Specialist Antimicrobial Pharmacist, Band 8a

Specialist Antimicrobial Pharmacist, Band 8a Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust This post holder will join the antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) team within the trust and will have a shared responsibility for the leadership and operational delivery of a high-quality antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programme in line with the agreed priorities for the Trust. They will be responsible for providing expert pharmaceutical advice, including specialist antimicrobial advice across all clinical areas of the Trust to prescribers, clinicians, nursing staff, pharmacy staff and patients, to deliver high quality pharmaceutical care and improve patient safety. Working Pattern: As per job description for weekend and bank holiday working Main duties of the job Responsible for providing expert pharmaceutical advice, including specialist antimicrobial advice across all clinical areas of the Trust to prescribers, clinicians, nursing staff, pharmacy colleagues and patients to deliver high quality pharmaceutical care and improve patient safety. To provide specialist advice regarding antimicrobial usage/expenditure, high-risk antimicrobials and management of penicillin allergy to ensure patient care is optimised. To work in conjunction with the Consultant Microbiologists to develop training programmes and audit feedback to educate prescribers, pharmacists and nursing staff on the safe and effective use of antimicrobials. To act as a deputy to the Consultant Antimicrobial Pharmacist when instructed/delegated, providing professional input into Trust activities to deliver safe and effective Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) practices across the Trust. Responsible for contributing directly to patient anti-infective treatment by undertaking Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infection management ward rounds to various ward areas. Liaises with pharmacy staff and provides leadership delivering GHNHSFT antimicrobial priorities. The post-holder(s) will be an independent prescriber and prescribe medicines for agreed patients within their own level of experience and competence, and in line with current legislation and local policies. About us Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the largest employer in the county and with over 8,000 staff, we are one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK. We offer a generous annual leave allowance, excellent bank rates, access to the excellent NHS Pension Scheme, discounts for local shops, restaurants and services, access to our health and well-being hub, access to our two on-site nurseries, flexible working options, discounted public transport, reward and recognition schemes, exercise and activity classes and membership to our popular hospital choir. Job responsibilities The postholder(s) will work within the Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) and Pharmacy team, and will be line managed by the Consultant Antimicrobial Pharmacist. The post-holder will be required to: Promote safe and effective AMS practices across the trust Work alongside members of the AMS team to develop and implement trust antimicrobial guidelines in line with national guidance where relevant. Participate in AMS and infection management ward rounds and give advice on antibiotic usage to medical, pharmacy and nursing staff. This may involve prescribing of antimicrobials. Be the point of contact for referrals on antimicrobial issues, prioritising enquiries and providing advice as appropriate. Monitor and optimise treatment for patients with complex infections. Assist the Consultant Antimicrobial pharmacist to develop and maintain appropriate systems for clinical data collection. Analysing and formulating reports on usage, trends and expenditure on anti-infective drugs. Undertake risk management of antimicrobials and ensure compliance with legislation and relevant national policies and guidelines, along with local policies and procedures. Initiate and undertake audit projects and quality improvement projects to review and optimise anti-infective use across the trust. Provide education and training to junior doctors, nurses and pharmacists Evaluate new anti-infective products for formulary consideration when including horizon scanning, reviewing latest research and NICE appraisals. Attend appropriate meetings relating to AMS deemed essential by line manager. As a member of the wider clinical pharmacy team, the post-holder(s) will be required to provide general pharmacist duties within the department and to other clinical specialities as the service requires. This would involve provision of a ward clinical pharmacy service. The post holder(s) would be responsible for: Reviewing prescriptions to ensure they are legal, safe, cost effective, clinically necessary and appropriate, accurate and complete. Undertaking medicines optimisation and reconciliation. Arranging for drugs to be supplied to a patient, ward or department. Participation in pharmacy department late night, weekend and bank holiday rotas will be required. Based on the needs of the service and at the discretion of the Associate Pharmacy Director and Consultant Antimicrobial Pharmacist, the post holder(s) will be required to work at both the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and Cheltenham General Hospital sites. Person Specification Active registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) UK recognised Degree in Pharmacy Qualified as a Pharmacist Independent Prescriber Health assessment skills qualification Application form and interview Significant clinical experience working in a UK hospital at minimum band 7 level equivalent or above, covering a wide range of duties Experience of managing and monitoring patients who are prescribed anti-infectives. Experience of promoting good AMS practices Evidence of significant personal development, professionally and managerially Extensive knowledge of medicines optimisation acquired through Post graduate Clinical Pharmacy Diploma or equivalent experience or training Self-motivated, able to use initiative & prioritise workload as well as work as part of a multi-disciplinary team Excellent communication skills, both oral and written. Able to produce a range of written documents, including drug usage reports, SOPs, policies and guidelines. Excellent interpersonal skills. Able to challenge inappropriate prescribing and influence prescribing decisions of all healthcare professionals including senior medical colleagues. Able to effectively and appropriately escalate concerns to reduce risk & promote safety Proficient in IT and applications including Word, Excel, Outlook Adaptable to the changing needs of the service including flexible working patterns (e.g. weekend working and working at both sites) and capable of working in a demanding environment with frequent interruptions Has a responsive, solution focused approach to addressing issues and barriers Able to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and ensure a stakeholder focused response Positive and enthusiastic about area of work and achieving results Demonstrate Trust values of Caring, Listening and Excelling within role and act as a role model to junior colleagues Reliable, polite and approachable Awareness of professional and personal limitations, and willing to seek advice and support where necessary Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. #J-18808-Ljbffr