Senior Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing

Qualified as a Pharmacist in 2001, I initially honed my skills in a large pharmacy department as a clinical pharmacist. Throughout my career, I've worked in various pharmacy disciplines, including district general hospitals, mental health trusts, community pharmacy, homecare companies, and primary care.

Since qualifying, I have been actively involved in teaching science across multiple educational settings. I have successfully facilitated education for pharmacists, doctors, nurses, and HCAs at all seniority levels, covering topics such as medicines management, Numerical skills, antibiotics stewardship, PGD Foundation, junior doctor induction, controlled drugs, and training for GP practice nurses.

I became a Non-Medical Prescriber in 2017 and since then have worked in primary and secondary care settings. My IP role encompasses acting in an advisory capacity to the medics, pharmacists, nurses, & other allied health professions for any complex mental health queries. It also involves providing clinical services for patients including Medication and Long-term disease reviews.

Since 2022, I have held the position of Senior Lecturer in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, where I have been instrumental in delivering both undergraduate and postgraduate education. This includes teaching for the NMC and HCPC-approved Non-Medical Prescribing Course. My expertise in Medicines Management and Pharmacology, coupled with strong organizational skills, a methodical and detail-oriented approach, and extensive analytical and numerical abilities, ensures successful and impactful teaching.

Qualifications

• Royal Pharmaceutical Society Advance Credentialing Programme - Ongoing
• Integrated Care Fellowship - University of Suffolk (Sponsored by HEE)
• Independent prescribing - University of Hertfordshire
• Diploma in Pharmacy Practice – School of Pharmacy, University of London
• Diploma in professional studies – University of Sunderland
• Bachelor of Pharmacy First Class – University of Karachi

Teaching Expertise

• Pharmacology and Therapeutics: Expertise in explaining the mechanisms of action, therapeutic uses, side effects, and contraindications of various drugs.
• Medicines Management: Proficiency in teaching about safe and effective medication use, prescription practices, and patient adherence strategies.
• Clinical Pharmacokinetics: Ability to explain drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, and how these processes impact drug dosing and administration.
• Patient Safety and Risk Management: Skills in training nurses on recognizing and preventing medication errors, adverse drug reactions, and interactions.
• Interprofessional Collaboration: Experience in promoting effective teamwork and communication between pharmacists and nurses for optimal patient care.
• Regulatory Compliance: Knowledge of legal and ethical guidelines in medication administration and how to integrate these into clinical practice.
• Advanced Clinical Practice: Guidance on integrating clinical evidence and best practices into nursing care.
• Educator Training: Experience in developing and delivering training programs for healthcare professionals at various levels of expertise.

Research Interests

• Integrated Mental Health Interventions
• Psychopharmacology interventions
• Patient-Centred Care Approaches
• Mental Health Policy and Practice
• Mindfulness and Mental Health for students
• Mental Health in Clinical Settings
• Wellbeing Metrics

Publications

• Impact of emotional support for Mental Health student nurses and retention on the Mental Health nursing programme - University of York (2024)'PROSPERO: CRD42024557673', National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), Centre for Reviews and Dissemination.

Contact Details

E: iram.aziz@beds.ac.uk