Informatics Pharmacist

Job summary

Advanced Pharmacist-Informatics

Band 8a - hours - permanent

We are seeking an exceptional Pharmacist for this post. In this key role they will be responsible for ensuring the provision of specialist clinical pharmacy input in to the EPR system across the ICFT contributing towards both operational and strategic development. They will use specialist clinical experience and knowledge to contribute to the design of new ways of working with electronic systems and processes to ensure maximum levels of safety and quality. They will also promote new ways of working and to report any clinical risks and issues that could be generated by the transition from the current to the future state; working closely with colleagues throughout.

Main duties of the job

Main Duties of the Job

To ensure the provision of specialist clinical pharmacy input in to the EPR system across the ICFT contributing towards both operational and strategic development. To use specialist clinical experience and knowledge to contribute to the design of new ways of working with electronic systems and processes to ensure maximum levels of safety and quality. To promote new ways of working and to report any clinical risks and issues that could be generated by the transition from the current to the future state; working closely with IT colleagues throughout. To support the delivery of clinical medicines management services as required

About us

Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust serves a community of 250,000 people across Tameside & Glossop. We provide a range of services both within the hospital and across our community for both adults and children. Our vision is to improve health outcomes for our population and influence wider determinants of health through collaboration with our health & care partners.

We have a clear set of values & behaviours which we expect all of our staff to demonstrate:

Safety Care Respect Communication Learning

We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve. We are therefore seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce to make it truly representative of our local population.

We actively encourage applications irrespective of race, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage & civil partnership, or pregnancy or maternity. Recognising those communities that are underrepresented within our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian & minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+& Disabled people.

Benefits include; flexible working, 27-33 days annual leave plus bank holidays, sick pay, NHS Pension Scheme, free eye tests and health checks, gym discount, free bicycle loan scheme, salary sacrifice car scheme, support with stress, bereavement, relationships, finance, and much more.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Informatics:

To assist with the implementation, maintenance, development of the ICFT EPR system To support back-end technical processes such as configuration, development and testing of the Trusts current or future EPR systems To facilitate and support the training of all staff involved with the EPR process. This includes pharmacy staff, prescribers, nurses and other stakeholders. Working with IT Systems management colleagues on arising issues to ensure the EPR system is fit for purpose and suitable for use across the Trust. To convey and promote benefits of EPR and ensure any implementation is carried out in an effective and safe manner. To liaise with relevant clinical leaders and Pharmacy management in the development and maintenance of Pharmacy IT policy and strategy. Have a working knowledge of updates and safety alerts relating to the EPR system and how other national and safety guidance affects the EPR system. To lead and support on the auditing and reporting of medicines and system utilisation using the EPR reporting software. To support the development and approval of new forms/templates following new guidelines or formulary submissions. To identify new opportunities for the development of pharmacy services and assist in the preparation of business cases to support these developments. To attend IM+T group and local user group meetings as necessary To attend national user group meetings To liaise with the Deputy Chief Pharmacist and relevant members of the Pharmacy Management team in the delivery of operational aspects of IT services. Produce monthly reports using EPR data as requested Medication Reconciliation Forge links nationally and regionally with other pharmacists and technicians in Pharmacy Informatics services in order to share best practice

Clinical Pharmacy and Medicines Optimisation:

Provide a specialist clinical service to allocated ward areas in accordance with professional, departmental and trust policies. This will include: Compiling a drug history where possible Reviewing prescribed medication to ensure safe and effective use. Formulation of individual pharmaceutical care plans. Review and update of care plans depending on clinical response, results of investigations and adverse effects. Interpreting and requesting clinical tests to monitor and make recommendations to improve effectiveness of drug therapy. To keep abreast of new drug developments and to contribute to new drug submissions to the Integrated Medicines Optimisation Group (IMOG) in order to ensure that patients receive safe and effective treatment. Undertake therapeutic drug monitoring for specific medicines. Developing evidence based treatment protocols for use across the Trust where appropriate. Facilitate implementation of local and national guidelines where appropriate. Liaise with medical and nursing staff to ensure medication is prescribed and administered correctly in accordance with Trust policy, to maximise patient safety. Participate in consultant ward rounds and multi disciplinary team meetings relevant to the clinical area as appropriate Investigate medicines related incidents or complaints and explore ways of minimising risk of future recurrence or risk to staff or patients. Complete clinical incident report forms where appropriate. Undertake clinical and practice audits within the pharmacy department and in clinical areas Liaise with appropriate health care professionals within the Clinical Commissioning Group, Primary Care Network Pharmacists and Medicines Optimisation in Care Home Pharmacists to ensure the effective and efficient use of medicines across the health economy Participate in ward and clinical pharmacy services and provides advice to ensure safe and cost effective prescribing and drug expenditure control. Monitor in-patient and discharge prescriptions for clinical accuracy and cost effective prescribing. Assess the patients response to therapy, interprets blood results, and depending on their clinical parameters either adjust drug doses in accordance with local procedures or advises the clinicians appropriately. Advise on therapeutic drug monitoring as appropriate to ensure patients receive optimum and effective treatment. Monitor and report Adverse Drug Reactions that patients experience as a result of their medication in line with national guidance. Participate on consultant ward rounds where applicable. Document clinical interventions and activities in line with local policy. Participate in specialist inpatient and outpatient clinical pharmacy services in accordance with local provision and works with healthcare staff to ensure the efficient operation of these services. Use inter-personal skills to counsel patients to ensure they gain maximum benefit from their medicines, and educating them regarding the use of equipment for the administration of medicines. Participate in the teaching of specific patient groups about their medicines. Promote adherence to the hospital formulary, treatment guidelines and protocols. Assist in drug utilisation and clinical audit activities. Initiate investigations into problems arising from the use of pharmaceutical products and assists in the development of new methods of service delivery.

Managerial:

To supervise as necessary, the work of the pharmacists undertaking the diploma in clinical pharmacy

48. Development and maintenance of policies, procedures and guidelines in line with Trust objectives and clinical governance frameworks.

a high visible practice profile for the pharmacy at a national level by participation in local, regional and national speciality interest groups.

Education & Training:

65. Participates in the clinical training, mentoring and supervision for pre-registration

Pharmacists, less experienced pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy undergraduates.

66. Provide individual assessments and testimonials for pre-registration pharmacists as evidence of their training

67. Participates in the training of medical , nursing and other hospital staff in medicines management, either within or external to the Trust

68. Actively participates and contributes to in-house clinical meetings

69. Undertakes and supervises practice research and pharmacy audit

70. Keeps abreast of current pharmaceutical practice and knowledge, attending meetings, courses or conferences as necessary, for Continuing Professional Development and revalidation in accordance with national guidelines from the General Pharmaceutical Council

72. Undertakes mandatory training in accordance with Trust requirements

General Duties:

73. Maintains a high standard of work and promotes the professional image of Pharmacy within and outside the department.

74.Ensures that safe working systems are in operation in accordance with Trust and departmental procedures.

75. Ensures that all legal requirements relating to the prescribing, dispensing and storage of pharmaceutical products in the Trust are met and are in accordance with criteria set out under COSSH regulations.

76. To participate in weekend, Bank Holiday and extended hours duties as is considered appropriate by the Chief Pharmacist or other senior manager in line with current local policy. This will include duties on Bank Holidays on a rota basis.

77. Participates in the provision of the on-call service (as requested) in accordance with local procedures. This involves the provision of advice and information relating to the treatment of patients and the supply of urgently required pharmaceutical products outside of normal working hours. This may require arranging supply of pharmaceutical products from other hospitals or wholesalers. Takes appropriate action following receipt of Drug Alerts outside of normal working hours in accordance with local procedure.

78. Holds a set of keys for the pharmacy department (if requested) with associated responsibility for the security of drugs and equipment.

79.Undertakes manual handling up to maximum of 15Kg per item regularly each day

Person Specification

Essential and Desirable Criteria

Essential

Vocational Masters degree in Pharmacy (4 years) or recognised equivalent Pre-registration training and experience Registration with General Pharmaceutical Council Completed or undertaking a post-graduate diploma / MSc in clinical pharmacy (or planning to commence training) Post registration experience Working in a busy hospital (or equivalent documented clinical experience) Skills for analysing prescribing documentation , clinical systems , and complex patient , medicines or financial information in order to provide advice on medicines and expenditure Excellent and effective communication and interpersonal skills both verbal and in writing with patients and service users Self-motivated , Able to work on own initiative and as part of a large team Able to prioritise and organise own workload

Desirable

Independent Non-medical Prescribing Qualification (or commitment towards training for same) Experience of working within specialist field ( Informatics/ EPMA/ EPR)

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