Rheumatology Specialist Pharmacist

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

Clinical Practice

• Work with the Rheumatology team to further develop the service within Southmead Operating Unit.
• Manage on-going pharmaceutical care of patients being maintained on drug treatment for Rheumatological and related musculoskeletal conditions.
• Provide an outpatient service to patients with autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, within own competence, referring when necessary.
• Advise on strategies to ensure cost-effective use of resources.
• Produce protocols, policies and guidelines in conjunction with the Rheumatology team on designated pharmaceutical practice relating to Rheumatology.
• Provide pharmaceutical expertise to any multidisciplinary working groups considering protocols, policies and guidelines in the specialist area and attend weekly multidisciplinary team meetings.
• Provide risk management support to the management of Rheumatology patients treated at Southmead Operating Unit – including correct drug selection and managing supply shortages.
• Work with the speciality to comply with existing NPSA drug alerts and help with the implementation and recommendation of actions for future Rheumatology related alerts and patient safety initiatives.
• Provide a clinical ward pharmacy service to Musculoskeletal services and if necessary other clinical areas or provides support to the Pharmacy dispensary as directed by the Rheumatology team.
• Deal with pharmaceutical queries and provides advice to medical and nursing staff from Rheumatology including senior medical staff.
• Clinically screen prescriptions to ensure the safe, efficient, evidence-based and rational use of medicines in line with the Trust Formulary and departmental policies so that risks to patients are minimised.
• Respond to prescription requests and queries from home delivery companies and medical team.
• Collect clinical and cost outcome data and support rheumatology pharmacy team medicines optimisation initiatives.
• Ensure that an accurate medication history is obtained for each patient, where appropriate, using the relevant sources (GP, community pharmacist, patient/carer, clinic notes, nursing home).
• Provide advice and information to patients/carers to improve adherence and encourage self management with regard to treatment.
• Work closely with GPs, Community Pharmacists, GP Practice Pharmacists and other healthcare professionals across the Integrated Care System, to answer outpatient prescribing and clinical queries.
• Record all major interventions in line with departmental policy. Investigate and support the recording of Adverse Drug Reactions.
• Provide patient education and clinical advice to Rheumatology patients.
• Support medical team with MHRA Yellow Card reporting for adverse effects related to biologics and targeted synthetic therapies.
• Triage Rheumatology non-medical prescriber (NMP) referrals from other team members.
• Undertake any other relevant work outlined by the Rheumatology Clinical Lead, Rheumatology Consultant Pharmacist or Rheumatology Highly Specialist Pharmacist.
• Audit and risk manage selected areas of practice to promote continuous quality improvement.

Leadership and Management

• Deputise for the Rheumatology Highly Specialist Pharmacist if required.
• Develop and maintain medicines management systems in conjunction with patients/carers, ward staff and pharmacy staff.
• Ensure that all procedures are adhered to, reviewed regularly and that all necessary records are completed.
• Assist with establishing, implementing and monitoring service levels of appropriate Rheumatological high cost drug therapies to be administered via ‘homecare’ services or the Medical Day Care Unit.
• Provide intelligence and evidence of compliance requirements for PbR excluded, commissioned Rheumatology medication.
• Support medical team with Individual Funding Request (IFR) submissions.
• Provide assurance that resources are being used in line with commissioner guidance to the commissioning groups.
• Supervise dedicated pharmacy staff.

Education

• Keep up to date with developments in Pharmacy and Rheumatology in order to maintain a high level of professional knowledge and competence.
• Attend study days and courses as necessary for the development of the service and the individual, if approved by Rheumatology.
• Maintain a record of CPD.
• Contribute to the training of pharmacy undergraduates, medical students, pre-registration pharmacists, qualified pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and medical and nursing staff as appropriate. Train and mentor clinical pharmacy diploma students on aspects of Rheumatology.
• Participates in rotational schemes to cover weekend and Bank Holiday services.

General Pharmacy

Knowledge and Training Required

• Degree in pharmacy (4 year programme leading to MPharm, BPharm or BSc [Pharmacy]) together with equivalent experience.
• One year pre-registration experience – pre-registration examination passed and tutor assessment satisfactory.
• Current registration with General Pharmaceutical Society.
• Has experience as a band 6 qualified hospital pharmacist.
• Completed Postgraduate Clinical Pharmacy Certificate, Diploma or equivalent.
• Postgraduate training / experience relevant to the specialist area (desirable).
• Familiar with all relevant Trust policies and departmental Standard Operating Procedures.
• Evidence of CPD.

Skills Required

• Must be able to manage time and prioritise effectively.
• Ability to proactively use, maintain and develop professional knowledge in specialist area to enhance patient care through the safe and effective use of medicines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills in order to communicate effectively with patients/carers, medical and nursing staff, colleagues within the pharmacy and staff working in primary care.
• Deals with queries from all these groups and high level queries from senior clinical and non clinical staff within the Division/specialist area.
• Problem solving appropriate to the level of the post.
• Review and process complex information with minimum supervision.
• Able to present information, both orally and written, in a clear and concise manner.
• Ability to use own initiative and work as part of a team using an adaptable and flexible approach.
• IT skills – standard PC office software to ECDL level and data base searches.
• Able to advise on pharmacy legislation relevant to specialist area.

Physical Demands

• Combination of sitting, standing, walking; occasional moderate physical effort. Walking between locations; occasional restricted position / lifts. Safe manual handling (e.g. moving pharmacy supplies, assisting movement of patients). Carry out physical examinations of patients (e.g. joint assessments).

Cognitive Demands

• Constant concentration required. Frequent interruptions; unpredictable work pattern; work to deadlines; some stressful demands. Concentration for reviewing prescriptions, calculations, statistics, reports, policy documents, interrupted by urgent requests for advice.

Emotional Resilience

• Frequent exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances. Working