Lead Pharmacist - Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery

The post holder will promote safe and cost-effective prescribing across the Trust in collaboration with the consultants, pre-op clinics and the orthopaedic MDT. You will lead in drug usage analysis, identification of budget pressures arising from new products, co-ordination of projects and audits and the development and maintenance of guidelines, policies and protocols relating to orthopaedic surgery. You will have significant input into the choice of therapy prescribed for people with immobility, pain and preventative bone health based upon their comorbidities and response to treatment, and prescribing of appropriate treatment.

In addition to supporting our orthopaedic services, the post holder will provide a clinical pharmacy service to our acute surgical wards.

The Trust has recently undergone the implementation of EPMA and the post-holder will have a significant input into improved prescribing and therapeutic drug monitoring using electronic systems.

Clinical and Professional Responsibilities

1. Provide a clinical pharmacy service to designated orthopaedic surgical wards and pre-op clinics and develop a specialist practice base in trauma and orthopaedics. This will include:

Undertaking medicines reconciliation on admission including the contacting of GP surgeries/specialist clinics where necessary

Review of patients medication to ensure safe and effective use, and seek resolution of any medication related issues

Prescribing of patients regular medication on admission and other appropriate drug treatments according to clinical pathways within the orthopaedic directorate.

Initiation of monitoring where deemed necessary

Review and update of care plans depending on response, results of investigations and adverse effects

Therapeutic drug monitoring for specific drugs

Educate patients about their drug therapy

2. Develop evidence-based treatment protocols in trauma and orthopaedic surgery for use within the Directorate or across the Trust where appropriate

3. Facilitate implementation of local and national guidelines where appropriate

4. To work with the Deputy Chief Pharmacist clinical services and other senior members of staff to develop pharmacy services to the orthopaedic directorate as appropriate

5. Attend clinical ward rounds, clinical and multidisciplinary meetings relevant to orthopaedic surgery as appropriate including orthopaedic surgical audit meetings

6. Undertaking and supervising audit and research projects in clinical pharmacy practice or in trauma and orthopaedic surgery as appropriate

7. To assist the Deputy Chief Pharmacist clinical services with information regarding intervention monitoring by regularly recording clinical interventions and activities

8. Representing the pharmacy department and the Trust in regional and other clinical pharmacy forums and meetings, particularly with respect to orthopaedic surgery

9. In liaison with the senior technicians for procurement/computer services, provide and interpret monthly drug-use information for the orthopaedic surgical directorate and prioritise areas for action to contain unexplained spending. Liaise with Finance, Clinical Directors and Clinical Service Managers to address any financial concerns

10. Develop evidence-based treatment protocols, guidelines and care pathways within orthopaedic surgery

11. Responsible for drug administration protocols within trauma and orthopaedic surgery directorate

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9000 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.

We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.

Our Services

Acute Care

Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.

Primary Care

Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.

Community Services

Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation, freeing up space for more unwell patients. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.

Specialist Regional Services

We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.

Achievements

o Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018

o Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)

o National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme

Qualifications

Experience

Skills

Other