Agenda for Change
Author: Claire Ackerman
Version 8
Date: June 2015
Job Description
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Allied Health Professional
ANTIMICROBIAL STEWARDSHIP PHARMACIST
Band 8A
Clinical Support Services
Pharmacy Summary
PHARMACY
Derriford Hospital
Assistant Director of Pharmacy (Clinical Development)
Director of Pharmacy
Director of Infection Control via lead Consultant for antimicrobial use.
November 2016
Job Purpose:
Delivery of high quality specialised Antimicrobial Stewardship service to promote the safe, rational, costeffective use of antimicrobial drugs across the trust, through development of controls, practices guidelines,
personal targeted intervention and the development of the existing service in line with the national Start
Smart then Focus principles.
Key Dimensions:
To assist in the development of systems and processes to ensure the rational and cost effective use of
antimicrobial agents as a means of reducing antimicrobial resistance to antibiotics expenditure and related
adverse drug effects.
To further develop the Antimicrobial Stewardship Programme in line with the principles laid down in the Start
Smart then Focus toolkit.
To assist in the planning and delivery of training with regards to the effective and efficient use of antibiotics.
To assist in the control of antimicrobial drug through enabling and promoting prudent and targeted
antimicrobial use.
To support clinical pharmacy services as required
Organisational Chart
Director of Infection Control
Lead Consultant for
antimicrobials
Antimicrobial Pharmacist
Band 8a
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Director of Pharmacy
ADP (Clinical Development &
Governance)
ADP (Operations)
Senior Clinical Pharmacists
Band 8a
ADP (Technical/
Research)
Agenda for Change
Author: Claire Ackerman
Version 8
Date: June 2015
PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
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Provide expert guidance, direction and strategy in the use of antimicrobial agents across PHNT in collaboration
with clinical staff in microbiology and pharmacy.
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Provide a proactive antimicrobial review service in collaboration with the clinical staff in microbiology via a
programme of regular ward rounds. These will be supplemented by ad-hoc patient liaison as and when required.
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Develop systems to ensure all clinical and relevant non-clinical staff are proactively involved in managing the use
of antimicrobial agents as appropriate.
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Develop systems to ensure all pharmacists are proactively involved in managing the use of antimicrobial agents
as appropriate
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Develop systems for the measuring, monitoring and feeding back the appropriateness of antimicrobial use
across PHNT.
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Produce, in collaboration with the clinical staff within microbiology and the Plymouth Area Joint Formulary
Committee, prescribing and administration guidelines for use across PHNT and the local health community.
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Audit and review the use of prescribing and administration guidelines, including the surgical antibiotic prophylaxis
guidelines.
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Develop systems for reducing the inappropriate use of antimicrobial agents e.g. IV / oral switching, time limited
prescriptions etc.
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Develop an educational programme for all staff around the rationale use and administration of antimicrobial
agents.
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Develop new and novel methods of influencing prescribers to ensure the most appropriate choice of
antimicrobial agents for individual patients.
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Assist the Medicines Utilisation and Assurance Committee (MUAC) in horizon scanning and evaluating data on
new antimicrobial agents / drug requests.
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Provide a link between PHNT and primary care surrounding the appropriate use of antimicrobial agents within
the community.
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Assist in developing new and novel ways of managing patients across the primary / secondary care interface e.g.
the development of “home care” services.
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Assist in the management of clinical risk associated with the use of antimicrobial agents (and other medicines:
Monitor prescribing/drug errors and identify medicines/clinical settings of high clinical risk
Identifying and implementing models of good practice to minimise clinical risk
Providing risk assessments relating to prescribing/drug usage, especially high risk injectable drugs.
Production of prescribing information
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Be an active member of the infection control committee.
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To undertake non-medical, independent or supplementary prescribing in line with the directorates needs and
within the post holders sphere of competence.
OTHER GENERAL DUTIES
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Assist in developing and providing a high quality specialised clinical pharmacy service to patients within a
designated clinical area by promoting safe, effective and economic use of medicines.
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Assist in developing and providing continuity of pharmaceutical care to patients being transferred to other areas
within the trust, or discharged.
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Ensure medicines are prescribed and administered in line with local and national policies, and within the legal
framework.
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Agenda for Change
Author: Claire Ackerman
Version 8
Date: June 2015
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Provide specialist, evidence-based advice on the choice, administration, monitoring and storage of medicines to
senior medical and nursing staff.
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Assist in the development of the specialised pharmaceutical service in accordance with national and local
initiatives e.g. Health Care Commission requirements, Standards for Better Health, NHS litigation standards,
RPS requirements, NICE guidelines, NSF, local and regional policy, medical and professional guidelines etc.
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Investigate and report untoward incidents such as complaints or drug administration errors as detailed in Trustwide and local protocols and procedures, as appropriate.
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Assist in the provision of clinical pharmacy services to other specialities, as appropriate
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Assist in the provision of dispensary services, in line with local procedures and the legal framework for the supply
of medicines.
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Assist in the provision of medicines information services:
Provide evaluated, evidence-based information to medical or pharmacy staff, nurses and patients.
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Provision of pharmaceutical education and training across the Trust, pharmacy department, pharmacy
undergraduates and Peninsula Medical School as required.
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Assist the Lead Pharmacist for Education and Training with departmental training by acting as a role model and
mentor to other members of pharmacy staff:
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Contribute to the continuing education, clinical audit, practice research and training activities with the pharmacy
department
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Undertake and maintain a record of personal Continuing Professional Development.
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Maintain and continually develop in depth specialist knowledge of pharmaceutical practice relevant to the
individual clinical area.
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Increase the level of knowledge & skills within the Trust through sharing best practice and supporting others to
develop their professional abilities.
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Ensure that expertise within your area is seen as a resource within and outside the Trust and form working
partnerships with other health and social care service providers.
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Support team members to deliver on their objectives through offering advice, guidance and support as
appropriate.
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Participate in any Pharmacy departmental initiatives to optimise the efficiency of delivering pharmaceutical
services.
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Participation in weekend working and bank holiday arrangements.
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Any other reasonable duties as may be required by the Director, or Assistant Director, of Pharmacy.
COMMUNICATION & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Works closely with:
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Clinical and laboratory Microbiology staff and Infection Control and Prevention Team
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Consultants, StR’s and junior medical staff
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Directorate management teams, including Clinical Director, Directorate Manager, Clinical Leads and Directorate
Nurse.
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All pharmacy team including Senior Pharmacy Managers
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Nursing staff including Matrons, Ward Managers and nurse specialists.
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Patients and relatives/carers.
Liaises with:
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General Practitioners and Community Pharmacists
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Pharmacists fulfilling similar roles in other Trusts
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Agenda for Change
Author: Claire Ackerman
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Version 8
Date: June 2015
Trust purchasing staff
Communication with external agencies such as drug companies and their representatives
Other
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Participate in the pharmacy late night, weekend and bank holiday rotas.
To participate in any Pharmacy departmental initiatives to optimise the efficiency of delivering pharmaceutical
services.
Any other reasonable duties as may be required by the Director of Pharmacy.
All Job Holders are required to…
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Work to the Trust values - Put patients first, Take ownership, Respect others, Be positive, Listen, learn and
improve.
Adhere to Trust policies and procedures, e.g. Health and Safety at Work, Equal Opportunities etc.
Maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job, participate in
appropriate training activities and encourage and support staff development and training.
Attend statutory, essential and mandatory training.
Respect the confidentiality of all matters relating to their employment and other members of staff. All members of
staff are required to comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998.
Comply with the Corporate Governance structure in keeping with the principles and standards set out by the
Trust.
Comply with the codes of professional conduct set out by the professional body of which registration is required
for the post.
Ensure they are familiar with the Risk Management Framework, follow policies, procedures and safe systems of
work, make known any hazards or risks that they identify and take all necessary actions to reduce risk.
Ensure the welfare and safety of children within their care. This includes staff who come into contact with
children and families in the course of their work as well as those staff who have a specific role with children and
families.
Ensure they attend Child Protection training at the appropriate level within the specified time frame.
Staff must comply with Safeguarding Policies and Procedures in order to promote safeguarding and
prevent abuse to vulnerable people using Trust services.
Maintain the prevention and control of infection and fully comply with all current Trust Infection Control policies
and procedures.
Take responsibility for any records that they create or use in the course of their duties, in line with the Public
Records Act and be aware that any records created by an employee of the NHS are public records and may be
subject to both legal and professional obligations.
All Managers are responsible for…
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Assessing risks and implementing the necessary actions to minimise these risks within their sphere of
responsibility. They must also enable staff to attend the relevant statutory and essential training.
Managing attendance in accordance with the Trusts Attendance Management Policy.
All Heads of Departments are responsible for…
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Ensuring all necessary risk assessments are carried out within their division, Service Line or department in
liaison with relevant sources of specialist support and expertise within the Trust. They must also ensure that the
risk management process is completed appropriately.
Note
This job description is neither definitive nor exhaustive and is not intended to be totally comprehensive. It may be
reviewed in the light of changing circumstances following consultation with the post holder. This job description is to be
read in conjunction with all current Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust policies, procedures & guidelines.
Job Description Agreement
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Agenda for Change
Author: Claire Ackerman
Version 8
Date: June 2015
Name …………………………………
Line Manager ………………………...
Signature ……………………………..
Signature ……………………………..
Date ………………………………….
Date ………………………………….
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Agenda for Change
Author: Claire Ackerman
Version 8
Date: June 2015
PERSON SPECIFICATION – ANTIMICROBIAL STEWARDSHIP PHARMACIST – BAND 8A
ATTRIBUTES
ESSENTIAL
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KNOWLEDGE &
EXPERIENCE
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QUALIFICATIONS
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APTITUDE &
ABILITIES
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DISPOSITION /
ATTITUDE /
MOTIVATION
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Specialised proven knowledge of antimicrobial
drug use.
Appropriate and sufficient experience of pharmacy
practice.
Demonstrable experience in a range of clinical
specialties.
Excellent proven knowledge of general clinical
pharmacy and drug use
Understanding of NHS priorities
Previous experience of teaching, training and staff
development.
Master’s Degree in Pharmacy, or equivalent
Registered member of the General Pharmaceutical
Council (GPhC)
Successful completion of 1-year pre-registration
training
Postgraduate diploma in clinical pharmacy
Non-medical prescribing qualification, or
willingness to complete NMP qualification
Proven evidence of Continuing Professional
Development
Good communication skills, written and verbal, with
ability to demonstrate fluency, clarity and
effectiveness at all levels.
Time management skills
Organisational skills
Good negotiating skills
Can prioritise own workload
Can meet deadlines
Can remain composed and effective in demanding
situations
Can reflect and critically analyse own performance
Good computer literacy
Able to identify, prioritise and solve problems
Numerate and literate
Committed to developing and extending pharmacy
services
Able to critically evaluate evidence.
Able to implement change
Able to work effectively with senior medical and
trust managerial staff
Well developed teaching and presentation skills
Self-motivated
Effective team worker
Ability to work as an individual
Able to cope under pressure
Proactive, takes own initiative
Sensitive & supportive
Diplomatic
Assertive
Act as advocate
Strong professional values
Influence senior Pharmacy, Medical & Nursing staff
Can identify own limitations
DESIRABLE
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Previous experience of providing support
to the management of a hospital
directorate.
Experience in writing up research for
publication in scientific, pharmaceutical or
medical journals.
Experience in presenting research in the
form of a poster.
Experience of developing pharmacy
services.
Demonstrate potential management ability
Knowledge and understanding of financial
issues
Well-developed teaching and presentation
skills
Agenda for Change
Author: Claire Ackerman
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OTHER FACTORS
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Version 8
Date: June 2015
Able to work flexibly and participate in on-call, late
night, weekend and bank holiday rotas
Good health as verified by Occupational Health
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Valid, clean driving licence