Job Description
PCN Clinical Pharmacist
Job Description & Person Specification
Job title Clinical Pharmacist
Accountable to PCN Clinical Director
Hours per week Full time 37.5
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 PCN member practices.
The following sets out the key responsibilities for clinical pharmacists in delivering the additional PCN health services to patients:
- Clinical pharmacists will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team in a patient facing role to clinically assess and treat patients using their expert knowledge of medicines for specific disease areas.
- They will be prescribers, or will be completing training to become prescribers, and will work with and alongside the general practice team.
They will take responsibility 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 comorbidities (in particular frailty, COPD and asthma) and people with learning disabilities or autism (throughSTOMP – Stop Over Medication Programme).
- They will provide specialist expertise in the use of medicines whilst helping to address both the public health and social care needs of patients at the
PCN’s practices and to help in tackling inequalities.
- Clinical pharmacists will 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. Through structured medication reviews, clinical pharmacists will support patients to take their medications to get the best
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from them, reduce waste and promote self-care. Clinical pharmacists will have a leadership role in supporting further integration of general practice with the wider healthcare teams (including community and hospital pharmacy) to help improve patient outcomes, ensure better access to healthcare and help manage general practice workload. The role has the potential to significantly improve quality of care and safety for patients.
- They will develop relationships and work closely with other pharmacy professionals across PCNs and the wider health and social care system.
- Clinical pharmacists will 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.
- medication reviews, particularly in high-risk groups including: o the frail elderly o polypharmacy o renal impairment o hepatic impairment o substance misuse o patients on high-risk medicines o STOPP (screening tool for older people’s potentially inappropriate prescriptions)/START (screening tool to alert doctors to right/appropriate treatments) identified patients o recurrent hospital admissions
- managing the repeat prescribing reauthorisation process by reviewing requests for repeat prescriptions and medicines reaching review dates
- improving prescribing practice through educational support for all prescribers in the practice
- leading on evidence-based changes in prescribing across the patient population, eg where a drug is withdrawn or indications change
- liaising with colleagues in community pharmacy to align support for medicines adherence, eg on Medicines Use Reviews and the New Medicine
Service
- supporting improvements in clinical care through practice-based audit and implementing change
- offering prescribing advice to prescribers in the practice, eg temporary non- availability of drugs
- ensuring patient safety when they are transferred between care providers through reconciliation of prescribed medicine.
Generic responsibilities
All staff members working within Orion primary care network have a duty to conform to the following:
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
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A good attitude and positive action towards ED&I create an environment where all individuals are able to achieve their full potential. Creating such an environment is important for three reasons: it improves operational effectiveness, it is morally the right thing to do, and it is required by law.
Patients and their families have the right to be treated fairly and to be routinely involved in decisions about their treatment and care. They can expect to be treated with dignity and respect and will not be discriminated against on any grounds including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
Patients have a responsibility to treat other patients and our staff with dignity and respect.
Staff have the right to be treated fairly in recruitment and career progression. Staff can expect to work in an environment where diversity is valued and equality of opportunity is promoted. Staff will not be discriminated against on any grounds including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Staff have a responsibility to ensure that they treat our patients and their colleagues with dignity and respect.
Safety, Health, Environment and Fire (SHEF)
Our PCN is committed to supporting and promoting opportunities for staff to maintain their health, well-being and safety. You have a duty to take reasonable care of health and safety at work for you, your team and others, and to cooperate with employers to ensure compliance with health and safety requirements. All personnel are to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974,
Environmental Protection Act 1990, Environment Act 1995, Fire Precautions
(workplace) Regulations 1999 and other statutory legislation.
Confidentiality
Our PCN is committed to maintaining an outstanding confidential service. Patients entrust and permit us to collect and retain sensitive information relating to their health and other matters pertaining to their care. They do so in confidence and have a right to expect that all staff will respect their privacy and maintain confidentiality at all times. It is essential, if the legal requirements are to be met and the trust of our patients is to be retained, that all staff protect patient information and provide a confidential service.
Quality & Continuous Improvement (CI)
To preserve and improve the quality of our output, all personnel are required to think not only of what they do, but how they achieve it. By continually re-examining our processes, we will be able to develop and improve the overall effectiveness of the way we work. The responsibility for this rests with everyone working within the practice to look for opportunities to improve quality and share good practice.
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Our PCN continually strives to improve work processes which deliver healthcare with improved results across all areas of our service provision. We promote a culture of continuous improvement, where everyone counts and staff are permitted to make suggestions and contributions to improve our service delivery and enhance patient care.
Induction training
On arrival at the practice, all personnel are to complete a practice induction programme; this is managed by the PCN member practice and its Practice
Manager.
Learning and development
The effective use of training and development is fundamental in ensuring that all staff are equipped with the appropriate skills, knowledge, attitude and competences to perform their role. All staff will be required to participate in and complete mandatory training as directed by the training coordinator, as well as taking part in the practice training programme. Staff will also be permitted (subject to approval) to undertake external training courses which will enhance their knowledge and skills, progress their career and, ultimately, enable them to improve processes and service delivery.
Collaborative working
All staff are to recognise the significance of collaborative working. Teamwork is essential in multidisciplinary environments. Effective communication is essential and all staff must ensure that they communicate in a way which enables the sharing of information in an appropriate manner.
Service delivery
Staff must adhere to the information contained within practice policies and regional directives, ensuring that protocols are adhered to at all times. Staff will be given detailed information during the induction process regarding policy and procedure.
Security
The security of the practice is the responsibility of all personnel. Staff must ensure they remain vigilant at all times and report any suspicious activity immediately to their line manager. Under no circumstances are staff to share the codes for the door locks with anyone and they are to ensure that restricted areas remain effectively secured.
Professional conduct
Staff are required to dress appropriately for their role. Administrative staff will be provided with a uniform whilst clinical staff must dress in accordance with their role.
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Leave
All personnel are entitled to take leave. Each individual staff members annual leave entitlement will be discussed with them and will be part of their employment contract.
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: a. Practice as an independent prescriber working within scope of practice b. Carry out face-to-face and telephone consultations with patients with minor illnesses c. To provide medication review services with patients in the practice and during domiciliary visits to the local nursing home d. To provide advice and support for patients with self-limiting conditions e. Encourage cost-effective prescribing within the practice f. Review all safety alerts ensuring the required actions are taken g. To reconcile medicines following patients discharge from hospital or clinic appointments h. Review medications for newly registered patients i. Implement and embed a robust repeat prescribing system j. To provide subject matter expertise on medication monitoring, implementing and embedding a system k. Carry out targeted medication reviews for high-risk patients l. To reauthorise medication for repeat prescribing within scope of practice m. Identify patients suitable for repeat prescribing, liaising with the relevant clinicians as required n. Review and implement safe prescribing systems for vulnerable patients, improving compliance o. Support clinicians with the management of patients suffering from drug and alcohol dependencies p. Actively signpost patients to the correct healthcare professional q. Assist with QOF targets r. Administer Covid, influenza and travel vaccines s. To attend Practice MDT meetings t. Work with the general practice teams to ensure the practices are compliant with CQC standards where medicines are involved.
Secondary responsibilities
In addition to the primary responsibilities, the clinical pharmacist may be requested to: a. Partake in audit as directed by the audit lead b. Provide education on medicines for the clinical team c. Review the latest guidance ensuring the practice conforms to NICE, CQC etc.
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d. Act as the practice point of contact for all medicines related matters, establishing positive working relationships e. Produce pharmacy / prescribing newsletters or bulletins on a quarterly basis f. To line manage the dispensary staff in accordance with current practice policy
The person specification for this role is detailed overleaf.
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Person Specification – Clinical Pharmacist
Qualifications Essential Desirable
GPhC Registered Pharmacist ✓
GPhC Independent Prescriber Qualification ✓
Minor Ailments certification ✓
Medicines Management Qualification ✓
MUR and repeat dispensing certification
Experience Essential Desirable
Minimum of two years working as a pharmacist ✓
Experience in managing pharmacy services in primary care ✓
Broad knowledge of General Practice ✓
Skills Essential Desirable
Excellent communication skills (written and oral) ✓
Strong IT skills ✓
Clear, polite telephone manner ✓
Competent in the use of Office and Outlook ✓
EMIS / Systmone / Vision user skills ✓
Ability to promote best practice regarding all pharmaceutical ✓ matters
Effective time management (Planning & Organising) ✓
Ability to work as a team member and autonomously ✓
Good interpersonal skills ✓
Problem solving & analytical skills ✓
Ability to follow policy and procedure ✓
Personal Qualities Essential Desirable
Polite and confident ✓
Flexible and cooperative ✓
Motivated ✓
Forward thinker ✓
High levels of integrity and loyalty ✓
Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations ✓
Ability to work under pressure ✓
Other requirements Essential Desirable
Flexibility to work outside of core office hours ✓
Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check ✓
Evidence of continuing professional development ✓
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Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent, Freelance
Part-time hours: 37.5 per week
Salary: £30,000.00-£42,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Flexitime
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Schedule:
- Day shift
- Flexitime
- Monday to Friday
- Weekend availability
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Leicester: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:
- Pharmacist: 1 year (preferred)
Work Location: One location
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