associated with medications are understood. Proactively signpost and refer patients to external agencies for follow up and further support if necessary. Identify drug related adverse effects and where appropriate follow through with a yellow card report to the MHRA. Encourage compliance with the national, regional, and local clinical guidelines and the prescribing formulary at all times to promote rational and economic prescribing. Attend and actively participate in Rheumatology/Bone Health management and governance meetings, advising on issues relating to medicines and provision of pharmaceutical services. Provide guidance to the Chief Pharmacist on relevant medicines legislation and policy. Aid with the production of policies, procedures, guidelines, Patient Group Directions, and patient information to assist in the smooth delivery of medicines optimisation. Audit, evaluate, develop, and implement evidence-based improvements, monitor standards against appropriate benchmarks and undertake risk assessments of the service. Monitor medicine related errors and interventions and contribute to root cause analyses. Working in conjunction with the Trust Medication Safety Officer take action to share learning and prevent recurrence of errors and incidents. To advise nursing and medical staff on the reconstitution, administration, and side-effects of intravenous drugs, including complex drug calculations and consideration of compatibilities. To resolve medicines related problems associated with individual Rheumatology/Bone Health patients between primary and secondary care. To be an expert in the adoption of best value biosimilars and to support clinical areas outside of Rheumatology/Bone Health in identifying and implementing best value biologics. To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of developments in medical and pharmaceutical practice, as part of their own continuing professional development. Support and encourage training of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and non-registered pharmacy staff to ensure that the workforce are able to operate at the highest level.

Professional Role for Clinical Trials

Lead and develop the pharmacy clinical trials services, ensuring pharmacy staff involved with clinical trials deliver a high standard of pharmaceutical care. Provide expert specialist advice on the provision of the Pharmacy clinical trials service, to ensure a coordinated approach to the approval of clinical trials and their implementation within the Trust. Implement a strategy for Pharmacy clinical trials. Be responsible for the management of all clinical trials materials handled by the pharmacy department in line with GCP standards. Lead the implementation and monitoring of all aspects of clinical trials, including trials set up, close out, amendments, income generation and key performance indicators for trial activity. Review trial protocols to analyse and identify how the pharmacy team can support clinical trials within the Trust taking into consideration capacity, facilities, and resources. Optimise income generation from Pharmacy trials activity by advising on resources implications of new trials and by building business cases to help develop the service as required. Review and develop action plans for Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) guidance or other inspections. Participate in formal audits organised by pharmaceutical drug companies, research organisations and regulatory authorities. Be responsible for the production of policies, procedures, and guidelines to ensure the smooth delivery of the Pharmacy Clinical Trials Services Ensure that documentations, processes, and procedures for the handling of Investigational Medicines Products (IMPs) meet the relevant current standards required by the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority (MHRA) and regulatory authorities, and in accordance with GCP standards. Be responsible for all Pharmacy investigations into study issues and incidents involving IMPs, ensuring appropriate documentation and completion of any actions. Participate in external stakeholder meetings such as comprehensive local research network, cancer network and other research meetings. Present results or issues of audits at the Pharmacy Senior Management Team meetings. Ensure there is a process for capturing clinical trials performance data including activities data cost savings and present these to the pharmacy governance meeting. Ensure that the confidentiality and security of information and data about studies subjects and clinical trial studies are maintained and respected. Act as a clinical role model and lead and motivate all staff in the provision of a high standard of pharmacy services.

Applicants from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker Sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other seekers should be aware that not all roles will be eligible for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. For further information visit UK Visas and Immigration - (

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential

Vocational master's degree in pharmacy (or BPharm equivalent) Registered as a pharmacist with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent from a recognised UK provider (min 2 years) Independent prescribing qualification

Desirable

Management Training Qualification Project management qualification Member of Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain Member of UKCPA

Experience

Essential

Extensive post-registration hospital pharmacy practice experience. Demonstrable extensive experience of successful project management. Experience of planning, delivering, and reporting audit and research projects Wide experience of ward-based clinical pharmacy Commitment and evidence of formal continuous professional development. Experience of service development and staff management Able to supervise and provide clinical leadership to Pharmacy staff. Experience of prescribing either in a clinic or a ward environment

Desirable

At least 5 years post-registration hospital pharmacy practice experience An understanding of clinical trial processes Experience of managing clinical trials Experience of working within a rheumatology department Experience of working in a clinical area using biological therapies to treat inflammatory conditions rheumatology, dermatology or gastroenterology

Skills and Comptencies

Essential

Able to work independently or as a member of a team Ability to deal with unpredictable workload Skills for using Microsoft Office applications, e-mail and internet. Experience working with prescribing software Excellent verbal, numeric and written communication skills Ability to work under pressure whilst maintaining accuracy. Ability to work on own initiative. Accountable for own professional actions Verbal communication skills Evidence of excellent report writing skills.

Knowledge (including specialist or technical knowledge required)

Essential

Good range of pharmaceutical knowledge especially regarding use of biologic medicines Able to interpret complex data Good interpretation of current pharmacy and NHS supply issues Good working knowledge of clinical trials relating to all aspects of medicines management

Other

Essential

Able to meet deadlines / manage time effectively. Presentable in professional setting Able to cope with challenges of managing aspects of Pharmacy services. Ability to sustain concentration for long periods

Desirable

Driving licence Able to work unsocial hours when required

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