See additional information for full Job Description General Duties: The post holder will Provide pharmacist led HIV clinics (face to face or via telephone) as per BHIVA standards of care (annual medication review, treatment start/switch, complex adherence, adverse effect management and prevention, medicines optimisation appropriate to patient factors e.g. frailty ) to include patient education regarding antiretroviral medication and drug interactions support to patients. Identify the medication needs of individual patients and design and deliver pharmaceutical care to them through a counselling and supportive approach to facilitate optimal adherence especially identified by loss of virological control following MDT discussion. This will generally involve checking that the prescribed medication regime suits their lifestyle, and negotiating with the patient and/or carer for the medication to be taken as intended, and giving them the information and understanding that they need in order to self-medicate safely, ensuring high risk patients are targeted.
Take an active part in medically-led multidisciplinary team meetings (MDTs) and/or case discussion meetings. Preparing for the meetings in conjunction with the ID team, attending and supporting the execution of any decisions. Prescribe medicines in their capacity of an Independent Prescriber in line with current legislation, local policies and within their own level of experience and competence. Undertake Medicines Reconciliation with patients and in HIV clinics and review and action appropriately.
Access and evaluate information from clinical notes and in particular pathology results (haematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, virology). Access databases dedicated to the control of high-risk medications, cross check against prescriptions, and to create records where appropriate. Screen prescriptions (inpatient and outpatient) and identify anomalies such as interactions, contraindications, inappropriate doses, failures to respond to pathology results. Influence prescribers to change their drug choice or rectify an error with an emphasis on generic prescribing when possible and adherence to regional and/ or national HIV prescribing guidelines.
Support and optimise the home delivery of medication through the two homecare providers across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Record clinical interventions so that areas for concern can be highlighted and addressed. To participate in any changes in practice which are needed in order to reduce a risk which has been identified. Maintain a general awareness of medication practice within the outpatient setting and wards and to identify where practice goes outside safe limits.
To enforce good practice and apply the guidelines in the Trust Medicines Management Policies including the Medicines Policy. Highlight any practice which has an implication for primary care, the Health & Justice system or which requires particular attention at the interface when patients are admitted or discharged. Leadership and Management responsibilities The post holder will Manage the day-to-day service to the HIV service through a pharmacy team approach and that the best level of service is provided in terms of available resource and capacity. Collaborate with Homecare service team to ensure appropriate provision for HIV patients on behalf of the HIV medical team.
Ensure that service provision in the area of responsibility complies with the legislations concerning use of medicines and with related policies and procedures concerned with the control, custody prescribing and use of medicines. Identify and respond to medication related errors, completing appropriate error reporting forms (DATIX) and providing investigation to support the root cause analysis and prevent future events. Financial Responsibilities The post holder will: Undertake regular updating of drug prescribing databases and national reporting as directed by specialist commissioning requirements (eg: NHSE or equivalent) Produce reports, analyse prescribing trends and provide guidance and advice on medicines expenditure, prescribing patterns and high cost medicines use within the post holders specialism to ensure cost effective prescribing. Advise on proposed new medicines for use within the post-holders clinical area and if needed assist with compiling evidence-based reviews for submission to the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Medicines and Prescribing Committee for formulary and funding approval Identify and implement measures to keep the Divisions medicines expenditure within agreed budgets.
Discuss and influence medicines expenditure and its management with key medical staff and matrons. Support / monitor the appropriate completion of Blueteq applications to ensure appropriate reimbursement of drug costs. Liaise with the high-cost drugs pharmacy and trust finance teams to manage the drug expenditure, appropriate costing and reimbursement of relevant medications Service Development and Business Planning The post holder will Act as the link between the clinical specialty and the pharmacy directorate, interpreting the needs of the specialty to pharmacy, and communicating the aspirations and limitations of pharmacy to the specialty. Influence Clinical Directors and Directorate (General) Managers, so that the needs of pharmacy and the pharmaceutical needs of patients are taken into account when the specialty develops its business plan and service development plans.
Ensure that the Medicines Policy assures safety in the way in which a specialty operates but does not hinder it. Make the specialty aware of the opportunities that projects in pharmacy will deliver. These include but are not limited to pharmacist prescribing, robotics, electronic prescribing, dispensing for discharge, and outsourcing of outpatient dispensing .Horizon scan and consider the implications of new drugs, drugs in development, or service developments and changes coming into clinical practice in the relevant Directorate specialty area. This will include maintaining a knowledge of relevant guidelines eg NICE guidance, BHIVA guidelines and national commissioning.
Support the specialty with the implementation of Electronic Prescribing and Homecare related developments and additions. Research and Clinical Audit The post holder will: Ensure all pharmaceutical aspects of research in the post-holders clinical area complies with relevant legislation Plan and conduct pharmaceutical practice-based research/audit in the pharmacy and infectious disease directorate. Contribute to a culture which encourages all staff to contribute to research and audit and use your expertise to support staff in this process. Develop and promote the role of an advanced pharmacist through contribution to professional publications and conference papers.
Lead in the creation, implementation and audit of clinical guidelines, SOPs, protocols and other documents relating to all areas of medicines use within the post-holders area. Education, Training and CPD The post holder will: Actively engage in the Trust skills development review (PDR). Agree service and personal objectives with the Clinical Pharmacy Team Lead and be responsible for self-audit to demonstrate both achievement of objectives and evidence of value to the Trust. Maintain a personal development portfolio in line with trust policy and professional registration.
Identify and address the training needs of junior pharmacists and other staff in relation to post holders specialism. Provide advice and support regarding medication use within the post holders specialism to other members of the pharmacy and wider multidisciplinary team Deliver teaching and training on the post holders specialist area to pharmacy, medical and nursing staff including pharmaceutical induction for new medical and nursing staff. Ensure pharmacy staff are regularly updated in new developments within post holders specialism. Train, assess and provide feedback for clinical and technical pharmacy trainees as allocated, proactively promoting the workplace as a positive learning environment.
This may include acting as a designated supervisor for prescribing trainees. Deliver advice and information to patient self-help groups on the use of specific medication Demonstrate and maintain a commitment to continuing professional development Dispensary and other Operational Responsibilities The post holder will: Undertake limited routine dispensary work as a contributor on rotation to evening and weekend and public holiday cover. Participate in a rota in which contracted working hours may be worked over a 7-day period to include bank holidays Take on the role of the Responsible Pharmacist as appropriate Improving Diversity and Inclusive Recruitment: As part of the Trust’s aim to improve diversity across the Trust, positive action is being taken and all applications for this post from BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ candidates can request to be considered under an expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum criteria as specified in the person specification for this role. Applicants will be prompted in the application form to declare if they wish to be considered under this expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme, and their response would be visible to the Shortlisting Panel.
If you have any queries about expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please contact Rob Saunders (HR Manager - Recruitment) in confidence via email robert.saunders1@nhs.net

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