Job summary

Are you an experienced Clinical Pharmacist with a keen interest in antimicrobials? Do you want to work with a dynamic, supportive, forward-thinking and friendly team?If so we have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Clinical Pharmacist to join a high-performing acute healthcare provider as a Lead Pharmacist (Antimicrobials).We pride ourselves on being a vibrant, welcoming and friendly team, that is made up of hardworking, talented and dedicated individuals who work towards a common goal of putting our patients at the heart of everything that we are delighted to offer the opportunity for an innovative, ambitious and dedicated pharmacist to lead the antimicrobial pharmacy service at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital. You will work closely with the antimicrobial lead at the Bedford site and be supported by a highly specialist pharmacist in antimicrobials with service and personal development. You will provide expert advice on the appropriate use of antimicrobials to the broader healthcare team, contribute to the antimicrobial ward rounds to maximise the pharmaceutical input into patient must possess the vision, energy and influencing skills to take forward the Antibiotic Stewardship agenda and ensure delivery of the outcomes patients and clinicians expect. Ideally you will have previous experience in the antimicrobial field and be a non-medical prescriber but this is not essential for an otherwise suitable candidate.

Main duties of the job

Developing, managing and monitoring the delivery of safe, high quality Antimicrobial Stewardship that delivers key pharmacy service and national benchmark performance standards throughout the Trust. To work as part of the multidisciplinary antimicrobial stewardship team within the trust to deliver the Antimicrobial Stewardship strategy. To help reduce development of resistance by promoting stewardship and reducing inappropriate consumption of antimicrobials. To support the Consultant Microbiologist and infection control team in developing the Trust wide culture that reduces hospital acquired infection and supports prudent use of antimicrobials. Plan and undertake or support others in the Trust to undertake clinical audits, including national CQUIN projects related to antimicrobial use. Responsible for ensuring the governance, risk management, financial, safety and operational aspects of Antimicrobial Stewardship at BHFT by providing advice on complex issues to the Pharmacy Senior Team, AMS group and HIPCC to ensure all service obligations are met. To represent the Trust in collaborative Antimicrobial Stewardship activities and contribute to developing, planning and the delivery of joint projects for BLMK STP joint working group.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.

Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Bedfordshire Hospitals Pharmacy Department

Bedfordshire Hospitals Clinical Pharmacists

Bedfordshire Hospitals Medicine Use and Quality

Bedfordshire Hospitals Pharmacy - what our staff have to say

Bedfordshire Hospitals - I love pharmacy because...

Job description

Job responsibilities

To be accountable for the delivery and monitoring of pharmaceutical advice and support at an advanced level in the field of antimicrobial therapy and stewardship. To develop the clinical pharmacy support of infection control, in line with the departments clinical pharmacy standards and objectives, seeking mechanisms to enhance service provision, adopt best practice and implement national guidance To attend microbiology ward rounds and difficile ward rounds as required. To clinically review and screen all prescriptions on a daily basis for those antimicrobials or treatment plans requested by Consultant Microbiologist To undertake non-medical prescribing activities for patients with infections (where the appropriate qualification is held):- To optimise antimicrobial treatmentTo develop scope of practice appropriately in conjunction with the Lead Clinician to meet emerging service needs To monitor and provide prescribing and financial data for antimicrobial use within the Trust with appropriate analysis of trends. To actively assist the Trust in identifying and promoting infection control risk minimisation strategies where appropriate. To initiate, develop and support clinical risk management activities in antimicrobial use. To collate and report on clinical pharmacist interventions within infection control. To support the Consultant Microbiologists in fulfilling their medicines management responsibilities by provision of specialist pharmaceutical input to, and active or lead involvement in, the development of Antimicrobial therapy protocols and policiesformulary reviews and evaluationspatient group directionsmultidisciplinary team working

To present these policies at directorate meetings and Trust committees for

ratification as appropriate.

To assist in the ongoing development of rational antimicrobial use in the Trust, by proposing and implementing policy and service developments. To participate as required in clinical and non-clinical audit projects aimed at improving patient care and the effective and efficient delivery of services. To support safe patient care by close working with the Hospital@Home and Community Nursing Teams to ensure appropriate safety and governance around home iv antimicrobial therapy

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Bachelor/Master of Pharmacy degree GPhC pharmacist registration Relevant senior experience Willing to undertake Independent prescriber course GPhC pharmacist registration

Desirable

Accredited Diploma Tutor Post graduate Masters in Pharmacy Management courses Quality Improvement Training Independent Pharmacist Prescriber Train the trainer qualification

Experience

Essential

Evidence of specialist practitioner practice Experience of influencing members of the multidisciplinary team in delivering patient care. Evidence of managing and delivering a project Experience of clinically supervising and training staff Policy and service development

Desirable

Risk Management Presentation to trust wide meetings Experience of delivering education and training to undergraduates and postgraduates of various healthcare professions Experience of staff line management Demonstrable evidence of undertaking research and audit and using the results to improve patient care.

Knowledge

Essential

Expert knowledge and understanding of relevant standards and guidelines. Knowledge of legislation/guidance relating to medicines usage and prescribing Understanding the need of confidentiality awareness at all times Knowledge and awareness of implications of current developments in pharmacy practice and NHS strategies

Desirable

Recognised as a specialist within the defined speciality