INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES
POST OF:
BASE:
REF NO:
Senior Pharmacist - antimicrobial pharmacotherapy
University Hospital Crosshouse
P/957/12
Thank you for applying for the above post with NHS Ayrshire & Arran. This
information sheet summarises the terms and conditions related to the post.
A job description and person specification for the post are attached.
This post is Permanent.
The salary for the post is based on the Band 7 salary scale which is currently
£30,460 to £40,157 per annum (pro rata for part time posts).
The hours for the post are 37.5 per week.
DISCLOSURE SCOTLAND
PROTECTION OF VULNERABLE GROUPS (PVG) SCHEME
The following provides information relevant to the post you have applied for
and requires your attention and completion.
PVG MEMBERSHIP
The post you have applied for is considered to be in the category of
“Regulated Work” as defined by the above scheme and successful
candidate(s) will be required to be a member of the scheme prior to
commencing employment.
Membership currently costs £59.00. The cost of membership, if you are
successful in your application, will be paid by NHS Ayrshire and Arran.
EXISTING PVG MEMBER
Applicants who are already a PVG member will require to confirm their
membership and the regulated workforce this covers, eg, Adults, Children or
both. Prior to employment, NHS Ayrshire and Arran will determine whether
the current level of membership is appropriate for the post offered. If further
membership to cover another regulated workforce is required, the conditions
of membership as stated above will be applied.
If however the level of
current membership is appropriate, NHS Ayrshire and Arran will seek a
Scheme Record Update (SRU) and will both pay and incur the costs
associated with obtaining the update.
Further information on the scheme can be found on the Disclosure Scotland
website at www.disclosurescotland.co.uk
PVG SCHEME MEMBERSHIP MANDATE
(Please complete Sections 1+2 and return with your application)
Section 1. Personal details (* circle as applicable)
Name ___________________________
Post Applied for: ___________________
Post Reference Number:
___________
Are you currently a member of the PVG Scheme
*YES/NO
If YES, please provide
Membership Number _________________
Date of Membership _______________
Date
of
last
Scheme
__________________________
Record
Member of which Regulated Workforce:
Update
*Adult
(if
*Children
applicable)
*Both
Section 2. Declaration
I understand if my application for this position is successful, I will require to
become a member of the scheme covering the appropriate regulated
workforce.
Signed:
______________________________
_______________________
Name: ______________________________
_________________
Section 3 - For office use only
Full membership required Yes/No
Regulated workforce: Adult / Children / Both
Update only: Yes/No
SPN:
_____________________________
Date:
Post Ref no:
GENERAL CONDITIONS:
Conditions of Service - The conditions of service are those laid down and
amended from time to time by the appropriate negotiating bodies e.g. NHS
Staff Council/NHS Pay Negotiating Council.
Annual Leave – The leave year runs from 1 April to 31 March. Annual leave
entitlement for full time staff on appointment is 202.5 hours (27 days), with
217.5 hours (29 days) upon completion of 5 years NHS service and 247.50
hours (33 days) after 10 years NHS service. Entitlements for part time will be
pro rata.
Public Holidays – Public holiday entitlement for full time staff is 60 hours
based on the 8 designated Public Holidays per annum, and on a 5 day week
working 7.5 hours per day.The 60 hours entitlement is due to all whole time
staff irrespective of work pattern. For part time staff, this will be applied on a
pro rata basis and also allocated in hours.
KSF - The NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework is essentially a
development tool but will also contribute to decisions about pay progression.
It will promote equality for and diversity of all staff, having the same
opportunities for learning, development and review. It will promote
effectiveness at work – with managers and staff being clear about what is
required within a post. It will support effective learning and development of
individuals – with all members of staff being supported to learn throughout
their careers.
Superannuation - Employees are automatically opted into the NHS
(Scotland) Superannuation Scheme. Contributions are at the rate of 6.5%.
Employees may opt out by completing Form SB34.
Disabled Applicants - A disability or health problem does not preclude full
consideration for the job and applications from people with disabilities are
welcome. All information will be treated as confidential. NHS Ayrshire &
Arran has been approved, by the Employment Services Department, as an
Equal Opportunities employer with a positive policy towards employment of
disabled people. NHS Ayrshire & Arran guarantees to interview all applicants
with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the post.
You will note on our application form we ask for relevant information with
regards to your disability. This is simply to ensure that we can assist you, if
you are called for interview, to have every opportunity to present your
application in full. We may call you to discuss your needs in more detail if you
are selected for interview.
Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 and 2004 (Section 8) - The Asylum and
Immigration Act 1996 and 2004 requires employment checks to ensure that all
employees are legally employed in the United Kingdom. Candidates will be
asked to provide relevant original documents prior to an offer of employment
being made. Any offer of employment will only be made when the
organisation is satisfied that the candidate is the rightful holder of the
documents and is legally eligible for employment within the United Kingdom.
Medical Examination - Any offer of employment is conditional upon a
satisfactory medical report from our Occupational Health Services. You may
be offered employment conditional on confirmation that you are medically fit
for employment. A commencement date for employment will only be agreed
following this confirmation.
Policy Relating to Staff with Bloodborne Virus Infection - Candidates for
posts which involve exposure prone procedures will not be allowed to
commence employment until they have been assessed as fit to perform EPPs
by Occupational Health. The pre-employment screening must be completed
prior to any job offer being made. Where a candidate is not able to perform
EPPs, Occupational Health will notify the appropriate manager that the
candidate is ‘fit with restrictions’ and is unable to perform EPPs. The health
status of the individual will not normally be notified to management. Where
the restrictions recommended by Occupational Health are unable to be
accommodated due to the clinical duties of any of the posts within the staff
groups specified in the policy, an offer of employment to the post will not be
made.
Candidates who are not offered employment due to being deemed unfit to
undertake EPPs as an essential requirement for a post, may be offered the
opportunity to apply for another advertised vacant post and be considered
with other applicants. The pre-employment screening for EPP posts above do
not apply to staff undertaking non-EPP posts who could have direct contact
with blood, bloodstained body fluids or patients’ tissue in the course of their
work activities. These staff will be offered and strongly advised to be
immunised against Hepatitis B in line with the Immunisation Policy including
recall for boosters and further antibody checks.
References - Two satisfactory written references must be obtained prior to
any offer of employment being made. These should include current and
previous employers as requested in the job application form. This is in line
with the Recruitment and Selection Policy.
YOUR APPLICATION:
Applications - Please note that we no longer acknowledge receipt of
applications therefore, unless you are shortlisted to attend for interview, you
will not receive any further communication.
Informal Enquiries - Informal enquiries are welcomed by Nicholas Reid,
Principal Pharmacist – Antimicrobial Pharmacotherapy who can be contacted
on 01292 513839.
Closing Date - Your completed application form should be submitted by 26
March 2013 to the address below or can be e-mailed to
leena.alnaib@aapct.scot.nhs.uk
Department of O&HR Development
63A Lister Street
Crosshouse Site
KILMARNOCK
Ayrshire
KA2 0BE
NHS Ayrshire & Arran
JOB DESCRIPTION
1. JOB IDENTIFICATION
Job Title:
Department(s):
Job Reference Number (coded):
2. JOB PURPOSE
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Senior Pharmacist – Antimicrobial Pharmacotherapy
Area Post – based in the Pharmacy Department, Crosshouse
Hospital
P/957/12
To provide highly specialised advice associated with the provision of integrated pharmaceutical
care to patients requiring antimicrobial treatment irrespective of care setting (includes hospital
and community)
To contribute to the wider development and improvement of pharmaceutical services to patients
To be accountable for the safe and cost effective use of medicines within the area of
antimicrobial pharmacotherapy
3. DIMENSIONS
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All care settings in NHS Ayrshire & Arran including general hospitals, (wards and clinics),
community hospitals, the Ayrshire Hospice and other community settings.
Responsible for the day-to-day delivery of clinical pharmacy services in antimicrobial
pharmacotherapy
Undertakes extended prescribing in accordance with legislation.
Supervises and trains clinical and pharmacy staff regarding antimicrobials
Monitors and provides highly specialised advice on antimicrobial usage
Deputises for the Principal Pharmacist – Antimicrobial Pharmacotherapy as required
In addition to the specific responsibilities outlined in this job description, the post holder will be
expected to fulfil all of the basic pharmacist competencies required as part of registration with the
Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. The post holder will be required to act at all times
in accordance with medicines and Health & Safety legislation (e.g. Medicines Act 1968, Misuse
of Drugs Act 1971, Poisons Act 1972, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations
2002) and professional obligations as outlined in the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great
Britain, Medicines, Ethics and Practice – a Guide for Pharmacists.
4. ORGANISATIONAL CHART
Professionally accountable to:
Managed by:
Peers:
Supervisor to:
Chief Pharmacist.
Principal Pharmacist – Antimicrobial Pharmacotherapy.
None
None
Chief Pharmacist
Principal Pharmacist
Antimicrobial
Pharmacotherapy
Senior Pharmacist
Antimicrobial
Pharmacotherapy
5. ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENT
The aim of the pharmacy service is to assure the quality of patient care associated with the provision of
treatment with medicines by:
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Promoting safe and cost effective prescribing taking into account the clinical needs of individual
patients.
Providing a wide range of direct pharmaceutical services to in-patients, out-patients, day patients
and departments (hospital and community).
Ensuring that all aspects of the hospital pharmacy service comply with all statuary (legal) and
quality standards. Includes the Medicines Act 1968 and Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Provides information and education about medicines to patients, carers and healthcare workers
as appropriate.
Ensuring that a competent workforce provides services, by providing the required level of
education and training support.
Supporting the work of the Drug and Therapeutics Committee and policy development for
medicine use.
Linking and communicating with primary care practitioners (Community Pharmacists and General
Practitioners) to ensure seamless care.
6. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Planning and Organisation
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To develop, deliver and evaluate a clinical pharmacy service to patients requiring antimicrobials
in line with local strategies, policies and procedures to ensure optimum patient care.
To provide highly specialised advice regarding the clinical use of antimicrobials
To implement and monitor policies and procedures to ensure the safe and effective use of
antimicrobials, complying with all relevant standards and legislation, in all care settings
including hospital and community
To participate in the development and maintenance of policies and procedures associated with
the use of antimicrobials.
To ensure that the risks associated with the use of antimicrobials are identified and managed
to minimise risks to patient, carers and all healthcare staff
To implement and maintain a core data set of clinical protocols and patient information
associated with antimicrobials to facilitate improved patient understanding regarding their
treatment
To assist the Principal Pharmacist – Antimicrobial Pharmacotherapy in service planning taking
into account national strategies and guidelines
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To participate in local and where required regional and national groups involved in the
pharmaceutical care of patients.
To assist the Principal Pharmacist – Antimicrobial Pharmacotherapy in the work of the
Antimicrobial Management Team, a sub-group of the Area Drug and Therapeutics Committee
To work collaboratively with senior pharmacy and medical staff, and the multidisciplinary team
ensuring that issues related to the safe and effective use of antimicrobials in the care of patients
are appropriately represented.
Resource Management
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To monitor expenditure and drug utilisation trends in antimicrobials, highlighting areas of concern
to the Principal Pharmacist – Antimicrobial Pharmacotherapy.
To implement policies and procedures for monitoring the use of antimicrobials, identifying areas
for cost improvement, promoting formulary management and good prescribing practice.
To ensure the security of medicinal products in all settings including wards and clinics and the
main pharmacy department.
Clinical Practice
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To maintain a regular clinical commitment, by providing a highly specialist level of clinical
pharmacy input to the care of patients with particular respect to antimicrobial use, participating in
consultant ward rounds and multidisciplinary team meetings as appropriate
To identify opportunities for extended prescribing by pharmacists with antimicrobials and develop
supplementary and independent prescribing linking with other healthcare practitioners as
required.
To report medication errors and participate in investigations as appropriate, to ensure that the
risks associated with medicines are minimised.
To improve pharmaceutical public health by identifying and preventing adverse drug reactions.
Reporting suspected adverse reactions on medicines to the Medicines and Healthcare Devices
Regulatory Authority
To request authorisation for the pharmaceutical aspects of unlicensed medicines particularly
those used in antimicrobial therapy having evaluated the evidence for the use of the medicine.
Education and Training
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To participate in the development and implementation of training programmes for clinical
pharmacy, to all grades of pharmacists e.g. undergraduates, pre-registration pharmacists and
qualified pharmacists.
To identify and address any training needs to improve medicines management in antimicrobial
prescribing to support the wider education of healthcare staff e.g. medical and nursing staff
To act as a tutor to those undertaking nationally recognised qualifications giving formal
assessment where required.
To counsel individual patients, groups of patients or carers regarding their medicines to improve
understanding and optimise concordance.
General
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To initiate, undertake, or guide others, in audit and research within antimicrobial utilisation in line
with the national standards and frameworks in order to maintain standards and develop the
service e.g. pre-registration pharmacist projects, pharmacy technician projects, national and local
audits.
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The post holder will be required to maintain a relevant pharmacy practice commitment, including
dispensing and clinical pharmacy, depending on their own experience and service needs.
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To participate in departmental rotas and / or emergency duty according to service need, as
outlined in the contract associated with this post.
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To implement all local policies and procedures in accordance with corporate, clinical and staff
governance
7. SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT
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Regular use of JAC pharmacy stock control and dispensary computer system and electronic
prescribing and administration system (EPMA) to input and retrieve information in connection
with clinical and dispensing practice and to produce management reports.
Regular use of the NHS Ayrshire and Arran Intranet to access laboratory reports for individual
patients.
Regular use of the prescription monitoring data base
Regular use of Microsoft Office computer software for email and internet enquiries, word
processing of reports and policies, producing spreadsheets of management information and
statistics and PowerPoint for presentations to staff.
Operates cash register to handle cash payments for prescription charges and over the counter
sales.
Acts as key holder, performs security checks, sets and deactivates department intruder alarm
when required.
8. ASSIGNMENT AND REVIEW OF WORK
The post-holder is managed by the Principal Pharmacist Antimicrobial Pharmacotherapy.
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Works autonomously against objectives agreed with the Principal Pharmacist Antimicrobial
Pharmacotherapy.
Workload will be mainly self-generated, influenced by patient needs, service needs and local and
national agendas; in particular national strategies for reducing antimicrobial resistance
Accountable for own professional actions and outcomes - guided by legislation, local protocols,
procedures and the local formulary.
Accountable for personal decisions taken regarding individual patients in the course of managing
their care.
The Principal Pharmacist Antimicrobial Pharmacotherapy carries out formal performance
review meetings for this post.
The job description is subject to review by mutual agreement between management and the post
holder.
9. DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS
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The post holder will be expected to exercise their own discretion on how to provide and develop
the clinical pharmacy service in antimicrobials taking account of local and national policies.
The post holder is expected to anticipate problems/needs and resolve these in a proactive
independent manner
Decisions made may be complex, e.g. the calculation of doses based on surface area, the use
of unlicensed medicines for individual patients, where there may be limited or only anecdotal
information on which to base a decision to treat.
The post holder is professionally accountable for his/her own actions in advising and influencing
nurses, medical staff and other healthcare professionals regarding the treatment of individual
patients on a daily basis e.g. monitoring and adjusting doses for drugs with a narrow therapeutic
index or in patients with renal impairment.
10. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
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The post holder is expected to communicate on a daily basis with medical staff, nursing staff and
other healthcare staff using evaluated information to enable informed decisions about patient’s
therapies
Negotiating and influencing skills are required when dealing with multi-professional teams where
agreement and co-operation are required in order to achieve a satisfactory outcome
Training, presentation and mentoring skills are necessary to fulfil the role of developing and
supporting staff in an often stressful and changing environment
Information received and communicated will often be complex, including the need to interpret
clinical trial data and other published data in a rapidly changing research environment. This may
have to be communicated to individuals who may have a limited knowledge in a manner that is
easily comprehensible.
Regular contact with General Practitioners, community pharmacists, practice nurses and other
healthcare workers in the community for the seamless pharmaceutical care of patients.
There will be daily contact with patients as individuals or in groups, regarding information about
their medication, to be delivered in a manner that is easily comprehensible to those who may
have a limited knowledge of the subject matter
Internal Communications
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Consultant Microbiologists
Consultant Physicians
Consultant Surgeons
Senior Medical Staff
Junior Doctors
Medical Students
Nursing Staff
Infection Control Team
Allied Health Professionals
Patients and their carers
Other pharmacists and technicians
Antimicrobial Management Team
External Communications
 General Practitioners
 Community Pharmacists and other healthcare workers in primary care
 Pharmacists in other Health Boards
 Community Health Partnerships
11. MOST CHALLENGING / DIFFICULT PART OF THE JOB
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Dealing with unpredictable patterns of work, often working to tight timescales, with frequent
interruptions to ensure that each patient’s medication regimen is safe and appropriate for its
intended purpose and is supplied on time, where there is sometimes limited information to guide
decisions
Influencing others to comply with policies and accept antimicrobial resistance as a high priority
Challenging the decisions of consultant, other medical staff and practitioners from other
professions to ensure that antimicrobial prescribing is evidence-based.
Keeping up to date with a rapidly changing knowledge base.
Developing partnerships working between primary and secondary care
12. QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND / OR EXPERIENCE
Qualifications
Masters of Pharmacy Degree or equivalent
Scottish Hospital Pharmacy Vocational Training Scheme
Practice Certificate in Pharmacist Supplementary Prescribing
Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy
Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain
(including evidence of CPD)
Experience
Relevant pharmacy experience
Experience in antimicrobial prescribing, utilisation and pharmaceutical
microbiology
Knowledge of the national strategies for reducing antimicrobial resistance
Good interpersonal skills
Full Driving Licence
Approved tutor for pre-registration pharmacists or pharmacists
/ technicians undertaking further qualifications.
Ability to work autonomously
Ability to work effectively as part of a team, in a pharmacy and
multi-disciplinary environment
Knowledge
Required to demonstrate an highly specialised level of clinical pharmacy
knowledge, skills, clinical reasoning and judgement
Computer literate with knowledge of information technology
Requires advanced arithmetic skills
Good
knowledge
and
understanding
of
relevant
standards
and guidelines
Essential
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Desirable
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13. WORKING ENVIRONMENT
PHYSICAL EFFORT / SKILLS:
 Computer keyboard skills used daily.
 Lifting and handling skills used occasionally to lift and move boxes and containers.
 Standing for periods of time to perform checks on dispensed prescriptions.
 Standing for periods of time on a daily basis while participating in the multidisciplinary ward
rounds.
 Walking between wards and the pharmacy on a daily basis.
 Standing or sitting in awkward positions on a daily basis for periods of time in the wards to input
and retrieve clinical data at a patient’s bedside, notes trolley and computer terminals.
 Skills for the preparation of aseptic products (occasional).
 Driving car between the different hospital sites.
MENTAL EFFORT / SKILLS:
 Frequent periods of prolonged concentration required every day when reviewing prescribed
medicines, counselling patients, writing reports or performing checks on dispensed items where
an undetected error could result in serious patient harm.
 Required to concentrate continuously and apply mental attention at all times.
 A high degree of speed, accuracy and attention to detail is expected in all duties.
 Tasks are frequently interrupted to deal with queries or requests for advice that have to be dealt
with immediately.
 Requires confidence to contribute and lead in clinical and managerial settings.
 High levels of concentration required when carrying out complex calculations,
analysing/interpreting highly complex data and interpreting or appraising reports or documents.
EMOTIONAL EFFORT / SKILLS:
 Frequent direct contact with patients, some of whom may be physically or emotionally distressed,
aggressive or suffering from serious or terminal disease.
 Conflicting demands and pressures from individuals.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
 Potential exposure to toxic pharmaceutical materials.
 Occasional risk of verbal or physical abuse from patients or their relatives.
 Use of Visual Display Unit equipment for long periods on a daily basis
 Frequent direct patient contact involving occasional exposure to environmental risk/
communicable diseases at ward level.
NHS Ayrshire and Arran
Person Specification
Post Title: Senior pharmacist antimicrobial pharmacotherapy
Post Reference Number: P/957/12
Selection Factors
(Person Specification)
QUALIFICATIONS &
TRAINING
EXPERIENCE
KNOWLEDGE
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
Masters of Pharmacy Degree or equivalent
Scottish Hospital Pharmacy Vocational Training Scheme (or evidence of clinical knowledge equivalent
to that level)
Practice Certificate in Pharmacist Supplementary Prescribing
Member of the General Pharmaceutical Council
Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy (or evidence of clinical knowledge equivalent to that level)
Essential
Relevant pharmacy experience
Desirable
Experience in antimicrobial prescribing, utilisation and pharmaceutical microbiology
Knowledge of the national strategies for reducing antimicrobial resistance
Approved tutor for pre-registration pharmacists or pharmacists / technicians undertaking further
qualifications
Required to demonstrate an highly specialised level of clinical pharmacy knowledge, skills, clinical
reasoning and judgement
Computer literate with knowledge of information technology
Requires advanced arithmetic skills
Good knowledge and understanding of relevant standards and guidelines
Essential
Desirable
COMPETENCIES &
SKILLS
Essential
Good interpersonal skills
Full Driving Licence
Ability to work autonomously
Ability to work effectively as part of a team, in a pharmacy and multi-disciplinary environment
Desirable
PERSONAL
CHARACTERISTICS AND
OTHER
Essential
Desirable
Excellent communication skills
Proven ability to influence change
Good team player
Good clinical reasoning and judgement