Advanced Specialist Pharmacist - Pharmacy Education & Training

We have three main hospitals providing acute services to around 330,000 local residents. The organisation also provides specialist tertiary care for cardiac and haematology services, delivers community health services to over 445,000 residents including those in North Lancashire and hosts the National Artificial Eye Service across England. Plus, we provide urgent and emergency care services to an estimated 18 million people who visit the seaside resort each year. We employ over 7000 people from 68 different countries.
We welcome and encourage application from anyone with protected characteristics, as well as supporting reservists and Veterans who are looking for a rewarding and challenging career within the NHS.
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals encourages flexible working in all our roles to support staff in maintaining healthy home-life balance. Working patterns such as: part time working, self-rostering, compressed hours, annualised hours, term time, reverse term time and flexitime working can be explored., Following investment in the pharmacy department and collaboration with local higher education institutes (UCLan), an exciting new opportunity has arisen for a pharmacist to take on a new, senior role within the team. Working alongside a team of Clinical Tutors across the Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB.
We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and experienced pharmacist with a passion for teaching to lead on the implementation of exciting changes within pharmacy undergraduate, foundation and newly qualified training pathways.
You will play an integral and senior role within the pharmacy training and education team, both at BTH and UCLan, alongside other specialist lead pharmacists. This role will be key to the development of future and current pharmacists, you will play a large role in paving the way forward through the new education and training standards. Evidence of education and training experience is required.
The department has a strong commitment to advancing pharmacy practice and embedding pathways of development, we are looking to appoint a dynamic individual with good organisational, communication and presentation skills with the passion and drive to become a trailblazer within our locality.
Training and support will be provided and a commitment to continuing professional development is essential., The role will require a clinical ward commitment within a medical speciality so in addition to well-developed communication and leadership skills you will have previous experience of working within a clinical environment. Completion of a post-graduate diploma in clinical pharmacy or equivalent experience is required preferably with an independent prescribing qualification.
To support the Head of Pharmacy Education & Training in the provision of high quality education and training for the Trust.
To support the Head of Pharmacy Education and Training and be responsible for the development and provision of undergraduate pharmacy teaching and placement programmes in the Trust. This will be achieved in partnership with the local Higher Education Institutes.
To support undergraduate pharmacy programme delivery as a teacher practitioner at UCLan.
To work in conjunction with the Advanced Specialist Pharmacist - Clinical Education in the provision of training programmes in safe prescribing and medicines optimisation for all trainees in the Trust.
To support the Assistant Director of Pharmacy - Clinical services in the provision of a high quality, cost-effective and efficient patient centred pharmacy service to an identified Division/Specialist area of Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Including prescribing in line with Trust policies and procedures subject to the necessary qualification., 1. Determine the requirements for undergraduate pharmacy training programmes within the Trust in conjunction with the Head of Pharmacy Education & Training, the Education & Training team, the NHSE and local HEI's.
2. Develop the placement training programme/syllabus to ensure the identified needs of the students are met and the requirements of the education providers and other stakeholders are fulfilled.
3. Lead and co-ordinate the delivery of the placement programme, engaging other appropriate pharmacists and health professionals as required.
4. Work in partnership with the local HEI's and the NHSE to ensure the undergraduate placement programmes are delivered to the required standard.
5. Develop QA systems to evaluate the effectiveness of all pharmacy aspects of undergraduate pharmacist training.
6. Provide induction training on safe prescribing and medicines optimisation for all new staff to the Trust as required by the Education & Training team.
7. Act as a tutor for pre-registration trainees or pharmacists studying for a post graduate diploma in clinical pharmacy or clinical pharmacy practice, ensuring the students' needs are met and the requirements of the education providers are adhered to.
8. Be a mentor and role model for pharmacy and promote pharmacy as a career
9. Work closely with the pharmacy risk manager to ensure that appropriate training and assessment is provided in relation to medicines management and safe medication use and feed this into all aspects of medical education.
10. Identify opportunities for, and with the assistance of the Head of Pharmacy Education & Training, establish inter-professional learning where appropriate.
11. To deliver a programme of practice-based clinical teaching for undergraduate student pharmacists on the MPharm degree course at the School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences (University of Central Lancashire).
12. To work with other Clinical Tutors and the Placement Team at the university to continually develop and evaluate the programme of practice-based clinical teaching.
13. To ensure the skills for providing person-centred care, medicines optimisation / pharmaceutical care, and safe and effective prescribing are taught and assessed within the practice-based clinical teaching programme, including necessary clinical assessment skills.
14. To develop and use appropriate assessment tools to enable student pharmacists to demonstrate their clinical knowledge and skills
15. To provide appropriate training and support for all staff involved with supervising and assessing student pharmacists.
16. To analyse student pharmacists' evaluations of the practice-based clinical teaching programme, alongside other Clinical Tutors and the Placement Team at the university.
17. To provide feedback to student pharmacists on their performance, assist students with any problems relating to the course, and liaise with the Placement Team to follow appropriate university procedures for the management of any issues of concern (either personal or professional).
Clinical:
1. To provide a highly specialised clinical pharmacy service to the specified clinical area. Ensure patient centred care and optimisation of medicines. This will include:-
+ Taking drug histories on admission/completion of medicines reconciliation.
+ Review of medication to ensure its safe and effective use.
+ Once qualified, prescribing appropriate medication within professional competency
+ Review of medication in line with interpretation of appropriate results of investigations.
+ Therapeutic drug monitoring as appropriate/requesting appropriate blood tests.
+ Patient education about their medicines.
+ Development of evidence based treatment protocols for use within ED.
+ Facilitate the implementation of local and national guidelines.
+ Influencing prescribers and ensuring formulary compliance where appropriate.
2. Provide and receive highly complex information in situations where there may be barriers to understanding and unfamiliar drug/medical information. Be prepared to challenge opinions and negotiate to resolve differences.
3. Manage and make appropriate referrals/sign post patients to other healthcare professionals where appropriate.
4. To demonstrate advanced level of clinical reasoning and judgement to make decisions with limited information, demonstrate intuitive grasp of situations, applying a whole system patient focussed approach.
5. To continually promote the responsible, safe and cost-effective prescribing of medicines to optimise clinical outcomes and minimise adverse reactions and errors.
6. Deliver cost efficiency savings in line with Pharmacy departmental plan and ensure any savings plans identified are implemented.
7. To be available to medical, nursing and pharmacy staff to answer queries relating to individual patients and any protocols and policies within the clinical area.
8. To work across traditional boundaries e.g. tertiary/secondary/primary care identifying those patients who require increased liaison regarding discharge-planning issues.
9. To be responsible for the clinical input, updating, development and implementation of policies, procedures and protocols within clinical area and to promote these as good practice within the area.
10. Provide expert advice to the Drug and therapeutics committee to support the submission of any applications in relation to new drug developments within clinical area.
11. To represent Pharmacy at relevant meetings/ committees in order to promote effective medication usage and to provide support to the lead clinicians within this area in developing guidelines and procedures pertaining to medicine.
12. To be an active member of the MDT responsible for promoting the clinically effective and prudent use of medication within the area.
13. To participate in the clinical education and training of health care professionals in the rational and appropriate use of medicines.
14. To design and participate in practice research, quality and clinical audit projects involving the use of medicines within the Trust.
15. To identify changes in prescribing practices that may impact on the drugs budget and advise The Assistant Director of Pharmacy accordingly. Implement any changes necessary to ensure cost-effective use of drugs.
16. To personally undertake a significant clinical pharmacy commitment within the directorate. This will involve making highly complex clinical interventions and will be in line with the Clinical pharmacy service objectives.
17. To ensure that compliance with pharmaceutical, legal, ethical and other applicable standards are achieved within the postholders designated areas of responsibility.
18. To represent the department at meetings/committees relevant to the postholders level of knowledge and skills.
19. Regularly record clinical interventions and activities in line with departmental policy and provide feedback to clinical area.
20. Participate in the maintenance and development of clinical services to wards and departments within Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in accordance with current policies with specific responsibility for the Emergency department.
21. To provide professional and legal clinical supervision in the dispensary to ensure efficient, safe systems of work.
22. Participate in weekend / Bank Holiday and on-call rotas.
23. To participate in the departmental staff appraisal programme, identifying development, training needs and monitoring continuing professional development as per departmental policy and national guidelines from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.
24. To undertake the full range of duties of a line manager for assigned pharmacists including appraisals, development reviews, performance management and involvement in the recruitment process.
25. To undertake multidisciplinary audit and research and development as appropriate.
26. Safety - Be aware and operate within the current Health and Safety legislation, including COSHH and the department's safety policies and ensure safe working practices within the area of work. Adhere to high standards of safety in carrying out duties within the department and the wards, including annual attendance at fire lectures.
27. Confidentiality - Strictly observe confidentiality of all information concerning patients, and to adhere to the Data Protection Act.
28. Professionalism and Values - Represent the department to a high professional standard in conduct, manner and appearance, and to uphold the values of the trust. Carry out duties accurately and effectively adhering to departmental procedures and Standard Operating Procedures. Undertake any other reasonable duties, consistent with the grade of job, in order to ensure the safe, effective and cost-effective provision of medication.

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is situated on the west coast of Lancashire, with services covering the local authority areas of Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre. The Trust is part of the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System (ICS) supporting a population of around 1.6 million people., The Pharmacy Department at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals is a large department (over 150 staff) and a friendly environment with established senior support. We are dedicated to education and professional development and encourage/support ongoing education. We have a very favourable oncall commitment, that all pharmacists in the department contribute to.
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is ideally situated just a forty-five-minute drive from Manchester. The Trust provides services to the 440,000 residents of Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre and North Lancashire, as well as specialist tertiary care for Cardiac, Haematology and Cystic fibrosis patients.
As one of the United Kingdom's largest coastal resort, Blackpool has plenty to offer its residents -it's not just a good place to work; it's a great place to live. In addition to its bustling centre and historic seafront, the town is world famous for its many attractions, including the famous Blackpool Tower. Blackpool also offers several scenic cycling routes round our local parks and across the surrounding countryside, as well as boasting panoramic views of the coast on its picturesque Promenade. Further afield, Blackpool also benefits from less than three-hour connections via rail to Edinburgh in the north and London in the South.

If the role you have applied for requires a Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check we will administer this as part of your pre-employment checks. Please note, you will be required to repay the cost on appointment. This will be collected via a salary deduction. You can choose whether to pay this over 1-3 months from your salary or as a one-off payment on commencement in post. The level of check required depends on the role that you have been offered. Currently the charges are - Basic DBS check £22.00, Standard DBS check £22.00 and Enhanced DBS check £42.00.
You are encouraged where possible, to register for the DBS update service. This is an annual registration fee of £13. By registering for the update service you will not have the additional cost of repeated disclosures.
Should you withdraw your application, you may be required to reimburse the cost of the DBS check.
DBS checks remain free of charge for volunteer positions.
By submitting an application for this vacancy you are confirming your agreement to the above in the event you are successfully appointed.
The DBS Code of Practice can be accessed here.
Please ensure that you read the Person Specification attached below as your application will be judged against this.
Please note that every effort will be made to keep the vacancy live until published closing date, though there may be instances where such interest is generated, that for administrative reasons the post may close earlier.
Please note that in line with national NHS guidelines this Trust operates a strict non-smoking policy. Members of staff are not permitted to smoke on Trust premises or grounds at any time nor take breaks during working hours for the purposes of smoking.
The Trust does not offer interview expenses to shortlisted candidates unless indicated in the advert.