The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wavea national programme that’s changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined-up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector.
This means we’re working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives.
We’re a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.
Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.
Job overview
We have a exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and self motivated pharmacist with a interest in paediatrics to join our friendly Pharmacy Team.
In this role, you will provide expert clinical pharmacy services across paediatric and neonatal wards, working closely with multidisciplinary teams to ensure safe, effective, and patient-centred use of medicines. You will play a key role in medicines optimisation, patient safety initiatives, and the development of clinical protocols and pathways.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are vital for this position.
The role will include weekend and on-call duties on a rotational basis, to provide general pharmacy services to wards and dispensary.
If you're ready to take the next step in your career, we'd love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
* To lead and manage clinical pharmacy services to paediatrics
* To provide a high quality specialist clinical pharmacy service to the paediatrics wards (Dolphin and NICU) including attendance at ward rounds
* To support patient flow within hospital by working with the paediatrics team to manage patient discharge, including prescribing of TTA medicines.
* To lead work in managing the high-risk and high cost drugs within paediatrics by setting up monitoring systems and implementing shared care.
* To lead, manage and develop medicines management initiatives for paediatric patients in the trust.
* To develop protocols, pathways and shared cared guidelines within paediatrics
* To provide evaluated pharmaceutical and financial information in accordance with the needs of the paediatric department, including horizon scanning, prescribing practices and cost saving opportunities
* To train, supervise and develop junior and trainee pharmacy and other staff working within the team
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
* Be the departmental lead in managing medicines in children and neonates
* Work as part of ward based multidisciplinary teams to manage medicine related issues and improve patient flow including the writing of TTAs on Dolphin and NICU
* Work directly and regularly with consultants, senior nursing staff and managers within the paediatrics department and with parents of patients in resolving medicines related issues including prescribing, supply and administration.
* Cross cover, when needed, the pharmaceutical service to other clinical specialities to maintain a safe service
* Lead and manage high cost medication within the paediatrics department
* Lead work with specialist nurses and consultants in the paediatrics department in managing high risk medicines within the speciality, developing and implementing shared care
* Ensure medicines are used appropriately, safely, and cost-effectively in accordance with local and national guidelines, the Trust formulary, local policy, standard operating procedures and medicine legislation. The post holder is expected to determine how the outcomes are best achieved in specific circumstances.
* Monitor and interpret expenditure on medicines within paediatrics. Provide the health care division with regular reports to assist in the safe use of medicines, the management of drug budgets and clinical governance issues. The report also includes risk management such as the recording of significant clinical interventions and near misses
* Work with other members of the multidisciplinary team in the development of treatment protocols and guidelines for the use of medicines within paediatrics
* Liaise with tertiary care, commissioners and primary care providers regarding medication use for our paediatric patients
* Train and manage pharmacists and other health care professionals on drug use withing paediatrics