Spotlight on Van Vu

Originally from Vietnam, Van came over to the UK for University and has now been in this country for 10 years.

Name

Van Vu

Job Title

Specialist Rotational Pharmacist

Band

7

Pharmacy qualifications

MPharm, GPhC Registered Pharmacist and Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy. 

I am now undertaking the Educational Supervisor Course, which is helping me as a new foundation trainee pharmacist supervisor.

Job history at Trust

I joined the Trust as a Band 6 Rotational Pharmacist in November 2018, and was promoted to my current role in 2020.

Since becoming a Band 7, I have completed one-year rotations in acute medicine, general medicine, and critical care / gastroenterology.

Previous career history

My pre-registration year was in community pharmacy.  Before joining SASH, I had a couple of months as a community relief pharmacist.

Focus on

During my six months in critical care, I generally spent the mornings on ICU and HDU, and afternoons more on supporting the junior pharmacists in surgical rotations. I felt that I really developed my clinical skills during this time, as critically ill patients have complex pharmaceutical needs, so I often had to look into clinical issues in depth. 

Twice a week, I joined the critical care multidisciplinary team meetings where we reviewed all of the patients. This was a great opportunity to learn from other professions, particularly medical, nursing, physiotherapy, dietetics.  

I also realised how important it is to review each patient’s medicines before they step down from critical care to wards, and ensure a comprehensive handover to the pharmacist on the ward they were going to.

Like best

Working in the pharmacy team. Kean and supportive colleagues. Learning new things every day.

Anything else?

The transition from community to secondary care is not as daunting as some people might think, so with a keen attitude and hard work it is very possible.

Out of work

My mother tongue is Vietnamese, but I like learning other languages; currently Italian.

Spotlight on Vishal Bhavsar

Rotational pharmacist Vishal Bhavsar is one of our many members of staff with a South Asian heritage. Vishal has been qualified a year, coming to SASH after completing his trainee pharmacist year in community pharmacy.

Vishal is an August nominee for Star of the Month.

Name

Vishal Bhavsar

Job Title

Rotational Pharmacist

Band

6

Pharmacy qualifications

MPharm Degree, GPhC registered pharmacist

Currently studying for Clinical Pharmacy Diploma.

Job history at Trust

I joined the Trust as a Band 6 in August 2022.

Previous career Hx

I completed my Foundation Trainee Year in Community Pharmacy and as a student worked as healthcare pharmacy assistant, also in community.

Focus on

My current rotation is in cardiology, which I find really interesting. I am learning what all the abbreviations mean and getting to know all the medicines-related guidelines.  During the rotation I am hopefully going to see an angio procedure.

Like best

Team aspect and a good work-life balance.

Anything else

I am looking forward to progressing my career, probably staying in a direct clinical role and becoming an independent prescriber.

Out of work

I like sports, especially football which I played at school and university. I also like socialising and going to concerts. My favourite types of music are R&B and House. 

Spotlight on Katy Bailey 

Name

Katy Bailey

Job Title

Lead Pharmacist for Surgery and Gastroenterology

Band

8A

Pharmacy qualifications

Master’s Degree in Pharmacy

Post-graduate Clinical Pharmacy Diploma

Educational Supervisor

Non-medical Prescriber

Job history at Trust

I joined the Trust as a Band 6 pharmacist in 2017, progressed to a specialist B7 role, before becoming Band 8A Lead Pharmacist for Surgery and Critical Care. In December 2021 I left to go to specialist prescribing pharmacist for digestive diseases at another trust. I came back in January 2023, as there was the opportunity to specialise in gastroenterology and nutrition.

Previous career history

I was a technician in community for five years. During that time, I took A level chemistry, so that I could take a pharmacy degree. I did my pre-registration year in hospital, and then spent nine months as a band 6 at a different hospital before moving to SASH.

Focus on Gastroenterology Role

Every Tuesday I join the multidisciplinary team meeting, where we discuss new patients for medicines called biologics and those who need review. Biologics are the last line of treatment for irritable bowel disease (IBD) before surgery.

I discuss with patients the choice of biologic, risks, benefits, side-effects, and monitoring, as part of my telephone clinic. If the patient is happy to progress, I check their  blood tests and their vaccination status, to ensure it is safe to start treatment. I then send a form to IBD nurse for funding and the consultant does the prescription for the patient. 

For patients having a three-month review, I call them to assess symptoms and side-effects (e.g., joint pain, eye problems), calculate scores of how effective the drug is being and check their blood tests. Depending on these, I either give the OK to continue and prescribe their biologic, or I refer the patient to the consultant e.g. for surgery.  

I do another review at 12 months, making the decision whether the patient should have a trial period without the drug, or if they need to continue. Other than the clinic, I review other patients who require infliximab, and prescribe this for them.

What do you like best about your role?

Leading in the gastro role, and being part of MDT

Anything else you would like to say?

I like the opportunities coming through for SASH pharmacy. I feel happy and content in role. I am also starting a role working one day a week for Brighton University, focussing on the development of students taking their pharmacy degree.

Out of work?

Running, and house renovations.

Spotlight on Emma Fuller

Name

Emma Fuller

Job Title

Lead Electronic Prescribing and Medicine Administration Pharmacy Technician

Band

7

Pharmacy qualifications

MMT, ACPT, ES course, Cerner super user training

Job history at Trust

I started working at East Surrey Hospital when I was 17, working in stores as a bank assistant. I then left the area to go to university in Portsmouth and after I graduated I came back as a PTPT so that I could study to become a pharmacy technician. I left the Trust for around five years to gain experience as an MMT including mental health at the Trust in Worthing. I then came back to work here as an MMT, and subsequently went on to become the Lead MMT. Whilst I was on maternity leave I got promoted to my current role in the EPMA team.

Previous career history

Economics degree from the University of Portsmouth

What are your main areas of responsibility?

Maintaining and optimising the EPMA side of Cerner. For example working with different specialties to build care plans so that complex and high risk medicines are consistently prescribed correctly for patients. I also try to improve work flow and make the EPMA side of Cerner as user friendly as possible

What do you like best about your role?

Working with lots of people across the Trust to improve patient care and that I can still use and improve my clinical knowledge

Out of work

I have two young kids that keep me busy, and we’ve just moved house so I’m really getting into DIY improvements. I also enjoy relaxing with a good book.

Spotlight on Arthur Mushayavanyu

Originally from Zimbabwe, Arthur has lived in the UK for almost 20 years.  He came to the UK to study computing at University, then met his wife, settled down and had a family.

Name

Arthur Mushayavanhu

Job Title

Pharmacy Assistant Technical Officer (Stores)

Band

2

Pharmacy qualifications

BTEC Level 2 in Pharmacy, completed 2023

Job history at Trust

I started at SASH in October 2019 as a Rotational ATO, working in the Dispensary and Pharmacy Stores. In September I successfully interviewed for the non-rotational stores post.

Previous career history

I had lots of jobs including several in the catering industry, working in a Vesper dealership and as a door-to-door salesman.

What are your main areas of responsibility?

I am responsible for ensuring that medicine stocks are supplied to Theatres, Endoscopy and Limpsfield Eye Ward. I go up to these areas at least once a week to check stock levels, then order what is needed, before going back to Pharmacy Stores to pick the stock needed. Whilst I am up on the ward I ensure that the medicines are stored tidily and check for any short-dated medicines.

Within stores I have particular responsibility for fridge items; deliveries, as well as ensuring the walk-in fridge is clean and tidy, the medicines are stored properly, and are in date. I am also the go-to person for the supply of specialist eye injections.

What do you like best about your role?

Lots of things:  

• I like to get to out on to wards, see if there are any issues relating to the storage and supply of medicines and resolving those queries. It is very gratifying to have sorted things out, so feeling that I am leaving an area a better place that before I went there.
• The great team that work with.
• Educating and training new staff.

Out of work?

I am a very hands-on father, with four children aged 4 to 13.  When time allows, I bake bread and play a game called Stardew Valley.