Specialist Pharmacist - Biologics

Full job description
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and innovative pharmacist to join Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust as our first Specialist Pharmacist in Biological Medicines.

This new role is ideal for an independent prescriber looking to shape and develop services across Respiratory, Dermatology, Gastroenterology, and Rheumatology. You’ll work as part of a supportive multidisciplinary team, with daily opportunities to apply your clinical expertise in direct patient care.

Our forward-thinking pharmacy department has successfully embedded pharmacist prescribers across a range of services including Medicine, Surgery, Oncology, and Community. We are committed to innovation, service improvement, and professional development—offering access to Quality, Service Improvement and Redesign (QSIR) training and a structured development programme aligned to the RPS framework.

With a £40m investment in our new Urgent and Emergency Care Centre and the implementation of EPMA, this is a fantastic time to join us and be part of our evolving pharmacy workforce.

We welcome applicants from all pharmacy sectors who are passionate about patient-centred care, clinical excellence, and driving innovation in practice.

PLEASE NOTE, WE MAY CLOSE THIS VACANCY EARLY IF WE RECEIVE HIGH NUMBERS OF APPLICATIONS.

Role Purpose

To lead and provide a responsive, safe and cost-effective clinical pharmacy service and be an integral part of the multi-disciplinary teams across a range of clinical specialities.

Responsible for providing specialist pharmacist advice on biological medicines use to prescribers, clinicians, nursing staff and patients including homecare.

To work as an independent prescriber managing biological medicines within a defined patient caseload including (but not limited to) dermatology, rheumatology, respiratory and gastroenterology services.

Job Summary

To contribute to the development of medicines management and optimisation throughout the patient care pathway.

To lead biosimilar switches by supporting the clinical teams and through direct patient contact.

Contribute to the eligibility assessment process before initiation of new therapies.

Undertake and oversee the addition of patients to BlueTeq where necessary and clinically validate biological medicines prescriptions.

To co-ordinate and validate repeat prescribing of biological medicines, including through homecare provision, and the counselling of patients.

To deliver high quality patient care in line with legislation, national guidance and service specifications.

To participate in the wider pharmacy service and its development in response to patient care needs

To monitor and provide evaluated information on drug expenditure and usage for biological medicines as required.

WALSALL HEALTHCARE NHS TRUST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER AND ACTIVELY DISCOURAGES SMOKING AT WORK

We are recommended by colleagues as a place to work which is supported by the trusts values to work as part of a team, being respectful, compassionate and professional. We are committed to investing in our workforce .

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is an integrated Trust and the only provider of NHS acute care in Walsall, serving a population of 286,700, providing inpatient and outpatient services at the Manor Hospital as well as a wide range of services in the community. Walsall Manor houses the full range of district general hospital services under one roof. The £170 million development was completed in 2010 and the continued upgrading of existing areas ensures the Trust now has a state-of-the-art Critical Care Unit, Neonatal Unit, Obstetric Theatre, and Integrated Assessment Unit facilities.

We would particularly welcome applications from people from a BME background and people with a disability as these groups are currently under-represented at senior level. We value diversity within our Trust and are working to achieve equality in our recruitment.

We support flexible working for all employees and prospective applicants.

RESPECT - COMPASSION - TEAMWORK – PROFESSIONALISM

Lead and manage the provision of inpatient and homecare pharmacy (in relation to specialist area) for biological and medicines optimisation within medical specialties including managing stock lists, procurement of high-cost drugs and lead the development of appropriate standard operating procedures for supply of biological medications from clinics.

Ensure clinical pharmacy services for biological medicines within area of speciality are delivered consistently to the required standards ensuring a safe and cost-effective supply of medicines.

Lead and support research, quality improvement and audit relating to clinical pharmacy across the relevant Trust services and implement recommendations for change.

Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to:
Provide better co-ordinated care to patients

Reduce hospital re-admissions

Improve medicines safety

Improve medicines compliance

Support safe discharge and transfer of care

Conduct pharmacist medication reviews, engaging directly with patients as well as external stakeholders to optimise patient care.

Provide expert advice to medical and nursing staff on the safe, effective use of biological medicines for relevant patient groups, including dosages and administration where information is lacking, and medical opinion differs.

Work with medical and nursing staff to report and investigate medication-related adverse events and formulate action plans to reduce errors and risks related to the use of medicines.

Participate in education programmes for wider clinical team, patients and carers within specialist area.

Responsible for monthly reporting of agreed KPIs to the Pharmacy Financial Oversight Group.

To assist in the implementation of efficient systems of biological medicine supply within the specialty.

Support the assessment and safe introduction of new biological treatments and services by horizon-scanning and flagging implications for drug expenditure and pharmacy services.

To assist in the implementation and delivery of cost improvement programs to reduce waste and drug spend e.g. biological medicine switches.

Working with respective Specialty Lead Pharmacist / representation at Divisional MMG where appropriate.

Participate in the discharge planning for patients at ward level, including patient and carer education prior to discharge and communication with GP, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals as needed to aid the smooth transfer of patients.

To develop, implement and maintain medicines protocols, clinical guidelines, policies, patient group directions (PGD’s) and risk reduction initiatives relating to relevant pharmaceuticals across specialty areas. Read more