Job overview

Could you lead a team on busy inpatient medical wards?  Do you thrive in a busy environment? Can you confidently join post-take ward rounds and support prescribing activity? We are looking for a Highly Specialised Pharmacist to join the pharmacy team for inpatient medicine. We are proud to offer a band 8a position in this fast-paced and clinically-demanding department. This role is based on the inpatient medicine wards and the successful applicant will be responsible for all aspects of pharmaceutical care along the patient journey from the moment they are transferred from the acute medical unit to the point that they are discharged from the downstream ward and beyond. It requires the post-holder to demonstrate strong clinical application of knowledge; management of staff, clinical governance and processes; and flexibility and leadership in change management.  It encompasses a wide range of medical specialities and would be equally suited to a pharmacist with a specific clinical interest in medicine or an experienced generalist.

We are very proud of our development and utilisation of independent prescribing pharmacists and would encourage the successful candidate to make full use of their skills, working closely alongside the wider multidisciplinary team, joining ward rounds where appropriate, and prescribing for both inpatient and discharge purposes.  

Main duties of the job

Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting. 

For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached. 

Working for our organisation

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

This post would be ideal for a pharmacist wishing to progress their career and portfolio or to gain experience in service management.

The medicine pharmacy team, like the department itself, is busy, flexible and responsive to ever-changing demands.  These include review of prescriptions for new and discharged patients, requests for prescribing advice, medication supply, and support for a wide range of problems and projects. You will join colleagues in being responsible for delivering excellent standards of clinical care to patients in the inpatient medicine wards within the emergency medicine care group. This includes nine separate wards:  two large respiratory wards, the respiratory high dependency unit,   two large gastro/hepatology wards, two general medicine wards and two infectious diseases wards.

You will be part of a well-integrated team, working closely alongside consultants and ward nurses. You will be well supported by a team of medicines management technicians and included in the wider Division B (Medicine & Elderly Care) pharmacy team where you will have the opportunity to meet regularly with the pharmacists, technicians and SATO’s within this team to have your say in the strategic and day-to-day operation of the pharmacy service to Division B.  

-    This is a vacancy for a full time band 8a clinical pharmacist
-    1 in 5 late nights until 7pm
-    1 in 6 weekends (working either Sat or Sun) 
-    All staff are required to contribute to extended hours, weekends & bank holidays as part of core hours.  This includes general dispensary duties such as dispensing prescriptions and clinical pharmacy duties. 

The large Pharmacy department employs over 300 staff and highly respected within the Trust as a dynamic and forward-thinking department.  If the idea of 300 staff sounds daunting, fear not – the department is spilt into a range of friendly and supportive teams of different sizes with clear structures helping to ensure you always get the personal treatment and can have an impact.

Our clear vision  -  “Safer medicines, safer patients” is recognised by all staff who enjoy an environment in which they can flourish, grow and develop.  We are constantly striving to improve, using technology and digital resources to provide world class medicine management activities.

Every member of pharmacy staff will contribute to delivering our vision: over 100 pharmacists, 100 pharmacy technicians, 70 support workers, 20 trainees and our supporting administrative staff. We will review our progress and achievements annually, and highlight areas for focused development, but allow for responsiveness to changing national and local priorities.

The department currently has several pharmacist prescribers and this is increasing each year.  There are three consultant pharmacists, in a range of specialties who along with many other staff engage in national and international initiatives – helping to maintain the department’s excellent reputation.

Our department also has a highly developed career structures and pathways for all staff groups

Staff are encouraged to develop their skills:  Opportunities include:
•    Prescribing
•    Research internships
•    Project management
•    Huge variety of clinical specialties
•    Leadership training

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
An independent prescribing pharmacist with significant experience of clinical pharmacy. 
Experience of change management and service improvement. 
Ability to communicate well, inspire confidence and work well both independently and as part of a team.  

Person specification

Trust values

Essential criteria

• Patient First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

Qualifications, knowledge and experience

Essential criteria

• Masters Degree in Pharmacy or equivalent.
• Registered with General Pharmaceutical Council.
• Postgraduate diploma in clinical pharmacy or equivalent experience.
• Can demonstrate Advanced Stage 1 competencies in the RPS Advanced Pharmacy Framework in relation to medical or surgical patients
• Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Sound knowledge of clinical pharmacy services acquired while working within a suitable specialty.
• Experience of audit and evaluative work
• Teaching and tutoring experience
• Experience of supervising others
• Experience of implementing change and change management
• Development and implementation of guidelines and procedures.
• Experience of change management

Desirable criteria

• Management qualification or equivalent experience
• MSc in clinical pharmacy or equivalent experience.
• Independent Prescribing qualification.
• Can demonstrate Advanced Stage 2 or Mastery competencies in the RPS Advanced Pharmacy Framework in relation to medical or surgical patients
• Leadership qualification or experience
• Sound understanding of healthcare priorities and political agendas
• Training in medicines information.
• Project Management training or qualification
• Experience of managing others

Skills and competencies

Essential criteria

• Attention to detail
• Change management
• Communication
• Microsoft Office skills
• Organisational skills
• Presentation skills
• Prioritisation
• Problem solving
• Report writing
• Time management
• Working under pressure

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if large numbers of applications are received.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to acknowledge receipt of your application. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date of this post, please presume that you have not been selected for interview.

Applicants from University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust whose posts are considered to be ‘At Risk’ will be given prior consideration for this post

Our Trust runs the return to practice course each year for nurses who have been out of the profession and wish to return. To find out more please visit our website:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/WorkingHere/Typesofjob/Nurses/Returntonursing.aspx

http://www.discoversouthampton.co.uk/   Information on Southampton as a place to live and enjoy

https://www.uhs-vle.co.uk/   See what fantastic training and development we have on offer at UHS

http://www.youtube.com/user/SouthamptonHospitals learn about the Trust through visiting our YouTube channel 

Getting to Work

Application can be made for parking on site at UHS or through one of the park and ride schemes. This will be based on specific criteria to determine eligibility for site parking as this can be very limited.  UHS encourages staff to utilise other green methods of getting to work such as cycling or walking where possible. UHS is well connected through bus services to the city centre and other areas.

Please note that we will not accept any applications or queries via agencies, under any circumstances.

Our staff are positive about working at UHS and rate us above average compared to other NHS Trusts in the Staff Attitude Survey. We are rated strongly on a number of areas including teamwork, communication and engagement.

Equality remains at the centre of all Trust policy making, service delivery and employment practice with all employees being given equality of opportunity to develop, apply for promotion and have working arrangements that enable them to achieve a manageable work-life balance.

The Trust actively promotes a work environment free from harassment and discrimination and provides training for managers and staff to ensure this happens. The Trust also closely monitors recruitment activity, training and development and employment practices to ensure equality of practice with regard to race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status and age.

As a service provider the Trust ensures equality of access and delivery of our services through the provision of interpreter services, facilities for the disabled and sensitivity for patients ethnic and religious differences and needs.

Relocating to Southampton

If you are thinking of moving to the Hampshire area, please find below a link to our website which offers guidance on finding accommodation:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/relocating-to-southampton

The Trust is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers, and to this end may use the information you have provided on this form for the prevention and detection of fraud. It may also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes.