Pharmacist Teaching Fellow

My interest in research began in my final year of my undergraduate pharmacy degree when I carried out a microbiology and chemistry combined lab-based project for my clinical dissertation. I looked at testing new chemical compounds for treating the ocular symptoms of a rare genetic disease called cystinosis. As part of my initial research for my literature review, I developed a strong appreciation and understanding of the importance of medical and healthcare research, and the huge impact it has on patients and society. Since graduating, I have taken the opportunity to get involved in as many quality improvement projects as possible. During my pre-registration year, I carried out a trust-wide project looking at the benefits of electronic discharges over hand written discharges in GP uptake of medication changes. Throughout my career, I have participated in my colleagues' research and audit projects such as prescribing opioids in reduced renal function, qualitative studies investigating the Northumbria Vanguard project, the impact of ward-based pharmacy assistants, the perception of pharmacist teaching fellows and the benefits of inter-professional learning in medical education. I have also carried out three clinical audit projects. I was the lead pharmacist on a project investigating the use of antifungal agents in critical care; this was to analyse whether the intravenous drug anidulafungin was being selected appropriately over intravenous fluconazole which is a much more cost-effective alternative. I have also researched the prescribing of proton pump inhibitors alongside antibiotics; evaluating the use of a risk assessment tool, and whether the dosing adjustment required with apixaban in elderly, low body weight and renally impaired patients is adhered to. I have been the responsible pharmacist in charge of many clinical trials at Northumbria Healthcare NHS foundation trust (NHCT); this required me to undergo GCP training with NIHR and gave me insight in to clinical research, trials and the practical elements associated with pharmacy. I was previously in charge of numerous rheumatology trials, though a shift in my clinical role to a cardiology specialty has me in charge of three cardiology trials currently. This includes developing pharmacy standard operating procedures and supervising pharmacy technicians and dispensers, representing pharmacy at sponsor/MDT meetings and keeping up to date with all aspects of the trials. Research methods I have gained experience in throughout my career are: " Designing and developing research questionnaires " Conducting interviews with colleagues " Quantitative analysis of data obtained " Critiquing research projects My clinical specialty as a pharmacist is cardiology. This is a vast and interesting role which involves attending monthly business unit meetings, writing and reviewing clinical guidelines and patient group directions to improve service delivery, providing a comprehensive pharmacy service to the wards and acting as a link between cardiology and pharmacy. I enjoy my clinical role greatly and am looking forward to future development. I am also part of a pilot secondment to the education centre at NHCT as a pharmacist teaching fellow. It has involved developing and delivering teaching for 3rd and 5th year medical students who are based at NHCT and working alongside a team of medical teaching fellows to deliver the required content from the medical degree curriculum. It has ignited my passion for teaching; other opportunities I have been involved in are providing teaching sessions for pre-registration and junior pharmacists and participating in teaching sessions for pharmacy students at Newcastle University. Alongside my specialist role, I am a pre-registration pharmacist tutor this year. This has been a highly rewarding experience which involves regular progress meetings with my student, providing guidance and pastoral support and assessing development throughout the year.