Job summaryThe post holder will support the Rheumatology Pharmacy team on a fixed term basis and will be responsible for providing a safe, efficient and cost effective clinical pharmacy service to rheumatology patients. Working with the already established 8a Rheumatology Pharmacists to provide a patient focused service including medication counselling clinics, infusion clinics and a telephone advice line. Additionally, following appropriate training, the post holder will be required to prescribe and aid in the management of homecare and outpatient prescriptions including high cost and cytotoxic drugs. The post holder will work within the rheumatology team providing medicines information service and will ensure effective clinical governance through the management of prescribing pathways and guidelines. They will also facilitate audit and be responsible for ensuring cost effectiveness particularly in relation to high cost drug prescribing. The post holder will support medical trainees within the department, in addition to the Specialist Rheumatology Pharmacy Technician team. They will also be a point of contact for primary care for medication related queries. The post holder will often work independently, managing their own time and workload as a non-medical prescriber.The main place of work will be based at Stepping Hill Hospital.Main duties of the job1) To be responsible as an advanced specialist for providing safe, efficient and cost-effective clinical pharmacy services to rheumatology patients2) To development the provision of this service specifically relating to the increased delivery of patient education in line with the British Society for Rheumatology Guidelines3) To manage and facilitate medication counselling clinics4) To facilitate audit, research and development within the area of rheumatology specifically in the development of a enhance pharmacy service5) To provide training and support to medical and nursing staff within the hospital and in the wider community on medicine related issues6) To work as a non-medical independent prescriber within the trust7) To assess and prescribe for patients in outpatient clinics8) Manage medication helpline and medicines information for rheumatology team9) Liaise with chief pharmacist to ensure cost effective prescribing of high cost drugs10) Manage prescribing for high cost drugs in rheumatology11) Ensure safe provision of DMARDs and other non-high cost drugs for patients12) Manage rheumatology SOPs and guidelines specific to medicines13) Provide supervision and guidance for rheumatology specialist pharmacy techniciansAbout usWe hold a unique position in the Stockport community as the provider of healthcare and we are one of its largest employers.We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve. We are therefore seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce to make it truly representative of our local population.We actively encourage applications irrespective of race, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage & civil partnership, or pregnancy or maternity. Recognising those communities that are underrepresented within our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from you.If you require support with your application please contact a member of the recruitment team, who can discuss alternative application methods.We recognise that flexible working is important. We take requests for flexible working seriously, consider any request we receive and try to work with you, so we can explore if your request may fit with the needs of the service.Benefits we offer to you:o Between 27-33 days of annual leave plus bank holidayso NHS pension scheme membershipo Salary sacrifice schemes for lease cars, home electronics and more, to make your salary go furthero NHS Staff discountso Cycle to work schemeo Salary finance - for loans, savings, budget planning and tips on managing debto Stockport Credit Union- for local financial adviceJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesCommunicationsTo work within the rheumatology teamTo liaise with the pharmacy department on matters relating to rheumatologyTo develop relationship with ICB and primary care colleaguesTo work with other rheumatology specialist pharmacists within GMMMGTo give advice on highly complex rheumatology MedicineInformation queries, often including un/off-licensed use of medicines to prescribers, patients and carers and other healthcare personnel. Justify advice and recommendations through balanced discussion of clinical evidence as available and relay this information to the clinician, nurse or patient in the appropriate manner and forumTo liaise with Pharmaceutical Companies and Homecare Providers to ensure the optimum provision of service to rheumatology patientsLiaise with GPs, providing expert clinical advice on issues raised and ensuring continuity of care between primary and secondary careAttend regional and national training opportunities, member of Specialist Rheumatology Group. Attend BSR and/or EULAR as appropriateResponsibility for Patient CareTo act as a clinical role model and lead in the provision of appropriate medication in the rheumatology department, demonstrating the ability to provide safe, clinically effective and cost efficient use of drugs in patients. This will include-Taking drug histories as part of the medication consultation-Review of medication to ensure its safe and effective use-Review of medication in line with interpretation of appropriate results of investigations and patient response to therapy-Therapeutic drug monitoring as appropriate-Patient education about their medicines specific to their requirements in either individual, group or telephone consultations-Providing advice on drug interactions, adverse drug reactions, drug administration and formulation-Participation in consultant clinics, offering medication advice as necessary-Development of evidence based treatment protocols for use within individual departments and for use within the local CCGs-Documenting clinical information in patient notes-Facilitate the implementation of local and national guidelines and audit compliance-Influencing prescribers, encourage formulary compliance where appropriate-Demonstrating professional accountability to patients-Identifying & reporting adverse reactions to the prescriber and where necessary via the Yellow Card Scheme-To prescribe and monitor medicines for patients within own area of competency and ensure robust mechanisms for second checking of procedures including implementation of Specialist Rheumatology Second Checking of Prescription protocol. Specific prescribing responsibilities include,o Biologic medications for Homecare distributiono Biologic medications for Day Hospital patientso Osteoporosis medications not supported by Shared Careo DMARDs in the initial stabilisation phase for patients outside the local CCG whom are not in direct agreement with Shared Careo For patients requiring non formulary medications not available in primary careo Rescue medication for patients reviewed in clinic- Produce and update Rheumatology Shared Care Guidelines and ensure compliance through audit-To demonstrate a whole-system patient-focused approach-To liaise with other clinical pharmacists to ensure efficient transfer of drug related care-To ensure the personal quality and accuracy of the work is maintained despite frequent interruptionsThe Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and promote safeguarding by implementing the Trusts policies and procedures, acting promptly on concerns, communicating effectively and sharing information appropriately.If successful this vacancy will require an enhanced DBS check at a cost of £41.50. This cost will be deducted from your first Trust salaryIn addition to this it will be a condition of your employment that you will join the DBS update service and pay the annual subscription fee of £13.Person SpecificationRequiredEssentialIndependent prescribing qualificationDesirableExperience managing outpatient clinicsEssentialEssentialGPhC registeredEssentialEssentialExperience working with rheumatology medicationsEssentialEssentialExperience prescribing rheumatology high cost drugsDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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.Certificate of SponsorshipApplications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).UK RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).Employer detailsEmployer nameStockport NHS Foundation TrustAddressStepping Hill HospitalStockportSK2 7JEEmployer's websitehttp://www.stockport.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)