About this role
Job summary
The Clinical Pharmacist will play a key role within the multidisciplinary team, delivering high-quality clinical pharmacy services that support safe, effective and patient-centred care across the practice.
The post holder will provide expert medicines optimisation, undertake Structured Medication Reviews (SMRs), support patients with long-term conditions and complex polypharmacy, and promote safe, evidence-based and cost-effective prescribing. Working closely with GPs, nurses, pharmacy technicians and other healthcare professionals, the Clinical Pharmacist will contribute to clinical governance, quality improvement and the implementation of national guidance to improve prescribing quality and patient outcomes.
The role will also support the practice in achieving its strategic objectives by enhancing patient safety, improving prescribing efficiency and ensuring compliance with Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards and other regulatory requirements.
Main duties of the job
The Clinical Pharmacist will provide expert clinical pharmacy services to support safe, effective and evidence-based prescribing across the practice. The role includes undertaking Structured Medication Reviews, optimising medicines for patients with long-term conditions and complex polypharmacy, promoting medicines safety, supporting clinical governance and quality improvement, and working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to improve patient outcomes, prescribing quality and regulatory compliance.
About us
South Tyneside Health Collaboration (STHC) are a GP Federation and valued system partner, set up to bring together South Tyneside General Practices to work collaboratively in delivering services at scale across the borough of South Tyneside.
Job description Job responsibilities
Clinical Patient Care
Undertake patient-facing consultations for medication reviews and medicines optimisation. Support comprehensive Structured Medication Reviews (SMRs) for patients with complex polypharmacy, frailty or multiple long-term conditions. Optimise medication regimens in line with national and local prescribing guidance. Identify opportunities for deprescribing where clinically appropriate. Support patients to improve adherence through shared decision making. Provide expert medicines advice to patients, carers and members of the multidisciplinary team. Support long-term condition management through optimisation of medicines. Respond to medication-related clinical queries from clinicians and practice staff. Undertake medicines reconciliation following hospital discharge and outpatient appointments. Identify and reduce medicines-related risks. Ensure accurate coding and documentation within the clinical system.
Medicines Optimisation
Lead medicines optimisation initiatives across the practice. Promote evidence-based, safe and cost-effective prescribing. Review prescribing against local formularies, Integrated Care Board (ICB) guidance and NICE recommendations. Monitor prescribing quality indicators. Identify prescribing trends and areas requiring improvement. Support delivery of prescribing incentive schemes where applicable. Assist with repeat prescribing processes to ensure safety and efficiency. Work collaboratively with community pharmacies and secondary care colleagues.
Clinical Governance and Patient Safety
Review and action Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Drug Safety Updates. Review and implement Central Alerting System (CAS) safety alerts. Develop, review and implement prescribing protocols. Maintain awareness of current NICE guidance and ensure recommendations are implemented appropriately. Support CQC compliance relating to medicines management. Undertake clinical searches to identify patients requiring medication review or intervention. Participate in significant event analysis relating to prescribing. Investigate prescribing incidents and contribute to learning. Support implementation of national patient safety initiatives. Promote antimicrobial stewardship.
Quality Improvement
Lead or support medicines optimisation projects. Participate in clinical audit relating to prescribing. Analyse prescribing data using available reporting tools. Develop action plans following audit findings. Support achievement of Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) indicators where medicines management contributes. Contribute to practice quality improvement programmes. Support implementation of new prescribing guidance and pathways. Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce medicines waste. Multidisciplinary Team Working
Work collaboratively with GPs, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Practice Nurses, HCAs, Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians and administrative staff. Attend multidisciplinary team meetings. Provide expert prescribing advice to clinicians. Support education and training for practice staff regarding medicines optimisation. Liaise effectively with community pharmacists, hospital pharmacy teams and external healthcare professionals. Contribute to integrated patient care pathways.
Digital and Clinical Systems
Maintain accurate and contemporaneous clinical records using the practice clinical system.
Utilise GP clinical systems effectively.
Use prescribing dashboards and reporting tools to monitor quality.
Support digital initiatives that improve prescribing safety and efficiency.
Ensure information governance and confidentiality standards are maintained at all times.
Professional Responsibilities
The post holder will:
Maintain registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). Work within the standards of the General Pharmaceutical Council. Participate fully in Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Maintain professional competence through regular education and training. Work within all practice policies and procedures. Maintain awareness of current NHS policy, NICE guidance and prescribing recommendations. Support teaching and mentoring where appropriate. Act as a professional role model. Maintain patient confidentiality at all times. Participate in appraisal and personal development planning.
General Responsibilities
The post holder will:
Promote equality, diversity and inclusion. Work in accordance with Health and Safety legislation. Comply with Information Governance and GDPR requirements. Participate in mandatory training. Support service redesign and organisational change. Undertake any other duties appropriate to the role and grade.
Working Relationships
The post holder will work closely with:
Practice Manager GP Clinical Lead Strategic General Practice Lead General Practitioners Advanced Nurse Practitioners Practice Nurses Healthcare Assistants Pharmacists Pharmacy Technicians Administrative and Reception Teams Community Pharmacies Secondary Care Pharmacy Teams Integrated Care Board Medicines Optimisation Teams Other NHS providers
The post holder will be expected to:
Deliver high-quality Structured Medication Reviews.
Complete medication reviews within agreed timescales.
Improve prescribing quality and patient safety.
Reduce inappropriate polypharmacy.
Deliver agreed medicines optimisation projects.
Improve prescribing efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Ensure timely implementation of MHRA and CAS safety alerts.
Maintain compliance with NICE guidance.
Support achievement of CQC standards relating to medicines management.
Demonstrate effective multidisciplinary working.
Contribute to prescribing audits and quality improvement initiatives.
Maintain accurate and contemporaneous clinical records.
Achieve agreed objectives through the annual appraisal process.
This Job Description provides a guide to the duties and responsibilities of the post and is not an exhaustive list. The post holder may be asked to undertake any other relevant duties appropriate to the post. The Job Description may be amended over time, in consultation with the post holder to meet the needs of the service.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Registered Pharmacist with current General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) registration. Independent Prescriber qualification (or working towards). Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Desirable
Clinical Pharmacy Diploma or equivalent postgraduate qualification. Membership of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS).
Experience Essential
Experience working within Primary Care or General Practice. Experience undertaking Structured Medication Reviews (SMRs). Experience in medicines optimisation and evidence-based prescribing. Experience managing patients with long-term conditions and complex polypharmacy. Experience of prescribing audits and quality improvement initiatives. Experience supporting multidisciplinary clinical teams.
Desirable
Experience supervising pharmacy staff or trainees. Experience supporting CQC inspections or medicines management compliance. Experience using GP clinical systems (SystmOne, EMIS or equivalent). Knowledge
Knowledge Essential
Excellent knowledge of medicines optimisation principles. Knowledge of NICE guidance and evidence-based prescribing. Understanding of CQC medicines management requirements. Knowledge of MHRA Drug Safety Updates and Central Alerting System (CAS) alerts. Understanding of clinical governance, patient safety and risk management. Knowledge of Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) and Primary Care prescribing priorities.
Desirable
Knowledge of local prescribing formularies and Integrated Care Board (ICB) prescribing initiatives.
Skills and Competencies Essential
Excellent patient consultation and clinical assessment skills. Strong clinical decision-making and problem-solving ability. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to work independently and prioritise competing demands. Strong organisational and time management skills. Ability to analyse prescribing data and identify opportunities for improvement. Ability to educate and support colleagues in medicines optimisation. Strong IT skills with experience using GP clinical systems and Microsoft Office.
Desirable
Project management or service improvement skills.
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).
Employer details Employer name South Tyneside Health Collaboration
Address Whitburn Surgery
3 Bryers Street
Whitburn
Tyne and Wear
SR6 7EE
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.thesthc.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)