NHS Arden & GEM CSU is offering third year pharmacy students the opportunity to gain research, investigation and evaluation experience by joining us for a paid 12-week summer placement in 2024.
During the placement, the successful applicant will develop and conduct research into the benefits delivered – for patients and the wider healthcare system – of a medicines support service operating in Norfolk before producing a report on their findings.
What will the placement involve?
You will investigate a number of defined areas by collecting and analysing data, and conducting surveys with patients who use the service and community pharmacies who support service delivery.
Your investigation will focus on user experience and service impact by designing questions to identify beneficial patient outcomes and value for money. Areas to investigate will include the impact of the Norfolk Medicines Support Service (NMSS) on:
- Supporting patients to live independently
- Patient-reported outcomes such as quality of life, medication adherence and overall wellbeing
- Hospitalisations and care home admissions
- Patient access to healthcare professionals
- Equality of access to care and healthcare inequalities
- The delivery of patient centred care.
You will present your findings in a final written report (suggested 5,000 words) with the potential to supplement your report with an article submission for publication in a journal of good standing.
What are the requirements and benefits?
We are offering a full time placement (37.5 hours per week) for 12 weeks during summer 2024.
This opportunity will be available to third year pharmacy students with induction support, access to required resources including IT equipment (e.g. laptop and appropriate software) and ongoing mentoring support.
This role will align with NHS Agenda for Change Pay Band 2 equating to approximately £5,596 gross total pay over the 12-week placement.
We expect the placement to be largely carried out remotely, however, some travel to an NHS Arden & GEM base (in either Warwick or Norwich once a month) may be required with full travel costs reimbursed.
How will I be supported?
- Your university academic tutor will provide academic mentoring, support with evaluation and review project findings ensuring academic rigour.
- NHS Arden & GEM CSU will provide a named Medicines Optimisation Pharmacist to support the direction of the workstream and ways of working. You will also be able to discuss the project with the wider NMSS team.
How do I find out more?
You can find out more in the job description and person specification here.
If you have further queries, please reach out to the NMSS team at agcsu.medicines@nhs.net
How do I apply?
Please send a completed Expressions of Interest form along with a copy of your CV to us at agcsu.medicines@nhs.net