Foundation Pharmacist
Job overview
If you are looking to begin your career as a hospital pharmacist as a member of a supportive, professional, cohesive team, where training is a priority, come and join us in South Devon. We welcome applications from trainee pharmacists who are due to register in 2025.
If you are a pharmacist with more experience, perhaps outside of hospital pharmacy, do get in touch, we are very happy to discuss possibilities for part time or flexible working if that is important to you.
Our foundation pharmacists work on a rotational basis and their training and supervision is provided through a number of collaborative initiatives between TSDFT and Devon Partnership NHS Trust.
Foundation pharmacists are employed by Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (TSDFT), which is an integrated care organisation.
The rotation includes the provision of medicines optimisation services to acute and community hospitals, intermediate care and mental health
The purpose of the foundation pharmacists' role is to develop and utilise the clinical and professional skills defined in the South Devon Pharmacist Foundation Programme in order to provide clinical pharmacist input into medicines optimisation services for patients across all sectors of the healthcare system.
Main duties of the job
You will :
- be a pharmacist, who acts within their professional boundaries, working within the pharmacy team and alongside the multidisciplinary healthcare teams in each of their rotation placements.
- work on a rotational basis, gaining competencies and experience as defined by the Foundation Programme. In each rotation you will be supported, mentored and managed by the senior clinical pharmacy team.
- be competent to practice safely and autonomously at a foundation level within each rotation specialty (competencies and timeframes for assessment and achievement are defined in the Foundation Programme handbook).
-provide clinically appropriate, patient-centred, evidence based and cost-effective pharmaceutical care to patients in all of your rotational placements.
The Foundation Programme forms the basis of an innovative career pathway for pharmacists. It has the support of local and national pharmacy leaders and provides foundation pharmacists in South Devon with the opportunity to develop a wide range of clinical and professional skills and experience across a number of healthcare settings while actively utilising these skills supportive teams.
Working for our organisation
The TSDFT clinical pharmacy team culture is team based, patient focussed, innovative and supportive. Continuing professional development is expected from all team members and the support for the training and development of pharmacists and technicians through a well-established foundation programme is a key component the team’s work.
The team is well integrated with the multidisciplinary teams across the Trust and all team members are expected to represent the pharmacy department and their profession in a visible, approachable and competent manner, demonstrating flexibility, positivity and problem-solving ability as appropriate to their role and competency.The ward facing clinical pharmacy teams (each consisting of highly specialist, mid-grade and foundation pharmacists, specialist and foundation technicians and ATOs) are supported by and provide clinical support for medicines information, medicines governance, aseptic services, homecare, high cost drugs, dispensary and dispatch teams.
Why work with us - Torbay Hospital provides acute care for the local community and has several community hospitals, and is a hot-spot for those who are considering living by the sea or within half an hour of Dartmoor National Park and an hour to Exmoor National Park.Meanwhile, Plymouth and Exeter are also both within a short drive to enjoy the culture, maritime history and shopping experiences.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The wide scope of this role is not an expectation of where the post holder will start but where they aim to be after 2 years of rotation through the Foundation Programme.
The duties and responsibilities defined below are not an exhaustive list and may change in order to meet the needs of the organisation. For a more detailed description of clinical skills and professional attributes expected of a competent foundation pharmacist, see the Foundation Programme handbook.
Communication and Working Relationships
Develop and maintain effective working relationships, which inspire confidence in clinical pharmacy and the pharmacy department, with staff and patients in all rotation specialties.
Work effectively as a member of the multidisciplinary healthcare team.
Recognise personal limitations and refer to more appropriate colleagues when necessary.
Recognise the roles of other colleagues and liaise with them as needed for the collective benefit of patients.
These colleagues will include (but not be limited to):
- Patients
- Medical and Nursing Staff with responsibility for prescribing and medicines optimisation at all levels
- Pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and assistant technical officers in all healthcare sectors at all levels
- Allied Healthcare Professionals eg dietitians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists
- Discharge Co-ordinators
GPs, nurses and other practice staff with responsibility for medicines optimisation
Clinical Practice
Provide prescription review and medicines-related advice to healthcare professionals and patients in all rotations.
Undertake reconciliation of patients’ medicines at admission and/or discharge as defined by the processes of each rotation.
Provide medicines-related counselling for patients or their carers in order to support them to optimise and individualise their medicines usage.
Monitor and influence the practice of other healthcare professionals to ensure safe and effective prescribing
Assist in the provision of medicines information services
Participate in on call and weekend rotas
Training and Supervision
Actively participate in the Foundation Programme in order to achieve the skills and competencies defined within it.
Undertake continuing professional development, including postgraduate clinical diploma level study.
Supervise the dispensary to ensure that prescriptions are dispensed safely and effectively by providing professional intervention including clinical screening, dispensing and final checking of prescriptions as necessary.
Supervise and monitor activities in Pharmacy Technical Services and Radiopharmacy including clinically screening prescriptions, pre-process and final checking and product release. Ensure preparation is undertaken to standards for Good Manufacturing Practice and in accordance with licences.
Provide training for, act as a role model for and supervise the activities of pre-registration pharmacy graduates and pharmacy students.
Prepare and deliver medicines-related training for medical, nursing and other healthcare professionals as directed by rotation specialty leads or foundation mentors.
Management of Resources
Working closely with pharmacy technicians and assistants, provide pharmacist support for discharge facilitation and reuse of patients’ own medicines
Be aware of and adhere to local formulary and other medicines related guidance to ensure cost effective medicines usage.
Be responsible for planning and organising own workload in accordance with the requirements of the rotation specialty
Quality Improvement and Audit
Develop, lead and provide support for quality improvement projects and audits related to medicines optimisation and prescribing
Policy and Service Development
Provide timely and accurate advice on prescribing issues and evidence based prescribing in accordance with local and national guidance and policy, including the South and West Devon Joint Formulary.
Participate in reviews of work methods and contribute to the development of new processes, procedures and systems to minimise risk and ensure consistent provision of services.
Support local implementation of medicines related policies, procedures and guidance.
Full Vacancy details can be found on the attached Job Description/Person Specification. Please refer to your suitability to the post in your supporting information from the role requirements or person specification.
Person specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential criteria- Masters Degree in Pharmacy
- Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council
- Specialised training in clinical pharmacy
- Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Special Experience
Essential criteria- Experience and understanding of clinical pharmacy in any sector
- Previous participation in quality improvement and or audit projects
- Experience of clinical pharmacy experience in acute, intermediate and primary care settings
- Understanding of the role of medicines optimisation teams in acute, intermediate and primary care and mental health settings
Skills
Essential criteria- Good communication skills (written and verbal)-proven ability to communicate with patients, carers and all levels of healthcare professionals
Skills
Essential criteria- Organisational, time management and prioritisation skills
Skills
Essential criteria- Good team member (both inter and intra-disciplinary)
You will be joining the organisation at an exciting time. As the first fully integrated care organisation in England, we are working to improve the way we deliver safe, high-quality health and social care. We have a positive and vibrant working atmosphere, we are proud of our investment in our staff both in terms of developing potential career skills and valuing people.
If you provide support to a family member or friend with health or care needs, we aim to be a Carer-friendly employer. We have a ‘Staff Carers’ policy which includes flexible working where possible and a Carer’s Passport scheme that links you into support and discounts.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION- We reserve the right to close vacancies early if we receive a high volume of applications. Please apply promptly
- Please read the job description and tailor your application to reflect the role
- Correspondence will be via Trac, text and email. Please check your email and Trac account regularly.
- Applicants with no previous NHS experience will ordinarily be appointed to the minimum of the band
- If you have not received an invitation to interview within 28 days of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion
- It is your responsibility to assist us in the timely receipt of appropriate references
If you require support you can obtain this from our Equality Business Forum which has representatives from all protected groups.