Clinical Pharmacist

Job Title: Clinical Pharmacist
Responsible To: Practice Manager
Accountable To: Lead GP
Hours: 15-20 hours per week (over 3-4 days)
Salary: NHS AFC Band 7-8a equivalent dependent on experience

Job Overview
Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Medication Reviews:

Conduct structured medication reviews with patients with polypharmacy, frailty and long term conditions.

Support the repeat prescribing process, ensuring medicines are prescribed safely and cost-effectively following best practice guidelines.

Provide advice and clinical support on prescribing and medicines optimisation to GPs and wider clinical staff.

Manage patients with complex medication needs, including deprescribing where appropriate.

Support and deliver long-term condition clinics where appropriate (e.g., hypertension, asthma, diabetes) acting within scope of practice.

Deal with hospital letters where there have been medicine changes instigated by the hospital or another provider.

Identify any potential medication issues (e.g., drug interactions, inappropriate prescribing, non-adherence) and make recommendations for improvements.

Discuss the patient's understanding of their medication and offer education on proper use, potential side effects, and lifestyle considerations.

Respond to acute medicine queries from patients and healthcare professionals.

Provide patient-facing consultations via telephone, face to face or via NHS digital platforms.

Provide tailored advice regarding over-the-counter products, alternative treatments, and possible therapy adjustments.

Record and document all recommendations and patient feedback in EMIS Web.

• Appointments:

Patient appointment lengths will vary but an expectation of completing a total of 20 medication review appointments per 4 hour shift.

Appointments will be prioritised based on patient need, medication complexity, and the potential for improving health outcomes through medication management. This will be managed by the management team.

Ensure that each review includes:

Medication history review.

Assessment of medication adherence.

Identification of any adverse effects or concerns.

Suggestions for improvements or adjustments and appropriate and safe medication changes working within your clinical competency.

• Administrative Duties:

Clinical Documentation: Ensure thorough and accurate documentation of all patient interactions, including medication changes, recommendations, and changes in EMIS Web prior to session end.

Follow-up Communication: Send any necessary follow-up information or recommendations to patients via text or via reception as required.

Collaboration: Communicate with the GP team with any concerns or queries via EMIS Web task. Communicate any acute / urgent concerns with the doctor on call for that working day.

Data Entry/Reporting: Maintain accurate logs of completed appointments, recommendations, and patient progress for quality assurance and reporting purposes.

Clinical Research and Updates: Stay up-to-date with the latest clinical guidelines, drug interactions, and evidence-based practices relevant to primary care.

Process medication changes: Process medication changes from hospital letters ensuring that the acute and repeat medication screen are accurate and reconciled as much as possible in terms of repeat request times.

• Patient Follow-Up & Feedback:

Provide patients with the opportunity to ask questions regarding their medication management.

Performance Metrics:

Patient Satisfaction: Regular feedback from patients on the clarity of medication advice and overall satisfaction with the remote review process.

Appointment Efficiency: Timely completion of appointments within the appropriate time frame agreed.

Collaboration: Effective communication with the wider healthcare team regarding medication adjustments, concerns, and recommendations.

Reporting and Supervision:

Supervisor: Dr Amrik Gill (GP), Louise Till (Practice Manager)

Reporting Requirements: Weekly updates on the number of appointments completed, key medication issues identified, and follow-up recommendations.

Supervision & Support: Regular check-ins for feedback, support with complex cases.

Audit: Supervising GP to carry out regular audits.

This job description is intended as a basic guide to the scope and responsibilities of the post and is not exhaustive. It will be subject to regular review and amendment as necessary in consultation with the post holder.

Other Conditions

Criminal Records Disclosure
It is a requirement of this position that a Criminal Records Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service is undertaken.

Confidentiality
The post holder is required to maintain the highest levels of confidentiality, particularly that relating to patients and staff and so must not share or discuss any information that they are privy to within their role with anyone outside of the organisation. All employees are subject to the restrictions set out by the General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act and must not only maintain strict confidentiality in respect of patient and staff records, but the accuracy and integrity of the information contained within.

The post holder must not at any time use personal data held by the North Staffordshire GP Federation for any unauthorised purpose or disclosure such as data to a third party. You must not make any disclosure to any unauthorised person or use any confidential information relating to the business affairs of the North Staffordshire GP Federation, unless expressly authorised to do so by a member of the Management Team. Further guidance on confidentiality is contained within our Confidentiality Policy.

Education and Training
Personal continuing professional development is encouraged and an annual appraisal system is in place to discuss CPD and ongoing objectives.

Equal Opportunities
The post holder is required at all times to carry out responsibilities with due regard to the Equalities Act and our in-house Equality and Diversity Policy and to ensure that staff and patients receive equal treatment.

Health and Safety
As an employee of the North Staffordshire GP Federation, the post holder has a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, to:

• Take reasonable care of the health and safety of themselves and all other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.
• Co-operate with their employer to ensure compliance with Health and Safety legislation and the Health and Safety policies and procedures of the treatment centre, not intentionally or recklessly interfere with, or misuse, anything provided in the interests of health, safety, or welfare, in pursuance of any of the relevant statutory provisions.

Risk Management
All members of staff have a responsibility to report all clinical and non-clinical accidents or incidents promptly and when requested to, co-operate with any investigation undertaken.

This list of responsibilities is by not exhaustive and the post holder may be required to undertake other relevant and appropriate duties as reasonably required.

Qualifications
Essential

• MPharm or equivalent degree in Pharmacy
• Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent experience
• Independent Prescribing qualification

Skills and Competencies
Essential

• Excellent interpersonal, influencing, and communication skills
• Ability to analyse and interpret complex clinical data
• Strong IT skills including EMIS and Microsoft Office
• Proven ability to prioritise workload and meet deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Demonstrates accountability and professional integrity

Desirable

• Ability to manage change and lead quality improvement projects

Professional Registration
Essential

• Registered Pharmacist with the GPhC

Desirable

• Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
• Working towards or member of the RPS Faculty

Experience
Essential

• Minimum 2 years post-qualification experience
• Sound knowledge of therapeutics and evidence-based medicine
• Understanding of general practice and primary care prescribing principles
• Familiarity with NICE, BNF, and local formulary guidance

Desirable

• Experience of working in primary care or multidisciplinary teams

Personal Attributes
Essential

• Self-motivated, adaptable, and organised
• Commitment to continuous learning and improvement
• Full UK driving licence and access to transport
• Professional indemnity insurance

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

North Staffordshire GP Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.