PCN Clinical Pharmacist

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a full-time forward thinking, motivated and experienced Clinical Pharmacist to join our North Connect PCN in Northwood on a permanent contract.

The role will be based at Carepoint Practice. The successful candidate will work at Carepoint Practice developing this role closely supported by the GPs. They will be part of a group of Clinical Pharmacists under the guidance and supervision of a delegated clinical supervisor.

The role will suit a forward-thinking, innovative and enthusiastic clinical pharmacist who is able to work collaboratively across the team. If you are adaptable, self-motivated and organised, possessing the necessary qualities and skills for this post, we look forward to hearing from you.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work as part of a multidisciplinary team to develop and run processes for repeat prescription authorisation, management of medicines on transfer of care and systems for safer prescribing. They will work directly with patients to assess and treat conditions, manage long-term conditions as well as promote self-care.

Key Responsibilities:

• Undertake clinical medication reviews with patients within the practice, care homes and/or domiciliary visit to proactively manage polypharmacy and produce recommendations for senior clinical pharmacist, nurses and/or GP on prescribing and monitoring.
• See patients with single or multiple medical problems where medicine optimisation is required (e.g. Respiratory, Cardiovascular and Diabetes).
• Manage caseload of patients with common/minor/self-limiting ailments while working within a scope of practice and limits of competence.
• Provide patient facing clinics and a telephone helpline for those with questions, queries and concerns about their medicines in the practice.
• Answer relevant medicine-related enquiries from GPs, other practice staff, other healthcare teams (e.g. community pharmacy) and patients with queries about medicines.
• Review the use of medicines most commonly associated with unplanned hospital admissions and readmissions through audit and individual patient reviews.
• Reconcile medicines following discharge from hospitals, intermediate care and into care homes, including identifying and rectifying unexplained changes and working with patients and community pharmacists to ensure patients receive the medicines they need post discharge.
• Produce and implement a repeat prescribing policy within each PCN practice. Manage the repeat prescribing reauthorisation process by reviewing patient requests for repeat prescriptions and reviewing medicines reaching review dates and flagging up those needing a review.
• Identify cohorts of patients at high risk of harm from medicines through pre-prepared practice computer searches.
• Contribute pharmaceutical advice for the development and implementation of new services that have medicinal components (e.g. advice on treatment pathways and patient information leaflets).
• Undertake clinical audits of prescribing in areas directed by the GPs, feedback the results and implement changes in conjunction with the relevant practice team.
• Implement changes to medicines that result from MHRA alerts, product withdrawal and other local and national guidance.
• Provide education and training to primary healthcare team on therapeutics and medicines optimisation.
• Work with the general practice team to ensure the practice is compliant with CQC standards where medicines are involved.
• Participate in the Primary Care Network Multidisciplinary Team.
• Liaise with CCG colleagues including CCG pharmacists on prescribing related matters to ensure consistency of patient care and benefit in surgeries.
• Foster and maintain strong links with all services across the PCN and neighbouring networks.
• Explore the potential for collaborative working and take opportunities to initiate and sustain such relationships.
• Recognise the roles of other colleagues within the organisation and their role to patient care.
• Demonstrate use of appropriate communication to gain the co-operation of relevant stakeholders (including patients, senior and peer colleagues, and other professionals, other NHS/private organisations e.g. CCGs).
• Can recognise personal limitations and refer to more appropriate colleague(s) when necessary.
• Demonstrate ability to integrate general practice with community and hospital pharmacy teams.
• Work with your line manager to undertake continual personal and professional development, taking an active part in reviewing and developing the role and responsibilities.
• Involved in one to one meetings with line manager monthly to discuss targets and outcomes achieved.
• Adhere to organisational policies and procedures, including confidentiality, safeguarding, lone working, information governance, and health and safety.
• Work with your line manager to access regular clinical supervision, to enable you to deal effectively with the difficult issues that people present.
• Review yearly progress and develop clear plans to achieve results within priorities set by others.
• Participate in the delivery of formal education programmes.
• Demonstrate an understanding of current educational policies relevant to working areas of practice and keep up to date with relevant clinical practice.

Requirements:

• Completion of an undergraduate degree in pharmacy and registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council
• Minimum of 2 years experience as a pharmacist
• Experience and an awareness of common acute and long-term conditions that are likely to be seen in general practice
• Working towards or holding an independent prescribing qualification
• Able to follow legal, ethical, professional and organisational policies/procedures and codes of conduct
• Involves patients in decisions about prescribed medicines and supporting adherence as per NICE guidelines.