Band 6 to 7 Progressional Pharmacist

The post holder for the role will start as a band 6 pharmacist, during which time they will complete a progressional competency based training pathway. Upon successful completion, the post holder will be eligible to progress to a band 7 pharmacist position.

Post holders can expect to complete their training within approximately 12 months, subject to attaining the required competencies and sign-off by the Principle pharmacist.

Note that the time taken to complete the progressional pathway will be longer for those working part time.

Working for our organisation

We went live in June 2023 with a Trust-wide electronic patient records and electronic prescribing and medicines administration system.

We have a large cohort of Non-Medical Prescribers and are passionate in supporting our team of pharmacists to gain this qualification, along with the post-graduate clinical certificate/diploma.

We have strong links with our local universities with three teacher practitioners.

We were an early-adopter site for the RPS's Transfer of Care initiative which led to the creation of the world's first fully integrated hospital to community pharmacy e-referral system: Refer-to-Pharmacy.

We have a Homecare team and specialist pharmacists within the Dermatology, Rheumatology, Cardiology and Gastroenterology directorates providing out-patient clinics.

You may also be interested to know that East Lancashire Hospitals provides onsite parking and is well connected to the motorway network, making it an easy commuting distance from Manchester and Liverpool, with many of our team hailing from these locations. The Lake District is a short drive away for leisure activities.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

See separate job descriptions and personal specification for the post in the attached documents.

The progressional pathway will ensure solid foundations are built for your onward career progression as a clinical pharmacist in a large and forward thinking acute NHS Trust.

The post will enable you to gain a breadth of experience which will secure onward career progression within the department. You will be supported by a large team of experienced and passionate pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy support staff.

We are a large, friendly department. You will have weekly protected teaching time, along with participation in clinical team huddles, working groups and the opportunity to participate in audit and quality improvement projects.

The department is committed to supporting all our pharmacists through post-graduate training including the newly qualified pharmacist pathway, the post-graduate clinical diploma and the independent prescribing qualification.

Note that the post holder will also be trained to participate in the on-call pharmacist rota (1 in 21 frequency with competitive remuneration).

The post will involve participation in the weekend working roster (typically 1 in 7) with options of enhanced payment or time back the following working week.

The post will involve participation in the late night rota (typically 1 in 21 frequency 5-7:30 pm) with options of payment of time back. The late night shifts will be carried out alongside a more senior pharmacist.

We are committed to supporting flexible working and developing new and exciting ways of working, to support a thriving workforce.

• MPharm Degree or equivalent


• Member GPhC (current or upon qualification at end of training year)


Desirable criteria


• Post graduate clinical diploma (or equivalent clinical experience)


• Independant Prescribing (or working towards), Understanding of local and national NHS and Pharmaceutical Policy


• Understanding of medicines legislation and guidance i.e. Medicines Act, Misuse of Drugs Act, Safe and Secure Handling of Medicines, Medicine Guidance Notes, MHRA Alerts


• Understanding of clinical and risk management guidance as applied to Medicines Management


• Broad range of understanding of clinical practice and knowledge of medical conditions


• General knowledge of NHS developments including primary and secondary care


• Understanding of clinical governance principles


• Knowledge of external agencies concerned with patient safety NHSLA, NPSA, NPC


Desirable criteria


• Previous demonstrable experience of pharmacy services in primary or secondary care.


• Experience of the greater hospital environment.


• Experience of staff training and development, Clinical Pharmacy experience/practice (may include foundation training year)


• Ability to deal with complex clinical issues


• Multidisciplinary working with medical and nursing staff


Desirable criteria


• Persuasive and ability to negotiate


• Conflict resolution


• Ability and willingness to challenge inappropriate behaviour., Can work both independently and as a team


• Prioritises and meets deadlines.


• Systematic approach.


• Calm under pressure.


• Excellent numeric and verbal skills., Demonstrates clear thinking and able to analyse complex problems of an ethical, pharmaceutical, or clinical nature


• Makes sound decisions with limited information


• Intuition - anticipate difficulties and take appropriate action


• Knows when to consult (knows own limitations)


• Reflects on own practice and learns from experience


• Able to identify, prioritise and evaluate work, Courteous with all service users both internal and external including members of the public and other healthcare professionals


• Able to communicate complex information of a clinical nature


• Ability to influence senior pharmacy and hospital staff, Flexibility in working hours


• Advanced keyboard skills, You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
  
  At East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust our vision is to be widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care. We currently provide high quality services and treat over 600,000 people across East Lancashire and the surrounding area. We employ over 9,500 staff, many of whom are internationally renowned and have won awards for their work., The Trust is an equal opportunities employer, committed to improving the working lives of our staff and operates a 'Zero Tolerance' policy to aggression, violence, bullying and harassment. In addition, our aim is to help protect children and vulnerable adults by providing a first-class service to the recruitment of people into positions of trust.


We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve.

We welcome applications from everyone irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability or social background.

We especially welcome applications from members of our black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, as we have identified that ELHT has an under-representation of BAME employees. Appointments will be made on merit.

It is important you are made aware of the following as regards your application to East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

• Please note that the salary advertised is for full time hours. If this post is less than 37.5 hours per week, the salary will be pro-rata. For posts on Agenda for Change pay-scales, new entrants to the NHS will normally commence on the first pay point of the relevant band.


• This vacancy may close before the closing date if the recruiting manager deems sufficient applications have been received. Therefore it is advised to complete your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.


• Please ensure you check the email account from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application.


• Please note that shortlisting is completed anonymously with candidates being assessed against the essential criteria for the post. Therefore only applicants, who can clearly demonstrate how they meet our person specification criteria in their application, will be short-listed.


Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS)

If the role you are applying for is identified as either controlled or regulated activity as defined in in the Safeguarding vulnerable Groups Act (2006) any offer of employment is provisional upon a satisfactory DBS check being obtained.

The healthcare sector is exempted from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

In line with other NHS organisations in the North West Region, the Trust is now passing the charge for undertaking a DBS check on to candidates in the event they are successfully appointed into the post for which they have applied. Candidates can choose whether to pay this over 1-3 months as a deduction from the monthly salary. However, if you are applying for a post as a BANK worker, the payment must be made in full at the time of employment checks. By applying for this vacancy you are agreeing to this undertaking in the event you are successfully appointed.

The cost of an Enhanced Disclosure will be £42.90 and for a Standard Disclosure £22.90 which includes a small handling fee.