Avonside Health Centre

Job Title Clinical Pharmacist
Line Manager Dr C Humpherson
Accountable to GP Partners
Hours per week 15
Job Summary
To be responsible for implementing an effective medicine management system within the practice, including cost-effective prescribing, working as an independent prescriber, providing advice and support for both patients and colleagues. In addition, the post-holder will also support the multi-disciplinary team, in line with the strategic objectives of the practice.
The post is based at Avonside Health Centre and the post-holder will be required to work from the practice premises. This post would suit someone who may wish to work 15 hours a week over several days. Working times are negotiable and school-hours could be accommodated.
Mission Statement
Providing the best possible healthcare services within the scope of our resources in a caring, confidential and courteous environment.
Primary Responsibilities
The following are the core responsibilities of the clinical pharmacist. There may be on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks; this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels:
<ul>
<li>Practice as an independent prescriber, prescribing acute and repeat medication working within scope of practice and working with and alongside the practice team</li>
<li>Carry out face-to-face and telephone consultations with patients with minor illnesses, working as part of a multi-disciplinary team to clinically assess and treat patients using their expert knowledge of medicines for specific disease areas</li>
<li>Improve patient and carer understanding of confidence in and compliance with their medication</li>
<li>Maintain accurate clinical records in conjunction with extant legislation</li>
<li>Be responsible for the care management of patients with chronic diseases and undertake clinical medication reviews to proactively manage people with complex polypharmacy, especially the elderly, people in care homes, those with multiple co-morbidities (in particular frailty, COPD and asthma) and people with learning disabilities or autism (through STOMP – Stop Over Medication Programme)</li>
<li>Provide specialist expertise in the use of medicines whilst helping to address both the public health and social care needs of patients at the organisation and to help in tackling inequalities</li>
<li>Provide leadership on person-centred medicines optimisation (including ensuring prescribers in the practice conserve antibiotics in line with local antimicrobial stewardship guidance) and quality improvement, whilst contributing to the Quality and Outcomes Framework and enhanced services</li>
<li>To provide medication review services with patients in the practice and during domiciliary visits to the local nursing home. Additionally, through structured medication reviews, support patients to take their medications to get the best from them, reduce waste and promote self-care</li>
<li>Have a leadership role in supporting further integration of general practice with the wider healthcare teams (including community and hospital pharmacy) to help to improve patient outcomes, ensure better access to healthcare and help to manage general practice workload</li>
<li>Provide expert advice and clinical support to patients presenting with self-limiting conditions, promoting self-care and appropriate use of healthcare services.</li>
<li>Support and promote cost-effective, evidence-based prescribing in line with local and national guidance.</li>
<li>Review, action and monitor medicines-related safety alerts, ensuring timely implementation of required actions and maintaining patient safety.</li>
<li>To reconcile medicines following patients discharge from hospital or clinic appointments</li>
<li>Undertake medicines reconciliation following hospital discharge, outpatient appointments and other transitions of care to ensure accurate and safe prescribing</li>
<li>Reconcile and process medication changes resulting from correspondence received from secondary care and other third-party healthcare providers.</li>
<li>Conduct medication reviews and medicines reconciliation for newly registered patients, ensuring the accuracy and appropriateness of prescribed medicines.</li>
<li>Implement and continuously improve robust repeat prescribing processes to promote safe, effective and efficient prescribing.</li>
<li>Provide specialist expertise in medication monitoring, establishing and embedding recall systems to ensure patients receive appropriate and timely monitoring of high-risk medicines.</li>
<li>Undertake structured and targeted medication reviews, particularly for patients with complex needs, polypharmacy or high-risk medications.</li>
<li>Take a central role in the clinical aspects of shared care protocols, clinical research with medicines, liaison with specialist pharmacists (including mental health and reduction of inappropriate antipsychotic use in people with learning difficulties), liaison with community pharmacists, and anticoagulation</li>
<li>Authorise repeat prescriptions within scope of practice, ensuring prescribing remains clinically appropriate and safe.</li>
<li>Be part of a professional clinical network and have access to appropriate clinical supervision. Appropriate clinical supervision means:</li>
<li>Each Clinical Pharmacist must receive a minimum of one supervision session per month by a senior clinical pharmacist</li>
<li>The Senior Clinical Pharmacist must receive a minimum of one supervision session every three months by a GP clinical supervisor</li>
<li>Each Clinical Pharmacist will have access to an assigned GP clinical supervisor for support and development</li>
<li>A ratio of one Senior Clinical Pharmacist to no more than five junior Clinical Pharmacists, with appropriate peer support and supervision in place</li>
<li>Identify patients suitable for repeat prescribing programmes and work collaboratively with multidisciplinary colleagues to optimise prescribing arrangements.</li>
<li>Develop and implement safe prescribing systems for vulnerable patient groups, supporting medication adherence and reducing medicines-related risks.</li>
<li>Support clinicians in the management of patients with drug and alcohol dependency, contributing to safe and effective treatment plans.</li>
<li>Signpost patients to the most appropriate healthcare professional or service to ensure timely access to care and support.</li>
<li>Support the achievement of Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) indicators through proactive patient identification, medication optimisation and clinical interventions.</li>
<li>Contribute to the delivery of medicines optimisation initiatives, improving patient outcomes, safety and the quality of prescribing across the practice.</li>
</ul>
Secondary Responsibilities
In addition to the primary responsibilities, the clinical pharmacist may be requested to:
<ul>
<li>Administer seasonal influenza, travel and other vaccinations within scope of practice, in accordance with national guidance and local protocols.</li>
<li>Participate in clinical audit and quality improvement activities as directed, contributing to service evaluation, patient safety and continuous improvement.</li>
<li>Provide education, training and medicines-related advice to clinical and non-clinical staff, supporting safe and effective prescribing practices.</li>
<li>Monitor developments in national and local clinical guidance, including NICE, CQC and other relevant standards, supporting the implementation of best practice across the organisation.</li>
<li>Act as the primary point of contact for medicines optimisation and prescribing queries, developing and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.</li>
<li>Receive referrals and directed patients from triage services and other clinicians</li>
<li>Produce and disseminate regular prescribing and medicines optimisation newsletters, bulletins and educational updates to support clinical governance and continuous professional development.</li>
<li>Develop yourself and the role through participation in clinical supervision, training and service redesign activities</li>
<li>Work collaboratively with Clinical Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians and other Allied Health Professionals across the Kenilworth and Warwick Primary Care Network to deliver integrated, high-quality patient care and medicines optimisation services.</li>
<li>Contribute to the development and implementation of prescribing policies, protocols and standard operating procedures in line with current legislation and best practice.</li>
<li>Support medicines governance activities, identifying opportunities to improve prescribing safety, efficiency and patient outcomes.</li>
<li>Represent the practice in medicines-related meetings, forums and multidisciplinary team discussions as appropriate.</li>
<li>Participate in the management of patient complaints when requested to do so, and participate in the identification of any necessary learning brought about through clinical incidents and near-miss events</li>
</ul>
Person Specification – Clinical Pharmacist
Qualifications Essential/Desirable
GPhC Registered Pharmacist - Essential
GPhC Independent Prescriber Qualification - Essential
Minor Ailments certification - Desirable
Medicines Management Qualification - Desirable
MUR and repeat dispensing certification - Desirable
Experience Essential/Desirable
Minimum of two years working as a pharmacist - Essential
Minimum of one year working as a pharmacist in General Practice - Essential
Experience in managing pharmacy services in primary care - Essential
Broad knowledge of General Practice - Desirable
Skills Essential/Desirable
Excellent communication skills (written and oral) - Essential
Strong IT skills - Essential
Clear, polite telephone manner - Essential
Competent in the use of Office and Outlook - Essential
EMIS / Systmone / Vision user skills - Essential
Ability to promote best practice regarding all pharmaceutical matters - Essential
Effective time management (Planning &amp; Organising) - Essential
Ability to work as a team member and autonomously - Essential
Good interpersonal skills - Essential
Problem solving &amp; analytical skills - Essential
Ability to follow policy and procedure - Essential
Other requirements Essential Desirable
Flexibility to work outside of core office hours - Essential
Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check - Essential
Evidence of continuing professional development - Essential
Pay: £23.49-£26.49 per hour
Benefits:
<ul>
<li>Company pension</li>
<li>Employee discount</li>
<li>Free parking</li>
<li>Health &amp; wellbeing programme</li>
<li>On-site parking</li>
</ul>
Application question(s):
<ul>
<li>Are you a GPhC Registered Pharmacist?</li>
<li>Have you obtained your GPhC Independent Prescriber Qualification?</li>
<li>Have you completed Minor Ailments certification?</li>
</ul>
Experience:
<ul>
<li>General Practice Pharmacist: 1 year (required)</li>
</ul>
Work Location: In person

Clinical Pharmacist (General Practice)

Clinical Pharmacist (General Practice)

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