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Source: Boots UK
Marc Donovan, chief pharmacist at Boots UK, said the company wants to attract and retain “the very best pharmacist colleagues” as the role of the pharmacist continues to evolve
Boots UK is introducing a specialist pharmacist practitioner role to recognise pharmacists who are “operating at the cutting edge of community pharmacy practice”.
For the role, Boots is seeking individuals with the highest level of clinical competence and a drive for pharmacy innovation — for example, individuals conducting pharmacy research or carrying out extensive work in the local community.
Any pharmacist working for Boots can apply; however, they must have been qualified for at least 18 months and should preferably be an independent prescriber and a Royal Pharmaceutical Society Faculty member.
Applications will be reviewed by a specialist practitioner review panel and successful candidates will be appointed to the role for a set period. This is determined by the panel in consultation with the candidate’s sponsor, who will need to work in an area of the business specific to the area of work that is relevant to the specialist practitioner.
“As the landscape of pharmacy changes, the role of the pharmacist is evolving to respond to the additional opportunities to further impact patients’ lives — and as an organisation, we want to ensure we attract and retain the very best pharmacist colleagues,” explained Marc Donovan, chief pharmacist at Boots UK.
“Specialist practitioners will lead by applying expert clinical and professional knowledge in the design and delivery of innovative services and care in pharmacy to continuously improve the support we offer for the health and wellbeing needs of patients.”
The first round of six candidates has already been selected, including Valerie Sefton, clinical lead pharmacist in the Community Pharmacy Anticoagulation Management Service in Brighton and Hove.
Sefton said: “I’m so excited about the new specialist practitioner role as I feel this recognises pharmacists, like myself, who have been working hard to develop successful services and stay at the forefront of pharmacy by delivering these successfully and, most importantly, safely.”
