Job summary This role is to actively support the Medication Safety Officer to improve medication safety within the Trust and to ensure good clinical governance and risk management within medicines management activities Be the Lead Nurse for Medication Safety & Governance across both sites of Bedfordshire Hospitals, working in partnership with the Medication Safety Officer [Pharmacist] to deliver the Medication Safety agenda Provide leadership, support and training at ward/department level to nursing, medical and pharmacy staff to improve all aspects of medicines management and optimisation. This will include developing strategies to minimise medicine omissions and errors, improving controlled drug record keeping at ward/department level, leading on and supporting safe medication practice, developing and delivering training packages and supporting the patient safety team with medication related CQUIN project Identify medicine management issues at ward/department level and work with the senior pharmacy/nursing team to formulate strategies to resolve these issues Main duties of the job 1. Undertake the role of Medication Safety Matron for the Trust and be an active member of the National Medication Safety Network 2. Be a member of the Trust Medication Safety Committee, providing specialist professional advice on medication safety issues 3. Lead medication safety Quality Improvement (QI) projects and support the running of medication safety subgroups across the Trust 4. Be a permanent member of any Trust incident groups (e.g. PSIRF), providing a visible and authoritative presence in the provision of specialist advice on medication safety issues 5. Identify, develop and promote best practice for medication safety. 6. Pro-actively work with Clinical Service Leads, Consultants, Matrons and Pharmacists to ensure effective evaluation and learning from medication safety incidents 7. Develop and maintain an expertise in relation to medicines safety 8. Work with ward managers and pharmacists to reduce medication administration and omission errors. Support stock list reviews to ensure that ward stock is appropriate to minimise waste 9. Produce and appraise thematic reviews on medication errors, working with the MSO to provide action plans to the MSC and sharing any learning points to the relevant end users 10. Support the nursing team in undertaking medication safety / risk minimisation activities 11. To develop mechanisms for involving patients and carers in medication safety initiatives About us Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology. Our Values We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences. Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job. Date posted 13 January 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8a Salary £53,755 to £60,504 a year £53,755 Contract Permanent Working pattern Part-time Reference number 418-MED5771-JB-A Job locations Cross Site - Luton and Bedford Luton & Dunstable Hospital NHS Trust Cross Site - Luton and Bedford LU4 0DZ Job description Job responsibilities Service Provision Lead on the improvement of medicines management and optimisation in all clinical areas within the trustIdentify and implement methods of improving medicines use to reduce in-patient length of stay, improve discharge and to make the best use of hospital resourcesWork closely with other health care professionals across the Trust to develop policies and procedures to optimise the use of medicinesWork with pharmacy, medical and nursing staff to reduce medication related adverse events and formulate action plans with the healthcare groups to reduce errors and risks related to the use of medicinesSupport wards in ensuring the safe and secure storage of medicines is maintained as well as medicines fridge / room temperature monitoring where medicines are stored is completedSupport wards and working groups relating to safe discharge processesSupport the Chief Pharmacist in ensuring that all non-medical staff have the best medicines related learning experience possibleSupport ward pharmacists in the development and review of clinical guidelines, policies and SOPsWork closely with the pharmacy ePMA team as part of the Trust EPR roadmap to ensure ePMA and digital systems are safely embedded in all clinical areas. To lead on and assist the ePMA team in undertaking audits where requiredRisk assess all wards/departments to ensure the preparation of medication is carried out in a safe environmentSupport in the improvement of patient knowledge about their medicationActively seek ways to work with pharmacy, medical and nursing staff to reduce drug wastageTo work as an Independent Non-Medical Prescriber within a designated clinical area, taking responsibility for the clinical assessment of the patients, establishing a diagnosis and the clinical management, as well as responsibility for prescribing where required and the appropriateness of any medication prescribed. Independent Non-Medical Prescribers will be responsible for prescribing a range of medicines within their competence in accordance with Trust protocol, pathways and medicines formulary.The post-holder will be expected to work closely with the Consultants, Clinical Nurse Specialists, the multi-disciplinary team and other healthcare professionals involved in the patients care pathway. Education, Training & Audit 1. Ensure there is an effective learning environment on the ward/departments for medicine management at all times Develop and deliver training to nursing staff on the safer discharge process, ensuring that the discharge checklist is being used. Support the scheduled audit processDevelop and deliver training to nursing staff on the use of FP10 prescriptions and / or TTA pre-packs at discharge, monitoring competency assessments and supporting ward managers as required in maintaining training records 4. Play a key role in the management of systematic, multidisciplinary, evaluation of medication incidents, ensuring that all risks related to medicines are assessed and graded in accordance with the Trust risk management policy. To pro-actively work with CSL clinical directors, general managers, heads of nursing, and matrons to improve reporting of medication errors and ensure effective evaluation and learning from medication safety incidents. 5. Identify, prioritise, develop and deliver training for all healthcare professionals to support the risk management agenda in relation to medicines management and medication safety 6. Be a key member of the Pharmacy Clinical Governance Meetings, ensuring any agreed plans or areas of concern are fully integrated into the overall Quality Management System within Pharmacy 7. Liaise closely with the Heads of Pharmacy and Clinical Pharmacy Manager to ensure the pharmacy departmental clinical audit forward plan reflects risk management audit requirements 8. Ensure pharmacy service / medicines management developments both within the Pharmacy department and at ward level have been assessed for potential risk management issues. This will involve use of tools such as FMEA (Failure Modes Effectiveness Analysis). 9. On delegated authority from the Medicines Use & Quality Manager, to be responsible for supporting other healthcare staff in the development of Patient Group Directions (PGDs), reviewing PGDs prior to submission to the Trust Drugs & Therapeutics Committee and support in maintaining a database of PGDs that they are audited and reviewed in a timely manner 10. To be responsible for the planning, co-ordinating and delivery of training programmes to a range of healthcare staff on MSC led topics such as opioid stewardship, discharge planning, Patient Group Directions 11. Support the ward managers in undertaking and maintaining risk assessments to facilitate safe medication practice Job description Job responsibilities Service Provision Lead on the improvement of medicines management and optimisation in all clinical areas within the trustIdentify and implement methods of improving medicines use to reduce in-patient length of stay, improve discharge and to make the best use of hospital resourcesWork closely with other health care professionals across the Trust to develop policies and procedures to optimise the use of medicinesWork with pharmacy, medical and nursing staff to reduce medication related adverse events and formulate action plans with the healthcare groups to reduce errors and risks related to the use of medicinesSupport wards in ensuring the safe and secure storage of medicines is maintained as well as medicines fridge / room temperature monitoring where medicines are stored is completedSupport wards and working groups relating to safe discharge processesSupport the Chief Pharmacist in ensuring that all non-medical staff have the best medicines related learning experience possibleSupport ward pharmacists in the development and review of clinical guidelines, policies and SOPsWork closely with the pharmacy ePMA team as part of the Trust EPR roadmap to ensure ePMA and digital systems are safely embedded in all clinical areas. To lead on and assist the ePMA team in undertaking audits where requiredRisk assess all wards/departments to ensure the preparation of medication is carried out in a safe environmentSupport in the improvement of patient knowledge about their medicationActively seek ways to work with pharmacy, medical and nursing staff to reduce drug wastageTo work as an Independent Non-Medical Prescriber within a designated clinical area, taking responsibility for the clinical assessment of the patients, establishing a diagnosis and the clinical management, as well as responsibility for prescribing where required and the appropriateness of any medication prescribed. Independent Non-Medical Prescribers will be responsible for prescribing a range of medicines within their competence in accordance with Trust protocol, pathways and medicines formulary.The post-holder will be expected to work closely with the Consultants, Clinical Nurse Specialists, the multi-disciplinary team and other healthcare professionals involved in the patients care pathway. Education, Training & Audit 1. Ensure there is an effective learning environment on the ward/departments for medicine management at all times Develop and deliver training to nursing staff on the safer discharge process, ensuring that the discharge checklist is being used. Support the scheduled audit processDevelop and deliver training to nursing staff on the use of FP10 prescriptions and / or TTA pre-packs at discharge, monitoring competency assessments and supporting ward managers as required in maintaining training records 4. Play a key role in the management of systematic, multidisciplinary, evaluation of medication incidents, ensuring that all risks related to medicines are assessed and graded in accordance with the Trust risk management policy. To pro-actively work with CSL clinical directors, general managers, heads of nursing, and matrons to improve reporting of medication errors and ensure effective evaluation and learning from medication safety incidents. 5. Identify, prioritise, develop and deliver training for all healthcare professionals to support the risk management agenda in relation to medicines management and medication safety 6. Be a key member of the Pharmacy Clinical Governance Meetings, ensuring any agreed plans or areas of concern are fully integrated into the overall Quality Management System within Pharmacy 7. Liaise closely with the Heads of Pharmacy and Clinical Pharmacy Manager to ensure the pharmacy departmental clinical audit forward plan reflects risk management audit requirements 8. Ensure pharmacy service / medicines management developments both within the Pharmacy department and at ward level have been assessed for potential risk management issues. This will involve use of tools such as FMEA (Failure Modes Effectiveness Analysis). 9. On delegated authority from the Medicines Use & Quality Manager, to be responsible for supporting other healthcare staff in the development of Patient Group Directions (PGDs), reviewing PGDs prior to submission to the Trust Drugs & Therapeutics Committee and support in maintaining a database of PGDs that they are audited and reviewed in a timely manner 10. To be responsible for the planning, co-ordinating and delivery of training programmes to a range of healthcare staff on MSC led topics such as opioid stewardship, discharge planning, Patient Group Directions 11. Support the ward managers in undertaking and maintaining risk assessments to facilitate safe medication practice Person Specification Qualifications Essential Registered Nurse Level 1 First degree in Nursing or health related subject or equivalent level of experience ENB 998/ MSPP or equivalent teaching, LEO or RCN leadership programme, or evidence of equivalent leadership skills Experience Essential Evidence of excellent managerial, leadership and organisational skills Extensive experience at ward manager level or equivalent managerial role Evidence of ability to motivate and develop all teams of nursing staff across the division Evidence of ability to work across professional teams and organisational boundaries Proven track record of being able to delegate and prioritise Evidence of excellent appraisal skills Evidence of excellent understanding of Trust policies and procedures and ability to translate these into action Evidence of Performance Management skills A sound understanding of National Nursing, Patient and Medication Safety Agendas An understanding of Clinical Governance and the application to practice Excellent clinical skills and the ability to implement these in practice Up to date and evidenced based knowledge of current clinical and professional issues Clinically credible and competent with experience of standard-setting within a large organisation. Excellent professional and leadership skills with evidence of successfully managing high-performing teams Desirable Experience of process redesign / continuous improvement work Validated project management experience Experience of coaching staff Knowledge Essential Evidence of excellent managerial, leadership and organisational skills Evidence of up to date clinical awareness in specialist area Knowledge and awareness of medication safety developments Excellent Communication and Interpersonal skills Demonstrable analytical skills Demonstrable skills of effective planning and organisational Demonstrable skills in use of Information and Communication Technology Supervisory and HR Management Proven ability to work under pressure both professionally and managerially Proven ability to concentrate and maintain high degree of accuracy Personal Skills Essential Adaptable and flexible Team player Able to foster positive relationships with co-workers and work across professional and organisational boundaries Ability to influence other healthcare professionals as appropriate Self-aware Demonstrable skills in report writing Demonstrable skills in Training and Mentoring Desirable Ability to formulate, lead and implement service improvements Other qualities Essential Adaptable and flexible Enthusiastic about development of safe medicines management systems Creative ability to thrive on development/change Good interpersonal skills Self-motivated Accurate and precise Team focussed Confidence to deal at consultant/ senior manager level Person Specification Qualifications Essential Registered Nurse Level 1 First degree in Nursing or health related subject or equivalent level of experience ENB 998/ MSPP or equivalent teaching, LEO or RCN leadership programme, or evidence of equivalent leadership skills Experience Essential Evidence of excellent managerial, leadership and organisational skills Extensive experience at ward manager level or equivalent managerial role Evidence of ability to motivate and develop all teams of nursing staff across the division Evidence of ability to work across professional teams and organisational boundaries Proven track record of being able to delegate and prioritise Evidence of excellent appraisal skills Evidence of excellent understanding of Trust policies and procedures and ability to translate these into action Evidence of Performance Management skills A sound understanding of National Nursing, Patient and Medication Safety Agendas An understanding of Clinical Governance and the application to practice Excellent clinical skills and the ability to implement these in practice Up to date and evidenced based knowledge of current clinical and professional issues Clinically credible and competent with experience of standard-setting within a large organisation. Excellent professional and leadership skills with evidence of successfully managing high-performing teams Desirable Experience of process redesign / continuous improvement work Validated project management experience Experience of coaching staff Knowledge Essential Evidence of excellent managerial, leadership and organisational skills Evidence of up to date clinical awareness in specialist area Knowledge and awareness of medication safety developments Excellent Communication and Interpersonal skills Demonstrable analytical skills Demonstrable skills of effective planning and organisational Demonstrable skills in use of Information and Communication Technology Supervisory and HR Management Proven ability to work under pressure both professionally and managerially Proven ability to concentrate and maintain high degree of accuracy Personal Skills Essential Adaptable and flexible Team player Able to foster positive relationships with co-workers and work across professional and organisational boundaries Ability to influence other healthcare professionals as appropriate Self-aware Demonstrable skills in report writing Demonstrable skills in Training and Mentoring Desirable Ability to formulate, lead and implement service improvements Other qualities Essential Adaptable and flexible Enthusiastic about development of safe medicines management systems Creative ability to thrive on development/change Good interpersonal skills Self-motivated Accurate and precise Team focussed Confidence to deal at consultant/ senior manager level Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Address Cross Site - Luton and Bedford Luton & Dunstable Hospital NHS Trust Cross Site - Luton and Bedford LU4 0DZ Employer's website https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)