Advanced Clinical Pharmacist– Antimicrobial Stewardship

Job summary

Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital is seeking an enthusiastic, motivated and forward-thinking pharmacist to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in optimising antimicrobial prescribing, improving patient outcomes, and supporting the Trust's response to antimicrobial resistance through the delivery of a high-quality specialist pharmacy service.

The successful candidate will provide specialist clinical pharmacy and antimicrobial stewardship services for patients including active involvement in prescribing and optimising antimicrobial therapy. Working as an integral member of the multidisciplinary team, you will collaborate closely with consultants, specialist nurses and microbiologists to support decision-making, attend multidisciplinary meetings and deliver patient-centred care.

In addition to clinical responsibilities, the role offers opportunities to contribute to antimicrobial governance, education, audit, research, quality improvement and service development. The post holder will also support the supervision and development of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, helping to ensure the delivery of a safe, effective and innovative clinical pharmacy service.

This role is ideal for a pharmacist looking to further develop their specialist expertise while providing clinical leadership and helping to shape the future of antimicrobial stewardship services at LHCH

Main duties of the job

Provide a specialist antimicrobial stewardship and clinical pharmacy service, ensuring the safe, effective, evidence-based and cost-effective use of antimicrobial medicines across the Trust.

Review, prescribe and optimise antimicrobial therapy for patients with complex infections, working as an independent prescriber within your scope of practice.

Work closely with consultants, microbiologists, specialist nurses and wider multidisciplinary teams to support complex clinical decision-making and improve patient outcomes.

Support the delivery of antimicrobial stewardship initiatives, including antimicrobial ward rounds, prescribing audits, guideline implementation and medicines optimisation projects.

Provide highly specialist advice on antimicrobial selection, dosing, monitoring, intravenous-to-oral switch and OPAT/COPAT pathways.

Contribute to antimicrobial governance, quality improvement, service development, audit and research activities to support continuous improvement in patient care.

Support the development and implementation of antimicrobial policies, treatment pathways and prescribing guidance in line with local and national priorities.

Provide clinical leadership, education and supervision to pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and other healthcare professionals, supporting workforce development and professional practice.

Participate in operational pharmacy services, including 7-day working, bank holiday and on-call rotas.

About us

As the largest single site specialist heart and chest hospital in the UK, we, at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, have a clear vision 'to be the best cardiothoracic integrated healthcare organisation'.

We provide specialist services in cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, respiratory medicine both in the hospital and out in the community.

We serve a catchment area of 2.8 million people, spanning Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and the Isle of Man, and increasingly we receive referrals from outside these areas for highly specialised services such as aortics.

Our reputation for strong performance is important in delivering the best care for our patients and high quality clinical services. This is underpinned by a culture of research and innovation, delivered in modern estate and our encouragement of flexible working in a variety of forms.

Please visit our website - https://www.lhch.nhs.uk/

Please follow this link for a tour of our site - https://bit.ly/36ylsoq

Job responsibilities

Provide a safe and effective advanced clinical pharmacy service to AMS and Clinical Activity

Provide clinical training and supervision across the specialist MDTs

Provide non-medical prescribing services

For more details, please see attached Job Description and Person Specification

Person specification

Qualifications & Education

Essential

• Vocational masters degree in pharmacy
• Registered member of the General Pharmaceutical Council
• Diploma in clinical pharmacy or MSc in clinical Pharmacy

Desirable

• Non-Medical Prescribing certificate
• Member of Royal College of Pharmacy

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Good all round clinical knowledge in other areas
• Advanced clinical knowledge and experience relevant to hospital pharmacy practice, with the ability to develop and apply specialist knowledge within the designated specialty/service area
• Experience of medicines optimisation, governance, formulary compliance or antimicrobial stewardship within a hospital setting

Desirable

• Previous pharmacy and/or other teaching experience
• Experience as a NMP in a Hospital Setting

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Able to work independently and compute information from various sources quickly
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team
• Computer literate
• Initiative-taking and able to motivate/inspire others
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to manage time effectively
• Ability to meet deadlines whilst paying attention to details

Desirable

• Ability to teach pharmacists and other members of the MDT
• Proven ability to negotiate a positive outcome with senior pharmacy and medical staff and Trust management

Values & Behaviours

Essential

• Demonstrable commitment to continuing professional development / education

Desirable

• Self-motivated