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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

a. Antimicrobial Services

1.    To work with the Consultant Microbiologist and Virologist and with Infectious Diseases Consultants, Medicines Information staff and Trust Consultants to expand and update the Trust’s antimicrobial policy and guidelines.

2.    To interpret published data on new drugs/therapies to be used in the management of infections and assist in the preparation of drug evaluations prior to application to the Trust’s Clinical Development and Evaluation Group (CDEG) or Drugs and Therapeutics Committee (DTC).

3.    To develop policies for the managed entry of new antimicrobial agents and provide advice to CDEG and DTC.

4.    To work closely with the Consultant Microbiologist and with Infectious Diseases Consultants and contribute expert advice. Attend ward rounds and clinical meetings as appropriate.

5.    Monitor antimicrobial drug use and expenditure and prepare detailed reports to Divisional managers and Consultants.

6.    Act as the lead pharmacist for audit of antimicrobial usage in the Trust as part of an agreed audit programme; to work with the Consultant Microbiologist and Infectious Diseases Consultants to effect change and influence prescribing.

7.    Develop processes for benchmarking antimicrobial use with other children’s hospitals.

8.    To liaise with and support all pharmacy staff with respect to antimicrobial issues and to develop systems to ensure pharmacy staff are proactively involved in managing the use of antimicrobials.

9.    Participate in proactive antimicrobial review in collaboration with microbiology and infectious diseases staff.

10. Develop systems for reducing the inappropriate use of antimicrobial agents such as IV to oral switching and time limited prescriptions.

11. Develop new methods of influencing prescribers to ensure the most appropriate choice of antimicrobials for individual patients and encourage regular review of antimicrobials.

12. Develop and provide an educational programme for all staff around the rational use and administration of antimicrobial agents

13. Assist in the management of clinical risk associated with the use of antimicrobial agents

14. To identify and initiate any new guidance related to antimicrobials as required.

15. To participate in relevant research projects and clinical trials.

16.  To be the lead pharmacist on the Trust’s Infection Control committee.

17. Undertake both a supplementary and independent prescribing role for all children within specialist area of competence.

18. To act as lead pharmacist for the Antimicrobial Stewardship / Outpatient Antibiotic Parenteral Therapy (AMS/OPAT) service. Participating in Stewardship ward rounds to proactively identify suitable patients, liaising with other OPAT team members to monitor OPAT patients’ progress, and to provide a clinical pharmacy service to this patient group which would include independent prescribing. 

b. Clinical Pharmacy

1.   To provide a specialised paediatric clinical pharmacy service in accordance with professional, departmental & Trust policies. This will include:-

·      Taking drug histories on admission

·      Reviewing medication to ensure safe & effective use

·      Formulating individual pharmaceutical care plans & reviewing & updating these plans based on response, results of investigations and adverse effects.

·      Providing advice on therapeutic drug level monitoring of specific drugs and interpreting drug levels based on clinical condition and response

·      Educating patients & carers on aspects of drug therapy

·      Providing advice on drug interactions, adverse drug reactions, drug administration and formulation

·      Documenting clinical information in patient notes when appropriate

·      Identifying & reporting adverse reactions to the prescriber and where necessary via the Yellow Card Scheme

·      To provide advice on drug administration and formulation

2. To provide expert paediatric pharmaceutical information and advice to medical, nursing and other staff within the Trust. This may be in areas where there is little information and experienced clinical judgement needs to be exercised.

3. To work in accordance with the Code of Ethics, Medicines Act and local policies &  procedures, applying specialist professional judgement where required.

ADVANCED PHARMACIST PRACTITIONER duties included within role (following successful training and accreditation)

1. To provide outpatient clinic sessions under the supervision of the Consultants.  This will involve:
   1. Assessment, examination and diagnosis of patients referred to the service
   2. Follow-up and ongoing care of patients – inpatients and outpatients
   3. Independent prescribing (inpatients and outpatients)
   4. Referral to other colleagues/departments
   5. Ordering and interpreting tests/radiology examinations
   6. Administration of medicines (excluding IV medicines) within competency
2. Review patients referred from team via telephone request.  This will include:
   1. Telephone consultation resulting in recommendation for treatment; reassurance; attendance at ED; urgent clinic review; referral, further tests etc
   2. Independent prescribing
   3. Home or school visits
3. To respond to telephone or email contact from patients, parents or carers; school nurses; GPs; practice nurses or practice pharmacists
4. To provide seasonal vaccinations to NHS staff

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

1. To participate in relevant research projects and clinical trials.
2. To supervise undergraduate, pre-registration or diploma student projects if required

EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT

1. To tutor junior pharmacists undertaking a post-graduate diploma or pre-registration pharmacists.

2. Develop and provide an educational programme for all staff around the rational use and administration of antimicrobial agents.

3. To liaise with and support all pharmacy staff with respect to antimicrobial issues

4. To participate in Continuing Professional Development as per national requirements of the regulatory body or professional society.

5. Educating patients & carers on aspects of drug therapy.

COMMUNICATION

1. To work with the Consultant Microbiologist and Infectious Diseases Consultants to effect change and influence prescribing.

2. To communicate complex drug related information to patients and carers on the safe and effective use of their medicines.

3. To ensure effective liaison with GPs and community pharmacists to promote seamless patient discharge in relation to their pharmaceutical care needs.

4. To attend and contribute to relevant meetings within the Trust and elsewhere.

5. To be the lead pharmacist to liaise with primary care and other Trusts over relevant antimicrobial/infection issues

CLINICAL GOVERNANCE

1. To work in accordance with procedures to ensure that medicine supply is safe, efficient and in accordance with current legislation and local guidelines.

To ensure that medicine related risks are identified and propose methods of minimising error.