Tomorrow's Pharmacist
2006:pp40-41
January 2006

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The Ministry of Defence — work on the front line

By Gemma Fargher

Are you interested in a career with the armed forces? Pharmacists are able to support the army by working for the Ministry of Defence. These are not officer positions; all you need is a bit of post-registration experience and you may be eligible for one of these roles.

Positions available

For further information on MOD vacancies please contact: Miss Gemma Fargher Army Civilian Human Resource Services Building 396 Trenchard Lines Upavon, Pewsey SN9 6BE Telephone: 01980 615832 Fax: 01980 615301 All vacancies will be advertised at www.mod.uk

The majority of civilian pharmacists in the Ministry of Defence work either for the Medical Supplies Agency or the Army Primary Healthcare Service (APHCS). The APHCS is a new and developing organisation tasked with ensuring provision of the appropriate standard of primary health care to all army personnel in the UK.

The APHCS employ grade D and E (standard NHS grades — subject to reclassification with Agenda for Change) pharmacists in medical centres and regional headquarters throughout the UK. Grade D pharmacists are employed in pharmacies within medical practices. They provide a dispensing service, are responsible for the running of the dispensary and will generally have management responsibilities for pharmacy technicians. Grade E regional posts are advisory and ensure that the APHCS have an efficient and cost-effective pharmaceutical service within the region.

Requirements

For Grade D pharmacist positions, candidates need to be suitably experienced and have sound management and clinical skills. Applicants must be members of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society with at least two years’ relevant post registration experience. Excellent communication skills are essential. Grade E pharmacist candidates also need to meet the above requirements, but need to have at least six years’ relevant post registration experience.

Main duties

Grade D pharmacists supervise the provision of an accurate and safe dispensing service to all patients whose medicines are dispensed by the medical centre. They are involved in developing safe systems of work to allow for the dispensing of prescriptions from satellite medical centres, in accordance with current UK legislation and best practice. Grade D pharmacists conduct regular audits of pharmacy, of prescribing and supply activities and provide advice to medical officers and other health-care professionals on pharmaceutical matters. Some other duties include assisting in the delivery of support staff training, assisting with stock management, providing drug information to staff, contributing to the development of prescribing standards and supporting to regional pharmacists.

Grade E pharmacists act as pharmaceutical advisers to regional clinical directors. They provide professional support to all army dispensaries in their region, ensuring that safe systems of work are in place in accordance with current UK legislation. They assist in the delivery of pharmacy support staff training, assessment and development, and lead the region with regard to prescribing. Other duties include providing advice and training to medical officers and other clinical staff, advising on drug information, and ensuring staff are kept up to date with new developments.

Benefits

The APHCS is committed to the continuous professional development and education of all its staff. APHCS are particularly keen to support formal post-graduate education relevant to the post at diploma/master’s level or higher as appropriate. This may take the form of financial assistance as well as time for study.

Annual leave entitlement is 25 days on appointment rising to 27 days after five years’ service and 31 days after 10 years’ service, plus 10.5 days public and privilege holidays.

The MOD reimburses professional membership fees and provide free access to a wide range of sporting facilities. There is also the opportunity for MOD pharmacists to become members of the Officers Mess.

Salary

Grade D pharmacists would expect to earn £30,637–£34,518 per annum with Grade E pharmacists awarded a little more: £34,518–£37,864 per annum. All MOD pharmacists are required to undergo security clearance and disclosure checks with the Criminal Records Bureau before they can start work.