Pharmacy Information Officer

This position is open to both GPhC Registered Pharmacy Technicans or Pharmacists.

The post holder, in conjunction with the chief pharmacy information officer will lead to develop, implement, and optimise the EPMA system across the Trust. The successful candidate will work closely with the clinical information officers for maintaining and developing electronic prescribing and Medicine administration (EPMA) as well as other digital clinical informatics systems within the Trust.

The postholder would deliver the development of the Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (EPMA) system and other pharmacy systems.  To use pharmacy experience and knowledge to contribute to the design of new ways of working with electronic systems and processes to ensure maximum levels of safety and quality.   To promote new ways of working and support the resolution of clinical pharmacy risks and issues that could be generated by the transition from the current to the future state; working closely with the project implementation team.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1.     To use medicine management experience and knowledge to contribute to the design of new ways of working with electronic systems and processes to ensure maximum levels of safety and quality.

2.     To promote new ways of working and support the resolution of clinical pharmacy risks and issues that could be generated by the transition from the current to the future state; working closely with the project implementation team.

3.     To support in developing the electronic formulary held within the EPMA system; including the initial setting up of the electronic formulary and maintaining drug file builds.

4.     To assist in developing policies and procedures to ensure safe medication practice with EPMA.

5.     To support the Lead Pharmacist and the project team on the development, implementation and on-going management of the EPMA system to ensure delivery of a high level of patient safety and quality of care, efficient use of staff resource and cost effective prescribing.

6.     To support the Lead Pharmacist in developing EPMA as a vehicle to effectively capture and communicate prescribing information to patients and healthcare professionals across all sectors.

7.     To develop alerts for prescribing and administration of medicines under EPMA in response to serious incidents and patient safety alerts.

8.     To support the Lead Pharmacist in developing and implementing contingency plans to ensure patient safety and service delivery are maintained during system downtime, or in the event of system failure, and that timely system recovery is facilitated. This will include the development of a management and communication strategy to users during system downtime.

9.     To maintain and create  user accounts according to the roles, maintain and create new drug files/Protocols according to needs

12.To liaise with System Providers to improve the EPMA system

1.     To develop and deliver EPMA information training packages to professional groups including nurses, doctors, pharmacy staff and other healthcare professionals involved in the operation of EPMA.

2.     To identify the training and development needs of all pharmacy staff including the EPMA On-Call service

3.     To support pharmacy staff in utilising the full benefits of an EPMA system including demonstrating new initiatives and developments as they arise.

4.     To deliver education and training to other healthcare staff as required.

5.     To undertake CPD to ensure that knowledge is continually updated in the field of EPMA and pharmacy training and development.

6.     To arrange relevant departmental meetings that will enable staff to be brought up to date on current issues and to address staff development needs in relation to EPMA.

1.     To support in the development, implementation and monitoring of the impact of EPMA on patient safety.

2.     To participate in the development of appropriate reports from EPMA for management information, patient care and financial remuneration.

3.     To regularly design, develop and undertake audits to improve EPMA and to ensure that all legal, professional and service requirements are met.

4.     To regularly participate in Trust-wide clinical audit, encouraging other pharmacy staff in this area and liaising with other specialities/departments as necessary.

5.     To support the Lead Pharmacist in ensuring errors, complaints and incidents are managed within the Trust’s Guidelines.

6.     To support the Lead Pharmacist in investigating EPMA related Datix’s and looking at trends and ways to mitigate future incidents

7.     To maintain accurate records of design decisions and minute stakeholder and steering group meetings.

1.     To carry out audit where necessary.

2.     To disseminate relevant information on changes to practice to appropriate Trust staff as necessary.

1.     To act as a specialist practitioner/role model in the field of EPMA.

2.     To participate in teaching for doctors, nurses and pharmacy staff.

1.     To communicate with the multidisciplinary healthcare team (Consultants, doctors, Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, nurses, dieticians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, ward managers, and site practitioners), to intermediate care, general practice support and community pharmacists in the provision of medicine related information and assessment of patients treatment.

2.     To work with appropriate staff to support development of services and facilitate the implementation of strategies for education and training of staff throughout the Trust.

3.     To demonstrate good communication skills as the role liaises with a wide variety of people within the Trust, including IT staff, project team, multidisciplinary team members and all pharmacy staff.

4.     To liaise with external bodies including Cerner, local CCGs, regional pharmacy services, and necessary pharmacy networks.

5.     The post-holder will be required to communicate clearly and sensitively about patient medication issue both internally and externally.

6.     To provide training on medication related issues, policies, guidelines and service developments to pharmacy colleagues, nursing and medical staff, ranging from one on one communication to more formal presentations.

1.     To maintain current professional knowledge and keep abreast of relevant developments.

2.     To maintain a Continuing Professional Development portfolio and keep up-to-date with Mandatory training.

3.     To develop links with other departments and professionals within the Trust to ensure multidisciplinary working.

4.     To undertake any other duties as may be reasonably requested by the Chief Pharmacy Information Officer.

5.     To provide EPMA weekend and oncall services.

1.     To supervise and line manage band 5 Technicians as well as setting objectives.

2.     Helps facilitate the improvement and development of the skills of staff using IT within the pharmacy department.

3.     Ensures at all times a co-ordinated use of available resources to support service delivery and monitoring that improves clinical practice and operational turn-around times.

4.     Operates and ensures direct reports operate at all times within the local Standard Operating Procedures relevant to the area of work.

5.     Follows Trust policies to ensure effective management of staff for whom responsible.