Advanced Specialist Pharmacist for Antipsychotics

Job description Job responsibilities Clinical / Professional To be responsible for and lead the provision of a high quality, specialised clinical pharmacy service to ensure the safe, clinically effective and cost efficient use of drugs in designated area of mental health.To be responsible for the delivery of the clinical pharmacy services to nominated areas, including attendance at consultant ward rounds, providing expert pharmaceutical advice and setting standards for junior pharmacists to emulate.To be responsible for the provision of professional pharmaceutical advice to healthcare colleagues, patients, and carers as necessary, including through the advice and guidance service.To develop and monitor pharmacy initiatives such as the advice and guidance service, medicines reconciliation and provision of communications through shared care pathways to GPs, which promote seamless transfer of patients from secondary care to primary care and vice versa.To lead on and develop policy or service changes within designated area of Mental Health which improve ward or community services and be responsible for their implementation with the support of the Lead Pharmacist for Antipsychotics.To promote and monitor compliance with the South and West Devon Joint Formulary and to assist in formulary applications and review for medicines to be used in designated area of Mental Health.To work as an independent prescriber, holding on caseload of patients to manage and monitor at 12 month annual reviews when under shared care pathway for oral antipsychotics.To be responsible for monitoring prescribing practice to promote cost-effective and economic use of resources and contribute to the establishment and implementation of prescribing guidelines within mental health.To be lead on and be responsible for reporting and review of clinical and other pharmacy related audits within mental health.To be responsible for the development of junior pharmacy staff within mental health including rotational pharmacists and trainee pharmacistsTo provide evidence of Continuing Professional Development on an annual basis at appraisal, in accordance with guidance issued by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).To cover for ward pharmacists as required, during periods of absenceOccasional dispensary cover including dispensing and checking of medication following local SOPs.

Analytical and Judgemental SkillsHave highly developed skill's for analysing drug, patient intimation in mental health in order to provide advice on medicines, dosages, production issues/ in areas where information is lacking and medical or other opinion differsClinical screening of prescription charts and undertaking medication reviews including charts and discharge prescriptions, to ensure prescriptions are safe and appropriate.Responding to and recording medicines information requests from prescribers and other healthcare professionals relating to mental health and providing advice on medicines proactively. In many cases this is a complex task involving highly specialist up to date knowledge, effective search strategies, evaluation of the evidence base and formulation of an appropriate response.To be responsible for the investigation and monitoring of medicines related incidents relating to mental health within designated area, recommending and implementing change as required to improve patient safety, collating these for discussion at pharmacy team meetings and at the Medicines Governance Group (MGG).Clinical GovernanceTo be responsible for and lead on clinical governance and risk management through interventions which optimise the management of medicines in designated area of mental health, supporting best practice throughout all areas of responsibilityTo participate in and lead multidisciplinary groups in the review and development of selected medicines related policies and procedures relating to designated area of mental health and present at meetings, e.g. MGG.To lead on the development and review of documents e.g. Patient Group Directions, Policies, Guidelines and Protocols relating to mental health and presenting reviewed documents to the MGG To support professional leads in identifying and addressing evidence-based medicine practice consistent with the requirements of clinical governance and of national directivesTo work with the Lead Pharmacist for Antipsychotics, Pharmacy Senior Leadership Team and Senior Leaders within Mental Health to lead on continuous quality improvement projects and audit within designated area of mental healthManagerialTo provide mentoring, training, supervision and line management of mental health substantive and rotational pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and other pharmacy staff and students as required, including appraisals and performance reviews.To organise the trainee pharmacist timetable when they rotate through designated area of mental healthTo act as Designated Supervisor to a Trainee Pharmacist annually as required.To mentor/buddy other NMPs within Mental Health.To Act as a Designated Prescribing Practitioner, Educational supervisor or Practice Supervisor as appropriate for members of the team undertaking their independent prescribing training.Freedom to ActPharmacists are expected to work largely unsupervised and to act on their own professional judgement.Clinical supervision from another health professional can be arranged and is to be encouraged.Technical roles are defined by standard operating procedures which should always be followed.Clinical roles are supported by policies and guidelines within which the pharmacist is allowed professional discretion / interpretation.This role includes setting the parameters under which other pharmacy staff will operate.Training and EducationTo lead on the training and development of pharmacy staff within designated area Mental Health and support training of other staff members within the team as appropriateTo plan, develop and deliver appropriate training and education to healthcare colleagues, carer groups, neighbourhood teams and outside agencies to promote the safe use and clinical application of medicines within mental healthTo be responsible for and lead on the induction of new pharmacy staff within designated area of mental health To assist and lead, where appropriate, on the training provided to pharmacy students, trainee pharmacists and other pharmacy staff. Health, Safety and SecurityTo work safely in the home, clinical area, dispensary, ward and office environments ensuring any risks identified to health and safety are managed or escalated to line managerTo ensure safety and security of medicines, prescription stationery and patient identifiable documents according to locally agreed standard operating procedures.To inform line manager of any breaches of safety or security or if agreed procedures are thought to be inadequate to manage the risk.Communications and RelationshipsThe ability to communicate highly complex drug or medicine related information to prescribers, clinicians, patients, relatives within designated area of mental health via a variety of platforms. This includes advice given through the advice and guidance service. Well-developed verbal and written communications skills (including telephone and email) are essential to the role.To liaise with all levels of healthcare staff and professionals working in the multidisciplinary team within or involved in the patients care.The ability to challenge and accept professional challenge from other health care professionalsTo liaise with patients and carers, neighbourhood teams, the acute hospitals, doctors, GPs, community nurses and community pharmacists to ensure appropriate supply of medicines.To communicate pharmacy / medication issues clearly and concisely at team meetings and governance groups e.g. Medicines Governance Group.

To work virtually through use of technology where required.