Elderly Care Pharmacist

NHS Birmingham and Solihull has an exciting opportunity for a motivated and enthusiastic pharmacist to join the Medicines Management and Optimisation (MMO) Team as an Elderly Care Pharmacist. The post holder will be working within allocated care homes and GP practices to support the implementation of the MMO strategy to promote high quality, evidence based, safe and cost-effective prescribing. Highly regarded by the organisation, GP practices and care homes you will be an integral member of the MMO Team and have accountability for the delivery of Medicines Optimisation initiatives that improve care and tackle health inequalities. The post offers an excellent opportunity for a candidate to further develop their insight into primary care and broaden their experience within different healthcare settings. The successful candidate will have strong clinical background, ideally with experience of undertaking medicines optimisation reviews for elderly patients, but training to develop into the role will be available. There is an expectation that the successful candidate will be able to travel across the geography of Birmingham and Solihull, where required. NHS Birmingham and Solihull is committed to having a workforce which is representative of our population. Our current staffing profile demonstrates that we are not as representative as we would like to be at this level within the organisation. We would actively welcome applications from men for this role. The Medicines Management and Optimisation Team is a large, dynamic, and innovative team, providing expert pharmaceutical advice to GPs and other primary care clinicians. As an Elderly Care Pharmacist, you will be joining an innovative team helping to implement the Integrated Care System (ICS) strategy of improving care for elderly people living in care homes across Birmingham and Solihull footprint. Your responsibilities will include conducting targeted medication reviews for people living in care homes to support safe, appropriate, evidence based and cost-effective prescribing leading to better patient outcomes. You will be available to respond to queries from care home staff, GPs, other healthcare professionals and ICS colleagues. Following review of systems and processes within a care home you will support the care home to adopt best practice, as necessary. You will develop guidance for care homes/GP practices and deliver training sessions as required. You will develop and maintain key relationships with allocated GP practices, primary care clinicians, care home staff, Integrated Care Board (ICB) medicines management team, ICB quality team and other healthcare professionals involved in the care of the patient. As a member of the MMO Team, patients will be at the heart of everything you do – you will be joining a team dedicated to delivering high quality and tackling health inequalities. Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System brings together local NHS, councils, and voluntary, community and faith sectors to better serve our communities. With a population of circa 1.3 million, our vision is for Birmingham and Solihull to be the healthiest place to live and work, driving equity in life chances and health outcomes for everyone. For a chance to be part of the fantastic opportunity we have as an Integrated Care System, apply for this role today. As a member of our system, you will actively demonstrate system values in all that you do. You will be driven to address health inequalities and create an environment that is inclusive for all people. In return NHS Birmingham and Solihull can offer you the opportunity to thrive and develop in a team that is supportive, ambitious, and inclusive. You will have plenty of opportunities to build your skills and experience, with a chance to work with colleagues across our five Provider Trusts, two Local Authorities, voluntary organisations, Integrated Care Board (ICB) and NHS England to truly effect change and add value. The ICB is registered as a Disability Confident Employer. We actively welcome applications from applicants with a disability and commit to shortlisting all such suitable applicants who meet the essential criteria for an interview. Please let us know of any reasonable adjustments you require in order to participate in the recruitment process. The post holder will combine pharmaceutical expertise and technical skills to support the delivery of a patient-centred medicines optimisation agenda, through:

• Undertaking clinical medication reviews for all allocated patients, utilising GP computer systems, Medication Administration Charts at the care home and discussion with care home staff and patients. Discuss the findings with the relevant GP or other registered primary care clinicians within GP practices to implement the agreed interventions.
• Participating in multi-disciplinary patient review meetings where required.
• Review systems and processes within care homes to promote best practice.
• ​Be available to respond to prescribing queries from GPs and other healthcare professionals.
• Provide expert advice for care home staff and signpost to appropriate guidance to support safe use of medicines within care homes.
• ​Develop and review guidance for care homes and GP practices to promote safe, effective, and evidence-based prescribing.
• Contribute to care home newsletter.
• Develop and implement training for care home staff and Primary Care Network teams as required.
• Lead and support projects as required to deliver local and national medicines optimisation priorities.
• Interact with patients/patient’s relatives where appropriate, care home staff, and other healthcare professionals involved in the care of the patient.
• Engaging effectively with GPs and Primary Care Network clinicians.
• ​Line management responsibilities.