Neonatal Network Lead Pharmacist inNorthampton inNorthampton PUBLISHED FRI 18 OCT 2024

An exciting opportunity for an experienced, enthusiatic, highly motivated Pharmacist has arisen within the East Midlands Neonatal OPerational Delivery Network (EMNODN). This post will support medicines optimisation work across all neonatal units in the East Midlands.

The successful candidate will work alongside the EMNODN team, pharmacists across the region as well as across other neonatal ODNs, and other key stakeholders, to facilitate the implementation of disciplne specific key deliverables in line with national recommendations such as those in the Neonatal GIRFT and NHS Long Term Plan. This will include supporting equitable access to education, knowledge and skills for pharmacists in provider Trusts, identifying opportunitites for improved clinical pharmacy pathways, and ensuring that babies and their families receive safe, effective, and compassionate care.

As an individual, and as pat of working alongside local pharmacists, you will champion safe and effective medicine management and practice in neonatal services through the development of a Network wide strategy.

Please note - Predominently home working

The Neonatal Network Lead Pharmacist will be responsible for leading and delivering highly specialist pharmacy service and leadership to the East Midlands Neonatal Operational Delivery Network (EMNODN). The successful candidate will provide expert advice on pharmaceutical matters within the field of neonatology and contribute to a group of network pharmacists regionally and nationally. They will undertake relevant risk management to ensure compliance with medicines legislation across the EMNODN.

The role will include planning, developing and leading clinical audit, co-ordinate and undertake research, and provide specialist training within the Network. They will also support the review and implementation of medicines related recommendations from the GIRFT report and any other future reports which includes providing optimisation around the use of neonatal medicines and providing associated cost savings.

They will work with the EMNODN team to support local and national project work within the individual units and across the region which will lead to effective and sustainable service improvement. They will promote and market activities across the service, contributing to the sharing of good practice ideas, learning and teaching.

About us

Communication and Relationship Responsibilities

Provide and receive highly complex information both regionally and nationally.

Work closely with the Network team, individual unit pharmacists and national colleagues to ensure that professional guidance influences and supports the delivery of high-quality neonatal care and the development of pharmacy services within thespeciality.

Work with the Network Director and Clinical Leads to agree medicines optimisation priorities and deliverables for the region, which will be included within the Network Action Plan.

Communicate highly complex drug or medicine related information to prescribers, clinicians and families using appropriate levels and means.

Lead on the development and monitoring of medicine risk management and clinical governance strategies across the network.

Develop and lead network-wide pharmacy clinical supervision group(s) in order to upskill and empower existing pharmacists in post within the Operational Delivery Network.

Work collaboratively with key stakeholders to initiate and develop communication strategies, discussion forums and targeted work streams in order to facilitate the development, implementation and enhancement of standardised provision of neonatal care across the Network.

Develop multi-faceted strategies for effective Network pharmacy communication. For example, taking responsibility for the development, update and maintenance of discipline specific and overarching pharmacy digital communications eg website pages, social media feeds, blog pages etc. whilst ensuring adherence to host trust communication guidelines at all times.

Work collaboratively with families and parent partners to ensure any improvements are co-designed and co-produced.

Act as a positive role model and motivator to support staff in the planning, implementing and measurement of improvement projects.

Provide comprehensive, and often complex, presentations, briefing documents, background papers, tables, reports, and other materials pertaining to Network pharmacy information which can be used to contribute to stakeholder group feedback such as to the Network Board, Clinical Governance groups, Commissioners and Workforce and Education authorities.

Link with other neonatal Networks, at regional and national level, in respect of pharmacy service improvement projects.Act as a contact and clinical point of reference for relevant national bodies and organisations seeking expert comment on topics relating to pharmacy neonatal care.

Such bodies should include in the first instance the NPPG NHSE&I, Department of Health, professional organisations, charities, and 3rd sector.

Chair/co-chair AHP meetings within and external to the Network.Provide professional leadership & clinical supervision to upskill and empower existing unit pharmacists.

Quality and Clinical Excellence Responsibilities

In conjunction with the Network Director/Lead Nurse, Deputy Lead Nurses, and AHP team, support the development, delivery and monitoring of pharmacy services across the Network.

Provide and demonstrate an advanced level of clinical reasoning and judgement in the management of neonates clearly communicating the rationale for advice.

Work as part of a national group of expert network neonatal pharmacists to provide and demonstrate expert and advanced clinical skills, knowledge and advice.

Ensure compliance with national directives and action plans i.e. Neonatal GIRFT, Neonatal Critical Care Transformation Review.

Contribute to education and training programmes as required. This may include preparing and providing taught sessions to colleagues.

Provide on-going support and leadership, under the guidance of the Director/Lead Nurse, across Network units.

To maintain an active leading role in pharmacy specific national neonatal specialist interest groups and relevant multi-disciplinary interest groups.

Standardise neonatal parenteral nutrition (PN) regionally and nationally with a move towards appropriate licensed PN bags for neonates purchased on a national procurement framework.

Provide assistance in development of electronic prescribing systems, to ensure appropriate support for neonates.

Gain an understanding of quality metrics and use to assist in sustainable service improvement.

Gain an understanding of the Network Governance agenda and contribute to meetings where appropriate.

Be involved with the network peer review process.

Promote and assist with the development of network wide guidelines, protocols and standards of care.

Using nationally agreed, discipline specific, knowledge and skills competency frameworks; develop and deliver strategies for the up-skilling and maintenance of competency levels for new and existing pharmacy staff, ensuring consistency across the network.

Utilise available national resources to ensure standardisation across the network.

Policy and Service Development Responsibilities

Review and critically appraise the evidence base for interventions involving medication. Guidelines will be informed by both current evidence and best practice, include new initiatives and provide a practical platform for the translation of current research into clinical practice.

Support and collaborate with the Network Management Team in the development of any business cases for improving pharmacy services.

Assist the Clinical Guidelines Lead in supporting the development of Neonatal Pharmacy Guidelines, protocols, and service pathways including the development or adoption of a neonatal drug calculator for use across the East Midlands.

Promote a culture of patient safety within the units across the network.

Provide post graduate pharmacy medication training opportunities for clinicians new to or interested in neonatal care.

Please see job description for further details