Clinical Pharmacist – Full Time

Location
London

Description
Purpose of the role: The post holder will work as a clinical pharmacist for Ashtons which specialises in Mental Health and/or Palliative Care. With support, you will become an expert in medicines management and regulatory compliance together with developing your clinical skills. Work will be carried out to the highest quality and our organisational culture will enable continuous service improvement and personal development. No dispensary work is required as part of this role.

Principal Accountabilities
When working on site with your allocated provider you will be accountable for your own practice and behaviours but will be supported and supervised by your line manager. Ultimate responsibility lies with the Chief Pharmacist.

Clinical

• Attend allocated site visits punctually as defined to meet contractual obligations.
• Develop and maintain effective communication and liaise with patients, their families and all relevant staff.
• Become familiar with, and follow the sites relevant policies and procedures.
• Perform audits which will include but is not limited to:
  • Prescription chart screening, for clinical appropriateness in relation to evidence base and patient group and various clinical audits.
  • Medicines management audits on site to ensure medicines management, governance and regulatory requirements are met.
• Work alongside and make yourself available to doctors, nurses, psychologists, and other Health Care Professionals to provide specialist information and advice as appropriate.
• Ensure services in own area are patient centred and are delivered in a manner which meets the needs of patients and other stakeholders.
• Provide clinical training seminars to Health Care Professionals.
• Contribute to maintaining the sites agreed philosophy, aims and objectives.
• Work as part of the multi-professional team to promote an atmosphere conducive to lifelong learning and high standards of care.
• Keep staff informed of any pharmaceutical related changes observed in patients when on site and escalate any concerns.
• Be flexible in your approach to work supporting changes in working patterns and duties when appropriate or when requested by line management.
• Attend and participate in team and other professional meetings if desired such as medicines management and ward rounds.

Records, statistics, and administration

• Maintain accurate patient records where appropriate and prescription charts.
• Contribute to statistical activity and project reports as required.
• Support the business plan and strategic direction of the organisation as requested.

Professional

• Undertake clinical pharmacist duties as required by Ashtons and the sites that evidence fitness to practice in the role.
• Positively commit to staff appraisal, performance, and clinical supervision to ensure personal professional development.
• In discussion with your line manager take opportunities to learn and develop by gaining Post graduate Certificate in Psychiatric Therapeutics and/or European Certificate in Essentials in Palliative Care.
• Specifically attend training identified to ensure competence and meet clinical pharmacist/personal development aims and objectives.
• Always act as an ambassador for Ashtons, including representing the company and supporting line managers as requested.

Other Responsibilities

• To undertake any other such duties or general tasks and hours of work as may reasonably be required and to work in other locations within the hospital and hospice organisations.

This job description covers the main responsibilities to be carried out but is not exhaustive and may be amended in the light of changing needs of the organisation. Consultation will occur before any such changes take place.

Essential Skills

• Registration with GPhC.
• 1 year post qualification experience.
• Ability to work on own initiative, plan and manage time.
• Excellent attention to detail, including proof reading skills, with the ability to maintain a high level of accuracy.
• Commitment to learn and develop clinical knowledge.
• Basic IT skills in Microsoft programmes e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.
• Have a valid UK driver’s licence, with the ability to travel to different independent health care services.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills (if English not first language literacy and maths test may be required at interview).
• Ability to complete paperwork accurately with required information.
• Ability to work within a stressful environment.
• Ability to work within mental health and/or palliative care environment.
• Ability to strive and aspire to deliver high quality care and to improve care for patients and their families.

Interpersonal Skills

• Positive attitude.
• Self-motivated and proactive.
• Ability to articulate in a clear and sensitive manner.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective professional working relationships between various health care professionals.

Desirable Skills

• Education: Two or more A Levels (or equivalent).
• Excellent knowledge of the English language essential.
• Excellent general knowledge desired.
• Mental health/Palliative Care experience.

Skills

• Advanced in Word and Outlook.
• Competent in Excel.

Key Relationships

• People team – training.
• Head of Services.
• Lead Pharmacists.
• Chief Pharmacist.
• Dispensary Staff.
• Clinical Supervisors.
• Palliative care Ambassador.
• Service Improvement Lead.
• e-Works Development Lead.