Go back Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Rotational Pharmacist
The closing date is 10 May 2026
The post holder effectively participates in the provision of clinical and operational pharmaceutical services to Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust (West Middlesex site) under appropriate supervision for grade and experience, rotating through various specialist areas on a 4-month basis.
They also provide an out-of-hours weekend and on call service on a rostered basis.
Main duties of the job
Participate in 4-month rotations as per the rotas and complete competencies in each rotation as defined. For each rotation there will be a designated supervisor and structured package of training.
Rotations include:
* Technical Services
* Clinical Services
o Acute Medical Unit
o Medicine/ Care of Elderly
o Surgery
o Women and Children (Paediatrics, maternity and Special Care Baby Unit)
Job responsibilities
Participation in 4-month rotations as per rota and complete competencies in each rotation as defined. For each rotation there will be a designated supervisor and structured package of training.
* Provision of legally required supervision and validation aspects of the dispensing process
* Dispensing of medicines for inpatients and outpatients (including clinical trials and controlled drugs) including accurate documentation
* Accuracy checking of pharmacy technician/ assistant/ trainee pharmacist/ trainee pharmacy technician dispensing
* Counselling outpatients to defined local, national and legal standards
* Supporting management of stock control, dispensing workload, and dispensary staff and contributing to the maintenance of a quality service that relates to clinical governance issues including reporting near misses and errors
* Contribute to the training of new and junior pharmacy staff in the relevant area including trainee staff and students on placement
* Maintain high quality of data input of patient information into the pharmacy computer system in order to ensure excellent labelling standards for dispensed medicines
* Contribution to the update and production of Standard Operating Procedures in the appropriate section
* Undertake specific projects in accordance with objectives set
Clinical Pharmacy Services
* Rotation through specific clinical areas within the hospital as outlined above
o Clinical pharmacy responsibility for all patients on the assigned ward
o Ensuring that an accurate medication history has been taken and documented within the appropriate timeframe, and assessing and reconciling these medications against the inpatient prescription according to local guidelines
o Ensuring that discharge prescriptions are safe, accurate, legal and clinically appropriate for the individual patient; cost-effective and compliant with local prescribing policies. Recommending changes in medication to the prescriber to ensure the above.
o Advising other professional staff on medicines management and optimisation issues
o Participating in clinical intervention systems and other quality monitoring initiatives as required
o Implementing local formulary recommendations / therapeutic guidelines and other related support to Divisional and Specialist pharmacists
o Implement risk management systems including reporting of incidents and other Trust medicines related policies
o Participation in clinical training schemes including timely attendance and completion of course work and assessments
o Review of all medications prescribed on the electronic prescribing system for each patient on the assigned ward
o Prioritisation and resolution of pharmaceutical problems, liaising with other healthcare professionals as necessary
o Responsibility for the supply of prescribed medication to patients on allocated wards in a timely manner
o Responsibility for review of the stock holding of medication on that ward with the nursing staff on the ward in order to ensure that there is an adequate amount and range of medication available on the ward
o Review prescriptions for accuracy and legality and identify actual or potential problems
o Ensure the effective supply of medicines suitable for use as an inpatient and appropriately labelled for discharge if applicable
o Monitor patients for potential adverse effects from their medicines
o Ensure the effective outcomes of treatment with medicines
o Take steps to ensure that patients understand the purpose of their medicines and deal with any practical issues that may prevent the optimal use of their medicines
o Support the planning of patient discharge with respect to medications, including the transcription of requests for dispensing and the timely discharge of patients in line with Trust requirements
o Demonstrate professional accountability to patients
o Participation in developing medicines management systems and auditing the outcomes of these developments
o Responsibility for ensuring that all medicines (including controlled drugs) are stored according to requirements (including three monthly stock checks)
o Undertake training in specialist areas as service and development needs arise
Independent Prescribing (where applicable)
Work within your scope of practice as a generalist prescriber and utilise the principles of prescribing in accordance with the Trust non-medical prescriber policy (NMP) policy.
Technical and Cancer Services
* Participation and accreditation in all aspects of technical and cancer services including:
o Final checking and releasing of aseptically prepared systemic anticancer therapy
o Clinical screening accreditation for oral and parenteral chemotherapy
o Awareness of, and compliance with, Good Manufacturing Practice and other procedures, policies, guidelines and risk management principles
o Support the provision of clinical pharmacy services to haematology and oncology
Additional/ Other
* Deputising for relevant senior staff
* Participation in on call rota
* Participation in performance review and appraisal and identification of own learning and development needs
* Participation in audit and project work in line with service development
* Assisting in training and supervision of pharmacy technicians/ trainee pharmacy technicians/ assistants/ trainee pharmacists and pharmacy students on placement
* Promotion of safe, economic and effective use of medicines
* Maintenance of a written Continuing Professional Development record
* Attendance at and participation in departmental meetings and participation in departmental quality initiatives
* Follow legal, ethical, professional and employers' codes of conduct
* Demonstrate awareness of and commitment to the Trust's Clinical Governance Agenda
* Any other duties as requested by the Chief Pharmacist or their Deputy
Employment is subject to a six-month probation. Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.
Person Specification
Trust values: evidence that practises Trust values.
Education and Qualifcations
* Vocational Master's Degree in Pharmacy + undertaking a pre-registration training year OR Registered as a practising pharmacist with the General Pharmaceutical Council
* Certificate in Pharmacy Practice or equivalent training/ experience
Experience
* Pre-registration training providing supervised experience in line with professional regulation requirements
* Use of electronic prescribing systems (ePMA)
* Hospital experience including clinical, medicines information and dispensing rotations
* Experience of using pharmacy computer programmes preferably Wellsky (formerly known as JAC) for stock control and labelling
Skills and Knowledge
* Good oral and written communication and presentation skills to convey complex and potentially sensitive information
* Problems solving and risk assessment abilities. Demonstrate ability to use initiative
* Demonstrate organisational and prioritisation skills to work to a deadline
* Ability to motivate self and other s and to work independently on designated tasks
* Demonstrate the ability to provide safe and clinically effective use of drugs
* Demonstrate application / utilisation of independent prescribing skills within your scope of practice
* Mature and positive approach to the out of hours commitment
* Methodical with attention to detail
* Friendly, empathetic and reliable team worker able to relate to all grades of staff
* Flexibility and ability to cope well within a busy environment
* Willingness to participate in a foundation based diploma course
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
£45,953 to £54,254 a year per annum incl. HCAS
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